How to Install Lightroom Classic Brushes: The 2026 Ultimate Guide
Lightroom Classic Brushes (Local Adjustment Presets) are essential for high-end retouching, allowing you to apply targeted edits like skin smoothing, iris enhancement, and dodge-and-burn with surgical precision. Whether you are using modern .XMP or legacy formats, installing them correctly in the Local Adjustments directory is key to a professional workflow. This guide provides the definitive manual installation path for 2026.
Quick Reference: Brush Installation Summary
| Feature | Technical Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | .XMP (Local Adjustment Preset) |
| Primary Path | Preferences > Presets > Show All Other Lightroom Presets |
| Target Folder | Local Adjustment Presets |
| Best For | Portrait Retouching, Masking, Dodging & Burning |
đĄ Pro-Tip: Global vs. Local Adjustments
Unlike standard presets that change the entire photo, Brushes are âLocal Adjustment Presets.â They only appear when you are using the Masking Tool (Brush, Radial, or Linear Gradient). This allows for non-destructive, localized colorimetry adjustments that donât affect your global exposure settings.
Step-by-Step Brush Installation Guide
Step 1: Copy Your Brush Files
Unzip your brush collection onto your desktop. Open the folder, select all the .XMP files, Right-click, and select Copy. Note: For brushes, it is usually better to copy the files directly rather than the folder to ensure they appear correctly in the âEffectâ dropdown menu.
Step 2: Access Lightroom Classic Preferences
Launch Lightroom Classic. In the top left menu bar, click Lightroom Classic (Mac) or Edit (PC) and select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Access the Presets Folder
Inside the Preferences window, select the Presets tab. In the middle of the screen, locate and click the button labeled âShow All Other Lightroom Presets.â This will open your computerâs core Lightroom settings directory.
Step 4: Locate the Local Adjustment Presets Folder
Inside the folder window that just opened, locate the folder named Lightroom, open it, and then find the folder named Local Adjustment Presets. This is the specific directory where all brush-based tools are stored.
Step 5: Paste and Restart
Paste your copied brush files into the Local Adjustment Presets folder. Close the window, exit Lightroom Classic, and restart the application. Your new brushes will now appear under the âEffectâ dropdown menu within any Masking Tool.
â ď¸ Troubleshooting: Why canât I find my brushes?
Brushes are hidden in a different location than standard presets. If they are missing:
- Check the Tool: Brushes only show up when you have the Masking Tool (M) active. They will not appear in the standard Presets panel on the left.
- Effect Dropdown: Look for the word âEffect:â at the top of the Masking settings. Click the tiny double-arrows next to it to see your installed brush presets.
- Subfolders: Ensure your brushes arenât buried in more than one subfolder. Lightroom Classic often fails to index brushes if they are too deep in the directory tree.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Where are brushes located in the Lightroom Classic interface?
Brushes are found in the Masking Panel (keyboard shortcut âMâ). Once you select a masking tool, look for the âEffectâ dropdown menu to choose your specific adjustment preset.
2. Can I use these brushes in Lightroom Mobile?
Local adjustment brushes are currently optimized for desktop use in Lightroom Classic. While some masking settings sync via the cloud, full brush preset libraries are best utilized in the desktop environment.
3. Are brushes different from presets?
Yes. A standard preset applies settings to the entire photo globally. A brush (Local Adjustment Preset) only applies settings to specific areas you paint over with a mask.
4. How many brushes can I install at once?
There is no hard limit, but installing too many can slow down the âEffectâ dropdown menu. We recommend keeping your most-used retouching tools (Skin, Eyes, Teeth, Dodge/Burn) in your main directory.
Conclusion
Mastering the installation of Professional Retouching Brushes allows you to move beyond global adjustments and start âpaintingâ light back into your images. If you havenât already, make sure to sync your entire workflow by following our guide on How to Install Lightroom Classic Presets.
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