DAVECROSS
> Photoshop Q&A Q: I’d like to add a 100x100-pixel grid to a document, but have it visible when I save it as a JPEG. How can I easily do this?
> PHOTOSHOP USER > AU G U ST 202 0
Dave Cross
A: If you want a grid on its own layer that’s part of a design (rather than the reference Grid that’s built into Photoshop), your best bet is probably to create a custom pattern. Start by creating a new document (File>New) that has a Width and Height of 100 pixels. Assuming you want just a grid with no background, add a new layer and click the Eye icon next to Background layer in the Layers panel to hide it. Then, press CommandA (PC: Ctrl-A) to Select All, and from the Edit menu, choose Stroke. Choose the Color and Width of the stroke, and use Center as the Location. Click OK to close the Stroke dialog. Finally, go to the Edit menu and choose Define Pattern. In the Pattern Name dialog, give your pattern a meaningful name, and click OK. To use the pattern in your image, go to Layer>New Fill Layer>Pattern. Click OK in the New Layer dialog, and
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the Pattern Fill dialog will pop up. Click on the pattern preview thumbnail to open the Pattern Picker, choose your new pattern at the bottom of the Picker, and you’re good to go! (In this example, the pattern layer was set to the Overlay blend mode in the Layers panel.)
Q: I used to use the Preset Manager to delete and change the order of my brushes and swatches, but they aren’t there anymore. It only shows Contours and Tools. How do I organize these presets in Photoshop 2020? A: Rather than having to go to the Preset Manager, management of most presets in Photoshop 2020 is done right in the panel for each type of preset. For example, to change the order of the brushes, click-and-drag them in the Brushes panel.
