How to Use Presets in Photoshop: A Complete Guide
Presets are a powerful feature in Photoshop that can help you save time, improve your workflow, and enhance your creativity. Presets are settings that you can apply to different aspects of your editing process, such as colors, filters, brushes, and more. Presets can be customized, saved, and shared with others.
But what are the different types of presets in Photoshop, and how do you use them? In this blog post, we will explain the difference between general, layer, tool, and brush presets, and show you how to create, apply, and manage them. By the end of this post, you will be able to use presets like a pro and take your editing skills to the next level.
What are General Presets?
General presets are presets that affect the overall appearance of your image, such as the color mode, resolution, size, and orientation. General presets are also known as document presets, because they determine the basic properties of your document.
You can use general presets to quickly create a new document with the settings that you need for your project. For example, if you are working on a web design, you can use a general preset that has the RGB color mode, 72 pixels per inch resolution, and the standard web size of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This way, you don’t have to manually adjust these settings every time you start a new document.
To create a general preset, you need to go to File > New, and then enter the settings that you want in the dialog box. Then, click on the Save Preset button at the bottom right corner, and give your preset a name. You can also choose an icon and a color for your preset, to make it easier to identify.
To apply a general preset, you need to go to File > New, and then click on the Presets tab at the top of the dialog box. You will see a list of your saved presets, as well as some default presets that come with Photoshop. You can also filter the presets by category, such as Photo, Web, Mobile, and so on. To use a preset, simply click on it, and then click on the Create button.
To manage your general presets, you need to go to Edit > Presets > Presets Manager. You will see a window that shows all the presets that you have in Photoshop, organized by type. You can select the type of preset that you want to manage from the drop-down menu at the top. You can also rename, delete, load, or save your presets from this window.
What are Layer Presets?
Layer presets are presets that affect the properties of a specific layer, such as the opacity, blending mode, style, and adjustment. Layer presets are also known as layer styles, because they add effects and adjustments to your layer.
You can use layer presets to quickly apply a consistent look and feel to your layers, without having to adjust each layer individually. For example, if you want to add a drop shadow, a stroke, and a color overlay to your text layer, you can use a layer preset that has these effects already applied. This way, you don’t have to go through the process of adding and modifying these effects every time you create a text layer.
To create a layer preset, you need to select the layer that you want to apply the preset to, and then go to Layer > Layer Style, and choose the effects that you want to add. You can also adjust the settings of each effect in the dialog box that appears. Then, click on the New Style button at the top right corner, and give your preset a name. You can also choose to include the layer’s blending options and global light settings in your preset.
To apply a layer preset, you need to select the layer that you want to apply the preset to, and then go to Layer > Layer Style, and choose the preset that you want to use from the list. You can also access the presets from the Styles panel, which you can open by going to Window > Styles. To use a preset, simply click on it, and it will be applied to your layer.
To manage your layer presets, you need to go to Edit > Presets > Presets Manager, and select Styles from the drop-down menu at the top. You will see a window that shows all the layer presets that you have in Photoshop. You can also rename, delete, load, or save your presets from this window.
What are Tool Presets?
Tool presets are presets that affect the settings of a specific tool, such as the brush size, shape, hardness, opacity, flow, and mode. Tool presets are also known as brush presets, because they are mostly used for the brush tool.
You can use tool presets to quickly switch between different tools and settings, without having to adjust them manually. For example, if you are painting with the brush tool, you can use tool presets to change the color, size, and shape of your brush with one click. This way, you don’t have to waste time and interrupt your creative flow by changing these settings in the options bar.
To create a tool preset, you need to select the tool that you want to apply the preset to, and then adjust the settings that you want in the options bar. Then, click on the Tool Preset Picker button at the left end of the options bar, and then click on the Create New Tool Preset button at the bottom right corner of the pop-up menu. You can also give your preset a name and an icon.
To apply a tool preset, you need to click on the Tool Preset Picker button, and then choose the preset that you want to use from the pop-up menu. You can also access the presets from the Tool Presets panel, which you can open by going to Window > Tool Presets. To use a preset, simply click on it, and it will activate the tool and the settings that you saved.
To manage your tool presets, you need to go to Edit > Presets > Presets Manager, and select Tools from the drop-down menu at the top. You will see a window that shows all the tool presets that you have in Photoshop. You can also rename, delete, load, or save your presets from this window.
What are Brush Presets?
