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PSD file format

Extension.psd
Categoryimages
Programs
Adobe Illustrator CS6
Adobe InDesign CS6
GIMP
Main programAdobe Photoshop
DescriptionThe .psd format, short for Photoshop Document, is essential in graphic design, photo editing, and digital art. It's native to Adobe Photoshop and is notable for its layered structure. This structure allows you to edit individual image components separately, giving you precise control over the editing process. Furthermore, it supports transparency, enhancing its overall usefulness.
Technical detailsThe PSD file format is also adaptable, supporting various color models like RGB, CMYK, Grayscale, and different bit depths, including 8, 16, and 32 bits per channel. This makes it a powerful tool for both digital and print media. One of the key benefits of the PSD format is its ability to perform non-destructive editing. This means you can make changes without altering the original image. The format also includes layer styles for diverse effects, editable text layers, sophisticated masking, and Smart Objects, which enable scalable edits without compromising image quality. Layer styles, text layers, masking, and Smart Objects all contribute to the format's robust editing capabilities. Color profiles are also included to ensure consistent color across different devices. However, a significant drawback of PSD files is their typically large file size. This is due to the lossless Run-Length Encoding (RLE) compression. While RLE reduces file size without data loss, the resulting files can still be large, making PSD files less suitable for web use than lighter formats like JPEG or PNG. Despite this, the PSD format remains a favored choice for professionals due to its comprehensive features and adaptability.
MIME type
application/psd
application/octet-stream