Opening and saving PSD files in the browser
PSD is the native format of Photoshop. It keeps layers, masks and many other settings, which makes it the right format for work that is not finished. WebPixEdit can read and write PSD files in your browser without uploading them.
Opening a PSD
Choose File → Open or drag the file into the window. The layers appear in the Layers panel with their names, visibility, opacity and blend modes. Groups become groups, masks and clipping masks are kept, and layer styles such as drop shadow, outer glow, stroke and color overlay are converted. The common adjustment layers (brightness/contrast, levels, curves, exposure, vibrance, hue/saturation, color balance, invert, posterize and threshold) open as editable adjustment layers.
What is not supported
Some Photoshop features are not reproduced: smart objects, vector shapes, text layers (they open as normal pixel layers), several adjustment types and some layer effects such as inner shadow and bevel. These are listed as warnings when the file opens.
The “open flattened” option
Every PSD file also contains a merged picture that Photoshop saved. WebPixEdit compares that picture with its own result. When they differ noticeably, a dialog lets you choose:
- Open as layers: keeps all layers and adds the original merged picture as a hidden reference layer, so you can toggle it to see the difference.
- Open flattened (exact): opens just the merged picture, exactly as Photoshop saw it, as one layer.
If you only need to view the file or add something on top of it, the flattened option is the safe choice.
Saving a PSD
Choose File → Save as PSD. Layers, groups, masks, opacity, blend modes and clipping are written to the file, and layer styles are baked into the pixels. Adjustment layers that have no Photoshop equivalent are left out of the PSD, and the editor tells you which ones, so their effect only exists in the merged picture. Photoshop and other editors can open the result.
Tips
- Save a PSD whenever your work has layers. A PNG or JPEG cannot be edited layer by layer later.
- Large PSD files (hundreds of megabytes) may be too heavy for a browser. If opening fails, flatten the file in the program that made it or export it as PNG first.
- Keep a backup of the original PSD; saving from WebPixEdit creates a new file and does not modify the original.
More guides
- How to correct the colors and brightness of a photoFix dull, dark or color-cast photos with levels, curves and hue/saturation, using adjustment layers you can change later.
- Layer masks explained: edit without deleting anythingLearn what a layer mask is, how to paint one, and how to combine two photos with a smooth transition.
- Which selection tool should you use?Rectangle, ellipse, lasso, polygonal lasso, magic wand and color range compared, with tips for clean selection edges.
- Retouching: remove blemishes and unwanted objectsUse the spot healing brush, healing brush and clone stamp to remove spots, dust and small objects from a photo without leaving obvious traces.