PCD File

What are PCD files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a PCD file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your PCD files.

What is a PCD file?

PCD files have multiple uses, and Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap

Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap (extension .PCD) is a raster image file developed by Eastman Kodak for digitizing photographic negatives or slides. It stores scanned images at multiple fixed resolutions (from small thumbnails to high-resolution prints) on Kodak Photo CD discs using proprietary compression. The format encodes color in Kodak's PhotoYCC color space and supports a maximum resolution of 3072 × 2048 pixels in the standard version and up to 6144 × 4096 pixels in the Pro Photo CD variant.

These images are created during the scanning process in professional photofinishing labs that produce Photo CD discs. Users typically import or convert PCD files into more common formats such as JPEG or TIFF for display, editing, or printing. Some graphics programs allow selecting which resolution layer to work with (for example a smaller one for previews or a full-resolution layer for print) upon importing a .PCD file.

A Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap file begins with a large padded header often filled with byte value 0xFF. At offset 2048 bytes (hex 0x800), it contains the ASCII string "PCD_IPI" which identifies the format.

How to open PCD files

We have identified two PCD openers that are compatible with this specific type of PCD file.

Programs that open Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap files

Last updated: August 4, 2026

All known file formats using extension .PCD

While Kodak PhotoCD Bitmap is a popular type of PCD-file, we know of 5 different uses of the .PCD file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Microsoft Test Compiled P-Code

We know that one PCD format is Microsoft Test Compiled P-Code. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different PCD openers which you will find listed below.

MSPLOT Plotter Driver Minidriver

We know that one PCD format is MSPLOT Plotter Driver Minidriver. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Point Cloud Data

We know that one PCD format is Point Cloud Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Pure Compound Data

We know that one PCD format is Pure Compound Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of PCD files. Remember, different programs may use PCD files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about PCD file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.