Reading psd files. How to open a PSD file: viewing, editing and converting
Graphic files that many users work with almost every day, in modern world presented in the most different formats, some of which cannot interact with each other in any way. But not all image viewing programs can easily open files of various extensions.
First, it’s worth understanding what a PSD file itself is and how to open this format using various programs for viewing and editing graphic documents.
A file with the PSD extension is a raster storage format graphic information. It was created specifically for Adobe Photoshop. The format has one important difference from standard JPG - the document is compressed without data loss, so the file will always be in the original resolution.
Adobe has not made the file format publicly available, so not all programs can easily open and edit PSD. Let's look at several software solutions that are very convenient for viewing a document, and some of them also allow you to edit it.
Method 1: Adobe Photoshop
It is logical that the very first program that will be mentioned in the methods of opening a PSD file will be the Adobe Photoshop application, for which the extension was created.
Photoshop allows you to perform a variety of actions on a file, including standard viewing, simple editing, layer-level editing, converting to other formats, and much more. Among the disadvantages of the program, it is worth noting that it is paid, so not all users can afford it.
Opening a PSD through an Adobe product is quite simple and quick; you only need to complete a few steps, which will be described in more detail below.
The Adobe application has free analogue, which is no worse than the original version from the famous company, but absolutely everyone can use it. Let's analyze it in the second method.
Method 2: GIMP
As mentioned above, GIMP is a free analogue of Adobe Photoshop, which differs from paid program only some nuances that are especially unnecessary for almost all users. Any user can download GIMP.
Among the advantages, it can be noted that it supports all the same formats that Photoshop can open and edit; GIMP allows you not only to open PSD, but also to edit it in full. Among the disadvantages, users notice long loading time program due to the large number of fonts and a rather inconvenient interface.
Opening a PSD file through GIMP is almost like using Adobe Photoshop, only with some features - that's all dialog boxes open through the program, which is quite convenient when the computer is not the fastest.
Unfortunately, there are no longer any decent programs that allow you to not only open PSD files, but also edit them. Only Photoshop and GIMP allow you to work with this extension “in full force,” so next we’ll look at convenient PSD viewers.
Method 3: PSD Viewer
Perhaps the most convenient and simple program for viewing PSD files is PSD Viewer, which has a clear task and works with highest speed. Comparing PSD Viewer with Photoshop or GIMP is pointless, since the functionality in these three applications is significantly different.
Among the advantages of PSD Viewer are the fast speed of operation, a simple interface and the absence of unnecessary things. We can say that the program has no disadvantages, since it exactly fulfills its function - it gives the user the opportunity to view a PSD document.
Opening a file with an Adobe extension in PSD Viewer is very simple; even Photoshop itself cannot boast of such simplicity, but this algorithm also needs to be covered so that no one has any questions.
PSD Viewer is one of the few solutions that allows you to open graphic images with such speed, because even standard Microsoft applications are not capable of this.
Method 4: XnView
XnView is somewhat similar to PSD Viewer, but here it is possible to perform some manipulations on the file. These actions have nothing to do with image encoding or deep editing; you can only resize and crop the image.
The advantages of the program include a number of editing tools and stability. Of the minuses, you should definitely pay attention to the rather complex interface and English language, which is not always convenient. Now let's see how to open PSD through XnView.
XnView works very fast and stable, which is not always the case with PSD Viewer, so you can safely use the program even on a busy system.
Method 5: IrfanView
The latest convenient solution that allows you to view PSD is IrfanView. It’s worth saying right away that there are almost no differences from XnViewe, so the pros and cons of the program are the same. It can only be noted that this product supports Russian language.
The algorithm for opening a PSD file is similar to the previous method, everything is done quickly and simply.
Almost all the programs from the article work the same (the last three), they quickly open the PSD file, and the user can view this file with pleasure. If you know any other convenient software solutions that can open PSD, then share it with us and other readers in the comments.
Senior Technology Writer
Someone sent you a email PSD file and you don't know how to open it? Maybe you've found a PSD file on your computer and are wondering what it is? Windows may tell you that you cannot open it, or in the worst case, you may encounter a corresponding error message associated with the PSD file.
Before you can open a PSD file, you need to find out what kind of file the PSD file extension is.
Tip: Incorrect PSD file association errors can be a symptom of other underlying issues within your Windows operating system. These invalid entries can also produce associated symptoms such as slow Windows startups, computer freezes, and other PC performance issues. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you scan your Windows registry for invalid file associations and other issues related to a fragmented registry.
