Installing a set of Photoshop brushes is a relatively simple process, but it can be a bit confusing if you've never used a Photoshop add-on before. Fortunately, with just a few clicks, you'll be using your new Photoshop brushes in no time at all.

The photos below were taken with Photoshop CS 4 for Mac. The PC version of Photoshop, or different versions of Photoshop from CS to CS 5.5, may have some slight visual differences from these photos. The steps for installing your brushes are the same regardless of what version you are using, however.

• First, select your brush sets to install. We have an excellent side-by-side comparison of the best Photoshop brushes websites if you're not sure where to go. Make sure you purchase high-quality products.
• Before you make your purchase, check to see if the sets are compatible with your version of Photoshop. Some brushes can be converted to work with earlier versions of the software, but it's best to buy compatible brushes only.
• Purchase and download the brush set(s).
• Unzip the downloaded file, if necessary.
• Move the unzipped .abr brush file to the Photoshop brushes presets folder on your hard drive. For a Mac, the path is Finder > Applications > Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes. For a PC, the path is Program Files > Adobe > Photoshop > Presets > Brushes.
• Open Photoshop.

At this point, you have two options to install your brush set(s). Both methods work equally well; it's up to your personal preference which one you choose.

This is the first method:

• Select the brush tool from the left-hand toolbar. 

• Click the dropdown arrow next to the current brush to open the brushes menu. 

• Click the small arrow in the top right of the brushes menu to open the dropdown Options menu.

• Select Load Brushes from the dropdown menu. 

• Navigate to the Presets > Brushes folder that you put your brushes in. Double-click the .abr file.
• The downloaded brushes now appear in your list of available brushes.

This is the second method:

• Click the Window dropdown menu in the toolbar and select the Brushes palate. 

• Select the dropdown Options menu in the upper-right corner of the Brushes palate.

• Select Load Brushes from the dropdown menu.

• Navigate to the Presets > Brushes folder that you put your brushes in. Double-click the .abr file.
• The downloaded brushes now appear in your list of available brushes.

To manage your brushes, reopen the Options menu from the Brushes menu. This time, instead of selecting Load Brushes, select Preset Manager. This will allow you to organize the order and display of your brush sets for maximum convenience. When you're done, select Save Brushes from the Options menu to save the settings you've adjusted.

Your Photoshop brushes are now installed! Simply repeat the process for each new set that you wish to add to your collection.

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