A Simple Guide to Opening WebP Files in Photoshop

The WebP format, developed by Google, has gained popularity due to its efficient image compression and high-quality output.

Check the WebP version (.webp) of this file ↑

Opening WebP files in Adobe Photoshop (especially for Photoshop 23.1 and below) allows users to edit and manipulate these images seamlessly.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing the WebP format plugin and opening WebP files in Photoshop.

Understanding the WebP Format:

WebP is a modern image format that provides advanced compression algorithms, resulting in significantly reduced file sizes while maintaining excellent visual quality.

It offers both lossy and lossless compression modes, making it a versatile format for various applications.

Compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG, WebP delivers smaller file sizes, which is particularly advantageous for web-based projects that require faster loading times.

Installing the WebP Plugin for Photoshop:

To open WebP files in Photoshop, you need to install a plugin that adds WebP format support. Follow these steps to install the WebP format plugin:

Download the WebP Plugin:

Go to the official GitHub repository and download the plugin version compatible with your Photoshop installation:

https://github.com/webmproject/WebPShop/releases

Install the Plugin:

To install the WebP format plugin in Photoshop, locate the Photoshop installation directory and find the "Plug-ins" folder; usually it's:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CC\Plug-ins

Copy the downloaded file, either "WebPShop_0_4_3_Win_x64.8bi" or "WebPShop_0_4_3_Win_ARM64.8bi" (for ARM processors), and paste it into the "Plug-ins" folder.

This will complete the installation of the WebP format plugin in Photoshop.

Verify Plugin Installation:

Once the installation is complete, launch Photoshop and check if the WebP format plugin is successfully installed. You can do this by attempting to open a WebP file or referring to the Photoshop documentation for confirmation.

Opening WebP Files in Photoshop:

After installing the WebP format plugin, you can open WebP files in Photoshop using the following steps:

Open the WebP File:

Start Adobe Photoshop on your computer. The WebP format should now be recognized as a supported format when opening files or importing images.

Browse to the location on your computer where the WebP file is saved. Select the desired WebP file and click "Open"

Edit the WebP Image:

Once the WebP file is opened in Photoshop, you can edit it using the various tools, filters, and adjustment options available. Leverage Photoshop's features to enhance or modify the image according to your requirements.

Save the Edited WebP File:

After making the desired edits, click on the "File" menu and choose "Save" or "Save As" to save the edited WebP file. Specify the desired location on your computer and select the WebP format as the file type.