Expert: LizaL - 7/15/2005

Question
How can I open and reformat PDD files?
I have a PC running XP. I have photo's taken several years ago, that are in PDD format.

Answer
Hi Bob,

I have to be honest and tell you that I am not  familiar with the PDD format, or the PDD drive. All I know is the little research I've done in order to try and answer your question, so I might not be the best person to ask.

Here's some PDD drive info on the Sony site, though:
http://www.sony.net/Products/MO-Drive/ProDATA/

According to this article, you can open PDD files in Photoshop:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Photoshop-Files-and-Formats&id=36741

But I think they might be referring to earlier versions of Photoshop -- some articles I read have referred to PDD as a native Photoshop format, but you're probably referring to pictures shot and saved on a Sony card that supported PDD, right? Like the card that was developed in 2003:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Disc_for_DATA

I also found this link for a trial version of converter software, but again I'm not sure if the author's referring to files created in early versions of Photoshop, or Sony's card:
http://www.filetrial.com/convert/pdd.html

That said, have you tried opening Photoshop, then selecting the Open command under the File pulldown menu, then navigating to the PDD file you want to open? I wouldn't double-click on the PDD file; use this method instead.

Now I have a question for you: Do you actually have the PDD disc, and if so, do you have any type of card reader?

If none of this sheds any light, I apologize. And I would also refer you to Experts Exchange -- those people seem very well-versed, and would probably be eager to answer your question, as they compete for lots of points on that forum.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/

Lisa

P.S. If you're the type of person who doesn't mind emailing people for an answer, you might ask these people:
http://www.windream.com/cgi-bin/aismain.ais?PAGE=en1145