Setting 'Preferences'
Version 7 & CS (1)
Clive R. Haynes FRPS

The settings suggested below are the ones that I used in Version 7 and Photoshop CS (as opposed to 'CS2')and as such may may prove a useful basis and guide for establishing your 'Preferences'.

Please note that the notes below form a basis for Photoshop Version 7 as some of the settings were as Version 6 whilst others were beginning to adopt practices that in time evolved to Version 'CS'. Sorry about that, it's just that with time, references to earlier versions of Photoshop are becoming a little hazy.

The Preference Settings may be found via: Edit > Preferences
Note for earlier versions of Photoshop (V5, V5.5 and 6) the route to 'Preferences is via: File > Preferences.
Once available, a list of 'Preferences' is presented. Start at 'General' and work through by clicking 'Next'
In each section I only list the boxes I have 'ticked' or the options I have chosen and/or set. If I don't mention it, then I've left it at the default setting. Here and there I'll add the occasional comment.
 

General
Color Picker - Adobe

Image Interpolation - Bicubic (Better)

History States - 20 ..... You may wish to opt for more 'History States' but remember the more you have the greater the amount of memory occupied for this function.

Options:
Export Clipboard
Show Tool Tips
Zoom Resizes Windows
Dynamic Color Sliders
Save Palette Locations
Show Font Names in English
Use Shift Key for Tool Switch
Use Smart Quotes

Display & Cursors
Painting Cursors - Brush Size

Other Cursors - Precise

Units & Rulers
Units:
Rulers - cm
Type - Points

Column Size:

Width - 180 points
Gutter - 12 Points

New Document Preset Resolutions:
Print Resolution - 300 ppi
Screen Resolution 72 ppi

Point/Pica Size:
PostScript (72 ppi)

Plug-Ins & Scratch Discs
Scratch Discs:
First - C ......... You may nominate other letters for Second, Third & Fourth - it all depends if you are using a 'partitioned disc' or more than one drive.

 

File browser
Do Not Process Files Larger than - 200 MB
Display - 10 - Most Recently Used etc...
Custom Thumbnail Size - 200px Wide

Option:
Allow Background Processing
High Quality Previews
Keep Sidecar Files with Master Files

To confirm all above 'Preference' settings - Click 'OK'

 
To save / restore your 'Preference settings', as from time to time they may be altered, perhaps as a temporary measure, see 'Preferences - Locking' in the Contents list,
or for Photoshop versions 7 and 'CS', click on the 'Workspace' link below.

Related Topics
Workspace
Preferences for Version 6
Preferences for CS2
Know-How Contents
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