3 Photoshop HACKS That You Probably DON’T Know

In this Photoshop tutorial, I will show you three Photoshop hacks you probably don’t know.

Photoshop Hack 01 – Create Template Files

If you have Photoshop files that you use as templates, consider using a Photoshop Template file. To create a Photoshop Template file simply add the letter “T” to the PSD file type. The PSDT file will open an instance of the original file, and you will never override the original.

Photoshop Hack 02 – Custom Plugins Folder

In Photoshop CC you no longer chose a custom plug-ins folder. But you can use this Photoshop hack as a workaround.

Photoshop recognizes shortcuts (Windows) and alias (Mac OS) within the Plug-Ins folder and subfolders. Which means that you can place your plugins into a custom folder, then create a shortcut/Alias to that custom folder. Then, put the Shortcut/Alias into the plugins folder. You will see all of your plug-ins in the custom folder are now appearing in Photoshop CC under the Filters menu.

After you restart Photoshop, you will see all of your plugins appearing in the Filters menu.

Hack 03 – Use Premiere LUT Files in Photoshop

If you are a member of the Creative Cloud and have access to Premiere and After Effects, you can import the Lut files from those programs into Photoshop.

Simply copy the LUT files from Premiere and paste them into the Photoshop LUT folder.

Photoshop Hack Bonus – Bring Back Refine Edge

Photoshop CC 2015.5 introduced the new Select and Mask Workspace and removed the old Refine Edge (Refine Mask) dialog box.

If you prefer to work with Refine Edge, then use this little-known shortcut in Photoshop CC 2017 and newer to bring back the Refine Edge dialog box.

With a selection or mask active, press-and-hold Shift, and go to Select > Select and Mask. Using this modifier key will open the Refine Edge window instead of the Select and Mask Workspace!