ARCUT File Extension

ARCUT file icon

Adobe Prelude Rough Cut Format

What is a ARCUT file?

Adobe Prelude Rough Cut Format, identified by the ARCUT extension, is a Video Files type and includes 445 files.

With the creation of the Adobe Prelude Rough Cut Format (ARCUT), Adobe introduced file format along with 81 programs built for their use.

ARCUT files are supported by Mac OS, Windows and Linux. You can play a ARCUT file using one of 5 programs, for example Adobe Prelude, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud.

How to open a ARCUT file?

The most common reason why a ARCUT file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

The most popular programs for working with ARCUT files are Adobe Prelude, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud. To get the latest version of Adobe Prelude, open the Adobe website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign Adobe Prelude as the default app for ARCUT files.

Make Adobe Prelude the default ARCUT viewer

Changing the default program in Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your ARCUT file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Adobe Prelude as the application to associate with your ARCUT file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired ARCUT file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
  4. In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to Adobe Prelude. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

How to edit a ARCUT file?

To edit ARCUT files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify video files. Online ARCUT editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for Adobe Prelude Rough Cut Format.

List of Top ARCUT editors 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended ARCUT editors.

ARCUT Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
Apple Final Cut ProAppleMac OS4.8 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Adobe Premiere ProAdobeWindows, Mac OS4.2 out of 5 (40 reviews)
Adobe PreludeAdobeWindows, Mac OS4.1 out of 5 (36 reviews)

Finding answers to ARCUT file problems

If you encounter issues with ARCUT files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

What are the signs that my ARCUT file is damaged?

Corrupted ARCUT video files may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Poor performance when editing a file in Adobe Prelude;
  • Opening or processing the file in Adobe Prelude or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
  • The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
  • Unexpected expansion of the total size of the ARCUT file;
  • Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;

Why does Adobe Prelude quit or crash unexpectedly?

Adobe Prelude crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Adobe products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What methods can be used to repair a damaged ARCUT file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged ARCUT file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged video files.