There are a lot of brushes that you come with Photoshop (along with other programs), and they can quickly get out of hand. If you spend some time, you can get them organized in a fashion that will make them much easier for you to use.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Creating Folders to Store Brushes
-
Save the brushes that you currently have before you make any changes. If you don't have them backed up where you can find them, once they are gone, they are gone.
- Go to the Brushes panel. To access the Brushes panel, press B . The Brushes options should be at the top of your screen.
-
Make a folder where you will be keeping the brushes you use. Add any subfolders that you anticipate using as well, in order to stay ahead of it. Click on the Folder icon at the bottom of the Brushes panel to do this. The brushes may not end up in the folder that you want them in. If this happens, simply drag them into the appropriate folder.
- If you want to keep all of your brushes in a single folder, group them together.
Advertisement -
Make a textual, identifying brushes from separate brushes that are in a single folder.
- Create a text brush with three or four letters; such as TEX for textured brushes, or WTRC for watercolor brushes, etc.
-
Know how to see what the tip of a brush looks like. To do this, click in the upper right-hand corner and select Brush Tip. This allows you to see the Brush Panel options. Make sure that all of them are selected; Brush Name, Brush Stroke, and Brush Tip.
-
Find a central, unique location to store your brushes. You’ll want to be able to find your brushes if you accidentally delete them without saving them, especially if they are ones that you paid for.
- You know what works for you, and how your mind operates, so the location you choose is entirely based on your preference.
-
Periodically clean up your Brush Panel. You could try resetting it to the default, or you could have a set of brushes that you use and delete everything but those. As long as you know where the original brush files are, this is a great way to speed up your computer.
- Make sure that you save the originals or back up your brushes wherever you keep backups. These can be kept on a variety of different websites, such as Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, etc.
Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Saving the Brushes in the Brushes Panel
-
Create your brush . Once you have created the brush, it will be loaded on your screen.
-
Click on the + sign at the bottom of the Brushes Panel. If you are altering a current brush, that is the name that you will see in the name block. Otherwise, it will be a generic name that you will need to change.
-
Select the correct options.
- Unmark 'Capture Brush Size in Preset'. Only mark this if it is an important part of the brush. 500 to 1000 pixels is big enough.
- Unmark 'Include Tool Settings'. Mark this, however, if you have made the brush for a specific reason and that is all you anticipate using it for. For instance, a Mixer Brush or a Clone Brush, or something similar. You might consider, after saving it for its intended purpose, also saving it as a standard brush.
- Depending on the type of brush that you are making, there may be a color box. Only check the box if you want a color for your mixer brush. It doesn't have to be a certain color unless that will never change from image to image. You can just save it with a color and then change the color once you have loaded the brush. Mixer Brushes can be loaded with, or without, a color.
-
Give the brush an easily identifiable name. Something that might tell you a little about it, so that you know what its use is for. You can also use a grouping of your brushes to help with this. For the most flexibility, however, you should unmark everything.
-
Move the brush. Drag and drop it wherever you want it. You can use 'drag and drop' to move it in the folder as well. That way you can put your most-used brushes at the top.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- This method, or something like it, should work for any software that you use which includes brushes and the ability to add or create brushes.Thanks
Advertisement
Video
About this article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 6,663 times.
Advertisement
