How to Empty Scratch Disks in Photoshop on Mac
Are you a Mac user who frequently works with Photoshop and finds that your scratch disks are consistently full? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Photoshop uses scratch disks as temporary storage for various operations, such as rendering and saving files. Over time, these scratch disks can become cluttered, leading to performance issues. In this article, we will guide you through the process of emptying scratch disks in Photoshop on Mac, ensuring your software runs smoothly.
Step 1: Access Photoshop Preferences
To begin, open Photoshop and go to the “Photoshop” menu at the top left corner of the screen. Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu. This will open a new window with various options for customizing Photoshop settings.
Step 2: Navigate to Scratch Disks
In the “Preferences” window, scroll down and click on the “Scratch Disks” option. This will display a list of available scratch disks on your Mac.
Step 3: Configure Scratch Disks
By default, Photoshop automatically selects scratch disks for you. However, you can manually configure them to ensure that the most efficient disks are used. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click on the disk you want to use as a scratch disk.
2. Move the slider to adjust the amount of space allocated to this disk. The recommended amount is usually between 20% and 50% of the disk’s total space.
3. Repeat the process for all scratch disks you want to use.
Step 4: Empty Scratch Disks
Now that you have configured your scratch disks, it’s time to empty them. To do this, follow these steps:
1. In the “Scratch Disks” section, click on the “Empty” button next to each disk you have configured.
2. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click “OK” to proceed.
Step 5: Verify Scratch Disks
After emptying the scratch disks, it’s essential to verify that they have been cleared. To do this, navigate to the disk’s location on your Mac and check for any temporary files or Photoshop-related files. If the disk is empty, you have successfully cleared the scratch disks.
Conclusion
Emptying scratch disks in Photoshop on Mac is a simple process that can significantly improve your software’s performance. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your scratch disks are properly managed and your Photoshop experience remains smooth and efficient. Remember to regularly check and empty your scratch disks to avoid any performance issues in the future.
