Home Technical Talk

Brush group organizer for Photoshop - MagicSquire panel

polycounter lvl 4
Offline / Send Message
Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
Hello guys!

For those who wanted a tool to quickly organize and manage large groups of brushes, here goes MagicSquire, based on my MagicPicker's engine (so it supports Photoshops CC2017,2015 as long as CS6,CS5):





Here's the video tutorial explaining most of the functionality.

The brief list of features includes:
- Puts brushes in easy-to-use smart folders collections. MagicSquire structures your brushes so you don’t need to look for them every time in neverending piles
- Lets you rearrange brushes and brush groups with drag’n’drop
- Fast rendering of brush images with custom stroke support
- Create brushes from scratch: Just click the New Brush button to add current brush to the panel. 
- Edit and update brushes. Click Update to update parameters from Photoshop, no need to recreate them
- Supports custom .ABR Loading existing brush collections from .ABR files with one click! 
- Supports very large files of 200M and above. Supports loading of thousands of brushes from one file. .TPL support is on the way
- Supports Adobe Photoshop CS5, CS6, CC, CC2014, CC2015+
- Uses well tested MagicPicker engine to deliver the fastest experience
- More!

Read more about MagicSquire, the brush organizing plugin inside Photoshop

Please contact me if you have any suggestions or questions, I'm always open to implementing new stuff since I made MagicPicker 8 years ago.
Contact me on Facebook or Twitter.

-- Anastasiy

Replies

  • pmiller001
    Offline / Send Message
    pmiller001 greentooth
    Wawaweewoow! Beautiful! 
  • Elithenia
    Offline / Send Message
    Elithenia polycounter
  • adrxzero
    Offline / Send Message
    adrxzero polycount sponsor
    This is magical! thanks for this share.
  • Aaron Barnett
    This is insanely helpful, thank you!
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    Thank you for the feedback guys! :) Glad you liked it!
    More features are coming with the next updates!
  • pachermann
    Thanks for sharing this and very cool that u support CS6!
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire is updated to v1.2! Now organizes Tool Presets and .TPL files!



    Now you can organize and group Brushes, Mixer Brushes, Erasers, Smudge Tools, Pencils, etc.! Still supporting Photoshop CS5, CS6, CC, CC2014, CC2015, CC2017.
    – Supports Tools Presets and advanced brushes: Brush, Mixer Brush, Smudge, Eraser, Pencil, etc.!
    – Add, organize, drag’n’drop, move between groups, assign colors to the Tool Presets the same way you did it with the brushes
    – Load .TPL files and to add various Tools from files into Photoshop (in addition to .ABR files support)
    – Another performance boost.  Close/open/hide/show panel with unprecedented speed!
    – more!
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    New update! Version 1.3 introduces innovative Compact Mode that lets you use MagicSquire instead of right-click Brush preview in Photoshop!



    Keep panel in a form of small icon with current Brush preview and expand it to full view by hovering your mouse over it.

    Also in this version:
    - ALT-click the brush to use it as a Tool. You can paint and erase with the same Brush this way.
    - More fixes and improvements to the UI
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    New version, better performance, new features!
    Check out all new features of MagicSquire explained in new video (.TPL loading, adding Tool Presets, using ALT-click to use brushes as tools, more):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wak2AvvoBM
  • Barbanegra
    Offline / Send Message
    Barbanegra polycounter lvl 7
    The speed with new update is definitely improved, works great! thank you for this!
  • [Deleted User]
    Offline / Send Message
    [Deleted User] insane polycounter
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    Sorry about that! Yes, you can use our extension manager for Adobe plugins to install it. It's totally free and in addition it helps you to manage, install, remove and update any Photoshop or Creative Cloud extensions. 
  • [Deleted User]
    Offline / Send Message
    [Deleted User] insane polycounter
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    Thank you for the request! Sure, the extended Photoshop Tools support is coming with one of the next updates! It will include Eyedropper (right now it supports only "drawable" presets like Mixer Brushes, Smudge/Dodge/Brush tools etc.) please stay tuned! Please let me know if you have any other concerns/questions/suggestions, I'm constantly extending MagicSquire with new features.
  • [Deleted User]
    Offline / Send Message
    [Deleted User] insane polycounter
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    Sweet! :) Those are good ones! The profiles and data folder path editing will come with one of the new versions!

    And yes, just published the new update! It brings in more display modes for brush/tool lists. Click the new button to switch between them.
    Also you're able to assign custom colors to the groups by manually editing MagicSquire.json file. (Change "colorCode": 1 to something like "colorCode": "#FF0000" - with quotes, for the appropriate group).



    In addition new improvements, optimizations on CS5, CS6 and all CC. Better support of different .abr and .tpl files formats.
  • [Deleted User]
    Offline / Send Message
    [Deleted User] insane polycounter
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • CreativeSheep
    Offline / Send Message
    CreativeSheep polycounter lvl 8
    I plan on buying soon :)
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4


    Any way to avoid or optimize these errors out?  Hasn't been usable since.  I'll need to delete the data and restart it I think.
    Sorry about your experience! Please contact our support at http://anastasiy.com/support and you'll be helped!
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire just updated to v1.6! 


