Adobe Photoshop is a leading digital image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It has been a cornerstone in professional graphic design, digital photography, and multimedia production since its initial release in 1988. Designed for raster-based image manipulation, Photoshop operates on a pixel-level editing framework that enables users to retouch photographs, create detailed digital artwork, and perform advanced compositing tasks. In a professional computing environment, Photoshop integrates seamlessly with industry-standard workflows and is essential for media professionals who require precision and control over visual assets.
The core concept of Adobe Photoshop centers around non-destructive editing through the use of layers, masks, adjustment tools, and smart objects. Layers allow separate elements of an image to be edited independently, enhancing flexibility and productivity. Smart objects preserve the original content of raster or vector images, enabling transformations without degradation. Photoshop also supports extensive color management, blending modes, filters, and plugins that optimize efficiency in post-production and creative processes. Its robust tooling makes it suitable for everything from UI/UX mockups to high-resolution print material.
Photoshop supports multiple file formats tailored for diverse output needs. Its native format, PSD (Photoshop Document), retains all editing capabilities including layers, masks, transparency, and adjustment settings. PSB, the Large Document Format, accommodates files exceeding PSD's 2GB size limit. For web and export purposes, common formats include JPEG for compressed raster images, PNG for transparency-enabled graphics, and GIF for limited-palette animations. Additional support includes TIFF, useful for high-quality print workflows, and PDF for document sharing with vector and text elements preserved. This range of formats ensures compatibility across platforms while meeting the performance and quality demands of professional imaging tasks.