A PSD file is a file format used for saving images created in Adobe Photoshop. It is the native file format of Adobe Photoshop and supports multiple image layers and various imaging options. PSD stands for Photoshop Document, and it is mostly used for working with layers of graphics and saving projects that can extend up to 2 gigabytes in file size. PSD files can store large amounts of image data, including several layers of different images or graphical elements. Unlike other image formats, PSD files can hold layers with masks, transparency, text, alpha channels and spot colors, clipping paths and duotone settings, which offers varied functionality. PSD files are typically opened and edited with Adobe Photoshop, but can also be opened with Adobe Photoshop Elements, and even certain non-Adobe products such as Corel’s PaintShop Pro and GIMP. However, programs other than Photoshop will not be able to fully edit or even read the complex layers utilized in many PSD files. The PSD file type supports all image modes (Bitmap, Grayscale, Duotone, Indexed Color, RGB, CMYK, Lab, and Multichannel), which is part of the reason it is so widely used. The PSD file type preserves a design as layered images, which is extremely useful for future editing of different parts of a design. Photoshop can convert PSD files to other formats, such as PNG, JPG, etc.