psd-tools
Python package for working with Adobe Photoshop PSD files
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to read PSD files or export layers programmatically. The library is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and covers the most common use cases (reading, layer extraction, basic composition). Install with caution if you rely on advanced layer effects or type layer editing—those are not supported. The 'composite' extra adds rendering capabilities but may not be available on all platforms.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later.
- Pillow and NumPy must be installed (pulled in automatically).
- Advanced compositing (vector rendering, gradients, effects) requires optional dependencies (aggdraw, scipy, scikit-image) installed via the 'composite' extra.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute psd-tools freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-08-07 (7 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 645,353 downloads/mo, #5,599 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install psd-tools
from psd_tools import PSDImage
psd = PSDImage.open('example.psd')
composite = psd.composite()
composite.save('output.png')- Exact scope of layer attribute editing beyond layer name changes
- Performance characteristics on large or deeply nested PSD files
- Compatibility with PSD files created by recent Photoshop versions
What it is and what it does
psd-tools is a Python library for parsing and manipulating Adobe Photoshop PSD and PSB files according to Adobe's specification. It lets you open a PSD file, inspect its layer structure, extract individual layer images as NumPy arrays or PIL images, and compose layers into a final flattened image. The library handles low-level PSD file structure directly, so you can read and write the raw format.
The package supports basic pixel-based layer composition, fill layer effects, adjustment layers (Brightness/Contrast, Levels, Curves, Exposure, Invert, Posterize, Threshold), vector masks, and blending modes. It can edit layer names and perform basic layer group operations (add/remove layers). Advanced features like type layer editing, smart objects, and many layer effects are not supported. For advanced rendering (vector shapes, gradients, patterns, layer effects), you can install optional dependencies via the 'composite' extra.
Use it for
- Batch export all layers from a PSD file as individual PNG images for asset pipelines
- Programmatically read layer metadata and structure from PSD files in automated workflows
- Convert PSD files to flattened images (PNG, JPEG) without opening Photoshop
- Extract layer images as NumPy arrays for computer vision or image processing pipelines
- Automate layer renaming or basic structural edits in PSD files
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to read PSD files or export layers programmatically.
The library is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and covers the most common use cases (reading, layer extraction, basic composition). Install with caution if you rely on advanced layer effects or type layer editing—those are not supported. The 'composite' extra adds rendering capabilities but may not be available on all platforms.
Install
psd-tools on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions and platforms (3.10–3.14, x86_64, ARM, Windows, macOS, Linux). Active maintenance with a release 7 days ago. Depends on Pillow and NumPy, which are themselves well-maintained but add system-level dependencies.
Requires Python 3.10 or later. Pillow and NumPy must be installed (pulled in automatically). Advanced compositing (vector rendering, gradients, effects) requires optional dependencies (aggdraw, scipy, scikit-image) installed via the 'composite' extra.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute psd-tools freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install psd-tools
from psd_tools import PSDImage
psd = PSDImage.open('example.psd')
composite = psd.composite()
composite.save('output.png')Verify before relying
- Exact scope of layer attribute editing beyond layer name changes
- Performance characteristics on large or deeply nested PSD files
- Compatibility with PSD files created by recent Photoshop versions
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 4 packagestyping-extensionsattrsPillownumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 7 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 645,353 / month, #5,599 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: Multimedia :: GraphicsTopic :: Multimedia :: Graphics :: Graphics ConversionTopic :: Multimedia :: Graphics :: ViewersTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_24_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_24_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp311-cp311-win_arm64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_24_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; psd_tools-1.18.0-cp312-cp312-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl
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