What is a PSD? The First Step to Web Design
As the top service for PSD to HTML on the Web, we throw around the term ‘PSD’ quite a bit. We’ve answered the question ‘What is PSD to HTML?‘ and provided a list of definitions of common web development terms, but now we break it down even further.
What is a PSD?
Simply put, a PSD is a Photoshop design file. Technically, it stands for Photoshop Document, which is a proprietary file type from Adobe. Adobe’s Photoshop is the software most widely used for web design and works best for the design-to-code process.
PSD files are typically opened and edited with Adobe Photoshop, but can 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. Other advanced features within a PSD design may not be properly recognized, either. We highly recommend working with Photoshop from the beginning to ensure it will be universally accessible by designers and developers who may be involved with your project.
If you’re interested in a free program to simply view PSD files as flat images (no layers), Apple’s QuickTime, which includes Picture Viewer, will do the trick, but you can’t use the program to edit a PSD file. It is purely for viewing PSD files as images.
How Can I Create a Website with a PSD?
PSD files can be “sliced” and turned into HTML code by a proficient web developer. PSD to HTML services, such as The Site Slinger, specialize in just this. We take the PSD files and hand back HTML/CSS markup that’s ready for implementation as a live site.
Sometimes other file types are used by designers. While we may be able to work with PNG, IDD, or AI file types, we highly recommend PSD files. Working form other file types can require the added step of converting designs to a PSD file.
A “good” PSD is layered, and well organized using folders and layer comps to show different pages and states. Be sure to design all animation states, and button states (click, hover, off). Read more of our web design tips and check out the other resources below. In the end, we take your design and turn it into code, producing a website that matches your design pixel-perfect.
Technical Stuff
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. It also supports clipping paths, channels, transparency information, and multi-level layers while other formats merely present ‘flat’ images.
The PSD file type preserves a design as layered images which is extremely useful for future editing (and re-editing) of different parts of a design. Each layer can be worked on individually, without affecting the rest of the elements in a design. You can also use a feature called ‘layer comps‘ to present variations of the same design. Photoshop can convert PSD files to other formats, such as PNG, JPG etc… so you can export a design for a wide variety of uses, like web graphics.
It’s also interesting to note that Photoshop files sometimes have the extension .PSB, which stands for “Photoshop Big”. According to Adobe, “The Large Document Format (PSB) supports documents up to 300,000 pixels in any dimension. All Photoshop features, such as layers, effects, and filters, are supported. You can save high dynamic range, 32‑bits-per-channel images as PSB files. Currently, if you save a document in PSB format, it can be opened only in Photoshop CS or later.”
You can read tons more about Adobe Photoshop File Formats Specification, if you want to delve further into the technical aspects of the PSD file type.
And here are some helpful tips and tricks on how to slice a PSD file efficiently if you want to try your hand.
Alternatives to PSD in Website Design
Sketch
Sketch is a vector-based design tool that is gaining popularity among web designers. It is available only on macOS and is designed specifically for web and app design. Sketch offers a range of features that make it easier to make responsive designs and then convert those into pixel-perfect HTML markups.
Pros:
- Sketch is designed specifically for web and app design, so it offers features that are tailored to these types of projects.
- Sketch’s vector-based design allows for easy scaling of images without loss of quality.
- It offers a large library of plugins and add-ons that can streamline the design process.
Cons:
- Sketch is only available on macOS, which can limit its accessibility to some designers.
- It does not have the same level of support as Photoshop, so finding resources and tutorials may be more difficult.
- Sketch has a steeper learning curve than some other design tools, which may make it less suitable for beginners.
Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a vector-based design tool that is available for both macOS and Windows. It is designed specifically for web and app design and allows designers to create wireframes, prototypes, and finished designs all in the same tool.
Pros:
- Adobe XD is available on both macOS and Windows, making it more accessible to designers.
- It allows for easy sharing and collaboration with other designers and developers.
- Adobe XD’s vector-based design allows for easy scaling of images without loss of quality.
Cons:
- It has a steeper learning curve than some other design tools, which may make it less suitable for beginners.
- Some users report performance issues with larger design files.
- It has fewer features and capabilities than Adobe Photoshop, which may limit its usefulness for some projects.
Figma
Figma is a web-based design tool that allows designers to create, share, and collaborate on designs in real-time. It is specifically designed for web and app design and offers a range of features that make it easier to design for responsive web design and UI design.
Pros:
- Figma is a web-based tool, so it is accessible from any computer with an internet connection.
- It offers a range of collaboration and sharing features that make it easy to work with other designers and developers.
- Figma’s vector-based design allows for easy scaling of images without loss of quality.
Cons:
- Figma requires an internet connection to use, which can be limiting for some designers.
- It has a steeper learning curve than some other design tools, which may make it less suitable for beginners.
- It has fewer features and capabilities than Adobe Photoshop, which may limit its usefulness for some projects.
Searching for a super fast PSD to HTML conversion service? You are in the right place. The Site Slinger experts will turn your design into a stunning, responsive, pixel-perfect HTML template in just a few hours.
Get in touch with us, tell us about your project, and get delivered a perfectly coded template whenever you need it.
Resources
Read further for tips and how-to’s for web design.