PSD is a popular format for storing multi-layered images created or edited using Photoshop software. The main advantage of using the PSD extension is that images remain easily editable, as their layered structure allows users to add or change various elements and features, including image effects, transparencies, color adjustments and many more.

To increase accessibility and ease of transfer, PSD files are usually converted to more widely used raster formats, such as JPEG or PNG. This type of conversion, though, implies flattening the image, which means no major editing is possible afterwards. And this might pose problems at times.

The hassle of realizing you still need to make corrections to a PSD image that has already been flattened can be easily avoided by converting to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) in the first place. This extension allows you to preserve the image layers and defines the graphics in XML format. SVG also supports animation and lets you index, search or compress the image.

Converting multi-layered PSD files to multi-layered SVG can be done in no more than a few clicks using reaConverter’s latest edition.

Install reaConverter

Add PSD Files

Load all the PSD files you intend to convert. Add them one by one, select groups of them or add entire folders using the drag-and-drop feature. You can also automatically select only the files that have the PSD extension from a folder that includes other formats as well, by clicking Advance file select.

Load PSD as Separated Layers

Go to the Menu button and click Loading settings → PSD loading settings

In the new window tick the box that says Load PSD as separated layers

Create layered SVG

Go back to the Menu button and click Saving settings → Format saving settings

Then go to the SVG tab and click Create raster SVG in order to obtain a layered output image. Here you can also customize the quality of the resulting image by entering the desired percentage in the designated box.

Edit Images

Optionally, go to the Edit images tab and pick one of the many options available, including rotating, watermarking or cropping the image.

Here you can also see a real time preview of how the output image will look like.

Apply Processing

Finally, pick the location of the converted files by clicking the Saving options tab.
You can choose to save them offline, in the source folder, a subfolder or in another customized location.
Last but not least, don’t forget to pick SVG as the output format by clicking the appropriate button from the bottom of reaConverter’s main window.

Then simply press Start and your newly converted SVGs will soon be ready!

Video Tutorial

Advanced users can convert convert PSD with multiple layers into multi-layered SVG with command line interface or DLL in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.

PSD (“Photoshop Document”) is one of the most popular formats for graphic design works and it’s the proprietary format of Adobe Photoshop. Most people love it because it can store image layers, transparencies and duotones, among others. However, once you’re done with creating or editing your image, storing it or transferring it in PSD format can bring up several difficulties.

Size and compatibility are two of the most prominent problems when handling files which use Photoshop’s default format to save data. PSD files tend to be very large, so sending them by e-mail or transferring them might pose some serious difficulties. Opening such files might also be an issue, if you don’t have Adobe Photoshop.
So in case you want to transform your PSD image into a format that is easily compatible with most image viewers, that can be sent by e-mail or uploaded online without any hassle, we recommend converting to a more popular format. Two of the top options for conversion are TIFF and JPEG.

One the one hand, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) might be a preferable option because it provides very good image quality due to its ability to ensure lossless compression. However, TIFFs also tend to have a larger size than JPEG and are not accepted by all photo sharing websites. For this reason, we recommend converting your PSD to TIFF especially in case you plan to print your image, since this format preserves image details with more accuracy.

On the other hand, JPEG is by far the most popular image format. It has a small size; it is compatible with any device for viewing images — including your smartphone or e-reader. JPEG does not require special plug-ins. However, if you choose JPEG you might have to compromise a bit in terms of image quality. This, however, might not be noticeable in case you only plan to use your image on the web, and not print it or use it for later editing.

Whether you decide to convert your PSD files to TIFF or JPEG, or to any other image format, you will need a powerful converter.

We suggest reaConverter, which supports over 550 image formats, and can save you a lot of time by providing batch conversion. In other words, in case you have a large group of PSDs that you plan to convert, you don’t have to do repetitive operations over and over again, but can handle them all at once. And the conversion process is as easy as 1-2-3.

Install reaConverter

What you need to do is this:

Load PSD Images

Load all the images you need to convert by selecting them and/or dragging them on the conversion list.

Apply Image Editing

Spend a few moments to decide if you want to apply any image editing. reaConverter provides an impressive array of image editing options, including resizing, cropping, watermarking, as well as adding image effect or correcting colors. All options can be tuned up and you can see their effect in real time by ticking the Preview button.

Save the Result

Choose the destination folder and the format of the output file. TIFF and JPEG are among the options, as well PNG, BMP and many many others.

Then simply Start and enjoy your newly converted images quick and easy!

Advanced users can convert PSD images using command line interface or DLL in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.

Many graphic designers prefer to use the PSD (Photoshop Document) extension when creating and editing images because of its multiple advantages. A proprietary format for Adobe Photoshop, PSD can store files with multiple layers, provides lossless compression and helps users handle a wide variety of advanced drawing options.

However, PSD files tend to get very large in size, which makes them difficult to store and transfer. Plus, they are compatible with very few other programs apart from Adobe Photoshop. For this reason, most designers prefer to convert PSD files to more accessible extensions — such as JPEG or PNG — once they are done with editing them.

While converting PSD files usually implies flattening the image and losing the chance to edit layers in the future, with reaConverter you can now get more options for preserving layer data. How? By saving each layer separately.

reaConverter now includes separate options for loading PSDs as merged images or as separate layers, as well as multi-page saving options that allow saving each layer in a separate file.

How to convert multilayered PSD images using reaConverter?

Install reaConverter

Load one or more PSD files into reaConverter. You can use the handy drag-and-drop tool or search them manually in your hard-drive.

Go to the Menu button, and then Loading settings → PSD loading settings.

Here you can tick one of the two options available: loading PSD files as merged images or as separate layers.

If you want to save each layer separately, go to Menu → Saving settings → Additional saving settings and check the Multipage tab. Here you can also opt for saving the multilayered image into another multipage format, such as TIFF. This way you also preserve all layers on separate pages.

In the Edit images tab, you can apply several types of editing options, including resizing, rotating, watermarking and more.

Finally, go to the Saving options section and pick the location of the output images. Here you should also choose their format, by clicking one of the buttons placed in the lower part of the window.

Then simply click Start and the new images will soon be ready.

Video Tutorial

Advanced users can handle multi-page PSD files using command line interface or DLL in manual, automated or scheduled mode. You are welcome to contact our technical support when you have any questions about reaConverter.