GIMP reads PSD, not .procreate
GIMP has opened Photoshop files for years, and that is the way in for Procreate artwork. GIMP 3.2 added a reader for Procreate .swatches files, which are palettes of colors (merge request 2613). It does not open .procreate paintings: GIMP 3.2.4 answered our test file with “Unknown file type”.
toPSD converts the .procreate file into a layered PSD in your browser, and GIMP opens that PSD.
What comes through in GIMP
We opened PSDs written by toPSD in GIMP 3.2.4 and checked each layer:
- Each Procreate layer becomes a GIMP layer with the same name, in the same order.
- Groups become layer groups set to Pass through.
- Hidden layers and hidden groups stay hidden, and layer opacity is kept.
- Layer masks come in as GIMP layer masks.
- A clipped layer comes in with its composite mode set to Clip to Backdrop.
- The Display P3 color profile is kept on the image.
- The background color arrives as a bottom layer named Background.
- Text layers arrive as pixel layers, because toPSD writes them that way.
Blend modes in GIMP
Every Procreate blend mode was set to a GIMP mode. Most keep the name you know:
| Procreate | GIMP |
|---|---|
| Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light | Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft light, Hard light |
| Add | Addition |
| Color Burn, Color Dodge | Burn, Dodge |
| Linear Burn, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix | Same names |
| Darken, Lighten | Darken only, Lighten only |
| Darker Color, Lighter Color | Luma darken only, Luma lighten only |
| Difference, Exclusion, Subtract, Divide | Same names |
| Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity | LCh Hue, LCh Chroma, LCh Color, LCh Lightness |
The last row is the one to check by eye. GIMP’s LCh modes calculate color differently from Procreate’s, so layers using them can look a little different.
Flat image or layers?
If you only need to look at the artwork or print it, the free Procreate to PNG download is enough, and GIMP opens PNG files with no surprises. Use the layered PSD when you want to keep painting on separate layers.
How this page was tested
On October 12, 2026, we opened PSDs made by toPSD in GIMP 3.2.4 on Linux: Silicate’s open-source sample files (55 layers in 27 groups, every blend mode, a clipping mask and a layer mask) and a small test file with hidden layers, hidden groups and reduced opacity. We read each layer’s name, mode, composite mode, visibility, opacity and mask back from GIMP, and tried opening a .procreate file directly. GIMP works the same on Windows and Mac.