Answer:
PSD files are Raster Image Files, which are primarily associated with the Apple Viewer (Apple Inc.).
PSD files are also associated with DESIGN II for Windows General Flowsheet, Periscope Debugger Definition File, Photoshop Format (Adobe Systems Incorporated) and FileViewPro.
Additional file types may also use the PSD file extension. If you are aware of any other file formats that use the PSD file extension, please contact us so we can update our information accordingly.
How to open your PSD file:
The fastest and easy way Opening your PSD file is a matter of double-clicking on it. In this case Windows system will automatically select the necessary program to open your PSD file.
In case your PSD file does not open, it is highly likely that you do not have the required application program installed on your PC to view or edit files with PSD extensions.
If your PC opens a PSD file but in the wrong program, you will need to change the file association settings in your Windows registry. In other words, Windows associates PSD file extensions with the wrong program.
Install optional products - FileViewPro (Solvusoft) | | | |
PSD Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME):
- mime image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
PSD File Analysis Tool™
Not sure what type your PSD file is? Do you want to get precise information about a file, its creator and how it can be opened?
Now you can instantly get all the information you need about your PSD file!
Revolutionary PSD File Analysis Tool™ scans, analyzes and reports detailed information about the PSD file. Our patent-pending algorithm will quickly analyze the file and provide detailed information within seconds in a clear, easy-to-read format.†
In just a few seconds, you'll know exactly what type of PSD file you have, the application associated with the file, the name of the user who created the file, the file's security status, and other useful information.
To start your free file analysis, simply drag and drop your PSD file inside dotted line below or click "Browse My Computer" and select a file. The PSD file analysis report will be shown below, right in the browser window.
Drag PSD file here to start analysis
View my computer »
Please also check my file for viruses
Your file is being analyzed... please wait.
The PSD extension is the default format used to save data in Adobe Photoshop. The abbreviation in the name is deciphered accordingly - PhotoShop Document.
Although some PSD files contain only one image, the purpose of creating them is not just to store photos. The PSD extension supports storing multiple images, objects, filters, text, etc., as well as using layers and vector tracks.
How to open a .PSD file
The best programs for opening and editing PSD files are Adobe Photoshop And Adobe Photoshop Elements. Popular alternatives to the standard are CorelDRAW And Corel's PaintShop Pro.
Other programs from Adobe Systems can also use PSD files, such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. However, these apps are mainly used for video or audio editing rather than graphic files, like Photoshop.
Other ways to open .PSD files
For those looking for a free program to open PSD files, it is recommended to install GIMP. This is a very popular and completely free image editing/creation tool that will also open PSD files. You can also use GIMP to edit PSD files, but you may encounter problems because the program does not recognize the complex layers and other advanced features that were used in Photoshop when creating the file.
Paint.NET(with Paint.NET PSD plugin) - another one free program, which can open PSD files. If you need to quickly open a PSD file without Photoshop, we recommend using Photoopa Photo Editor is a free online photo editor that works in the browser and allows you not only to see all the PSD layers, but also to perform basic editing, although it is far from the capabilities of Photoshop. You can also use Photopea to save PSD files on your computer.
A PSD file can have resolutions up to 30,000 pixels in both height and width. The format also supports various popular modifications, for example, RGB, grayscale, CMYK, multi-channel colors, monochrome scale, etc. The PSD format is not without the ability to contain some types of graphic elements in vector graphics.
Although the PSD format is characterized, first of all, by compression without significant loss of quality, which is based on RLE technology, that is, cropping of series. Still, images in this format weigh quite well, but much less than TIF files, which have no compression at all.
The PSD format is often used as an intermediate result of the wizard’s work, before the final design of the site. If you just plan to save the original image, usually slightly different formats are used for this.
Windows operating system, starting with XP, it’s really replete with all kinds of software, capable of opening PSD format. And here is just the main part of this software: Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe InDesign CS, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X, Apple QuickTime Player, Corel PaintShop Pro X, ACD Systems ACDSee, Corel Painter, ACD Systems Canvas, GIMP , MAGIX Xara Designer Pro, DXTBmp, XnView, IrfanView, FastPictureViewer Professional, etc.
On Mac OS the situation is a little worse: Adobe InDesign CS, Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Apple Preview, Snap ConverterCorel Painter, .
In operating rooms Linux systems Only GIMP can handle this format.
IN Google Android has its own product - Adobe Debut.
All you have to do is choose the program you like. However, it’s worth knowing that not all of them are free and not all of them on the list are easy to use.
