PSD and PSB: editable exchange and fidelity limits
Understand PSD versus PSB, retained data versus editable features, and how to check a Photoshop exchange.
Applies to Photo 0.9.0 on photo.et.
PSD compatibility is feature-dependent. Keep the original and validate the exported result in the application that will receive it.
What the formats mean#
PSD and PSB are Photoshop document formats. PhotoCraft's reader and writer support PSD version 1 and PSB version 2. The import layer maps supported file structures into the Photo document model; unknown blocks can be retained for later saving even when the editor cannot interpret them.
That distinction matters: preserving a block is not the same as rendering its effect or exposing editable controls. A file may retain information for another application while showing only the subset that Photo can reproduce.
Choose the right working copy#
Keep your original PSD or PSB. Open it in Photo and inspect its layers, text, effects and masks. If you continue editing in Photo, save a .pcraft working copy as well as any PSD you need to exchange with another application. Check export warnings before replacing a deliverable.
A compatibility review#
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fonts and text wrapping | Different available fonts can change the visible layout. |
| Smart filters | A retained descriptor may be unsupported for editing or rendering. |
| Colour and bit depth | The document's colour settings affect its appearance. |
| Groups, masks and layer styles | A correct flattened preview alone does not establish editable equivalence. |
| Reopened export | Verify the actual exported file in the destination application. |
Size and complexity#
The parser has finite limits for dimensions, channels, descriptor nesting and decoded data. These are format-processing limits, not recommended browser document sizes. A large PSB may exceed practical browser memory even when its file structure is recognized.
Camera Raw filters#
Camera Raw smart filters have a separately documented supported mapping. Unrecognized processing fields can keep a filter opaque, and matching slider values does not promise identical Adobe rendering. Consult the Camera Raw scope guide before relying on cross-application filter editing.
Continue reading
Sources and edition notes
Adapted for the browser edition from the pinned PhotoCraft 0.9.0 source. Upstream documentation may also describe desktop workflows.
- book/src/formats/psd-psb.md — Adapted from the upstream documentation for this pinned release.
Try it in Photo
Save your work before leaving the editor. Review the editor overview for file formats and browser limitations.
Open Photo ↗