Why PSD stays invisible without Photoshop
A PSD file is not a finished image but a document made of layers, masks and adjustments. Without composing those layers there is no preview image. Windows cannot do that, so an icon is all you get.
What the preloader does differently
It generates a preview of the whole document, the way it looks when you open it. That includes PSB, the large sibling format for documents beyond the PSD limits.
Where it makes the biggest difference
- Folders with many variants of the same subject.
- Client archives where file names say nothing about content.
- Handovers where somebody without Photoshop has to check what was delivered.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with very large PSB files?
Yes, PSB is included. Large documents are exactly where it pays off most, because opening them just to check takes longest.
Do I need Photoshop installed?
No. The preview is generated without Photoshop present.