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Brushes, styles etc

I have sooooo many brushes I only load them when i get new ones, then delete them from the list (they are still in my bridge of course). I try to use them on a few pages to exercise that muscle, lol
 
I don't keep wordart brushes loaded, only texture/shape/edger/splatter brushes. These I use all the time.
 
Ww, this thread is great to read!
I have to admit **blush blush** I have them also packed up in a folder, but don't use them enough.
On the other hadn, I am more like Loyrr, I use the png instead of the abr, that way, when I need to make a change on it, that's easily done.
 
lorryfach said:
Eh, that's what Color Overlay styles are for. lol
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that pretty much sums up how i work most often with "brushes" too! the Brush tool is really powerful though ... i just don't use it all that much and prefer the quick PNG and color overlay.
 
jenn mccabe said:
that pretty much sums up how i work most often with "brushes" too! the Brush tool is really powerful though ... i just don't use it all that much and prefer the quick PNG and color overlay.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one, I do this all the time!
 
I keep my styles palette docked and open all the time. Jaimee's distressed and stamped styles are my go-to. I especially love the realism they add to text.

For brushes, I also have some that are my "regulars" that I keep loaded. Karah's Finishing Touches and Allison's Touches for Finishing.

As far as brushes, you might find it helpful to have an ABR viewer. Then, you can see all of your brushes without slowing down PS.
 
lorryfach said:
I love to use styles and actions, but I feel like I'm missing something with brushes. Why not just use a PNG? Unless I'm actually *brushing* with it, like I would do with a real paintbrush, or putting it on a path, I don't really understand the point.
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I usually use the pngs, too. It's more convenient and doesn't affect PS's performance.
 
I'm not one to push software purchases on anyone. I have no connection to this product except affection.. But like everyone else I have a million brushes I download from various places and use once then forget I have them. I don't have enough memory in my machine, and it makes PSE way too slow to keep presets open all the time. I found what I think is a hugely great solution in a very very inexpensive program called Argus Preset Viewer by Tumasoft. - really its 7.95 USD.

Now once you install it, you need to know where to look on your drive: for windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 12\Presets\Brushes - but it will give you complete views of all your brushes. (enable preview pane in explorer to see "inside" the brush file ). Not only that, but it provides a thumbnail of any file on your drive which can be previewed as an image. Even PSD files - so, say I have a directory of templates or my work in progress I have no preview file for - Preset viewer will display the "preview" of that too.
You need to have explorer set to large icon, icon, small icon or tiles and if you want to see the content of a multi-image file enable preview pane.
You can find Argus Preset Viewer here: http://tumasoft.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16188
If anyone wants more info PM me.
 
I always forget to use my brushes, too! I need to give some thought to figuring out how to actually USE them! :)
 
lmccandless said:
I keep my styles palette docked and open all the time. Jaimee's distressed and stamped styles are my go-to. I especially love the realism they add to text.

For brushes, I also have some that are my "regulars" that I keep loaded. Karah's Finishing Touches and Allison's Touches for Finishing.
Click to expand...

There you go ... adding to my wish list again! ;) I don't know how I missed Jaimee's distressed and stampled styles. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
 
lorryfach said:
I love to use styles and actions, but I feel like I'm missing something with brushes. Why not just use a PNG? Unless I'm actually *brushing* with it, like I would do with a real paintbrush, or putting it on a path, I don't really understand the point.
Click to expand...
One reason to use the abr file is if the brush set has a lot of images in the set, then you only need to keep clicking on the brush tool to see your options. If you use the PNGs in a big brush set that is a lot of dragging the PNGs into the program. I also prefer the abr oftentimes because there may be subtle textural differences between the brush version and the png.

I have a "my brushes" folder and I also use Brush Pilot (which is a Mac abr viewer). ITA with whoever mentioned using a brush viewer, it makes a huge difference in inspiring me to use brushes.

I can tell a lot of Pollys come from the school of Jessica Sprague, using that preset manager!
 
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