    What's new in MagicSquire 1.6:
    – Drag’n’drop and deletion of multiple brushes is now supported
    – Fixed a bug connected to Photoshop’s bug with “sample data not found” message when loading .tpl files
    – Fixed varios UI conflicts connected to dialogs
    – Improved drag’n’drop on CS5 and CS6 for Wacom, Huion and Ugee tablets
    – Improved compatibility with .tpl files
    – Multiple performance improvements in Photoshop CS5, CS6, CC, CC2014, CC2015, CC2017 and above.
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    New version 1.7 is here! 
    It brings 2x-5x performance improvements, ability to load multiple brush files at once, new default group colors!



    What’s new:
    – Various optimizations and speed improvements to UI & loading brushes, in many scenarios speed improved by 5x, especially on Photoshop CC 2014/2015/2017
    – Loading of multiple brush (and tool presets) .ABR/.TPL files at once is now supported
    – New default colors for groups!
    – Fixed Compact Mode on Photoshop CC 2017.1.1 and above
    – Fixed messaging
    – Small bug fixes
  • CreativeSheep
    Offline / Send Message
    CreativeSheep polycounter lvl 8
    How relevant is this considering Adobe has finally gave Photoshop (2018) users a Brush manager that is worth talking about ?
  • Elithenia
    Offline / Send Message
    Elithenia polycounter
    How relevant is this considering Adobe has finally gave Photoshop (2018) users a Brush manager that is worth talking about ?
    Didn't Adobe just release new features including this... like... just now? 
  • CreativeSheep
    Offline / Send Message
    CreativeSheep polycounter lvl 8
    Elithenia said:
    How relevant is this considering Adobe has finally gave Photoshop (2018) users a Brush manager that is worth talking about ?
    Didn't Adobe just release new features including this... like... just now? 
    Yup, roughly an hour ago.
  • Elithenia
    Offline / Send Message
    Elithenia polycounter
    So when this was posted it was quite relevant... 
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire is an extension for Adobe Photoshop CS5/6, CC, CC 2014, CC2015, CC 2017, CC 2018. It gives you much more flexibility and more features than Photoshop does. 
    - You can assign colors to brush groups
    - Update existing Brush Presets
    - Search Brush/Tool Presets by name and then work with them:



    - Display preset history for recent picked presets with preset type differentiation
    - Display Brush & Tool Presets in 4 different View Modes including unique horizontal view:
     


    - and much more!

    MagicSquire is made by feedback from artists like you all over the world, working in game and movie industries. And I always take feature requests seriously, if you have anything in mind that you're missing in Photoshop you're welcome to submit your thoughts and I'll do my best to introduce it in the new versions: http://anastasiy.com/support
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    New update! MagicSquire 2.3 is out now!



    Magic Eraser - convert any Tool or Brush into an Eraser with one click! Keeps shape and other parameters.



    WHAT'S NEW:
    Magic Eraser - turn any Tool into an Eraser, Advanced Group Export to .tpl/.abr with cross-conversion, new Color Picker for Groups, more!

     - Alt-click now works with tools! Use Pencil as Mixer Brush and vice versa!
     - Magic Eraser: click on the new "Turn current Tool into Eraser" button to use any Brush or Tool Preset you select as an Eraser. Instantly switches to Eraser mode keeping brush shape and other parameters intact. Alt-click on Magic Eraser to switch it permanently
    - With Advanced Export groups of Tool Presets can be exported, also converted to Brushes and back (depending on a target format). Easily convert between .tpl and .abr! Exports filtered results when using search
     - Performance boost on Photoshop CS5/CS6!
     - Improved list mode
     - Fixed a bug with loading specific .ABR files on Photoshop CC2018+
     - Fixed a bug when size of the brush wasn't properly saved on Photoshop CC2018+
     - Fixed loading of Photoshop CC2018+ brushes when sometimes they weren't loaded as Tool Presets
     - Fixed "consistency" error that some users faced on CC2018+
     - Small bug fixes
     - Speedups and optimizations
     - Optimizations to UI and drag'n'drop on Photoshop CS6
     - Added panel loading progress on Photoshop CS6
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 2.4 and 2.5 updates:



    WHAT"S NEW:
     - Improved compatibility with recent Adobe updates
     - Improved UI performance
     - Fixed issues with varios brush formats and .abr/.tpl files
     - Improved UI on Photoshop CS6
     -  Fixed blank panel/signature issue on Adobe Photoshop CS6 platform
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 2.6 and 2.7 updates.

    As your brush collections grow so grows MagicSquire! Mind-blowing 4-8x speed improvement on Photoshop CC, fast display of 500+ brushes in a single group, Magic Eraser now reverts with second click, more!



