Any tool for PSD's besides photoshop?

At the moment I use GIMP for everything, it works great... except for one thing.. when a client sends out a psd the layers doesn't appear well, some layers are higher than the other. I only need those images from those layers.

I've been deciding wether to purchase a photoshop elements license or not, since I will only use it for one task alone! (getting those images from the psd's layers).


If anyone can save me some money here, do you know of a tool that separates all layers from a psd file and saves them as images? or something that can easily convert the psd to an easily readable one for GIMP.

 

If you need to do this only once, why not hire someone for the service and have it done for a small charge. Or look for a friend who uses photoshop, and can help you out.
I can do this, for example.

 

If you're serious about design and you'll be doing more of it... get PS, it's worth every penny

 

.psd files are photoshop format. but the format could also be edited by fireworks. I had tried

 

yeah, hiring should work.. but can get expensive over time..
@newviewit: no, in my OP I only use it for getting the images.
@justinlorder: you know any free tool?

 

I have to say i use fireworks for it... but photoshop is the best by far.

 

get a cheap photoshop version of you only want to use it to create psd images. if you want to use photoshop to design the psd'S get cs2 or cs3 both are working fine and are the best programs you can find (in my opinion)

 

Yup, that's why I was thinking if Elements will do the job.

But then a lot here mentioned Fireworks.. I've never used it actually, do you think this is better to use in my web development work instead of photoshop? will it handle psd's from multiple versions of photoshop?

 

Fireworks is a cross platform software that works with Raster/Paint & Vector files (E.G. - .Png / .Psd / .Ai / .Eps / Etc...) You can do 100% Raster work for web or 100% Vector work for print with it. it even comes with it's own templates & web slicing tools like PS does.

If you need a light weight software that can handle a wider range of Web & Print applications, get fireworks. If you need all the bells & whistles of raster/Paint & Vector software's, then get both Photoshop & Illustrator.

I own 15 commercial software's & use Fireworks mainly to convert .Ai / .Svg / .Wmf Vector layers to .Psd / .Tiff raster layers. It's a great tool for bridging the gap between raster/Vector in my opinion. (Note: you can output back to a layered .Psd or .Ai as well if needed)

Good luck to you

 

Thanks for the info, so basically photoshop should be able to do what fireworks does?

Right now I'm looking into the upcoming Elements 7 ... since so far I found nothing free that enables opening up the layers of a psd correctly.

 

No, Photoshop can not output into Vector extensions (Like Fireworks can). even though it has a vector pen tool, it is still just a paint/raster software & exports in Raster layers.

 

Hmm... I don't do much vector work.. and I could use inkscape for that.

For the psd's image layers it looks like I have no choice but to settle for Elements 7 or lower versions.


Thanks again.

 

I use Gimp and prefer it over Photoshop,

Click on dialog then layers, in the pop up box each layer has an eye to the left of it. click on the eye for the layers you do not wish to see. Or delete them using the trash can at the bottom right corner of the of the pop up. Once you have done this you can merge all visible layers. Then use the save as and give it a new name.

If you need more help pm me or use this free resources help for gimp that i host.

Gimp Tip:- when saving files save as a xcf extension this is gimps format like psd is to photoshop. With an xcf extension you can re edit the text unlike a psd extension.

 

Also here is a short simple video i made to show you the process.

http://www.e-mail2u.net/gimp/videos/psd-headers/index.html

Hope this helps you more...
Geoff

 

PSD is Photoshop/Adobe's format so I doubt it'll work with any other image editing software.. But please try to learn PS, cause it's really the best + you have the most tutorials for it and people that can help you when you have problems.

 

If you would like graphics software that is completely compatible with the PSD format, Photoshop is the only one I can recommend...

But anyway I think there are also other free software that can edit PSD files... So how about this: Paint.NET + Photoshop file plug in

Regards

 

I think you could ask your client to send the file to you in TIFF, with layers kept intact.

 

I found a tool!

http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/#psdparse

Also it's possible to use imagemagick's 'convert' command, only it uses a command line.


I will try that paint.net+photoshopplugin *currently downloading*

 

PAINT.net is the best alternative to Photoshop. GIMP is unusable.

 

I use gimp for everything else

I have just tried paint.net, it opened up my psd but sort of renders the same way as gimp's.. so the layers are still wrong (some layers are on top where it shouldn't be, hidden layers are visible). I guess for viewing/editing the proper layers I will have to use PS elements for it...



If anyone here knows of another tool, pls post!