> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.craftsmanplus.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.craftsmanplus.com/play/general/photoshop-import.md). # Photoshop Import Import a Photoshop PSD into PLAY, review artboards and layer compatibility, choose a destination folder, and control how text layers are brought in.
Photoshop Import lets you bring a PSD file directly into PLAY, converting each artboard into a Scene and each layer into a native PLAY layer. It's the fastest way to take a design from Photoshop into a working project, without exporting flattened images or rebuilding layers by hand. **How to Open the Importer** Photoshop Import is available from inside the PLAY Editor: 1. Open the [**Create Asset Menu**.](/play/layers/adding-a-layer.md) 2. Select **Import**. The Photoshop Import page opens over the editor. You can close it at any time using the **X** in the top right corner or by pressing **Esc**. ### **1. Selecting a PSD** When the importer first opens, you'll see the upload prompt in the center of the page. Click **Upload PSD** to open your file explorer and pick a PSD from your computer. {% hint style="warning" %} You can only upload one PSD at a time, and the file must be under **4 GB**. (The max file size on MacOS is **4.29 GB**) {% endhint %} Once selected, the file is uploaded and parsed automatically. You'll see a loading state with an estimated time remaining while this happens. If something goes wrong at this stage, the importer will tell you why: * **Upload Failed** appears if the file couldn't be uploaded. You can try again with the same file or pick a different one. * **Above Maximum File Size** appears if the PSD is larger than 4 GB. Reduce the file size in Photoshop and try again. ### **2. Reviewing the Import** Once your PSD is parsed, the page fills in with everything you need to review before committing to the import: * **Left panel** lists every artboard as a Scene, with each layer nested underneath. * **Viewport** shows a thumbnail preview of each artboard, organized into rows and columns and scaled to fit the available space. * **Folder Selector** sits above the Import button and controls where your assets will be saved. * **Import button** sits at the bottom of the left panel and is enabled once parsing succeeds. Every layer is tagged with a status icon so you can see at a glance how it will come through. #### **Layer Status Icons** Each layer in the left panel gets one of three status icons. Hover over the **Info** icon at the top of the panel at any time to see a legend of what each status means. **Imported Successfully - Green check** The layer imported cleanly with no changes. What you see in Photoshop is what you'll get in PLAY. **Fixable After Import - Yellow warning** The layer imported, but something about it had to be adjusted. The layer is still included, and you can fine-tune it inside PLAY after the import completes. Hover over the icon to see exactly what was changed:
WarningWhat happened
Unsupported EffectThe layer used an effect PLAY doesn't support (e.g. drop shadow, inner glow). The effect was stripped, but the layer itself imported.
Missing FontThe layer used a font PLAY doesn't support. The text was kept and rolled back to a default supported font.
Unsupported GradientA gradient on the layer was dropped. Gradient fills and overlays on shape layers import as editable gradients, except in these cases. The shape converts to an image without its gradient when the gradient uses a blend mode other than Normal, is a noise gradient or has unreadable color or transparency stops, or when other styling needs an image: a semi-transparent Color Overlay, or a gradient other than Linear paired with a Stroke. The shape still imports, without the dropped gradient, when a second gradient overlay sits under the one that imports, or when a gradient fill sits under a gradient overlay. Gradients on groups and on non-shape layers are always dropped.
Some Effect Properties MissingThe layer used an effect PLAY supports, but with properties PLAY doesn't (e.g. an inner glow with a blend mode). The full effect was stripped to avoid an incorrect result.
**Cannot be Imported - Red error** The layer can't be brought into PLAY and will be excluded from the import. The layer is darkened in the panel so it's easy to spot. Hover over the icon for details:
ErrorWhat happened
Unsupported FilterThe layer used a filter PLAY doesn't support (e.g. a sketch filter).
Unsupported AdjustmentThe layer used an adjustment PLAY doesn't support (e.g. a Hue/Saturation adjustment).
Over Max 4096x4096 DimensionsThe layer is larger than the maximum supported size of 4096 × 4096 px. Resize it in Photoshop and re-import.
Unknown ErrorThe layer failed to import for a reason PLAY couldn't classify.
{% hint style="info" %} *Shape layers, text layers, and image layers from your PSD are imported as their native PLAY equivalents wherever possible, preserving position, dimensions, and core properties.* {% endhint %} #### **Convert to Image** Text and shape layers come with a **Convert to Image** toggle next to them in the left panel. The toggle appears on any text or shape layer that successfully imported. When **on**, the text layer is brought in as a flattened image. This preserves any text or shape effects exactly as they appear in Photoshop, even effects PLAY doesn't natively support. When **off**, the text layer is brought in as an editable PLAY text or shape layer. The toggle is **on by default** so your design comes through visually faithful out of the box. Turn it off for any layer you want to keep editable as text inside PLAY. #### **Including and Excluding Artboards** You can pick and choose which artboards to import. By default, every artboard from your PSD is included. * **To exclude an artboard**, click its thumbnail in the viewport. The thumbnail dims to 25% opacity and its Scene disappears from the left panel. * **To re-include an artboard**, click it again. The thumbnail returns to full opacity and the Scene reappears in the left panel. This lets you import only the artboards you actually need without editing your PSD beforehand. ### **Choosing a Destination Folder** The **Folder Selector** controls where your imported assets are saved in the Asset Library. By default, it points to a folder called **PSD Import**. To pick a different folder, click **Select** on the Folder Selector. The Asset Library opens, and you can choose any folder as the destination. The Folder Selector updates to show the new folder name. When the import runs, PLAY creates a new subfolder inside your chosen folder, named after your original PSD file. For example, importing `testfile.PSD` into the default folder produces `PSD Import / TestFile`. #### **3. Running the Import** When you're happy with your review, click **Import**. The viewport clears and a loading toast takes over, showing the import progress in stages: 1. **Initializing Import** 2. **Converting Layers to Assets** 3. **Uploading to Asset Library** 4. **Generating Artboards** While the import is running, you won't be able to preview your project or navigate away from it. Attempting to leave the page will trigger a warning popup. Closing the tab or leaving the project mid-import may result in a cancelled or corrupted import. {% hint style="danger" %} Never leave a PLAY project in the middle of a PSD Import! {% endhint %} Once everything finishes, your new Scenes are added below any existing Scenes in your project, and the first new Scene is selected and ready to work with. Your imported assets are saved in the destination folder you chose, ready to be reused across other projects. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://help.craftsmanplus.com/play/general/photoshop-import.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.