    WHAT’S NEW:
     – Improved loading of multiple .tpl files
    – Significantly improved UI performance on Photoshop CC (all versions): when dealing with large number (500-1000+) of brushes, opening panel, scrolling, switching list types, opening/closing groups, loading .abr and .tpl files
    – NEW FEATURE: Magic Eraser now preserves brush size and also supports second click! When you click Magic Eraser button again it switches back to the previously selected tool
     – NEW FEATURE: You can now tune double-click behavior in MagicSquire settings
     – Nailed “Cannot get id” problem on large brush collections
    – Fixed visual issues
    – Improved performace of Horizontal layout
     – Photoshop CS6 users stay tuned! Speedup is on the way

  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 3.0
    The BIGGEST update ever!
    Tags! 
    Keyboard Shortcuts to individual brushes. 
    Group Collections. 
    Store and sync brushes to Cloud(s),
    Rotate brush/tool tip with keyboard,
    more Keyboard Shortcuts, 
    Capture color.





    WHAT'S NEW:
    - NEW! Assign Tags to brushes and then filter them using Search - with Instant Suggestions. Filter out brushes that you don't need in current project, instantly.
    - NEW! Collections allow you to combine several groups to a collection, and then switch between group combinations with one click or keyboard shortcut. Use Collection Editor from the menu.
    - NEW! Keyboard Shortcuts for individual brushes. Also keyboard shortcuts to following new and old features of MagicSquire:
       * Rotate Brush/Tool tip (works with Clone Tool too)
       * Turn current Brush into Eraser (and back)
       * Increase/Decrease Load for Mixer brushes
       * Switch brushes and collections
       * more! New shortcuts dialog is accessible from the menu.
    - NEW! Relocate data folder and put it on Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive or any other 3rd party Cloud service. Back up and safely auto-sync your brushes between computers!
    - NEW! Disable size capture for tools, switch between brushes and tools while keeping size
    - All features available now for Photoshop CS5, CS6, CC, CC2015, CC2017, CC2018, CC2019+
    - even more

    Everybody can upgrade MagicSquire here
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 3.1 & 3.2 updates are live!

    – NEW! Right-click on the brush to quickly move it to any group, pick group by name
    – NEW! Directly drag’n’drop .abr and .tpl files on the panel to load them as groups! Works only on Photoshop CC and higher
    – Added new option in the menu – “Optimize brushes” that rebuilds brush database to avoid possible errors
    – Fixed: In some scenarios Photoshop window deactivated after loading brushes from files
    – Improved selection of newly created brushes on CS6 in various scenarios
    – Improved compatibility with CC2019 in various scenarios
    – Improved keyboard shortcut detection
    – Improved handling of Dual Brushes when rendering strokes and creating new brushes
    – In PRO Mode checkmark next to corresponding panel’s menu item is now correctly displayed when it’s active



    Everybody can upgrade MagicSquire here

    Please contact me if you have any suggestions or questions, I'm always open to implementing new stuff since I made MagicPicker 11 years ago.
    Contact me on Facebook or Twitter.

    -- Anastasiy
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 3.3 is out!
    It's a small service update that brings stability and performance improvements to brush management, UI and file loading/saving.



    Upgrade MagicSquire | Read more about MagicSquire

    Please contact me if you have any suggestions or questions.
    Connect on Facebook or Twitter.

    -- Anastasiy
  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire 3.4 improves Photoshop 2020 support, more


    WHAT’S NEW:

    – Improved Photoshop 2020 compatibility
    – Improved Keyboard Shortcut detection for various keyboard layouts
    – Fixed problem with first brush stroke’s pressure/opacity when using keyboard shortcuts
    – Various UI fixes and improvements by your feedback!

    Upgrade MagicSquire | Learn more about MagicSquire, the advanced Photoshop Brush Group Manager

  • Anastasius
    Offline / Send Message
    Anastasius polycounter lvl 4
    MagicSquire reborn! Version 4 is out!

    Quick Popup with brush selection anywhere on the screen under your cursor
    "Sticky" HUD instantly shows up when key is held down, and hides on key up
    "Sticky" Brushes instantly available when you press a key, switch back on key up
    Duplicate Tool Presets & Groups with a single click (preserves Tags & Collections)
    Option to auto-close HUD immediately after choosing brush 



    Watch video about new features:
    MagicSquire 4 - pro brush popup under cursor in Photoshop

    Also in this version:
    - Load multiple .abr or .tpl files into a single group
    - Smart Search now gives you option to search closed groups
    - Option in Settings to auto-close HUD immediately after choosing brush
    - Reset path to MagicSquire brushes folder to defaults (from Settings, using "Reset" button)
    - Number of hidden Collections is now displayed under "Collections/more..." in fly-out menu
    - Now you can activate brushes/tools in History from hidden Collections
    - And 30+ more features and improvements

    Everybody can upgrade MagicSquire here

    Learn more about MagicSquire, the advanced Photoshop Brush Group Manager
Sign In or Register to comment.