Photoshop Elements / Brushes /
3 - Intermediate: Part 2
Copy the Brushes Folder
Make a copy of the Brushes folder.
Then, if it becomes corrupted or disorganized, you've got the
copy.
You won't have to reinstall Photoshop Elements.
How to Copy the Brushes Folder
Windows
1) Go to My Computer.
2) Open the C drive.
3) Click your way through these folders:
C: / Program Files / Adobe / Photoshop Elements / Presets / Brushes
4) Copy the Brushes folder as you would any folder.
5) Paste the copy of the Brushes folder to a new location, such
as My Documents.
Mac
1) Open Finder.
2) Open Applications.
3) Click your way through these folders:
Applications / Adobe Photoshop Elements / Presets / Brushes
4) Copy the Brushes folder as you would any folder.
5) Paste the copy of the Brushes folder to a new location, such
as Documents.
Keep the Copy of the
Brushes Folder Current
If you add brush libraries to the Brushes folder (described below),
make sure you recopy the the Brushes folder.
Libraries, Presets, or Sets
Brush libraries are also called brush sets or brush presets.
Brush Libraries Are Odd
Photographers often think brush libraries are folders that contain
brush files.
They expect to be able to open a brush library, copy a brush,
and paste it to another brush library.
Unfortunately, brush libraries are files that can't be opened.
You have to use the commands found in Menu #1.
There are many websites with brushes for downloading.
deviantART - Photoshop Brushes
PhotoshopSupport.com - Photoshop Brushes
PS Brushes
The file extension for brush libraries is .abr.
Generally, Photoshop brush libraries work in Photoshop Elements.
Download
Download the brush library to a location on your computer such
as My Download Files (Windows) or Downloads (Mac).
Unzip
The downloaded file is probably a zip file.
1) Go to My Download Files (Windows) or Desktop (Mac).
2) Unzip the folder by doing one of the following.
Manual Method (Windows or Mac)
Extraction Wizard Method (Windows)
1) Open the downloaded brushes folder.
2) Copy the file inside the downloaded folder.
3) Paste the file into the Brushes folder.
Go to My Computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
The Brushes folder is located at:
Windows
C: / Program Files / Adobe / Photoshop Elements / Presets / Brushes
Mac
Applications / Adobe Photoshop Elements / Presets / Brushes
Next
1) To open the Extraction Wizard, right click on the brushes
folder and select Extract All.
2) Click Next.
3) In the Select Destination window, click Browse.
4) Go to the Brushes folder via My Computer.
C: / Program Files / Adobe / Photoshop Elements / Presets / Brushes
5) Click OK.
6) Click Next.
7) Click Finish.
The new brush library will appear in the Brush Picker window
after you restart Photoshop Elements.
To open the new brush library immediately, go to
Load (Install) a
New Brush Library.
You can create your own brushes.
Besides containing "paint," brushes can contain drawings, photographs,
and ?
For example, here's a tutorial on making a brush to apply a copyright
watermark to a photograph.
Go to Copyright Brush.
Here are some tips.
New Brush Tip #1
Use an existing brush as a guideline for a new brush.
For example, you could use the Scattered Maple Leaves brush,
above, as a template to make a Scattered Dog Paw Print brush.
Look at the specifications of the existing brush in More Options,
in the options bar, and adapt them for your new brush.
New Brush Tip #2
You can make a brush by first making a selection.
Then, to create the brush from the selection, go to Edit > Define
Brush from Selection.
Your brush will be B&W, even if the selection was made on a color
photograph.
Therefore, before making the brush, convert the color photograph
to grayscale.
Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale.
Use Levels to optimize the photograph as a b&W photograph.
Then, make your brush.
New Brush Tip #3
Select the library where you want your new brush to be placed,
before you make the brush.
If you don't, the brush will be placed in the last library that
you used.
There's no easy way to move a brush from one library to another.
So, put the new brush in the right library, right away.
New Brush Tip #4
In More Options, in the options bar, increase the spacing.
Then, as you brush, the image will repeat with more space between
the "dabs" of the brush.
Next, we'll look at Menu #1 in more detail.
To continue, use the menu above,
or click Next below.
