Working with brushes using the property bars

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When the Brush tool is selected, you can access and change brush options and settings on the property bar. The property bar displays one set of options and settings, such as brush size, opacity, and stroke attributes, that are available for all brush categories, and another related to the selected brush category. You can use the property bar to restore the default settings of a brush. Depending on the selected brush variant, the property bar may also let you choose a paper texture, dab type, and blending options. The flyouts on the property bar simplify the process of finding controls and media relevant for a brush and let you quickly access advanced controls for a brush instead of opening different brush control panels. For example, if you are working with a brush that uses a Dynamic Speckles dab type, you can quickly access the relevant options by clicking the Dynamic Speckle flyout button .

For more information about modifying the individual controls, see Selecting, managing, and creating brushes. For more information about working with property bars, see Displaying the property bars.

To choose a stroke type on the property bar

 

You can also
Align a brushstroke to a path or shape	Click the Stroke Options flyout button , and click Align to Path .
Align brushstrokes to perspective guides	Click the Stroke Options flyout button , and click Perspective Guides .

To set brush size options on the property bar

 

You can also
Link the size settings to a specific stylus or mouse movement	Click the Size flyout button , and choose an option from the Expression list box.
Set the percentage of variability that you want the expression to apply to brush size	Click the Size flyout button , and move the Min Size slider.
Link brush size to audio	Click the Size flyout button , and click the Audio Expression button .
Reverse the effect of an Expression setting on brush size	Click the Size flyout button , and click the Invert Size Expression button .

You can restore a default brush variant by clicking the Reset Tool button .

To set brush opacity options on the property bar

 

You can also
Link the opacity settings to a specific stylus or mouse movement	Click the Opacity flyout button , and choose an option from the Expression list box.
Set the percentage of variability that you want the expression to apply to brush opacity	Open the Opacity flyout button , and move the Min Opacity slider.
Link brush opacity to audio	Open the Opacity flyout button , and click the Audio Expression button .
Reverse the effect of an Expression setting on brush opacity	Open the Opacity flyout button , and click the Invert Opacity Expression button .

You can restore a default brush variant by clicking the Reset Tool button .

To apply a paper texture using the property bar

You can also
Set grain	Move the Grain slider, or type a percentage in the Grain box. Move the slider to the left to reduce penetration and reveal more texture. Move it to the right to increase penetration and reveal less grain.

These options are not available for all brush variants.

For more information about paper textures, see Applying paper texture.

You can restore a default brush variant by clicking the Reset Tool button .

To choose a dab profile using the property bar

You can adjust the hardness only of Circular brushes that use one of the following dab profiles: Pointed, Medium, Soft, Dull, 1-pixel edge, and Watercolor.

To choose a captured dab using the property bar

To apply a dab profile to a captured dab using the property bar

To apply a dab effect using the property bar

To display relevant brush control panels using the property bar