XCF is GIMP's native format
XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) stores GIMP's full working state — layers, masks, paths and channels. It's the GIMP equivalent of Photoshop's PSD, and GIMP is what creates it.
Want an XCF from your PSB? Here's why it needs GIMP — and the layered format that works everywhere.
You can't convert a PSB to XCF here — XCF is GIMP's own working format, written by GIMP itself.
XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) stores GIMP's full working state — layers, masks, paths and channels. It's the GIMP equivalent of Photoshop's PSD, and GIMP is what creates it.
A PSB is a single flattened image. Saving it as XCF wouldn't add the layered, editable structure XCF exists for — so for most needs a standard format is the better target.
PSB (Photoshop Big) is Photoshop's large-document format, identical to PSD but supporting images beyond 30,000 pixels and 2GB for huge artwork.
How to open PSB opens in Photoshop and Affinity Photo; convert to TIFF/PNG to share with other tools.
Full PSB format guideXCF is GIMP’s native format preserving layers, paths and channels — the open-source equivalent of PSD.
How to open XCF opens in GIMP; export to PNG or PSD for other apps.
Full XCF format guideThe layered editor format that Photoshop, GIMP, Photopea and Affinity can all open.
PSB → PSDLossless with transparency — perfect for graphics, logos and screenshots.
PSB → PNGLossless and uncompressed — ideal for editing, archiving and print.
PSB → TIFF