Your first PhotoCraft project.

PhotoCraft Web runs the open-source PhotoCraft 0.5.0 editor in your browser. A desktop computer, keyboard and mouse give you the most room to work.

Launch editor

1. Open a file or try the sample

After the editor starts, choose File → Open or use the Open button in the empty workspace. You can also drag a PNG, JPEG, or PSD onto the canvas. Choose a file from your device; it is processed in your browser.

For a first session, open the original three-layer poster sample. The lettering is a raster layer, not an editable text object. Use the Type tool to add your own text.

2. Make an edit

Select the layer you want in the Layers panel on the right.
Choose a tool from the left toolbar. Start with Move, Crop, Brush or Type.
Use the Image and Filter menus for adjustments. Use Edit → Undo when needed.

The sample has separate lettering, shapes, and background layers so you can explore layer selection and visibility without using a private file.

3. Download and check the result

Use File → Save As for a PSD project file. For a PNG image, choose File → Export → Quick Export as PNG; Export As gives you format and size options. The recent-export notice also offers Download again. Check your browser downloads, then open the result to verify it.

Save before closing or reloading. This browser build does not provide cloud storage or automatic crash recovery. Changing the graphics mode restarts the workspace.

Working with PSD files

PSD is a complex format. Layered files can open, but a document's fonts, effects and other features may differ from Photoshop. Keep an untouched original and inspect the result, especially before print or professional delivery. PhotoCraft is early alpha, not a guaranteed drop-in replacement for every Photoshop workflow.

If the editor will not start

Wait for the first download. The editor is larger than a normal web page. Later visits may reuse cached files.
Try a current desktop browser. WebGPU or WebGL2 is required. Enable graphics acceleration in the browser when available.
Try compatibility mode. Choose WebGL compatibility in the editor toolbar, or open the WebGL version.
Try the CPU canvas. It can help with canvas-rendering issues but still needs a supported browser graphics backend for the interface; it may be slower.
Reduce file size. Large documents and many layers use your device's memory. Try the sample or a smaller image first.

If a download does not appear

Check the browser's downloads list and whether it blocked the download. Save and Export download to your device; they do not write to an online account. Keep the workspace open until you confirm the file is saved.

Source and version

This guide describes the self-hosted v0.5.0 web build. See the upstream release, browser hosting notes, and upstream issue tracker. Last reviewed October 10, 2026.