7 ways to open PSD files without Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is attached to the PSD file format . It saves the complete state of a still image being edited so that you can continue the unfinished work later. When working with images, you should always keep a PSD copy in case you need to edit images in the future.

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The problem is that PSD is not an open format, while PNG, JPG and BMP can be opened in almost any photo editing software , PSD can only be opened in certain tools. So without Photoshop , what alternative software can open the best PSD format? Let's find out through the following article.

1. GIMP

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GIMP is the option that you should try first when trying to open and edit a free PSD file after Photoshop. Not only is photo editing software most like Photoshop, it also supports multiple platforms for you to use on your device. To open the PSD file in GIMP, do the following:

• Go to File> Open .
• Find and select PSD files.
• Click Open .

2. Paint.NET

Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a better photo editor than Microsoft Paint that is not bulky or complicated to learn like GIMP and Adobe Photoshop . If you want to make it more powerful, you can install a lot of 3rd party plugins. One of the best plugins for you to open PSD files is PSD Plugin.

• Download PSD plugin .
• Copy file Photoshop.dll .
• Navigate to the Paint.NET installation directory.
• Paste the Photoshop.dll file into the FileTypes subdirectory .
• Launch Paint.NET.

After installing the plugin, you can open the PSD file without any problems.

3. Photopea Online

Access Photopea

Photopea is the web version of Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. Although not as powerful as the software installed on your computer, it is still very useful. To open PSD files on Photopea online, follow the steps for GIMP:

• Go to File> Open .
• Search and select PSD files.
• Click Open .

Photopea can read individual layers - an unexpected feature of a free web application.

4. XnView

Download XnView

XnView is a free photo viewer application that allows you to browse and organize your photo collections in a variety of ways, as well as process them with basic image editing tools like: palettes, filters, effects, rotate ...

The great thing about this little-known application is that it can read over 500 formats and export to over 70 formats, so it's not only useful for viewing images but also great for converting them.

• Go to File> Open .
• Search and select PSD files.
• Click Open .

5. IrfanView

Download IrfanView

IrfanView is similar to XnView when it is a flexible image viewer and converter. IrfanView may not support as many formats as XnView, but it does support all major formats.

While IrfanView can easily display flat PSD files, it cannot be edited or saved, unless you export to another format.

• Go to File> Open .
• Search and select PSD files.
• Click Open .

6. Google Drive

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It may seem strange to use Google Drive as a file viewer, but you can and it works quite well. You can view PSD files on Google Drive web version.

• Go to the Google Drive website .
• Click My Drive and select Upload file.
• Search for and select PSD files.
• Click on Open .
• Double click on the file you want to view.

7. Go2Convert

Download Go2Convert

This last option is not a way to view, open or edit PSD files. It is simply a way to convert PSD files into other formats like PNG and JPG. To convert PSD files to another format, follow the steps below:

• Click on Select File .
• Navigate and select your PSD file.
• Click Open> Upload Now .
• After uploading, you can choose a range of formats to convert PSD files. You can even resize images and choose the type of compression to use (for certain formats).

Above are 7 best tools for you to open PSD files without Photoshop. Keep in mind that you can't really edit, you can only view PSD files as a flattened image.