PSD Compatibility

Open or import a PSD

Use File → Open file and choose a .psd. Pixel Studio reads the file in a background job, then shows a compatibility summary before creating a document. Choose Open converted, Flattened copy when available, or Cancel. The original PSD stays unchanged; the new document saves as .pxst by default.

File → Import PSD Layers adds layers to an existing RGBA file through one undoable command. Canvas dimensions must match. Pixels are imported into the current frame; other frames receive empty new layers.

What is preserved

Standard PSD version 1 with 8-bit RGB or grayscale channels: canvas dimensions, raster pixels, alpha, layer names and order, visibility, layer opacity, groups, and user raster masks including disabled masks. Raw, RLE, ZIP and ZIP-with-prediction compression are supported. Indexed color tables are expanded to exact RGBA colors, including the transparent palette index.

Limits: 8192 pixels per dimension, 16 megapixels per canvas, 32 editable layers/groups, 256 MiB input files and a bounded decoded working set. Larger or incompatible files fail with an explanation, leaving the current file intact.

Conversions and unsupported features

Editable Photoshop text and smart objects become their stored raster pixels. Non-Normal blend modes, clipping, effects, vector features, Blend If ranges and mask feather/density settings are not reproduced faithfully; detected features are listed before opening. Off-canvas pixels are clipped. Photoshop metadata and profiles are not retained. RGB channel values stay unchanged, but an embedded ICC profile is not applied, so color appearance can differ.

Group masks require a flattened copy. Group opacity uses Pixel Studio’s per-child behavior, which may change overlapping content. Files over the layer limit can use their saved flattened image when available. A flattened copy uses the image last saved by the source editor; it may be stale and has no editable layers.

PSB, 16/32-bit channels, CMYK, Lab, bitmap, duotone and multichannel files require conversion in the source editor. Save a separate 8-bit RGB or grayscale PSD copy first.

Export a PSD copy

File → Export PSD Copy exports the currently displayed frame as an 8-bit RGB layered still image. It preserves supported raster layers, names, order, visibility, layer opacity, groups, alpha and user raster masks. Text is rasterized. Export stops if a group mask or non-100% group opacity cannot be preserved faithfully.

The compatibility dialog explains what is omitted: animation timing and extra frames, audio, comments, references, scenes, attachments, CCT rules and other Pixel Studio data. Export does not change the native file’s save location. Keep .pxst as your full-fidelity project; PSD is not a Photoshop animation interchange format.

Check converted artwork

The current build includes PSD compatibility checks and warnings, but this website does not claim perfect Photoshop compatibility. Compare imported files with their source appearance, especially where profiles, blending, effects or group masks matter. Retain the original PSD and save converted editable work as .pxst.