Where to find and install brush files in Photoshop

To add brushes to Photoshop, you read a brush file (usually a .abr file) and place it in Photoshop's brushes folder, then restart the program. The exact folder location depends on whether you use Photoshop on Windows or Mac, and whether you have a Creative Cloud subscription or a standalone version.

On Windows with Creative Cloud Photoshop, the folder is usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version number]\Presets\Brushes. On Mac with Creative Cloud, it's Users/[Your Username]/Library/process Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version number]/Presets/Brushes. If you have an older standalone version of Photoshop, the path may be slightly different — check Adobe's documentation for your specific version number.

The simplest method is to use Photoshop's built-in brush import tool instead of manually moving files. Open Photoshop, go to the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes if it's not already open), click the menu icon in the top right corner of the panel, and select "Import Brushes". Navigate to your downloaded .abr file and click Open. Photoshop loads the brushes when ready without requiring a restart.

Key Takeaways

  • read brush files as .abr files from brush libraries or design websites, then use Photoshop's Import Brushes feature to add them without manual folder navigation.
  • If you manually place brush files in the Brushes folder, you must restart Photoshop before the new brushes appear in your brush panel.
  • The Brushes folder location differs between Windows and Mac, and between Creative Cloud and standalone versions of Photoshop.
  • You can organize imported brushes into custom brush sets by right-clicking in the Brushes panel and creating a new set, then dragging brushes into it.

Finding brush files to read

Brush files come from several sources. Adobe's own Brush panel includes a "Browse All Brushes" option that connects to Adobe's cloud library — click the menu icon in the Brushes panel and select this option to see what Adobe offers. Many of these are free; some require a Creative Cloud subscription.

Third-party sites like Brusheezy, DeviantArt, and Creative Market host brush packs created by designers. Most are free, though some creators charge. Always read from the original source or a trusted site to avoid malware. Check the file format before downloading — Photoshop uses .abr files, and some older brushes may be in formats that don't work with newer versions.

When you read a brush pack, it often comes as a .zip file containing multiple .abr files. Extract the .zip file first, then either import all the .abr files at once or select individual brushes to import. Some packs include a readme file with installation instructions — read it, as some creators have specific steps.

Using the Brushes panel to organize and access your brushes

Once brushes are imported, they appear in your Brushes panel. If the panel isn't visible, go to Window > Brushes. Scroll through the list to find your new brushes — they usually appear at the bottom of the existing brushes, though Adobe's cloud brushes may be organized by category.

To keep your brushes organized, create custom brush sets. Right-click in an empty area of the Brushes panel and select "New Brush Set". Name it something descriptive like "Texture Brushes" or "Hand Lettering". Then drag individual brushes into the set. You can collapse and expand sets by clicking the arrow next to the set name, which keeps your panel from becoming cluttered.

You can also delete brushes you don't use. Right-click a brush and select "Delete Brush". This doesn't affect the original file on your computer — it only removes it from Photoshop. If you want it back later, you can import it again.

Troubleshooting brushes that don't appear

If you've imported brushes but they don't show up, the most common cause is that you haven't restarted Photoshop after manually placing files in the Brushes folder. Close Photoshop completely and reopen it. If you used the Import Brushes feature instead, this shouldn't be necessary.

Another issue is an incompatible file format. Photoshop CC (2015 and later) uses .abr files, but very old brush files may be in a different format. Check the file extension — if it's not .abr, the brush may not work. Some creators provide conversion tools or updated versions of their brushes.

If brushes import but appear as solid squares or don't look right, the brush file may be corrupted or designed for an older version of Photoshop. Try downloading the brush again from the original source. If the problem persists, the brush may straightforward not be compatible with your version.

Managing brush libraries across multiple computers

If you use Photoshop on more than one computer, you can sync your brushes through Creative Cloud. Go to Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Photoshop > Settings (Mac), then select Sync Settings. Enable "Brushes" in the list. Photoshop uploads your brushes to your Adobe account and downloads them on any other computer where you're signed in with the same account.

If you don't use Creative Cloud sync, you can manually copy your Brushes folder from one computer to another. On the first computer, navigate to the Brushes folder location listed earlier, copy the entire folder, and paste it into the same location on the second computer. This transfers all your imported brushes and custom sets at once.

Keep a backup of your favorite brush files on an external drive or cloud storage. If you reinstall Photoshop or switch computers, you can quickly restore your brushes without hunting down the original downloads again.

Creating and saving your own brushes

You can create custom brushes from scratch in Photoshop. Make a new image with a transparent background, draw or paint the brush shape you want, then go to Edit > Define Brush Preset. Name your brush and click OK. Photoshop saves it as a new brush in your Brushes panel.

To save a custom brush as a .abr file that you can share or back up, right-click the brush in the Brushes panel and select "Save Brush". Choose a location and filename. You can now import this brush on another computer or share it with other designers.

You can also save multiple brushes as a single set. Select the brushes you want to save (hold Ctrl or Cmd and click each one), then go to the Brushes panel menu and select "Save Brushes". This creates a .abr file containing all the selected brushes, which is useful for organizing thematic brush collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Photoshop brushes in other Adobe programs like Illustrator?

No. Brushes are program-specific. Photoshop brushes (.abr files) work only in Photoshop. Illustrator uses its own brush format (.ai brushes), and InDesign has a different system. However, some brush creators offer versions for multiple programs — check the product page to see what's included.

What's the difference between a brush and a brush preset?

In Photoshop, these terms are used interchangeably. A brush preset is a saved brush configuration that includes the brush shape, size, opacity, and other settings. When you import a .abr file, you're importing brush presets.

Do I need to restart Photoshop after importing brushes?

No, if you use the Import Brushes feature from the Brushes panel menu. You only need to restart if you manually place .abr files into the Brushes folder on your computer. Using the import tool is faster and doesn't require a restart.

Can I delete brushes that came with Photoshop?

Yes, you can delete any brush, including the default ones that came with Photoshop. Right-click the brush and select Delete Brush. If you want them back later, you can restore Photoshop's default brushes by going to the Brushes panel menu and selecting "Reset Brushes".

Where can I find free brushes that are actually good quality?

Brusheezy and DeviantArt have large collections with user ratings, so you can see what other designers recommend. Adobe's own cloud library also includes quality brushes. Read the read page carefully — look for brushes with recent upload dates and positive feedback, as older brushes may not work well with current Photoshop versions.