ACT File

What are ACT files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an ACT file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is an ACT file?

ACT files have multiple uses, and Adobe Color Table is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Adobe Color Table

The .act file extension is also commonly used for Adobe color table files. The Adobe Photoshop application uses color look-up tables to store a collection of pre-defined colors used by the software. These ACT files are used to add or reduce the number of colors in the application's CLUT file.

How to open ACT files

Important: Different programs may use files with the ACT file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your ACT file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different ACT openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: February 24, 2023

All known file formats using extension .ACT

While Adobe Color Table is a popular type of ACT-file, we know of 6 different uses of the .ACT file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

ADPCM 8 kbit/s compressed audio file

These ACT files contain the lossy ADPCM 8 kbit/s compressed audio that is recorded with a Chinese MP3 and MP4 player. ADPCM is short for Adaptive differential pulse code modulation. You would use this audio format to record audio at its lowest quality to save space on your device. You can use Windows or Linux to convert these files. ACT to WAV converter programs usually come with the device when you are using Windows. Converting .act files to another format requires a command-line when using Linux.

ACT opener for Windows

We have identified 2 ACT openers that are compatible with this specific type of ACT file.

Astound Actor

These ACT files contain the presentations/slides created in Astound, Windows 95's number one multimedia presentation program. You get armed with over 70 templates where you can fill in the blanks to create your ideal slideshow presentation. These templates have built-in multimedia effects to add more spice to your presentation. This software is obsolete and no longer gets produced and distributed.

Cartooners Actor

These files contain the cartoon characters created in Electronic Arts' Cartooner Software. Cartooner is an educational video game released in 1989. Cartooner was not completely a game; it was a software tool used to create animated cartoons with the aspects of a video game. You go through a series of events like choosing the backdrop, cartoons, and objects to create a story-book style panel.

Microsoft Project 4.0 for DOS Activity

These ACT files contain projects, schedules, or tasks created using the Microsoft Project software, an MS-DOS software application originally written in Microsoft 'C' for IBM PCs. Project managers use Microsoft Project software to help them set up schedules and assign tasks and resources. Being the last 16-bit version, Microsoft Project 4.0 used standard Office menus, right-click context menus, and the Acme setup program. This was the first version to use VBA macro language, which introduced screen tooltips, Cue Cards, GanttChartWizard, Calendar view, Assign resources dialogue, workgroup abilities recurring tasks, and the ability to create reports.

Playmation Action

These ACT files are animation and 3D objects designed with Playmation, a 3D animation software for the Commodore Amiga home computer. Playmation focuses on rendering organic animations and materials in 3D. You can use this software to create your own 3D animated characters, and with the appropriate hardware, you could create film resolution animations. Putting in long hours can help you get the hang of how the mechanics of animation work. Once you are knowledgeable, you can use this software to create your own little animated movie/short films.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of ACT files. Remember, different programs may use ACT files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about ACT file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.