What is a .procreate file?
Procreate Document · Design · Savage Interactive · 2011
A .procreate file is a document from Procreate, the popular iPad painting app. It stores the layered artwork, brushes and a time-lapse recording of how the piece was made, as a ZIP package.
What is a .procreate file used for?
Procreate is iPad-first, so .procreate files are made there. The format is a ZIP, so it starts with the ZIP signature, but the layers are stored in Procreate's own layout that only Procreate reads fully.
To share art, Procreate exports to PNG, JPG, PSD (with layers) or a time-lapse video. There is no full desktop viewer for the native format.
How to open a .procreate file
The .procreate format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .procreate file.
Windows
- Export to PSD/PNG from Procreate first
- 7-Zip (to inspect)
macOS
- Export to PSD/PNG from Procreate first
Linux
- Export to PSD/PNG first
How to convert a .procreate file
You can convert a .procreate file to psd, png, jpg, tiff using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.procreate file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .procreate file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for Procreate. For a full breakdown, see the Procreate file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 50 4B 03 04 | 0 | ZIP package (PK..) |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .procreate file?
A .procreate file is a document from Procreate, the popular iPad painting app. It stores the layered artwork, brushes and a time-lapse recording of how the piece was made, as a ZIP package.
How do I open a .procreate file on a computer?
There is no full desktop app. In Procreate on the iPad, export to PSD (keeps layers) or PNG, then open that on your computer.
Can I open a .procreate file in Photoshop?
Not directly. Export it from Procreate as a PSD, which Photoshop opens with the layers preserved.
What is inside a .procreate file?
The layered artwork, the brushes used, and a time-lapse recording of the painting, all bundled in a ZIP in Procreate's own layout.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: