raster format

What is a .PCD file?

PCD (Photo CD) is Kodak's 1990s format storing scanned photos at five resolutions on a CD — a common way film labs digitized prints.

Full name
Kodak Photo CD
Developed by
Kodak
Released
1992
Extension
.pcd
MIME type
image/pcd
Transparency
Varies

How to open a PCD file

PCD opens in IrfanView, Photoshop (legacy) and Kodak tools; convert to JPG/TIFF to use today.

What PCD files are used for

Photos & web images

Share, post and embed pictures across sites and apps.

Editing & design

Work with the format in editors like Photoshop and GIMP.

Storage & archiving

Keep memories and assets in a widely-readable form.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Purpose-built for its nicheNo transparency support
Limited support — may need converting

Need more than a conversion?

Remove the background from PCD images, upscale to 4K, or generate new visuals with SharkFoto AI.

Frequently asked questions

PCD (Photo CD) is Kodak's 1990s format storing scanned photos at five resolutions on a CD — a common way film labs digitized prints.

PCD opens in IrfanView, Photoshop (legacy) and Kodak tools; convert to JPG/TIFF to use today.

PCD is optimised for its specific use rather than strictly lossless storage.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your PCD file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — PCD doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.