ACT File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open an ACT file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .ACT files.
What is an ACT file?
An .ACT file is an Adobe Color Table file. 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
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension ACT for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
Other 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 extension.
The ACT file extension indicates to your device which app can open the file. However, different apps may use the same file extension for different types of data. So an ACT opener may not be able to open all kinds of ACT files. In this case, look through all formats to make sure you find the best suited ACT viewer.
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.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
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 This software is obsolete and no longer gets produced and distributed.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
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.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
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.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
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.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different ACT openers which you will find listed below.
Various viewers for this file format
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.
 | Free File Viewer | User submitted |
 | WavePad Sound Editor | User submitted |
 | Final Media Player | User submitted |
 | WavePad Audio-Editor | User submitted |
 | Switch Sound File Converter | User submitted |
 | WinRAR | User submitted |
 | Adobe Photoshop | User submitted |
 | MixPad | User submitted |
 | Adobe Photoshop Elements | User submitted |
 | MixPad Audio Mixer | User submitted |
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