Therefore, we highly recommend that you use an application called GIMP to work with PSD format. - a wonderful free and multifunctional program, which is also present in all currently popular operating systems. It is simple and pleasant to work with, and in terms of functionality, Adobe Photoshop is not much inferior.
So we figured out what the PSD format, quite well known in certain circles, is. And most importantly, they answered the question of how to open it. We wish you good luck in working with PSD format!
In order to identify files in different operating systems, as well as so that users can distinguish different types files, the concept of file extension is applied. For example, you came across a psd file. How to open such a file? You can guess the contents of such a file, but where should you start looking for a utility that will allow you to work with the contents of such a file? Where to start? You always need to start with the file extension - it can be seen at the very end of the name, it is separated from the name by a dot.
In Windows OS, for this you also need to make sure that the option “hide extensions for known file types” is not set in the folder properties.
For example, the file “logo.psd” is some kind of graphic image(with a high degree of probability, raster), accordingly, and look for how to open such a file based on this data. Thus, by paying attention to what extension the file is saved in, you can narrow down the search area for programs that can be used to open this file and work with the contents stored in it.
For the same operating system the extension acts as a pointer to which program should be used to open a file of this type (information about all known file types is stored in the system registry as file associations). This greatly speeds up the user's work - there is no need to specify which program to use every time you open a file.
PSD file format
As you probably already know, depending on the content, all files can be divided into categories of different sizes, depending on the frequency of use. For example, text documents, images, audio, video, image files, archives, binary files, executable files and libraries, etc. Some of these formats contain content that is not intended for direct editing, while others include content that is popular among raster graphics PSD, allows through special programs edit content. PSD files have a complex structure that includes image layers, masks, transparency, effects, etc. And, as you probably already guessed, such a complex format must have a program for the purpose of which it was created. When using such a utility, the likelihood of errors will be minimal, and there will be no problems with compatibility and editing of such files. After all, this is precisely why “native” programs are best suited for closed formats in terms of functionality and lack of problems. For this case, such a utility is . But before we move on to choosing which program would be best to open a psd file if you don’t want to use professional (and paid) software, let’s consider the pros and cons that you will encounter when working with the PSD format.
What are the benefits of the PSD format?
- Ability to work with layers and layer folders;
- Supports transparency and translucency;
- Allows you to store vector elements and Photoshop layer styles;
- Using RLE compression, you can significantly compress an image without noticeable loss of quality;
Disadvantages of PSD extension
- When saved, it takes up a fairly large amount of disk space (which today, given the prices of drives, is not such a big drawback);
- The format specifications are closed, which is why full support of this format by third-party software manufacturers (including free ones) cannot be provided. Accordingly, you can fully work with this format only using the “official” Adobe Photoshop utility, the license for which costs much more than it costs for home use.
And taking into account the fact that the program has a free competitor - Gimp, which provides wide functionality for working with vector graphics, Photoshop is not used in many organizations.
What program should I use to open PSD?
Since the format is intended primarily for use with professional design software, it is open to regular user may pose another problem. Often people have no idea how to open a psd file in order to display it correctly in viewing mode. Even more confusing is the task when you need to make any changes to the psd file. If display accuracy and the ability to make changes are important to you, you need to use paid Adobe Photoshop.
However, in most cases, you only need to view the contents of such a file (or maybe save any layers stored in the psd file in JPG or PNG in order to work with them in any way in the future) free editor). Other programs are perfect for these purposes, which we will consider below.
How to open PSD without using Photoshop?
The Gimp
Although the PSD file itself may not be displayed correctly when opened (the layers are often shifted relative to each other), Gimp allows you to view files of this format and, if desired, you can save the necessary layers in any other open format to continue working with them. However, you can try to make changes using this utility.
PSD Viewer
Indispensable for cases when you just need to view the contents of the desired PSD file oh, but I don’t want to install professional or semi-professional editing software. Free. However, it cannot act as a psd file editor. However, a number of functions will be available in viewing mode - you can rotate the image, scale it, convert it to other formats. Thus, PSD Viewer is the most suitable option for viewing PSD files.
Please note that when PSD is converted to other formats, all layers will be combined into one, and it will no longer be possible to cancel such a conversion in the resulting file.
Paint.NET
Another option is which program to open the psd file. Since it is a graphics editor, it will be able to make changes to such files. However, for full-fledged operation, you will have to additionally download and connect the application extension module. This plugin is called “PSD Plugin”.
So, today we looked at the main scenarios for working with PSD files - what programs to use if you need to view files of this extension, as well as edit and convert.