(11-4) Review: Managing your patterns in the preset manager
In the last section, you reviewed how to create a pattern - particularly a seamless one. Now let's review how to manage, load, or save patterns. This is done with Photoshop's preset manager, found in the edit menu. Go to Presets, and in the pop-out menu, choose preset manager. See images below. The preset manager is where you manage not only patterns, but brushes, color swatches, gradients, styles, contours, custom shapes, and tools. They all work basically the same way as I'll show you with patterns. First, use the Preset Type menu and select patterns (Command-5 on Mac or CTRL-5 on PC).
Go to the Edit menu, Presets, Preset Manager...
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Patterns preset manager. Shown here are the patterns that come with Photoshop.
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You can keep your patterns organized in libraries that you can load or remove from pattern pop-up panels.
Load a library of patterns
Choose one of the following from a Pattern pop‑up panel menu:
Save a set of preset patterns as a library
Return to the default library of patterns
Rename a preset pattern
Delete a preset pattern
Below are two videos that thoroughly explain how to use Photoshop's preset manager.
Load a library of patterns
Choose one of the following from a Pattern pop‑up panel menu:
- Load Patterns to add a library to the current list. Select the library file you want to use, and click Load.
- Replace Patterns to replace the current list with a different library. Select the library file you want to use, and click Load.
- A library file (displayed at the bottom of the panel menu). Click OK to replace the current list, or click Append to append the current list.
Save a set of preset patterns as a library
- Choose Save Patterns from a Pattern pop‑up panel menu.
- Choose a location for the pattern library, enter a file name, and click Save.You can save the library anywhere. However, if you place the library file in the Presets/Patterns folder in the default location, the library name will appear at the bottom of the Pattern pop‑up panel menus after you restart Photoshop.
Return to the default library of patterns
- Choose Reset Patterns from a Pattern pop‑up panel menu. You can either replace the current list or append the default library to the current list. If you receive a Pattern Stamp tool preset that uses an undefined pattern, or if you erase the preset you’re using by resetting or replacing the pattern library, choose New Pattern from the Pattern pop‑up panel menu to redefine the pattern.
Rename a preset pattern
- Select the pattern you want to rename, and choose Rename Pattern from the panel menu.
- Enter a new name for the pattern, and click OK.
Delete a preset pattern
- Do one of the following:
- Select the pattern you want to delete, and choose Delete Pattern from the panel menu.
- Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), position the pointer over a pattern (the pointer turns into scissors), and click.
Below are two videos that thoroughly explain how to use Photoshop's preset manager.
Video: Preset Manager in Photoshop - Part 1 (9:23)
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Video: The Preset Manager in Photoshop - Part 2 (11:38)
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Page last updated March 26, 2018
