Backing up Photoshop

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.