Working with Tools in Paint Shop Pro 8

As I discussed in Save Tool Options for Reuse, a preset is a collection of tool or command settings saved in a set so that you can reuse the settings without having to manually make all the same choices again. If you spend awhile making selections in a dialog box that you think you might need again in a similar situation, save them as your own preset.

Whether you create your own presets or not, it's always best to start out in a new dialog box by opening the Presets list to see whether there is already a preset that fits your current situation. To reset a dialog box to the default settings, select Default from the Presets list or click the Reset to Default button located to the right of the Presets list. To reset the dialog box to the same settings you used the last time, select Last Used from the Presets list. To choose any other preset, select it from the Presets list instead.

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Tip - In many dialog boxes, PSP offers the Factory Defaults preset, in which you can save your own custom default settings. To recall your personal default settings, select Factory Defaults from the Presets list.

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1. Click Save Preset

   After making your selections in a dialog box, click the Save Preset button to save the settings in a preset. The Save Preset dialog box opens.

2. Enter a Name

   Type a descriptive name for the preset into the Preset name box.

3. Turn Off Settings As Desired

   Click the Options button to expand the Save Preset dialog box. A list of all the possible options associated with the dialog box appears in the Preset includes list, along with their current values. For example, the color of the light shining on the bevel was set to white {255,255,255}. Turn off the options you don't want to save as part of the preset by clicking the appropriate Save icon. When you do, a red X appears on the Save icon to indicate that the option will not be included in the preset. For example, I wanted to select a light color based on the images I'm currently using to make my Web buttons, so I didn't want that value saved with the preset.

4. Enter Other Data and Click OK

   In the expanded dialog box, you can also enter an Author name, Copyright data, and a Description for the preset if desired. Click OK to save the preset.

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Note - To use a preset after creating it, redisplay the dialog box for which you saved the preset, open the Presets list, and select the preset you want to load. Dialog box settings saved with the preset replace any current dialog box settings you might be using.

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