Optimize painting and cloning

Some tool settings are more resource-intensive and can affect performance. Learn how to adjust these settings for optimal performance.

Reduce Smoothing

Smoothing setting in the Brush tool Options bar

When using brush tools, set the Smoothing settings to 0% in the Options bar or the Brush Settings panel for maximum speed. The higher the percentage, the slower painting responsiveness will be. The default setting for Smoothing is 10%.

Increase Spacing

When using brush and retouching tools, set the Spacing option in the Brush Settings panel as high as you can and still maintain the desired look of your strokes for maximum speed.

The lower the precentage for Spacing is set, the slower painting responsiveness will be. The default setting for Spacing is 25% for the standard round brush.

Spacing setting in the Brush Settings panel

Reduce Brush Complexity

A standard, round brush with only Shape Dynamics enabled with perform best. Complex brush shapes and addition brush settings will start to slow down the perfromance of brushing.

Reset the Brush tool settings to get back to the defaults.

The brush on the left will perform faster than the brush on the right.
The brush on the left will perform faster than the brush on the right.

Hide Rulers & Extras

When using brush and retouching tools, hide Rulers and Extras, such as Guides, Grids, Slices, etc., for maximum speed.

  • To hide the Rulers, select View > Rulers or press Cmd + r (macOS) or ctrl + r (Windows).
  • To hide Extras, select View > Extras or press cmd + h (macOS) or ctrl + h (Windows).

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