PHOTOGRAPHY
PSD Files.
Edit graphics and create incredible images with Photoshop Document (PSD) files, the native file format of Adobe Photoshop. Learn what a PSD file is, its uses in digital design and photography, and how to open and edit PSD files on desktop or mobile.
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What is a PSD file?
PSD files are the native file format of Adobe Photoshop, often referred to as Photoshop Documents. You’ve probably seen files with the .psd extension format, especially if you’ve used Adobe Photoshop. Most commonly used by designers, photographers, and digital artists, PSD files are powerful tools for image data storage and creation across different photography types and digital design projects.
- A PSD can store multiple layers, images, text, and objects, often in high resolution, making it the industry-standard for creatives.
- A PSD can support up to 30,000 pixels in height and width, allowing for detailed editing and a wide range of colour depth, suitable for all types of images and photography genres.
History of the PSD.
Now considered to be the industry standard file type for digital image manipulation and editing, the PSD emerged with Adobe Photoshop. As the software’s native file format, PSDs allowed creators, designers, and photographers to save Photoshop creations in high-quality, editable documents.
Adobe, then known as Adobe Systems Incorporated, first developed Photoshop in 1988 and released it to the public in 1990. The software — and its PSD file format — have continually evolved with new features to support editing, layering, and various photography types, creating a legacy for the company as the market leader for image editing.
What are PSDs files used for?
PSDs can store large amounts of image data, including several layers of different images, text, and graphical elements. With PSD sizes ranging up to two gigabytes, they can make large, high-quality, and editable files suitable for digital design, illustration, and various photography genres.
Digital design.
With Photoshop being the Swiss army knife in many designers’ toolkits, it’s no surprise that PSDs are common files in digital design work. The ability to work across several layers, import and edit multiple graphics, illustrations, and images make PSDs a must for web design, branding, and other digital projects.
Photography manipulation.
Photographers who use Photoshop and other Adobe Creative Cloud products for post processing tasks — like image editing, retouching and compositing — will be very familiar with PSD files. There’s almost nothing a photographer can’t do inside a PSD, from fixing an underexposed photo to creating high-resolution, professional editorial or social media imagery across different photography types.
Social media and marketing content.
PSD files are widely used to create social media posts, digital ads, and marketing materials. The ability to work with multiple layers makes it easy to update text, images, or graphics for campaigns. Designers can export PSDs to PNG or JPEG for sharing while retaining high-quality visuals, and teams can collaborate using Creative Cloud.
Print and publishing.
PSD files are ideal for print projects such as brochures, posters, flyers, and wedding albums. High-resolution layers allow designers to adjust colours, text, and images without starting from scratch, and PSDs can easily integrate with Illustrator or InDesign for final production.
Photography and creative projects.
Photographers and digital artists use PSD files to edit, retouch, and composite images. Multiple layers enable storing different photography types like portraits, landscapes, and editorial images. PSDs also allow seamless workflow between desktop and mobile Photoshop for on-the-go editing.
Pros and cons of PSD files.
There are trade-offs for using PSDs. Their usefulness depends on your workflow, project requirements, and whether you are working with images, graphics, or layered designs.
Advantages of PSD files.
- PSDs can retain up to 30,000 pixels in both height and width, meaning they store a large amount of image, colour, and layer data for their size.
- They’re one of the few image files that are editable across multiple layers, meaning several images, text, or graphics can be overlaid and manipulated individually.
- PSDs are easy to import into other Adobe products, like Illustrator or Premiere Pro, making them versatile for multimedia projects.
Disadvantages of PSD files.
- As the native file format of Photoshop, you’ll typically only use PSDs if you’re an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber.
- Depending on how you use them, PSDs can get large — up to two gigabytes — which might make them a challenge to store, send or transport.
- PSDs aren’t natively supported by operating systems like Windows and macOS without using Creative Cloud software or compatible PSD file editors.
How to open a PSD file.
Windows.
You’ll need additional software, such as Adobe Photoshop via Creative Cloud, to open and edit PSD files. While Illustrator or {{premiere}} will open and display PSDs, you’ll need Photoshop to fully edit the PSD file contents.
macOS.
Similar to Windows users, macOS users will need access to Adobe Photoshop via Creative Cloud to edit PSD files. The Preview app in macOS enables you to open and view PSD files by default, though you won’t be able to edit layers or other PSD elements. To open in Preview:
- Select the PSD you want to open.
- Double-click the chosen file.
- Open the PSD in Preview.
How to open PSD files on mobile with Adobe Creative Cloud
You can view and make minor edits to PSD files on your mobile device using Adobe Photoshop Express or Adobe Fresco, with files synced via Creative Cloud. This is ideal for photographers, designers, and social media creators in India who need to work on the go.
Steps to open a PSD file on mobile:
- Install Photoshop Express or Adobe Fresco on your iOS or Android device.
- Access your PSD from Creative Cloud storage.
- Open the PSD to view, adjust layers, or make basic edits.
- Save changes back to Creative Cloud for seamless desktop access.
How to create and edit a PSD file.
When you’ve finished editing your file in Adobe Photoshop, simply hit File > Save to save your work as a PSD file.
Whenever you want to edit your PSD file again, open Photoshop, go to the File menu, select Open, and locate your PSD. Double-click the file, and it will automatically open in Photoshop, ready for editing layers, images, and text.
PSD files: Frequently asked questions.
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