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46superbeast
Participating Frequently
April 28, 2019
Answered

A way to assign a brush/color to a layer to speed up sketching?

  • April 28, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 905 views

I just started sketching on a tablet in Photoshop, and I was wondering if there is a way to assign a brush and color to a specific layer so I can very quickly switch to a new layer without manually changing the brush and color. These are the layers I use:

  1. TOP - Finish linework - thin brush / black
  2. Thin highlights - thin brush / white
  3. Shading - wide brush
  4. UNDERLAY - Quick sketch lines - thin brush / black

This would help in two ways:

  1. I find myself sketching on the wrong layer with the right brush- this method would instantly tell you that you're on the wrong layer
  2. much faster - do not need to select swatches or brushes

If this isn't possible, what other techniques do you use to sketch on multiple layers?

Thanks in advance!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

As for the black and white colors: Simply use Solid Color Layers and paint on their Layer Masks.

As for the Brush tips: It might be possible to use Scrip Events manager to link a Script to the Layer Selection event that selects a certain brush preset depending on the selected Layer’s name (or ID or index etc.).

Mind you: I am not certain about this and you should probably ask over on the Scripting Forum:

Photoshop Scripting

1 reply

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 28, 2019

As for the black and white colors: Simply use Solid Color Layers and paint on their Layer Masks.

As for the Brush tips: It might be possible to use Scrip Events manager to link a Script to the Layer Selection event that selects a certain brush preset depending on the selected Layer’s name (or ID or index etc.).

Mind you: I am not certain about this and you should probably ask over on the Scripting Forum:

Photoshop Scripting

    4
    46superbeastAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    April 28, 2019

    Thank you! The color solution is so simple, works perfectly. I'll check into the Script Events for the brush assignments. Much appreciated.

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 29, 2019

      In the meantime I have checked and it is possible to link a Brush-selecting Script to the »select« »layer« event.

      There is a question, though, on how to »connect« the brush and the Layer; easiest may be to simply name the Layer exactly as the intended Brush, but maybe one should add an identifying part to the name to make sure the Layer is associated to a particular Brush.

      And then there is also the question of what to do if a brush should be missing.

      But some of the regulars on the Photoshop Scripting Forum may be able to provide advice on that.

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