The .PSD (Photoshop Document) format stores an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. These include layers with masks, color spaces, ICC profiles, transparency, text, alpha channels and spot colors, Clipping paths, and duotone settings. This is in contrast to many other file formats (e.g. .EPS or .GIF) that restrict content to provide streamlined, predictable functionality.
Since PSD files can be open and edited by Photoshop, not everyone is willing to spend thousands of dollars on Adobe Creative Suite 4 just to edit a few PSD files. Even if there is a pirated version of Adobe CS4, I am also reluctant to install the few GB of software just because I need to open and edit a few PSD files and then uninstall it once I’m done.
So here are are a few graphics tool which I found that is able to open PSD files without photoshop.
1. Paint.NET
- Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins.
By default Paint.NET doesn’t support opening PSD files. You’ll need to download a Paint.NET plug in for loading and saving Photoshop files. Do take note that the plug in does not support every feature, which is provided by the file format (there are lot’s of them). The author of this plugin have implemented only the stuff which has it’s counterpart in Paint.NET or if it is useful for converting the image to the Paint.NET internals. You’ll have to download and install Paint.NET first. Then you have to download the psdplugin, unzip and copy the PhotoShop.dll to the “FileTypes” folder in the Paint.NET directory. By default it should be in C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\FileTypes. Now you can open PSD files.
2. GIMP
- GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc. GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.
GIMP supports opening PSD files by default and there is no need to install any plugins. All you need to do is just download and install GIMP. GIMP’s psd support is not perfect as of yet, though it is still quite good.
3. IrfanView
- IrfanView is a very fast, compact and innovative FREEWARE image viewer/converter for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista. IrfanView is fast and small, with extremely low system resources requirements. It is trying to be simple for beginners and powerful for professionals.
If you only want to view a PSD file, you can use this excellent image viewer software called IrfanView. Basically it can support opening many types of image files.
[ Download IrfanView ]
Do share with me if you know of any other method that can open and edit PSD files.
Related posts:
Here is my own psd parser and exporter: papirosnik.net/psdsplit/
It allows you to open psd, extract some layers and export them to jpeg, jng, png, bmp, tiff, create xml layout.
Freeware.
xnview fantastic, just what i needed to convert a PSD file to JPG to view on a public computer, no software install just pick the file choose format at go.
Big thumbs up!!
Thank’s a lot. very useful. let’s promote free software.
Great alternatives to open a psd file, another good one is Xnview.
Thanks raymond… this is so helpful…. i download some vector .eps format and in the same time i dont have photoshop… i use paint.net… so now the prob fix! thnks again
Neither Irfanview nor FastStone will read layed PSD files. Which is most of them.
I had to restore my hd and now that I have I am running into this one particular problem, all my files want to open with Adobe Reader and I only use GIMP which I have reinstalled but since I never had this problem before I do not know how to re route my PSD files from ADR to GIMP. If at all possible please message me and tell me what it is that I seem to be missing. I didn’t have this problem before my restore and am at a total loss. Thank you so much for your help. ~Angel~
Awesome tip about the plugin for Paint.net. Thanks.
GIMP mnurutku pilihan terbaik selain photoshop, effect nya pun hampir setara dengan photoshop, walau ada beberapa fitur yang photoshop yg tidak ada di GIMP. GMIP it’s the best ^^
hi
thanks for the tip
YA
OMG thanks so much….I don’t want to waste space and you helped me SOOO much
I also found this good tool for opening .psd files simply:
xnview.com/
thank u very match
This is absolutely great job! Thanks.
Is there a server that has the software online, so you
do not have to download it to my computer.
I use the computers at the local library and they naturally will not allow downloads of software.
I have a stand alone computer at home to avoid viruses.
So could there be some software online that would
allow you to download to a CD.
I am working on Ebooks covers and have PSD files with editing text (Titles). I need to change the titles in several langages and don’t have (or want to buy) photoshop. Witch solution could be the easiest for my simple target? :)
MERCI ! Thanks a lot !
a*
My dream : a place online where I could upload my PSD photos, change the text, and dowload the new one …. does it exist somewhere on the internet world????
just install photoshop. that ll be fine!
try Artweaver. This can open psd files, it´s free, it has a kind of photoshop lay-out and you doesn´t have to install the program on your harddisk. You just run the program.
PhotoFiltre is free and can do that and so much more..
released Gimp 2.6 ;)
Try FastStone Image Viewer
Good job!
GIMP is really useful !
However, I just found Photoshop Portable. Its the ultimate thing !
You should post a Tutorial on making Portable apps. Would be really nice.
Lol… it can be helpful for you in editing the logo for the theme that i requested. :D
Thanks Ray.
Keep it up.
Thanks, already knew this, but GiMP is a fantastic substitute to photoshop, and its free!