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We are all used to backing up
our files in case of the unexpected. But what about Photoshop?
The first thing we do when trouble shooting is reset the
preferences file. This fixes a multitude of problems. The
downside is when you reset the prefs you also lose all your
custom settings including Patterns, styles, shapes, gradients
and color swatches. I am going to show you how to back these up,
so when and not if you reset your prefs all your hard work is
all snug and safe on your hard-drive. (You could also make a
backup to a cd)
Before I show you the backup method, let me tell
you a little known way to reset your prefs. I don't like fishing
through all my files trying to find the prefs file and deleting
it. When you launch Photoshop, press the Alt+Ctrl+Shift keys/
Mac: Option+Cmd+shift. You will be shown a dialog box offering
to replace the preference file, click ok.
Now lets look at the backup process:
Tip: Before you do this, create a new action and
record it so that in future you can do backups in seconds. Also
don't forget to save the action, or you will lose this too on a
prefs reset!
Starting with the styles, click on the little
arrow at the top right. When you see the drop down box, select
"save styles"
The default location will come up in the styles
folder. Create a new file with your custom name, I chose "Colin"
Click ok and your Styles are backed up.
Now do the same with your color swatches
Give it the custom name
Select the gradient tool and in the top toolbar
click the gradient to launch the gradient picker.
Click the arrow in the gradient picker and "save
gradients"
Once again, give your custom name to the
gradients and press ok.
Now lets back up our patterns. This is a little
bit trickier, but I will help make it simple for you.
Press Shift+delete to launch the fill dialog
box.
Change to pattern. Click the arrow to the right
of the thumbnail display and the patterns will be displayed.
Press the little arrow and select "save
patterns"
Give it a name again and save
Now do the shapes. Select the custom shapes tool
and in the top toolbar find, "save shapes"
Save under the custom name as before.
Lastly save the brushes, you know the procedure
now J
Congratulations you have now backed up
Photoshop. Press the Stop button to stop recording the action.
To restore, just do the same steps but select "load" instead of
"save" Record an action for that too and call it Photoshop
restore.
Now when you have to reset the prefs, you will
be back up and in business in just a minute or so. The only
thing you can't back up is the settings in the preferences file.
So make a note of any custom settings you have made there. Tip:
Screen captures work really well. |