This tutorial explains What is a PSD File. Explore different tools to find out How to Open PSD Files without Photoshop, even being a Photoshop file extension:
Things can get really messy if you don’t know your file extensions. Different files need different software and without the right one, the files will not open. You might come across a file extension that your system won’t recognize. And regardless of what you do, it will simply not open.
PSD file extension is one such extension. If you work with Photoshop, you will be familiar with this file format and if not, that’s what we are here for.
In this article, we will tell you about PSD files and how to open them in various ways.
Many of the features of Photoshop depend on the PSD files, so think for a while before discarding them. However, if you are looking to publish those images on the web, PSD format will not come in very handy.
Table of Contents:
What Is A PSD File
The .PSD as a file extension tells us that it is an Adobe Photoshop file. It is its default format to save data and is proprietary to Adobe. Usually, these files contain just one image but they are can be used for more than just storing an image file. These extensions support multiple images, objects, text, filters, layers, vector paths, transparency, shapes, and much more.
Let’s say you have five images in a .PSD file, each with its separate layer. Together, they look like they are one image, but in reality, they can be moved and edited within their own layers, like separate pictures. You can open this file as many times as you want and edit a single layer affecting nothing else in the file.
How To Open PSD Files
Now that you have understood what is PSD, let’s move on to how to open such files. You can open a .psd file with Photoshop, but there are other tools as well.
Tools To Open PSD File
Here are some tools you can use:
#1) Photoshop
Price: US$20.99/mo
The obvious choice for opening a PSD file in Photoshop.
Here are the steps:
- Download and Install Photoshop.
- Right-click on the PSD file you want to open.
- Select Open With.
- Click on Photoshop.
If you can’t find Photoshop, click on the more programs option and select Photoshop. Or, launch Photoshop, go to Files, select Open, click on the PSD file, and click Open.
Further Reading =>> Comparison of The Top Photoshop Alternatives
#2) CorelDRAW
Website: CorelDRAW
Price: Depends on the Reseller
If you don’t have Photoshop, you can also use CorelDRAW to open a .psd file.
Follow these steps:
- Download and Install CorelDRAW.
- Go to the file you want to open.
- Right-click on the file.
- Select CorelDRAW.
You can also open CorelDRAW, go to the file option, select Open, select the PSD file, and click Open to view it in this application.
#3) PaintShop Pro
Website: PaintShop Pro
Price: $79.99
Paintshop Pro is a vector and raster graphics editor for Windows that Corel purchased in 2004.
Follow these steps:
- Download and Install PaintShop Pro.
- Go to the file you want to open.
- Right-click on the file.
- Select PaintShop Pro.
You can also open the program, go to the file option, select Open, select the PSD file, and click Open to view it in this application.
Tools To Open PSD File Without Photoshop
Even though PSD is a Photoshop file extension, you can open it with other applications as well, like PaintShop and CorelDRAW.
Here are other ways to open it without Photoshop.
#1) GIMP
Website: GIMP
Price: Free
GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor that you can use as a PSD file editor.
Here are the steps:
- Download and install GIMP.
- Launch the program.
- Click on File.
- Select Open.
- Go to the file you want to open.
- Select the file.
- Click Open.
#2) IrfanView
Website: IrfanView
Price: Free
IrfanView is a free PSD viewer that you can’t use to edit.
Follow the below steps:
- Download and install IrfanView.
- Launch the app.
- Go to the File option.
- Select Open.
- Navigate to the file you want to open.
- Select the file.
- Click Open.
#3) Artweaver
Website: Artweaver
Price: Free
Artweaver is a Windows raster graphic editor that you can also use as a PSD editor.
Steps to follow:
- Download and install Artweaver.
- Launch the Program.
- Click on the File option.
- Select Open.
- Navigate to the file you want to open.
- Select the file.
- Click on the file.
- Click Open.
#4) Paint.Net
Website: Paint.Net
Price: Free
Paint.Net is yet another free raster graphics editor program for Windows.
- Download and install the program.
- Launch Paint.Net.
- Select File.
- Click Open.
- Go to the file you want to open.
- Click on the file.
- Select Open.
#5) Photopea
Website: Photopea
Price: Free
For opening a PSD file online, you can use Photopea. It is a web-based graphics editor that you can use with raster and vector graphics as well.
You can also use it as a PSD file editor through these steps:
- Go to the website.
- Click on File.
- Select Open.
- Select the file you want to open.
- Click OK.
#6) PSD Viewer
Website: PSD Viewer
Price: Free
This is yet another tool to open a PSD file online. PSD Viewer is a fast and compact freeware image viewer for Windows. You can download it as well.
- Go to the Online PSD Viewer link.
- Click on Select File.
- Select the PSD file you want to open.
- Click on OK.
#7) Apple Preview
Apple Preview is the macOS program that can open the PSD file by default. If Preview is your default image viewer, all you will have to do is double-click on the file to open it.
If not, follow these steps:
- Launch Preview.
- Select the file you want to open.
- Click Open.
- Or, right-click on the file, click on Open With, and select Preview.
[image source]
#8) Google Drive
Website: Google Drive
Price: Free
We can use Google Drive for more than just storing files. You can use it as a PSD viewer and convert the file to other file formats.
Here is how:
- Open Drive.
- Click on the +New option.
- Select File upload.
- Locate the file you want to open.
- Click on the file.
- Select Open.
- Once the file is uploaded, double-click on it to open.
This is how to open a PSD file if you don’t have Photoshop.
Also, Read =>> Transfer files from Dropbox to Google drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Right-click on the file you want to open, click on open with, and select Photoshop. You can view and edit the PSD file. You can also use other applications to open a PSD file if you don’t have Photoshop.
There are many tools you can use. However, not many of them allow you to edit them. You can use CorelDRAW, GIMP, Photopea, etc to open a Photoshop file without Photoshop.
Yes, Photoshop Elements can open but only for viewing. It doesn’t support layers and hence you can’t edit it.
These files are commonly used by printers and designers. Since these files carry multiple layers and transparent backgrounds, they are versatile and allow a wide range of edits.
It contains multiple images, filters, layers, transparencies, vector paths, and a lot more. You can open the file and edit each layer as many times as you want and save it again.
Open the file in Photoshop and go to the File option. Select Save As and from the dropdown menu, select Photoshop PDF.
Open Google Drive and click on the +New option. Select File Upload and go to the PSD file you want to convert. Click on the file and select Open. Once the file opens with Google Drive, Go to File, select Download, and Select Microsoft Word.
You can use Online PSD Viewer or Photopea to view PSD files online. For an Online PSD viewer, click on Add File, select the PSD file you want to view, and click Open. For Photopea, open the website, go to the File option, select Open, click on the file you want to view, and select Open.
Conclusion
Many graphic artists prefer to work with PSD files because it supports images with multiple layers, making the images easy to edit and manipulate.
Recommended reading =>> Top Photo Viewer Software for Windows 10
Since PSD files are proprietary to Adobe, they are not easily available as other image files. But you can always work around this issue. If you don’t have Photoshop, you can always use other tools like CorelDRAW, Paint.Net, GIMP, etc for viewing the PSD file. However, not all apps will allow you to edit the files.