AN INDEPENDENT GUIDE BY SAILTOWORLD
PhotoCraft.
Your independent getting started guide.
PhotoCraft is an open-source image editor from the ArtCraft team. This guide helps you choose an official installer, make a first edit, find keyboard shortcuts and read basic properties from a local PSD or PSB file.
Upstream status: early alpha. Start with a working copy and check what you save before relying on it. This website is an independent resource, not the official PhotoCraft website or an online image editor.
Already know which build you need? View official releases on GitHub.
Choose an official PhotoCraft download
Match the package to your operating system and processor. For the desktop app, look for an installer or portable application package in the release assets. GitHub's “Source code” archives are for building the project yourself.
| Your computer | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Windows | Check Settings → System → About → System type. Choose x64 for a 64-bit Intel/AMD PC or arm64 for an ARM PC. Look for an .msi installer or a portable .zip. |
| macOS | Look for the universal .dmg for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Choose the app package; the separately named CLI archive is for command-line use. |
| Linux | Match x86_64 or aarch64 to your processor. Choose a package for your distribution, such as .deb or .rpm, or review the AppImage and Flatpak options. |
Check the release notes and installation instructions before downloading. If you are unsure about the filename, use the Windows, macOS and Linux download guide.
PhotoCraft can be installed on its own. ArtCraft Launcher is a separate, optional route for managing Crafting Apps. We link to the project's download sources and do not host or repackage installers.
Open official PhotoCraft releases · See ArtCraft's installation options
Make your first edit with a working copy
Our worked example uses an original 320 × 240 PNG in PhotoCraft v0.7.0 on macOS. The full tutorial includes desktop screenshots and downloadable input, working and output files.
- Make a copy. Keep the original in a separate location and give the working file a clear name.
- Open the copy. Use File → Open. Check the image dimensions and read any warnings before editing.
- Change one thing. Try a simple transform or a small Curves adjustment. Keeping the change small makes unexpected differences easier to spot.
- Save a working file. In this example, use File → Save As and name it
first-edit-ui.pcraft. - Save a PNG and reopen. Use File → Save As again for
first-edit-ui-export.png. Close the document, reopen the .pcraft file, and compare it with the PNG output.
For a layered PSD, also keep a reference image from the editor that created it. An export that looks right does not, by itself, confirm that every layer remains editable.
Find the shortcut you need
Keep a few file commands close while you learn the interface. These are default mappings from the upstream menu catalog; custom bindings and keyboard layouts can differ.
| Command | macOS | Windows / Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Open file | ⌘ + O |
Ctrl + O |
| Save as | ⇧ + ⌘ + S |
Ctrl + Shift + S |
| Layer via copy | ⌘ + J |
Ctrl + J |
The shortcut finder lets you search by command, switch keyboard platforms and download a small reference sheet. If a shortcut behaves differently in your build, check the corresponding application menu.
Inspect a PSD or PSB header
Have a file you want to understand before opening it? The local header inspector reads the first 26 bytes to identify PSD or PSB and report dimensions, color mode, bit depth and channel count. It also displays file size from the selected file's metadata.
The file is read in your browser without uploading its contents. You can try the built-in sample before choosing your own file and download the reported values as JSON.
Use the result as a description of the header. A readable header does not prove that the complete file is valid or that PhotoCraft will render it correctly. The inspector does not preview pixels, inspect layers, repair damage or certify compatibility. Channel count is not layer count.
Test your workflow before switching
The upstream project describes PhotoCraft as early alpha. Treat a familiar interface as a starting point for testing your own work. PSD rendering, fonts, plug-ins and other workflow details may behave differently from your current editor.
Start with our four small PSD fixtures for layers, semi-transparent pixels, a pixel mask and editable text. The migration guide includes PhotoCraft v0.7.0 macOS CLI results and downloadable evidence, including the text-rendering difference we observed. Photoshop was not run; use these limited results to plan a test of your own files.
PhotoCraft FAQ
Is this the official PhotoCraft website?
No. SailToWorld publishes this independent guide. PhotoCraft is developed by the ArtCraft team. The official repository and ArtCraft product page are the places to check the project's own announcements and downloads. We are not affiliated with ArtCraft or Adobe.
Can I edit images on this website?
No. This site provides guides, a shortcut finder and a local file-header inspector. Image editing happens in PhotoCraft itself. The official project also publishes a web build, but this website does not host that editor.
Is this the same PhotoCraft as a mobile AI photo app?
This guide covers the open-source image editor in the ArtCraft family, with source code at storytold/photocraft. If you found another app with a similar name, check its publisher and official links before assuming it is the same product.
Are these resources free, and do I need an account?
The guides, shortcut reference and local header inspector are free to use here without an account. Installer selection takes you to the official project. Check the upstream release notes for the build you plan to use.
Will a successful header check mean my PSD or PSB will open?
No. A file can have a readable header and still contain missing or damaged data elsewhere. To check a real workflow, open a copy in the intended editor, inspect the result and reopen what you save. The inspector cannot perform that test.
Sources and tests: 11–12 October 2026. See sources and verification notes · About this independent guide