How to Convert Photoshop ATN Files to XML

Convert ATN files to XML quickly with xtools.

Photoshop actions reduce production time by allowing you to record a series of repetitive tasks and apply them to multiple files. You can execute tasks such as resizing, applying effects and making formatting changes. Photoshop scripts are referred to as ATN files because they are saved with the .atn extention. Converting the ATN file to XML provides a text description of the actions in the ATN file. The easiest and cheapest method of conversion is with a script written by xtools.

Things You'll Need

• Script Editor program

Instructions

1. Copy the action script "ActionFileToXML.jsx" by Xbytor's xtools. This script converts actions into XML files. (This conversion action is made for Photoshop 7, or CS5.)

2. Paste the script into a script editor such as AppleScript or ExtendScript.

3. Name the script "ActionFileToXML" and save it in your Adobe Scripts Folder located under User/Documents/Adobe Scripts.

4. Run the script in Photoshop. Choose the File menu, then "Scripts," then "Browse," and click on the script "ActionFileToXML" located in your Adobe Scripts folder.

5. Pick an ATN file to convert in the dialogue box. Once an ATN file is selected, the XML file path will be created automatically.

6. Click the "Process" button. The XML file will be saved in the location of the original ATN file you converted.

Tips & Warnings

• Xbytor's extools also includes "ActionFileFromXML," a script taking XML and converting it into Actions.

• XML files can be converted back to a ATN file on either a Mac or Windows XP-based computer. Be sure to change the path first.

References

• Adobe Photoshop CS5: About Actions
• W3Schools: Introduction to XML
• PS Scripts: Actions referencing scripts in a portable way

Resources

• ActionFileToXML.jsx
• xtools