How to view a .PDN file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .PDN
Drag a .PDN file of any size onto the viewer, or choose it from your device. It's read right here.
View the layers
Every layer and group is listed with a thumbnail, blend mode and opacity. Click the eye to hide or show it and watch the image update.
Export what you need
Save the whole image as PNG, JPG or WEBP, or download any single layer as a transparent PNG.
What is a .PDN file?
Everything worth knowing about Paint.NET Image.
A PDN file is the native working file of Paint.NET, the free Windows image editor. It stores all layers, blend modes, and transparency, much like Photoshop's PSD. Open it with Paint.NET (free, Windows only). To use the image elsewhere, do File > Save As and export to PNG or JPG. On Mac or Linux there is no direct opener; you need someone to export it first.
Programs that open .PDN files
- Windows
- Paint.NET
- macOS
- (no native opener — convert first)
- Linux
- (no native opener — convert first)
| Full name | Paint.NET Image |
|---|---|
| Developer | Rick Brewster / dotPDN LLC |
| First released | 2004 (Paint.NET 1.0); current PDN3 format used by modern releases |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-paint-net |
| Signature | 50 44 4E 33 ("PDN3" - Paint.NET v3+ document signature) |
Related viewers
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need Photoshop to open a .PDN file?
No. This viewer reads your .PDN file directly: the finished image and every layer, without Adobe software or an account.
Is my design uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is decoded with a JavaScript reader.
Why does the image change slightly when I hide a layer?
At first you see Photoshop's own saved composite, which is exact. When you toggle layers we rebuild the image in the browser. Adjustment layers, layer effects and a few blend modes can't be reproduced exactly yet, and the panel tells you which.
Can I extract a single layer?
Yes. Click a layer's name, then Download this layer as PNG. You get the layer's pixels with transparency, at full resolution.
Why can't I open my PSD?
Very old PSDs, CMYK and Lab documents, or files saved without Maximize Compatibility and with unusual layer types may not open yet. You'll see what we detected and why.
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