Photoshop Gradients load / install / Import tutorial
graphicxtras > Adobe Photoshop tutorials > Photoshop gradients tutorials
How to load gradients and how to install gradients for use in Photoshop. GRD gradient files can be accessed and a whole range of color effects can be added to Photoshop all via the Photoshop gradients panel. How to import the GRD files in the latest version of Photoshop. Access multiple sets of presets in seconds
** Youtube video tutorial on how to install / load / import gradients into Photoshop - gradient GRD files format **1. Import Gradients in latest Photoshop
The easiest way to load your gradients into Photoshop is to use the import command (in the same way as the shapes import). It is easy to use and can import a single GRD file as well as 100s of GRD gradient files into Photoshop.
Go to the gradients panel in the Photoshop window menu and then with the panel displayed, go to the right side menu and select the import gradients and then browse for the gradient files which can now be located anywhere on your machine though it is probably best to have a central location for them or perhaps even have them on your cloud drive.
2. Gradients format
Gradients are in GRD format for Photoshop, I can't think of any other app that can read them outside of the Adobe products
3. Legacy Gradients / Older gradients from previous
If you don't have your legacy or older versions of the gradients, you can quickly restore them by going to the right side menu and selecting the legacy command and that will bring back all your older Photoshop gradients
4. Older versions and loading from presets folder
With the new import feature, personally I find it easier just to have a central location and not bother with the GRD files in a legacy folder, however if you want to have them in a particular defined folder then you can
Select your Photoshop GRD gradients file (s) and copy. Go to the applications or program files folder (mac or PC). Expand the Adobe / Photoshop application folder (Program files on the PC and applications on the mac). Go to the "presets" folder. Paste or place the GRD Photoshop gradients into the "gradients" folder. Start up Photoshop. Select the gradient tool in Photoshop toolbar. Go to top of Photoshop (left) and open the presets picker 'gradients' drop down. If you are using the older versions, you can access them via the right side menu. In the latest versions, access them via the panel itself as all the GRD files should be displayed as groups.
5. Location of non privileged area for gradients
Above, I added the location for the privileged presets folder, you will need to know your admin password to place the files there. You can also add them to a non privileged area
On the mac ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CC XXXX/Presets/Gradients
On the PC, "appdata" folder (in your user account).
As mentioned, the load / install of the gradients has changed a lot with the most recent versions and it is just as easy to import them and then access them via the groups in the gradients panel
6. Loading / installing multiple gradients
With the most recent version of Photoshop, go to the import command and select multiple GRD files and they will all be added to your panel
7. Tools presets picker for the gradients
One of my favorite features is the tools presets picker (TPL files). You can select the gradient tool and set up a gradient with all the different settings built into a preset for instance use instead of setting up the blending etc. Another great way to load your gradients and use them quickly
The blending mode, type, gradient etc are all stored and can be used quickly without the need to load or install the gradients
