Depending on your operating system the path where your default Photo Shop custom shapes may differ. Please keep in mind that you don’t have to install your presets in this directory (folder). PS just defaults to it by nature, but will remember the path you browse to when loading resources from within PS.
Edit: If you are running Photoshop Elements, check out this tutorial
Finding a home for your photo shop custom shapes
The default location path will look something like this:
C:Program Files (x86)AdobeAdobe Photoshop CS(version)PresetsCustom Shapes.
The (x86) part of the path is for computers running 64 bit architecture, as there are two program files directories. I choose that folder in windows even with 64 bit because it’s more stable. XP users can just go to C:Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop You will have to tell your computer to show hidden files when you browse your presets directories (folders). I don’t have the path offhand for the file structure on a mac.
An easier way to store your presets is to create a directory (folder) where you will be able to find them faster and remember where they are. I actually have a partition on my hard drive containing just digital resources. Anywhere you think you will be able to keep good track of your files find them easily, and organize them well will be a good spot!
Create a folder for shapes and add your .csh files to that folder
In Photoshop, click on the shape tool on the left (1.), and the tool options will display at the top (2.)
3. Click on the drop down triangle arrow next to the shape
4. Then click on the triangle arrow to the right of the shapes drop down menu
5. Select “Load Shapes” from the contextual menu that appears.
If you want to manage your presets, you can also use the presets manager to add or remove resources. When removing them, it doesn’t actually delete a resource unless you have created an item yourself and not saved it as a .csh (custom shape) .abr (brush), etc…
Hopefully this will clarify things for those who were having trouble figuring out how to install Photoshop shapes!
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