PSD to XCF

Looking to convert PSD to XCF? Here's the honest answer — and what works instead.

You can't convert a PSD to XCF here — XCF is GIMP's own working format, written by GIMP itself.

Why PSD to XCF isn't possible here

1

XCF is GIMP's native format

XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) stores GIMP's full working state — layers, masks, paths and channels. It's the GIMP equivalent of Photoshop's PSD, and GIMP is what creates it.

2

A PSD has no layers to keep

A PSD is a single flattened image. Saving it as XCF wouldn't add the layered, editable structure XCF exists for — so for most needs a standard format is the better target.

What you can do instead

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Format details

PSD is Photoshop’s native format, preserving layers, masks and effects for non-destructive editing.

Full namePhotoshop Document
Developed byAdobe
Released1990
Extension.psd
MIME typeimage/vnd.adobe.photoshop
TransparencyYes

PSD opens in Photoshop, Affinity Photo, GIMP and Photopea.

XCF is GIMP’s native format preserving layers, paths and channels — the open-source equivalent of PSD.

Full nameGIMP Image
Developed byGIMP Team
Released1995
Extension.xcf
MIME typeimage/x-xcf
TransparencyYes

XCF opens in GIMP; export to PNG or PSD for other apps.

Frequently asked questions

Not a real one. XCF is GIMP-specific; the dependable way to get an .xcf is to open your image in GIMP (free and open-source) and save it. SharkFoto can read XCF as a source, but doesn't write it.

Convert your PSD to PSD. PSD is the layered format the widest range of editors — Photoshop, GIMP, Photopea, Affinity — can open.

PSD converts to PSD, PNG, JPG, TIFF and more — free and instant.