I've been having a conversation with JAW recently regarding a problem he is having deleting pattern presets from the preset manager. he is using the Mac operating system and describes a problem I have neither encountered or heard of. I suspect this may be a mac-related issue, and as I'm more familiar with Windows I thought I'd open this up to the community. If anyone can help I'm sure JAW will appreciate it.
I've copied and pasted some of our email exchange below so you can get a feel for the problem-
JAW wrote-
On a different subject (Preset Manager): I have a question regarding using the Preset Manager in PSE6 for Mac.
Unfortunately, I made several pattern sets of "a group of patterns" (duplicated the same pattern set several times using different names or titles for each set). Now I need to get rid of the duplicates.
How can I remove or delete (get rid of) all my duplicate sets I made? I don't want extra sets of the same pattern - each set being the same patterns with different titles.
I'd appreciate a step by step method as to how to resolve my duplication problem using the Preset Manager.
Matt Wrote -
I’m taking it you’re wording of ‘sets’ to mean actual ‘pattern sets’ and not single ‘patterns’. To delete any duplicate ‘sets’ and generally tidy up - open the preset manager and click ‘load’ to see where the ‘pattern sets’ are stored on your computer-
Make sure you jot down the directory the ‘pattern sets’ are in, and then navigate to it from Mac OS.
The ‘pattern sets’ are just standard files inside of Windows and Mac, so just delete the files you don’t want based on their names.
JAW wrote-
Now with this, I find frustration setting in - regarding my previous question and the Pattern Preset Manager: I did as you suggested (clicked on load) - all the pattern sets showed up in a file. Here is where things go a bit strange and not sure how to proceed. I highlight the first pattern set (first set showing highlighted) in the folder and clicked "Command delete" - expecting the pattern set to be deleted - nothing happened. Again, I highlighted the same pattern set and tried clicking just the delete key - still nothing happened. What am I doing wrong that I can't seem to delete a set of Patterns from the Preset Manager?
Here is a shot of four patterns - the first three sets I want to delete - all those with the word Background in the title. They are all duplicates of another set not showing here, which I will keep.
As you can see, if I click load again (which I did do to see what happens), I have three duplicates of the same patterns within the same Pattern set. I'm getting now where fast. Please advise!!
Matt Wrote-
I would suggest finding the ‘patterns’ folder using the Finder on the Mac while Photoshop Elements is closed. You should then have all the rights necessary to delete patterns or anything else. You should be able to find out where the ‘Patterns’ folder is kept by using the dropdown in the ‘Load’ dialogue box as below.
So use the ‘Load’ dialogue box to find out where the Patterns are stored, and then delete them through the Finder while Elements is closed.
JAW wrote-
I tried it both way. I went this path: Applications>Adobe Photoshop Elements 6>Presets>Patterns. No luck finding those specific patterns I want to delete. In the pattern folder, I have a lot of patterns but don't list any of the last nine named sets. So, I don't know of a way of deleting any of them because they are not showing up in the pattern file. If they were there, I'd just highlight the one's I wanted to delete and drag to the trash of hit Command delete. Fairly simple.
I gave all nine sets (different titles for each) a search and still no result. I am beginning to believe it is a glitch in this version of PSE6 for Mac. This is really getting to me because if the pattern sets were made why can't I find them and delete them?
Matt wrote-
That's the correct location. Have you saved the set, I'm wondering if you have to save to sets to make the saving operation permanent. Have you tried opening the set in the Preset Manager and then using the option to reset the set? You may be best running a test where you save the current set as something new, then remove the whole set (if you can?). This may be an Operating System issue because over here on Windows (never tried on the Mac) deleting is as simple as right click and choosing delete. It may also be the way the Mac version of Elements is set up.
JAW wrote-
Here is what I feel I should do - delete all nine of the Pattern Library Sets from the Preset Manager - if possible. If I can delete these nine sets, I can find the patterns again at a latter date and reinstall those patterns then. For now, I would like to delete the last nine specific patterns as previously mentioned.
Here is the rub as I see it, the last nine specific patterns are not listed and are not showing up as a pattern in my Pattern folder under Applications. So with that in mind, if I want to remove a pattern set from my library of pattern sets - I would go here: Applications>Adobe Photoshop Elements 6>Presets>Patterns. Here, I would highlight any number of sets and delete any or all the sets showing in that folder. This I know I can do.
But, if the pattern sets showing in my Preset Manager PSE 6 elements (while open) are not showing in the pattern folder under applications (when closed) - how do I delete them? That is the question - how to delete one or more pattern sets when the sets that show up in my open elements, are not in my pattern folder when I go to find them under Applications when elements is closed? I assume I am correct in that I can not delete any pattern set through the Preset Manager while elements is open, so what am I missing?
I can see the pattern sets I want to delete when elements is open but I don't know of any mechanism that would allow me to delete the pattern sets while elements is open. Yes, I know I can delete an individual pattern within a set but I'm talking about one set or entire sets of patterns. Sets that can be seen when elements is open but can't be found when elements is closed. I am at a loss for an explanation for this as It seem implausible, but her I am. I do hope I have explained my situation in a way that sounds logical but also paradoxical in presentation. Do you see my dilemma - logic seems to say, I should be able to delete any of my library pattern sets but then illogic seems to nullify that. Hope you can help.
Matt wrote-
It's always frustrating when Elements doesn't behave the way it should. It's one thing when the user gets it wrong, usually I can understand that - but when the software gets it wrong you know you're up against it.
One quick thing, just for confirmation, when you're trying to delete a pattern from inside Photoshop make sure you have the OPTION key down as you hover over the pattern, you should then see your cursor change to a little pair of scissors, and if you then click you'll delete. I'm sure you've already been doing that though.
Have you tried creating a new pattern set, and saving patterns into it. Then deleting them? I think it's worth running a few tests if you want to get to the bottom of this. I wonder if your problem on the Mac is caused by mixing custom and default patterns in a set? It doesn't cause a problem on Windows but the Mac may be different?
JAW wrote-
I can delete a specific pattern within a library patten set by using the little pair of scissors - but as stated, my problem lies in the fact that I don't seem to be able to delete a complete library pattern set even though it show in the Preset Manager (under Patterns).
By the way, did I send you a screen shot of my patterns - of which, the last nine pattern on my list are not in the my pattern folder - why they are not there, I can't explain. This seem to me be the paradox - pattern sets visible in the Preset Manager but not visible in my Preset Pattern folder. Hopefully you can see all the patterns and list of named patterns on this attachment. If not, let me know and I'll bump it up or send each separately.
