Convert Photoshop PSD to TIFF

The Photoshop Document (PSD) is the proprietary file format of Adobe Photoshop, capable of storing an image with support for all available imaging options including layers, adjustment layers, layer masks, alpha channels, paths, and vector text. It utilizes Run-Length Encoding (RLE) for compression and allows for a maximum file size of 2 GB and dimensions up to 30,000 pixels. The format maintains the editing history and non-destructive elements of a project, unlike flattened raster formats. The internal structure is divided into five parts: File Header, Color Mode Data, Image Resources, Layer and Mask Information, and Image Data.

Adobe Photoshop is the primary software for full PSD support. However, several other programs offer varying degrees of compatibility. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and Paint.NET (with a plugin) can open PSD files but may not render complex layer styles or adjustment layers correctly. CorelDRAW and Affinity Photo also provide robust support. For simple viewing without editing, standard image viewers like XnView or IrfanView can often display the flattened composite preview embedded within the file.

The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is a container format for storing raster graphics images, originally created by Aldus Corporation in 1986 and currently controlled by Adobe Systems. Ideally suited for photography and desktop publishing, TIFF supports multiple color spaces (CMYK, RGB, Lab), various compression schemes (lossless LZW, Deflate, or lossy JPEG), and data tags that define image geometry. It conforms to the TIFF 6.0 specification and can accommodate multi-page documents and extensive metadata standards like Exif, IPTC, and XMP within its header structure.

Due to its status as a standard industry format for high-quality imaging, TIFF files possess robust native support across major operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Photos and macOS Preview. For advanced editing and layer manipulation, professional raster graphics editors such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and CorelDRAW are required. Specialized viewing software like IrfanView or XnView can also render multi-page TIFFs that standard system viewers may display incorrectly.