An ATN file is a graphics editing file compatible with Photoshop that is known as a Photoshop actions file. These files consist of prerecorded graphic editing steps that can turn a regular graphic or piece of text in Photoshop into a high quality edited image in a few seconds. A Photoshop user can create his own ATN files for later use or try those created by other Photoshop users.
Photoshop Action File
- Files ending with the file extension ".atn" are compatible with all versions of Photoshop, right up to the most recently released version, Adobe Photoshop CS5. These Photoshop action files consist of a set of packaged instructions that can replicate a graphic style using prerecorded effects and editing procedures. Packaging these commands into a single ATN file lets a user apply a set of graphic editing steps without going through the time-consuming process of performing each step individually.
Creating an Action Set
- You can record a set of effects and other graphical edits into an ATN file to be stored for later use. You can create a new action file from the Actions panel, which is opened through the Window menu. From the Action menu in the Actions panel, select "New Action..." and give the new action file a name. Select that file in the Actions panel and select "Record" from the Actions panel. This will begin to record the individual steps performed while editing the graphic that appears in the Photoshop window. End the recording when the action set has been completed.
Downloading Sets
- Many ATN file action sets can be downloaded directly to your computer and incorporated in the software. These can increase your available editing options for graphics. In most cases, ATN files are less than 20 kilobytes in size unless compressed with other files in a ZIP file. After downloading an ATN file, you can select "Load Actions" from the Actions panel. This will bring up a dialog box to browse your computer in search of the downloaded file. Select the file and then select "Load" to open the file in Photoshop.
Considerations
- You can save an action set to an ATN file by selecting the created set in the Actions panel and then selecting "Save Actions" from the panel's menu. Aside from the standard Photoshop program, you can also use ATN files in Elements and Illustrator, two other applications in the Adobe Creative Suite series. An action set must be saved as an ATN file before cleaning up your Actions panel in Photoshop if you want to use it later.
