Home  /  File formats  /  psd

PSD file format

Extension.psd
Categoryimages
Programs
Adobe Illustrator CS6
Adobe InDesign CS6
GIMP
Main programAdobe Photoshop
Description.psd (Photoshop Document) The .psd format is the native file format of Adobe Photoshop, a widely used graphic editing software. PSD files can store an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. These include layers with masks, transparency, text, alpha channels, and spot colors, among others. This format is commonly used by graphic designers and photographers for detailed image editing, as it allows for extensive manipulation and layering of images.
Technical detailsThe `.psd` (Photoshop Document) format, native to Adobe Photoshop, is crucial in graphic design, photo editing, and digital art due to its layered structure. This setup allows for separate editing of different image elements and supports transparency. PSD files can handle various color models (RGB, CMYK, Grayscale) and bit depths (8, 16, 32 bits per channel), making them suitable for both digital and print media. Key features include adjustment layers and filters for non-destructive editing, layer styles for effects, editable text layers, advanced masking, and Smart Objects for scalable edits without loss of quality. They also include color profiles to ensure consistent color across devices. Despite offering a comprehensive feature set, PSD files tend to be large due to lossless RLE compression, making them less ideal for web use compared to formats like JPEG or PNG. Compatibility with other image editors can be limited, with some software not supporting all features. Nevertheless, PSD remains a popular choice among professionals due to its versatility.
MIME type
application/psd
application/octet-stream