Take a psd and export all the layers into separate image files without using Photoshop

Question

This is my first question here and I'm not sure if this is the appropriate site for my question, but here it goes. If this is not the correct site, please direct me to the correct one.

I have a psd file. I simply want to extract the layers from it into separate image files. I do not have Photoshop and I've already used up the free Photoshop trial.

I am running Mountain Lion on a MacBook Pro. I have installed Gimp, but I can't figure out how to do what I want. I have searched using Google, but have been completely unable to find a tutorial showing me how to do this.

I would really appreciate instructions or a link to an appropriate tutorial. I have seen some answers here, but they simply say use Gimp, which doesn't help me.

Answer 1

If you don't want to install any plugin, do this using GIMP (open source tool):

1. Select the layer and copy Ctrl+C or Edit > Copy
2. Then Select > File > Create > From Clipboard, this creates a new document from the copied layer, or you can just make the layer you want the only thing visible.
3. Then select > File > Save As... then go down to "Select File Type (By Extension)"
4. In the box where it says "All images select that box and go down to "PNG image (*.png)"

Answer 2

There is a tool from Telegraphics called PSDParse that should do the trick.

psd2png.exe -w Filename.psd

usage: psd2png.exe [options] psdfile...
-h, --help show this help
-v, --verbose print more information
-q, --quiet work silently
-w, --writepng write PNG files of each raster layer (and merged composite)
-d, --pngdir dir put PNGs in directory (implies --writepng)
-m, --makedirs create subdirectory for PNG if layer name contains \'s
-l, --list write an 'asset list' of layer sizes and positions
-s, --split write each composite channel to individual (grey scale) PNG

Here's a link to the version I used, or you can go to the website for the latest version for your operating system.

http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/files/psdparse-1.7b1-win.zip

Answer 3

There's a plugin for that: Export Layers as PNG.

It adds an entry to the File menu, Export layers -> as png.

Answer 4

You can export layers to assets like PNG, JPG or SVG from a new service called "Extract" that is in Adobe's Creative Cloud. You don't need Photoshop.

You can try it here: http://www.adobe.com/go/extract_tweet1

You'll need a Creative Cloud login, but, even free accounts can use the service.

1. Login to creative.adobe.com/files
2. Upload a PSD
3. Go to the Extract tab.
4. Select any layer and extract an asset.

You'll need to extract each asset individually, at the moment. No way to do it all at once.

Answer 5

Go to "File" menu in Photoshop (trial or free, no matter)

Now go to "Export" submenu and select "Export layers to files".

In the opened dialog, choose PNG as file type and browse for destination folder.