Open P3L files

  • Full name
    Adobe Photoshop Light Preset Format
  • Developer
    Adobe Systems
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a P3L file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a P3L file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your P3L file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is P3L file?

The file extension P3L is used for highlight presets of the image editing software Adobe Photoshop. P3l files contain the settings for 3D light sources such as the type of light sources, color, direction, position and size in 3-dimensional space.

More info

These light sources can be used to illuminate 3D scenes or 3D objects. The ability to work with 3D model data is only available in the extended version introduced since version CS3. Photoshop extended offers the possibility to import different 3D formats (eg 3DS Max) or to create objects yourself.

If you create a 3D layer, you have access to the various 3D settings windows. '3D (light sources)' can be used to load P3L files (or select the presets) and save them.

P3L files are usually placed under 'Preferences / Lights' in the main Photoshop folder. By default, various specifications are already installed. (eg daylight, fire or CAD optimized)

Programs which can open a P3L file

How to open file with P3L extension?

In order to open a file with P3L extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening P3L file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with P3L files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe Photoshop or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening P3L files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support P3L files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of P3L files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe Photoshop as the default program for opening P3L files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate P3L files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Photoshop applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Photoshop has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with P3L files

Sometimes problems with opening P3L files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • P3L files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open P3L files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • P3L file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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