What Is a PDD File?

This article describes the few formats that use the PDD file extension. We'll go over how to open each kind and how to convert a PhotoDeluxe image to JPG or some other similar format.

What Is a PDD File?

A file with the PDD file extension is most likely an Adobe PhotoDeluxe image file that was created with PhotoDeluxe. This image format is similar to Adobe's PSD format in that they can both store images, lines, text, and layers.

PhotoDeluxe was discontinued in 2002 and replaced with Photoshop Elements. However, as you'll see below, Photoshop Elements isn't the only program that can open and edit the file.

If your PDD file isn't an image, it's probably a Medtronic Programmer data file that stores patient information from a Medtronic Chronicle Implantable Hemodynamic Monitor. However, they might instead be Process Deployment Descriptor files used with ActiveVOS or Process Deed files.

How to Open a PDD File

PDD files can, of course, be opened and edited with PhotoDeluxe, but chances are you don't have that program installed.

To open the image for free, use XnView. This is just a multimedia viewer and converter, though, not an image editor.

Some other ways you can open and edit PDD files is with Adobe's Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Illustrator, and InDesign software. ACD Systems Canvas supports the format, too.

Medtronic Chronicle software can open PDD files that are Medtronic Programmer Data files, but we haven't been able to find a specific download link for it.

If you're using a PDD file that works with ActiveVOS, see their ActiveVOS tutorial for more information on what the file is used for and how it works with the software. This file is required before you can make a similar file type used by that platform, called a Business Process Archive file (.BPR).

Process Deed files work with Carlson software and hold deed descriptions from polylines, like the name and coordinates. A tool called Process Deed File, accessible through Survey > Polyline Tools, can open this kind of file to edit its information and generate reports. Since this format might just be a text file with the .PDD file extension, you can probably also use it with a text editor like Notepad++.

How to Convert a PDD File

The easiest way to convert from PDD to JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, PDF or a similar image format, is to upload it to CoolUtils.com. Once it's on that website, you can choose which format to convert it to. You have to download the converted file back to your computer before you can use it.

If after you convert the image, you want it to be a different image format that's not supported by that converter, use a free image converter. Just convert the PDD to JPG or some other format first, and then run it through a different converter that supports the format you're interested in.

Still Can't Open It?

If those programs aren't opening your file, you might not be working with any of the formats mentioned above, which can happen if you've misread the file extension. Some files share similar-looking extension letters/numbers, even when they aren't at all related.

Some examples include PCD, ADP, PD (Spore Audio Playback) PDF, PDI, XPD, DDL, PPD (PostScript Printer Description), and PDB files.