Brush presets are presets that affect the shape and dynamics of the brush tip, such as the diameter, angle, roundness, spacing, scattering, jitter, and texture. Brush presets are also known as brush tips, because they define the appearance and behavior of the brush tool.
You can use brush presets to create different effects and styles with the brush tool, such as painting, sketching, erasing, smudging, and dodging. For example, if you want to create a realistic painting effect, you can use a brush preset that has a large diameter, low hardness, high opacity, and low flow. This way, you can simulate the blending and mixing of colors on a canvas.
To create a brush preset, you need to select the brush tool, and then click on the Brush Settings button in the options bar. You will see a panel that shows the settings and controls for the brush tip. You can also access the panel by going to Window > Brush Settings. To modify the brush tip, you can adjust the sliders and checkboxes in the panel, or use the Brush Tip Shape preview at the bottom to drag and resize the brush tip. Then, click on the Create New Brush button at the bottom right corner of the panel, and give your preset a name.
To apply a brush preset, you need to click on the Brush Preset Picker button in the options bar, and then choose the preset that you want to use from the pop-up menu. You can also access the presets from the Brushes panel, which you can open by going to Window > Brushes. To use a preset, simply click on it, and it will activate the brush tool and the brush tip that you saved.
To manage your brush presets, you need to go to Edit > Presets > Presets Manager, and select Brushes from the drop-down menu at the top. You will see a window that shows all the brush presets that you have in Photoshop. You can also rename, delete, load, or save your presets from this window.
How to Create Custom Presets in Photoshop
Now that you know the difference between the four types of presets in Photoshop, you might be wondering how to create your own custom presets that suit your needs and preferences. Creating custom presets is a great way to personalize your editing process and express your creativity.
To create custom presets in Photoshop, you need to follow the same steps that we explained for each type of preset, but with some variations. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to create custom presets in Photoshop:
- Experiment with different settings and effects. Don’t be afraid to try new things and see what works best for your project. You can always undo or reset your changes if you don’t like them.
- Use the Preset Manager to organize and manage your presets. You can create folders and subfolders to group your presets by category, such as portrait, landscape, vintage, etc. You can also drag and drop your presets to rearrange them in the order that you want.
- Use the Import and Export buttons to share your presets with others. You can import presets that you downloaded from the internet or received from other users, and export presets that you created or modified to share them with others. You can also use the Load and Save buttons to load and save your presets from and to different locations on your computer.
- Use the Rename and Delete buttons to edit or remove your presets. You can rename your presets to give them more descriptive or catchy names, and delete your presets that you don’t need or use anymore. You can also use the Reset button to restore the default presets that come with Photoshop.
How to Use Presets in Photoshop: Best Practices
Using presets in Photoshop can be a fun and easy way to enhance your images and speed up your workflow. However, there are some best practices that you should follow to make the most out of presets and avoid some common pitfalls. Here are some of the best practices that you should follow when using presets in Photoshop:
- Use presets as a starting point, not an end result. Presets are not meant to be a one-click solution that fixes everything in your image. Presets are meant to be a starting point that gives you a general direction and mood for your image. You should always tweak and adjust the presets to fit your image and your vision. You can use the sliders and checkboxes in the dialog boxes and panels to fine-tune the presets to your liking.
- Use presets that match your image and your style. Presets are not universal, and they will not work the same for every image and every style. Presets are designed to work best for certain types of images and certain styles. For example, a preset that works well for a landscape image might not work well for a portrait image, and a preset that works well for a vintage style might not work well for a modern style. You should use presets that match your image and your style, or modify them accordingly.
- Use presets that complement each other. Presets are not isolated, and they can interact and affect each other. Presets can be applied to different aspects of your image, such as the overall appearance, the layer properties, the tool settings, and the brush tip. You should use presets that complement each other and create a harmonious and consistent look and feel for your image. You should also avoid using presets that conflict or cancel each other out, such as applying a black and white preset and then a color preset.
How to Use Presets in Photoshop: Conclusion
Presets are a powerful feature in Photoshop that can help you save time, improve your workflow, and enhance your creativity. Presets are settings that you can apply to different aspects of your editing process, such as colors, filters, brushes, and more. Presets can be customized, saved, and shared with others.
In this blog post, we explained the difference between general, layer, tool, and brush presets, and showed you how to create, apply, and manage them. We also gave you some tips and tricks on how to create custom presets and how to use presets in Photoshop effectively.
We hope that this blog post was helpful and informative for you, and that you learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading, and happy editing!
