PSD round trips
PhotoCraft PSD compatibility: a round-trip checklist
Define what the file must preserve before deciding whether a round trip passed. Project test results describe their samples and cannot guarantee yours.
Set separate acceptance criteria
| Criterion | A useful pass condition |
|---|---|
| Opening | The file loads and any warnings are understood. |
| Appearance | Important regions match the source reference at delivery size and close view. |
| Editability | The recipient can change the required text, masks, objects and effects. |
| Document properties | Required dimensions, colour settings and metadata are retained. |
Byte-for-byte preservation of an unmodified file and fidelity after editing are different questions. A corpus statistic for one operation does not establish every criterion above.
Run a controlled test on a copy
- Export a reference image from the source application and duplicate the PSD.
- Open the duplicate in PhotoCraft and inspect the critical elements.
- Make one small, visible edit with an expected result.
- Save under a new name and reopen in PhotoCraft.
- Open the output in the recipient’s app, comparing the edit and unchanged content.
Use the same fonts and external resources on both sides where possible. Keep the app versions and the exact operation in your notes so a later release can be compared fairly.
Handle a failed criterion explicitly
If appearance passes but editability fails, a preview may still be useful while the layered deliverable remains unsuitable. If a key effect or colour property changes, do not describe the file as fully compatible.
Retain the original and use the established application for the affected delivery. For a bug report, provide a minimal permitted sample, reference image and the criterion that failed. Avoid uploading a confidential project simply to demonstrate the problem.
The PhotoCraft and Photoshop compatibility comparison provides context for a wider switching decision.
Official sources: File-format assessment (opens a new tab) · Feature parity assessment (opens a new tab) · PhotoCraft README (opens a new tab).
The project describes PhotoCraft as early alpha. This guide summarizes public documentation; it is not a hands-on review or a promise that your files will work unchanged.