What is the ASL file format?
.asl files are Adobe Photoshop layer styles libraries. An .asl file bundles one or more named style presets, each of which is a reusable set of non-destructive visual effects - drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow, inner glow, bevel and emboss, satin, and color, gradient, or pattern overlays - that can be applied instantly to any Photoshop layer.
The format is identified by the four-byte signature 8BSL at file offset 0, consistent with the 8B prefix Adobe uses across Photoshop preset formats. Data is stored in big-endian binary order as an array of named style records, each containing typed OSType key-value descriptors that define every effect parameter. A two-byte version field follows the signature; Photoshop CS5 and later use version 2, which stores parameters as Unicode descriptors.
Photoshop ships with several built-in .asl libraries, and thousands of third-party style packs are freely distributed online for web design, UI work, and print. The Styles panel can load additional .asl files at any time. PSD documents embed layer style data inline, but .asl is the dedicated portable format for sharing styles across projects or between designers.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWASL is a binary preset file with no executable code or macros. Safe to load into Photoshop. Download only from reputable sources - installers bundled with ASL packs from third-party sites can contain adware. The ASL file itself is passive.
Format details
in a nutshell- ASL (Adaptive Server License / various) - Several unrelated applications use .asl for configuration or script files; entirely different from Photoshop layer styles.
Programs that open ASL files
Windows2 apps
Adobe Photoshop
Paid Styles panel (Window → Styles) → panel menu (≡) → Import Styles → select the .asl file. Alternatively, double-click the .asl file if Photoshop is the default handler. 
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Paid Styles panel → Import Styles - supports a subset of ASL layer effects. 
macOS1 app
Adobe Photoshop
Paid Styles panel → panel menu → Import Styles → select the .asl file. Or double-click the ASL file to auto-import into Photoshop. Technical details
deep spec| Magic bytes | 38 42 53 4C ("8BSL") at offset 0 |
| Format type | Binary preset/styles library container (Adobe proprietary) |
| Encoding | Binary, big-endian |
| Version field | 2-byte value after signature; version 2 (Photoshop CS5+) uses Unicode (UTF-16) descriptors |
| Style record structure | Named records containing OSType key-value descriptors for each effect |
| Effect types | Drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow, inner glow, bevel/emboss, satin, color/gradient/pattern overlay, stroke |
| Application | Effects applied non-destructively to any Photoshop layer |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 500 KB |
| Platform | Windows, macOS |
| Developer | Adobe Systems Incorporated |
| Released | 1998 (Photoshop 5.0, which introduced Layer Styles/Effects) |
| Latest version | current Photoshop CC (2024+); format largely unchanged since PS 6.0 |
ASL conversions
Community Q&A
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