# PhotoCraft: editor workflow reconstruction and PSD round-trip boundaries

> The authors describe this Rust image editor as a clean-room reimplementation of Photoshop-style workflows. Its document engine, UI and automation interfaces share editing commands, while the source distinguishes PSD editor round trips from byte preservation in the standalone file codec.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: App
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-10-17
- Added to the catalog: 2026-10-17
- Original resource: <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/photocraft-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/photocraft-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/photocraft-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** The pinned workspace identifies version 0.9.0 and declares Rust 1.95+ for source builds with Cargo. Native and WebAssembly paths have platform-specific dependencies; optional font inputs and reference documents are separate.
- **Scope:** This is an implemented document/compositing engine and editing interface, not merely a screenshot mockup.
- **Testing evidence:** The editor-level corpus tests compare rendering before and after export/reimport. Separate PSD codec tests compare bytes for parseable files, with a named malformed-file exception. Editor saves are explicitly not byte-identical to their inputs.
- **Limits:** The project remains alpha and distinguishes menu-command coverage from behavioral fidelity. Its dated parity assessment retains gaps in PSD exchange, typography, professional workflows, performance and plug-in compatibility.
- **License:** Project code is MIT OR Apache-2.0, subject to NOTICE; fonts, artwork and other assets retain separate terms. ArtCraft branding is excluded; published modified versions must remove it, apart from contribution-only forks.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/Cargo.toml>
3. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/docs/target-app-parity.md>
4. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/crates/io/tests/corpus.rs>
5. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/crates/psd/tests/corpus.rs>
6. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/LICENSE-MIT>
7. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/LICENSE-APACHE>
8. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/NOTICE>
9. <https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/5f65579ecb44047c2a619036c18ff273202e1389/docs/brand/LICENSE-brand.txt>

## More in Apps

- [WordCraft: document workflow reconstruction and bounded DOCX compatibility](https://awesomerea.org/resources/wordcraft-case/index.md) · Case study
- [GridCraft: spreadsheet workflow reconstruction and XLSX round-trip limits](https://awesomerea.org/resources/gridcraft-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DeckCraft: presentation workflow reconstruction and bounded PPTX interchange](https://awesomerea.org/resources/deckcraft-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Ledger Reborn: an independent accounting app informed by QuickBooks study](https://awesomerea.org/resources/ledger-reborn-accounting-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Pocket Tasks: reconstructing task state and persistence](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pocket-tasks-reconstruction-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Open Scrantic: reconstructing the Johnny Castaway screensaver engine](https://awesomerea.org/resources/open-scrantic-screensaver-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.