Why Is Krita’s Exported PSD File Not Showing All Layers?

Exporting a PSD (Photoshop Document) file from Krita should preserve all layers, but sometimes users notice that not all layers are visible or properly preserved after export.

This issue is often caused by compatibility differences between Krita and Photoshop's PSD format, which handles layer types, blending modes, and effects differently.

To resolve this, start by checking your layers.

Certain Krita-specific layer types, such as adjustment layers or special effects layers, may not translate properly when exported as PSD files.

Flattening or merging these layers before export can ensure that they are correctly saved in the PSD format.

To check if this is the case, test exporting a file with simpler layers and see if the issue persists.

If your file uses complex blending modes, be aware that not all modes are compatible with Photoshop.

Krita’s blending modes are extensive, and while most should work, some may be approximated or lost in the PSD format.

Consider switching to more standard blending modes, such as Normal, Multiply, or Overlay, before exporting.

Another potential issue arises when exporting transparency.

Krita’s handling of alpha channels and transparency may not always match Photoshop’s interpretation of transparency, especially with semi-transparent pixels.

To ensure proper transparency handling, go to the File > Export menu and enable the option to preserve transparency during the export process.

Additionally, check the resolution and DPI of your file.

Photoshop may have difficulty handling extremely high-resolution files, especially those with layers at different resolutions.

Try exporting a lower-resolution version to see if that fixes the issue.

If the layers still don’t appear correctly, it’s a good idea to test exporting to a different file format, such as PNG or TIFF, which are better suited for preserving layer information.

Finally, make sure you're using the latest version of Krita.

The development team continuously works on improving compatibility with different file formats, and updating Krita may resolve export issues.

If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Krita’s support forums for further troubleshooting.