Open PSD files
-
Full nameAdobe Photoshop Graphics Format
-
DeveloperAdobe Systems
-
Popularity
What is PSD file?
The PSD format is the native graphic format of the image editing software Adobe Photoshop. The PhotoShop Designated File is a lossless graphics format that stores much more information than pure image data. Among other things, information about layers, masks, paths as well as alpha channel information and vector elements are saved.
More info
Adobe Photoshop is the standard program for professional image editing. Therefore, the main application of the PSD format is the exchange of data between designers, designers, etc.
When opening a PSD file, there can be problems, since the PSD format is not 100% backwards compatible. Each new version of Photoshop has new features that result in new data that can be saved to the PSD file.
Older Photoshop versions may not understand this data. But you can also save the PSD files with maximum compatibility to make them more readable for older Photoshop versions. However, under certain circumstances, the data of the new functions will not be saved.
In addition to Photoshop, there are of course a lot of other graphics software PSD files can read more or less well. For example, the free graphics editing software GIMP can read PSD files and, for example, also recognizes the layers, but unfortunately not the type of layer. A text layer becomes a normal layer, which can then no longer be edited in GIMP using the text tool. Other programs require a plugin for reading PSD files.
In general, it is recommended to always save PSD files with the compatibility option for further processing in other applications.
Programs which can open a PSD file
Windows
Linux
Mac OS
Android
Adobe Photoshop is the standard program for professional image editing. Therefore, the main application of the PSD format is the exchange of data between designers, designers, etc.
When opening a PSD file, there can be problems, since the PSD format is not 100% backwards compatible. Each new version of Photoshop has new features that result in new data that can be saved to the PSD file.
Older Photoshop versions may not understand this data. But you can also save the PSD files with maximum compatibility to make them more readable for older Photoshop versions. However, under certain circumstances, the data of the new functions will not be saved.
In addition to Photoshop, there are of course a lot of other graphics software PSD files can read more or less well. For example, the free graphics editing software GIMP can read PSD files and, for example, also recognizes the layers, but unfortunately not the type of layer. A text layer becomes a normal layer, which can then no longer be edited in GIMP using the text tool. Other programs require a plugin for reading PSD files.
In general, it is recommended to always save PSD files with the compatibility option for further processing in other applications.
Programs which can open a PSD file
Windows
Linux
Mac OS
Android
How to open file with PSD extension?
Install Adobe Photoshop or other program from the list
Most often resolving problems with opening PSD files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PSD files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PSD files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.
Set Adobe Photoshop as the default program for opening PSD 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 PSD 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.
Check the section that lists most common problems with PSD files
Sometimes problems with opening PSD files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:
- File data is corrupted
- PSD 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 PSD files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
- PSD 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)