3

Is it possible to open and edit Photoshop .psd files with GIMP that are using smart objects? (I'm asking because I would like to add a Android app screenshot into a "hand holding Android device" mockup photo)

Improve this question
0

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

GIMP does not (yet) support smart objects like in Photoshop (there's an open feature request about it), so the only way they could be imported would be by converting them into something else that GIMP does handle (most likely, a simple "dumb" layer, or a set of layers). I don't know (and have no way of testing) whether GIMP's PSD importer is smart enough to do that, but I suspect it isn't.

Your best option, if possible, is probably to make the edit directly in Photoshop. If you absolutely must use GIMP for this, see if you can get the author of the PSD file to export it into some standard, non-proprietary format like PNG or TIFF — you'll lose most of the information about things like layers and smart objects, but at least you should be able to open and edit the image without fear of the importer messing it up. Also, if the image contains a lot of vector art or things like replicated smart objects, consider exporting it to a vector format like EPS, PDF or SVG, and editing it in a vector editor such as Inkscape instead of GIMP.

In any case, IMO, the PSD import feature in GIMP should generally be used only as a last resort, when all you have is a .psd file and no copy of Photoshop to edit it with. It's better than nothing, but far from perfect, and always likely to lag somewhat behind the latest new features and quirks introduced by Adobe. Apparently, keeping the GIMP PSD import up to date with new Photoshop features is not currently a high priority for the GIMP developers anyway (although, as usual with open source software, volunteer contributions are always appreciated).

Improve this answer
3
  • 2
    The file format specification for PSD is available, by Adobe themselves, without registering or anything: adobe.com/devnet-apps/photoshop/fileformatashtml . PSD file format support isn't a priority for GIMP development though, but contributions to the PSD format plug-ins are always welcome (just please get in contact with the GIMP developers first).
    – Michael Schumacher
    Apr 6, 2015 at 21:36
  • @MichaelSchumacher It's beyond me why it's not a priority. Migrating PS users to GIMP should be their strategy, For me, the strongest deciding factor between PS and GIMP is based on the availability of free PSD resources online that increasingly rely on smart object editing. It just seems really short-sighted and ignorant on GIMP's part. I really want to stick with GIMP but it's impossible for me to fully migrate so long they overlook the importance of prioritized PSD support. As a designer, I'd be losing access to an entire global library of PSD resources which just isn't an option for me.
    – Clarus Dignus
    Jun 28, 2015 at 15:19
  • 1
    Then maybe you can make it a priority to look for people who want to contribute to GIMP? In Free Software, many features are contributed by those who want and need them.
    – Michael Schumacher
    Jun 28, 2015 at 16:49

You must log in to answer this question.