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November 15, 2024
Question

Could not place "Watercolor Artist - Brushes.abr" because no parser or file format can open the file

  • November 15, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 367 views

Hello!  I am trying to add an action that is downloaded from an Adobe website - https://creativecloud.adobe.com/cc/discover/article/transform-photos-into-watercolors-with-a-free-photoshop-action?locale=en - but am unable to import the brushes. The error I am getting is as follows:  Could not place "Watercolor Artist - Brushes.abr" because no parser or file format can open the file." I don't understand, since this is a file from the Adobe site for Photoshop. I am using Photoshop 2025. Would love a solution if anyone has one!!  

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    4 replies

    Bojan Živković11378569
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2024

    I was successful using the File > Open command to import the .abr file in Photoshop 25.12.0 on Windows.

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2024

    You can also place the .abr file directly into the Presets > Brushes folder

    https://helpx.adobe.com/nz/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html

     

    What I do is keep my Photoshop assets in folders in My Documents, and place a shortcut to that location in the Presets folder.  This lets me share those presets between versions like the release and Beta version, and ensures they do not get lost with major version updates.  If you create and export a new brush group (.abr file) it will be saved to the presets folder, and I have to remember to move it to my assets folder.  

     

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2024

    Brushes are now loaded from the brushes panel rather than the preset manager.

    Open the Brushes panel in Photoshop. Click at the top right of the panel and, in the menu that opens, choose 'Import Brushes' then navigate to the abr file.

     

    Dave

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2024

    in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

    p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



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