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How to Create and Use Custom Brushes in Photoshop Elements

Make your own brushes for Photoshop Elements

By Sue Chastain Sue Chastain Writer St. Petersburg College Sue Chastain is a former Lifewire writer and a graphics software authority with web design and print publishing credentials. She's also skilled in WordPress administration. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 24, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Design Graphic Design Photoshop Animation & Video 3D Design

What to Know

Create: Select File > New > Blank File > set width/height to 400 pixels > set Background to White, select OK.Next: Select Expert tab > Shape Tool > set to Custom > make shape > select Layer > Simplify Layer.Next: Select Select > All > Edit > Define brush from Selection > name brush > OK > find brush in palette. This article explains how to create, save, and use custom brushes in Photoshop Elements 2019 for Windows and Mac.

How to Make Your Own Brushes in Photoshop Elements

To create a brush using a custom shape in Photoshop Elements: Open Photoshop Elements and select File > New > Blank File. Set the width and height to 400 pixels, set the Background Contents to White, then select OK. Select the Expert tab at the top of the workspace. Select the Shape tool. Set it to Custom in the Tool Options panel, then select a shape. Click and drag across the document to create the shape. Go to Layer > Simplify Layer to convert the shape to pixels. Go to Select > All. Go to Edit > Define Brush from the Selection. Name your brush and select OK. The number under the brush thumbnail indicates the size in pixels. It's best to create your brushes in a large size since the brush will lose definition if it is scaled up. Select the paintbrush tool and scroll to the end of the brushes palette. You'll notice your new brush has been added to the end of the list.

How to Save a Custom Brush to a Set

By default, Photoshop Elements adds your brush to whatever brush set is active when you define it. If you ever need to reinstall your software, however, these custom brushes won't be saved. To back up your custom brushes, you must create a new brush set. Go to Edit > Preset Manager. Select your brush from the bottom of the active brush set and select Save Set. Only selected brushes will be saved to your new set. To include more brushes, hold the Shift key as you make your selection. Give your new brush set a name and select Save. Open the Brush palette menu and select Load Brushes to load your custom brush sets. If you want to add more brushes to this custom set later on, load the custom set before you define your new brushes, then remember to save the brush set again after adding to it.

How to Save Variations of a Brush

You can customize the brush and save variations of it. For example, select Brush Settings to adjust how your custom brush looks. Once you're satisfied, go the Brushes palette menu and select Save Brush. You can then give the variation a new name. Your brush variations will appear in brushes palette. After you've added all the variations you want, go to the Brush palette menu and select Save Brushes. You can rename and delete brushes by right-clicking a thumbnail in the brushes palette. You can also use clip art, fonts, textures, or any other graphical assets you can think of to create a custom brush. Sue Chastain Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Apply Rubber Stamp Effects in Photoshop Elements 8 How to Install Brushes in Adobe Photoshop ABR File (What It Is and How to Open One) How to Make a Pattern in Photoshop How To Use Photoshop Brushes in Other Programs How to Use the Photoshop Background Eraser Tool How to Resize Multiple Files with Photoshop Elements 10 Best Free Photo Editing Programs How to Install and Use Photoshop Brushes in GIMP What Is a Gerber (GBR) File & How Do You Open One? How to Make a Torn Paper Edge in GIMP How to Make a Brush in Photoshop How to Make a GIF in Photoshop How to Make Trees in Photoshop How to Create the Out of Bounds Effect in Photoshop How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies