How to set up and use the Quick Export feature in Photoshop

Quick Export is an extremely useful feature in Photoshop that if you know how to take advantage of, it can greatly assist your work. In this article, we will learn how to set up and take full advantage of this basic but useful feature.

How to use Quick Export as PNG

To use this quick file export feature in Photoshop, simply navigate to File > Export > Quick Export as a PNG. Select the location where you want to save the image file and click 'Save'.

This will automatically save a 'flat' PNG file, preserving the full resolution of the image you're working on.

How to change Quick Export's default settings

By default, Quick Export will quickly save images as PNG files, which is quite convenient. However, if you are a photographer or often work with many different types of image files, it is clear that PNG is not the ideal file format. Instead, you'll want an image saved as a JPG file.

To configure the settings for the Quick Export feature, navigate to File > Export > Export Preferences.

There are several options you need to consider here:

1. Quick Export Format : You can choose PNG, JPG, GIF, and SVG as the default file format, as well as set the file quality. If you are an illustrator, the default PNG format with Transparency is fine. However, when working with photos, you should choose JPG with a Quality of at least 80.
2. Quick Export Location : You can click 'Ask Where to Export Each Time' to choose where to save the file manually. Or you can select 'Export Files to an Assets Folder Next to the Current Document' if you want the file to be automatically saved to a new folder.
3. Quick Export Metadata : You can choose 'None' or embed 'Copyright and Contact Info'. If you plan to share your photos on the internet, the second option is recommended.
4. Quick Export Color Space : You can enable or disable 'Convert to sRGB'. If you are not familiar with the color space and configuration, it is best to keep the default settings.

How to add Quick Export shortcut

To create quick access shortcuts for the Quick Export feature, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts to access the shortcut options.

Here, you can edit or assign keyboard shortcuts to pretty much every Photoshop feature. For the Quick Export feature, expand the 'File' section, scroll down to the 'Quick Export as…' section and select it.

Type the keyboard shortcut you want to use, such as Control-Alt-Shift-S on a PC (or Command-Control-Shift-S on a Mac).

If you enter a shortcut that's already in use, Photoshop will display a message letting you know and select another shortcut cluster.

When you're done, click 'Accept', then 'OK'.

Kareem Winters

Update 10 June 2021