Now-legendary (and nearly lost) freeware brushes, textures, actions, and other tools by Dave Nagel, collected in one place. Create realistic or stylized hair, skin, fur, stone, cloth, painterly, and other looks, plus a few specialized things like text effects and beveled frames. His hair and fur brushes are especially favored by digital artists.
Permissions and credits
Author's instructions
All the software and graphics are copyright by Dave Nagel, and were released by him for free use by the public (including commercial use), and without any redistribution or other restrictions. I'm interpreting it as "copyleft" or what today would perhaps be GPL or Creative Commons Attribution licensing, i.e.: give credit, and it isn't public domain, just not restricted. Nagel's typical comment in releasing the files was "And, as usual, they're all free." On 2020-04-20, he wrote to me here on Nexus and thanked me for archiving them here. I have kept that message on file if Nexus admins ever need to see it.
My own documentation here is dual licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 and the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 4.0 International (i.e., do what you like with it, with credit, and under a compatible license).
File credits
* Dave Nagel - Created these great tools! Since the late 1990s, Nagel has been the producer of Creative Mac and Digital Media Designer; host of several world-wide user groups, including Synthetik Studio Artist, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe LiveMotion, Creative Mac, and Digital Media Designer; and executive producer of the Digital Media Net family of publications. * Web.Archive.org - Saved almost all of his releases for posterity, if you knew how to dig them out. * Deenamic at Renderosity.com - found a copy of the one that Archive.org missed. * Darklocq - Just gathered them up over weeks, indexed them, pulled them out of ancient StuffIt .SIT archive files, and put them in one pile for you (well, really for him, but he shares :-), over an evening.
Donation Points system
This mod is opted-in to receive Donation Points
Changelogs
Version 1.0
1.0 - 2018-05-14: Added the missing brush set, gathered up screenshots, double-checked the tutorial links in the doc (and replaced some of them).
0.9b - 2018-04-20: Gathered all available Nagel PS and AI freeware, wrote an index. Began efforts to hunt down the missing one.
Collection of Dave Nagel's Free Photoshop and Illustrator plugins =================================================================
Hunted down and put together in one place by Darklocq
This is a complete collection of the now-legendary Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator tools (mostly naturalistic texturing brushes) created by Dave Nagel and released on his blogs (mostly in 2002-2006 or so), free for personal and even commercial use. Just his gifts to the world. People on graphics and modding forums have recommended them for years for realistic texturing of people and creatures, but they've been harder and harder to find.
For over a decade, most of his material was only findable by digging around in Web.Archive.org; finding them all in 2018 took many hours to get most of them, and another two weeks to find a missing one.
Many of these will be of use to digital artists who need to do realistic or stylized human skin, hair, and other natural textures. You'll often see recommendations to use these brushes, but no download links for them that have worked since ca. 2006. This collection aims to fix that issue, and includes every known release of this sort that he did for Photoshop and Illustrator. (I left out his stuff for other tools than PS and AI - some obscure, some video-oriented, or it would have taken twice as long to put this together, for little benefit, since it's the PS and AI tools that people are looking for.)
2020-04-20: I heard from Nagel himself! He sent me a note via Nexus Forums:
Hi. I'm David Nagel.
Just wanted to say thanks for preserving my Photoshop and Illustrator brushes and for all the kind words you wrote about me. [redacted for privacy]@gmail.com
Installation =========
Exact installation details are going to vary widely by application, version, and platform.
* For Photoshop CS5 on Windows, for example, the Photoshop files typically go in subfolders of: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5 (64 Bit)\Presets\ (e.g. ...\Presets\Brushes\).
* Mac users may have multiple options that vary by application version, and can be within the Applications folder (e.g. /Applications/Adobe Photoshop CC 2018/Presets/Brushes/, etc.) or within the user-level Library folder (e.g., ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CS5.1/Presets/Brushes/, etc.) If the application names in the paths both match the current app, then both locations can typically be used in the same app, and the Library location is safer (less likely to be replaced during an app upgrade).
* For GIMP 2.x, the brushes go in GIMP's Brushes folder, the exact location of which varies by operating system.
The Goodies ===========
Some general info on each of the brush sets and other tools included here is provided below. The releases were numbered, so that's how they're presented here. See the URLs for more detail, usually including examples and how-to info (though you may need to try alternative domain names, also listed below, in a few cases, if the example and tutorial images have gone missing).
A folder of screenshots of the effects is included to easily identify which brush set, action, or filter does what.
