Opening PSD files
Opening a PSD file in PhotoCraft
Start with a reference image and a copy of the PSD. Loading the file is the first check; the imported document still needs inspection.
Prepare the file and a reference
Keep the original PSD in a separate location. If possible, export a PNG reference from the application that created it. Record the source app version and any fonts or external assets the file requires.
Use PhotoCraft’s available file-opening command to open the duplicate. Wait for it to finish and record warnings before making changes. On a platform where drag-and-drop fails, the opening command can help separate an input-method issue from a file problem.
Inspect more than the overall thumbnail
| Part of the document | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Layers and groups | Names, order, visibility and expected contents. |
| Text | Font availability, line breaks, spacing and required editability. |
| Masks and effects | Edges, transparency, blending and visible styling. |
| Smart objects | Rendered appearance and access to needed source content. |
| Document settings | Dimensions and relevant colour or bit-depth properties. |
If an element looks different, check its dependencies first. A missing font and a parsing or rendering limitation can produce similar visible symptoms but require different fixes.
Decide whether it is safe to continue
Make one small edit on the copy and save under a new name. Follow the PSD saving workflow to inspect the result after reopening. Do not overwrite the original just because the initial view looks correct.
For a problem report, reduce the issue to the smallest sample you can legally share. Include the version, warning text, reference image and the specific element that differs. Remove private client content before attaching files.
The official format documentation is the source for current support and limitations. This guide does not claim that every PSD feature imports unchanged or that every document is editable.
Official sources: File-format assessment (opens a new tab) · PhotoCraft README (opens a new tab) · Issue tracker (opens a new tab).