Want to make a meme of the century that will spread across the Internet in seconds, or want to save a cool graphic greeting for your family and friends? All this is possible if you save your work in a PSD file. This format supports monochrome images, multi-channel models, and color systems, including various shades of gray. Here and now, we will talk in more detail about the meaning of PSD and its capabilities.
What is PSD?
Photoshop Document, or PSD, is a native file format for Photoshop used to preserve all graphics and visual editing data, containing handles, opaques and blending modes, strokes, filters, layers and masks, adjustments, and a multitude of others. PSD, unlike PS, which is employed for defining pages and vector graphics, keeps the entire structure of the project, such as text content and smart objects. That means it would be done with no sweat if you want to convert an image to 4k resolution or upgrade GIF with Photoshop document. The major benefits of this format are:
ease of editing;
simultaneous support for raster and vector graphics;
wide compatibility;
a piece of the pie of import and export of files.
Canva, while not directly compatible with PSD, does allow you to import raster graphics exported from PSD. For example, you can create a picture in Photoshop, save it as a PNG or JPEG, and then upload it to Canva for further editing. When developing a mobile application, designers typically utilize Photoshop to draw intricate raster images, which are then integrated into Figma. PSD file extensions include various formats, from JPEG/PNG to PDF and MOV. AI, GIMP, XCF, etc. That’s a goldfish for all graphic tool users.
Best Tips for PSD Users
PSD has grown in popularity among Photoshop users and anyone interested in visual editing due to its versatility and formatting capabilities. However, beginners find it challenging to deal with this format. As a result, we have compiled a list of the best practices for handling and processing PSD files.
Start with High-Quality RAW Files
The best photographs always start with the first click, the best paintings with the first stroke of the brush, and the best books with the first line written.
If you are absent from RAW files, don't panic. You remain able to employ the tools for changing JPEGs and TIFFs. Simply select the desired photo and click "Open in Camera Raw...". Luminar Neo offers a specialized RAW image converter that makes taking great photos a breeze. Pay attention to the following aspects:
composition and lighting;
white balance and exposure;
color and contrast;
sharpness;
noise reduction.
RAW files come in more detail and enable more exact edits, emphasizing complex textures, colors, and tiny details in the scene.
Compress and Manage File Sizes
PSD files can be rather large, given that they contain all the image's information as well as any actions done when working with it. This, in turn, complicates the file-sending procedure, as most email clients have file size limits.
If your project has a huge amount of graphic data, which will be tricky to break down, bring at least 1 TB of storage drive. The primary objective is not to forget it throughout the presentation.
Work with Collage
Each collage element (“image,” “text,” “shape”) is saved on a separate layer. To simplify the work, you can combine layers into groups (for example, "background," "objects," "text"). This optimizes the workflow and leaves more time for other tasks and yourself.
PSD supports transparency, which allows you to easily overlay images on top of each other, creating complex compositions. The eraser and gradient will help make the transitions between elements smoother. If you do not know how to make a collage in Photoshop, our guide will answer all your questions.
Use adjustment layers for your color scheme, and save intermediate versions. This will help avoid data loss due to accidental errors.
How do you open a PSD file without Adobe Photoshop?
In addition to Adobe Groups, several simple and free resources allow you to open and edit PSD files:
Autodesk SketchBook;
Artweaver;
Paint.NET;
Luminar Neo;
Photopea;
XnView MP.
Paint is the most famous among beginners because it is built into the basic Microsoft Windows and MacOS packages. However, such well-known programs as CorelDRAW and Corel PaintShop Pro support this format. Now you know how to open a PSD file without Photoshop and which tools can help with that.
PSD with Luminar Neo
Layers are single sheets of paper piled one over the other; each layer has designated plans or photographs. They can be completely or semi-opaque. This is, they can reveal what is below them. All the layers are fully editable and may be repositioned or resized with reference to the other layers. If you’re a beginner in Photoshop, it’s high time you learned about photo layering from our tutorial.
Here are some benefits of using layers in PSD files:
use layer masks instead of erasing;
organize layers by name or purpose;
pay attention to smart objects.
Don't forget to experiment and try out different tools to create your best work!
Bottom Line
What does PSD stand for anyone? The best comparison would be with a book – someone sees a whole world in it, a multi-layered work environment and a part of their life. It is a great graphic table with various plans and ideas for others. In any case, this is one of the best formats that can be easily exported to Figma, Canvas, Pixis, and other services.
With Luminar Neo, long work hours will fly by in one second. All for sharing your work with family and friends as quickly as possible!