Illustrator ===========
1, cloth and other natural media: http://www.creativemac.com/2002/11_nov/features/download7021115.htm 2, art brushes (simple): http://www.creativemac.com/2003/07_jul/features/download37030711.htm 3, fat art brushes, with some blending: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/08_aug/features/download42030820.htm 4, vector art brushes, 3D paint look: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/10_oct/features/download49031017.htm 5, pencils and thin brushes: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/11_nov/features/download51031103.htm
Text ----
1, editable distortion and texture effects for text: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/02_feb/features/download18030221.htm 2, glow, shadow and border effects for text: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/04_apr/features/download26030425.htm
Filters (Effects) ----------------
1, SVG filters for creating color and noise effects: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/03_mar/features/download23030328.htm 2, resolution-independent soft bevel filters: https://web.archive.org/web/20040604031206/http://www.creativemac.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=24011
Photoshop =========
From www.CreativeMac.com (still providing these as of 2018-05, at http://www.creativemac.com/2003/11_nov/features/downloadindex031117.htm while the "Downloads" section is otherwise not working):
1: cloth, rags, sponges and rollers (as painting implements): http://www.creativemac.com/2002/10_oct/features/download1021004.htm 2: charcoal, chalk, conte and crayon: http://www.creativemac.com/2002/10_oct/features/download4021025.htm 3: textured brushes for Adobe Photoshop 7: http://www.creativemac.com/2002/12_dec/features/download10021213.htm 4, assorted custom brushes for Adobe Photoshop 7: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/02_feb/features/download16030207.htm 5, distress textures (for "old look" on photos, or apply to metal, etc.): http://www.creativemac.com/2003/02_feb/features/download17030214.htm 6, textured (sandstone, etc.) http://www.creativemac.com/2003/04_apr/features/download25030418.htm 7, dynamic and textured brushes - maybe good for under-layer: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/05_may/features/download29030516.htm 8, nature-themed texture brushes: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/05_may/features/download31030530.htm 9, squiggle brushes, one looks like treasure trail: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/07_jul/features/download36030707.htm 10, bristled and textured brushes: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/07_jul/features/download39030725.htm 11, brushes for cloud and vapor trail effects: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/08_aug/features/download41030811.htm 12, hair and fur: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/08_aug/features/download43030828.htm 13, crayon and chalk brushes: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/10_oct/features/download50031024.htm 14, sky effect brushes: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/12_dec/features/download542.htm
Via Archive.org (from CreativeMac.DigitalMediaNet.com, www.CreativeMac.com, DigitalDesigner.DigitalMediaNet.com, MacDesignPro.DigitalMediaNet.com, www.MacDesignPro.com, Photoshop.DigitalMediaNet.com, www.CorporateMediaNews.com, CorporateMediaNews.DigitalMediaNet.com, www.DigitalMediaDesigner.com, www.DMNForums.com, www.DigitalProducer.com, Oceania.DigitalMediaNet.com, DigitalProducer.DigitalMediaNet.com, Images.DigitalMedia.com, AnimationArtist.DigitalMedia.net, www.AnimationArtist.com, AudioVideoProducer.DigitalMediaNet.com, www.AudioVideoProducer.com, www.DigitalVideoEditing.com, etc. This guy has a lot of domain names that are all really the same server with the same file paths. If you get one with no images on these info/microtutorial pages, try another, and aim for earlier dates, not later ones):
15, brushes for generating textured or distressed surfaces: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508015637/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=23701 16, brushes for creating dust and trail effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20070816175647/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=24477 17, textured, dynamic brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508015721/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=24924 18, nature-themed background brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508015731/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=25271 19, hair and fur brushes for texture mapping (incl. eyebrows, beards): https://web.archive.org/web/20160320234340/http://macdesignpro.digitalmedianet.com:80/article/Download:-Custom-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-19-26889 20, skin texture brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20151229173435/http://www.creativemac.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=27156 21, brushes for creating hair effects (incl. straight and curly, arm hair, etc.): https://web.archive.org/web/20060524220255/http://www.creativemac.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=27688 22, brushes for emulating natural media effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20120620141249/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=28612&afterinter=true 23, hair and fur brushes (incl. general body hair): https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201321/http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=28906 This one took several weeks to track down because Archive.org did not actually save the ZIP file. 24, cloud, fog and smoke brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508015703/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=29424 25, "elements of nature" textures: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508015524/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=29870 26, bristle brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084750/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=30595 27, skin texturing brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20080606233334/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=30854 28, sky and ground effects (grass, etc.): https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084755/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31348 29, natural media brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084801/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32554 30, animal-themed textures: https://web.archive.org/web/20080625021917/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32702 31, textile-based texture brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20060217122529/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=33276 32, human and animal skin and surface effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084813/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=33734 33, chalk, charcoal, graphite: https://web.archive.org/web/20080624200903/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=34412 34, textured stone material brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084833/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=35818 has some that would work as very stylized hair textures 35, creating clouds, fog and mist effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20080204203145/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com:80/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=36358&afterinter=true 36, hair and fur effects (incl.curly): https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/cgindia/mW1mxrki_X4 37, skin texture and skin feature brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907173608/http://www.creativemac.com:80/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-37-37427 38, textured 'artistic' brushes (some good for stylized hair): https://web.archive.org/web/20150907034406/http://www.creativemac.com:80/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-38-37898 39, wet, sloppy, and rough brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907113109/http://www.creativemac.com:80/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-39-38574 40, watercolor and other wet brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20140727032347/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com:80/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-40-42215 41, chalk, pastel, bristle brush: https://web.archive.org/web/20120302114957/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com:80/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-41-43163 42, mist and background effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20120302115002/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/article/Download:-Photoshop-Brushes-Series-42-48530 43, hair and fur effects (incl. curly): https://sites.google.com/site/lakienkoandrey/photoshop-brushes-series-43-by-dave-nagel
Actions (Effects) -----------------
1a, title and action safety marker generators (i.e., those NTSC reticles): http://www.creativemac.com/2002/11_nov/features/download8021122.htm This would be useful for something like drone aiming view in a military game. 1b, border effects: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/06_jun/features/download32030606.htm 2, lighting effects: http://www.creativemac.com/2002/12_dec/features/download9021206.htm 3, texture generators - use PS functions to create textures to use as-is or as displacement maps: https://web.archive.org/web/20130312002558/http://www.creativemac.com/article/Download:-Texture-Generators-for-Adobe-Photoshop-59649
1, Seamless rock patterns: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/01_jan/features/download14030124.htm 2, Tiling rock and other patterns: https://web.archive.org/web/20060519214959/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=21627 3, Tiling paper and fiber textures: https://web.archive.org/web/20071012014310/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=23282
Textures --------
1, Rock, coral, and other textures, some tiling: http://www.creativemac.com/2003/01_jan/features/download12030103.htm
Displacement Maps -----------------
1: gradients for creating wavy fabric and paper effects: https://web.archive.org/web/20130727031659/http://www.creativemac.com/article/Download:-Displacement-Maps-for-Adobe-Photoshop-Series-1-56274 2: crumpled paper textures: https://web.archive.org/web/20130727023518/http://www.creativemac.com/article/Download:-Displacement-Maps-for-Adobe-Photoshop-Series-2-57586
Tutorials ---------
Many of Nagel's (and others') tutorials are listed here, but may not all really be available even via Archive.org tricks with all the different domain names: * http://macdesignpro.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=685741
Some useful ones that are still available:
* Photoshop Painting Techniques: Hair and Fur: https://web.archive.org/web/20140426031510/http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=19756-0 PDF version: http://www.dusd.k12.ca.us/dhs/staff/jstav/Subjects/-ArtDesign/Extra%20Credit%20Projects/Others_Projects/Beard.pdf * Texturing Skin in Adobe Photoshop, Part 1: https://web.archive.org/web/20060309150221/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31082 * Texturing Skin in Adobe Photoshop, Part 2: https://web.archive.org/web/20060524094953/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31220 * Texturing Skin in Adobe Photoshop, Part 3: https://web.archive.org/web/20060524094903/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31466 * Cleaning Up a Dirty Hair Mask in Photoshop CS: https://web.archive.org/web/20050319214136/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=30344 * Color Replacement in Photoshop CS: http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=23238 * Merging Text and Images in Photoshop: https://web.archive.org/web/20050507201557/http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=13439 * Photoshop Basics: Gradients - Part 1: Custom Gradient creation: https://web.archive.org/web/20060830142505/http://Oceania.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=24620 * Gradient Masks in Adobe Photoshop: https://web.archive.org/web/20070816103512/http://Oceania.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=19057 * Gradient Clipping Masks in Adobe Photoshop https://web.archive.org/web/20060306092604/http://www.creativemac.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=27264
Other brush sites =================
Forum thread with links to a bunch: http://polycount.com/discussion/60767/photoshop-brushes-post-them-here Build a custom Photoshop brushes library: https://www.creativebloq.com/photoshop/build-custom-photoshop-brushes-library-61620844 55 best free Photoshop brushes: https://www.creativebloq.com/photoshop/free-photoshop-brushes-11121140 Obsidian Dawn's brushes of all sorts - http://www.obsidiandawn.com/category/brushes 74 Useful Skin Texture Photoshop Brushes: https://web.archive.org/web/20121122195406/http://bestdesignoptions.com/?p=17717 That's as of 2011, so there may be better stuff now, and some links there may no longer work. 10 Sets of Free Skin Texture Photoshop Brushes for Skin Retouching: https://web.archive.org/web/20130326080314/http://designdevbits.com/resources/10-sets-free-skin-texture-photoshop-brushes-skin-retouching/ That's as of 2011, so there may be better stuff now, and some links there may no longer work.
More on realistic humans via Photoshop ======================================
Obsidian Dawn's Painting Realistic Skin Textures in Photoshop Tutorial: http://www.obsidiandawn.com/painting-realistic-skin-textures-in-photoshop-tutorial
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