Managing patterns (Photoshop)

Preset patterns are displayed in pop-up palettes in the options bar for the paint bucket, pattern stamp, healing brush, and patch tools, as well as in the Layer Style dialog box. You can load, reset, and save libraries of preset patterns, and rename and delete individual preset patterns.

Note: You can also use the Preset Manager to load, reset, and save libraries of preset patterns, and rename and delete individual preset patterns. For more information, see Managing libraries with the Preset Manager (Photoshop).

To change how patterns are displayed:

Choose a display option from a Pattern pop-up palette menu.

To load a library of patterns:

Choose one of the following from a Pattern pop-up palette 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 palette menu). Click OK to replace the current list, or click Append to append the current list.

To rename a preset pattern:

1. Select the pattern you want to rename, and choose Rename Pattern from the palette menu.
2. Enter a new name for the pattern, and click OK.

To delete a preset pattern:

Do one of the following:

• Select the pattern you want to delete, and choose Delete Pattern from the palette menu.
• Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), position the pointer over a pattern (the pointer turns into scissors), and click.

To save a set of preset patterns as a library:

1. Choose Save Patterns from a Pattern pop-up palette menu.
2. Choose a location for the pattern library, enter a filename, and click Save.

You can save the library anywhere. However, if you place the library file in the Presets/Patterns folder inside the Photoshop program folder, the library name will appear at the bottom of the Pattern pop-up palette menus after you restart Photoshop.

To return to the default library of patterns:

Choose Reset Patterns from a Pattern pop-up palette 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 palette menu to redefine the pattern.