Extract PSD Layers with Bash and ImageMagick

ImageMagick can read many Photoshop PSD files and export the images it exposes as frames or layers. Combined with a Bash loop, this can automate batch extraction without opening every file manually.

Install ImageMagick

On Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install imagemagick

ImageMagick 7 uses the magick command. Some older installations expose commands such as convert directly.

Extract One PSD

mkdir -p output
magick input.psd output/layer-%03d.png

When ImageMagick exposes multiple images from the PSD, the numbered output pattern prevents them from overwriting one another.

PSD support varies with file features. Complex Photoshop effects, adjustment layers, masks, smart objects, or unsupported color modes may not reproduce exactly as they do in Photoshop.

Batch Script

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

if (($# == 0)); then
  printf 'Usage: %s FILE.psd [FILE.psd ...]\n' "$0" >&2
  exit 1
fi

if ! command -v magick >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  echo 'ImageMagick 7 (magick) was not found in PATH.' >&2
  exit 1
fi

for input_psd in "$@"; do
  filename=$(basename -- "$input_psd")
  name=${filename%.*}
  output_directory="image/$name"

  mkdir -p "$output_directory"
  magick "$input_psd" "$output_directory/layer-%03d.png"

  printf "Exported images from '%s' to '%s'.\n" \
    "$input_psd" "$output_directory"
done

Run it with:

chmod +x extract_psd.sh
./extract_psd.sh file1.psd file2.psd

Inspect the PSD First

Before a large batch, check what ImageMagick sees:

magick identify input.psd

This can reveal the number of images/frames and basic properties before extraction.

Conclusion

Bash plus ImageMagick can automate PSD image extraction effectively when the PSD features are supported. Use numbered output filenames, test representative files first, and verify the exported images before relying on the workflow for production assets.