Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes (but usually from a preset, occassionally from scratch)
 
 

I have to chime - I like wise will use some as they are - Depending on the song or use adjust to taste achieve intended result.  Definitely a great starting place!!!!

Battery3:
I have created lots of kits that were all originally derived from a few built-in presets. Whenever I add drums to a project I use an existing kit (plus associated drum map) from another project and modify it further. Then I save it for reuse.
DimPro, Rapture:
I normally find a preset that is near to what I'm seeking and tweak it. Sometimes I remove one of the elements or add a further element. Usually I alter the envelopes and LFOs.
Z3ta+ (1 & 2):
I tend to stick with an existing preset. Any changes that I try to make usually ends up sounding worse.
Other softsynths:
I generally find an appropriate preset and tweak the settings.
Reverbs:
I usually find a suitable preset and modify the timings and EQ.
Delays, Compressors, Gates, EQs, etc.:
I rarely use presets with these.
 
Sometimes I save my own softsynth or fx settings as a preset for reuse. When I do, I save it within the project folder itself, in a sub-folder called "Settings". Of course, if I want to use it again in a later project, I will need to remember in which project I first used it first. Usually I do remember. I don't save Battery3 kits there though.

dwardzala
For certain things I will just grab a preset as is - like a reverb.  I might tweak it if something is off with it.

Different strokes...I almost NEVER leave reverb presets alone.  I find most of them way to "wet" for my liking.
 
I typically pick a preset then tweak away.  If I get a great sound, I will save a preset.  This is especially true for my particular drum set.  (1978 Rogers XP8 with many! different Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian cymbals).
 
 

Mr. Andaton, I answered earlier, but just thought that I should add this;
 
While we probably mostly claim we all select a preset then edit it or create our own, I think it's also important to note that there is a lot to be learned about a new piece of gear by checking out the presets - e.g. that compressor with a "Fat acoustic guitar" preset - how did they do that? Oh, ok I see... There is a lot to be learnt from presets when a new bit of gear comes along. So I will update my answer to; "I do check out the presets when I am learning a bit of gear". It is a pretty vital part of getting to understand new gear. I think exploring presets for a few minutes can teach you a lot about how to use a bit of gear. We didn't have that advantage in the analogue days where I started out, but we do now, and it is helpful - even if you never actually use that preset, but just understand how it works. A preset is like a photo - it speaks a thousand words (which the manual does too, but is far more boring).

Rarely
most always
yes

I use some as is, others require tweaking.  However, the presets in Ozone 5 seem to mostly be OK as is.  

35mm
While we probably mostly claim we all select a preset then edit it or create our own, I think it's also important to note that there is a lot to be learned about a new piece of gear by checking out the presets - e.g. that compressor with a "Fat acoustic guitar" preset - how did they do that? Oh, ok I see... There is a lot to be learnt from presets when a new bit of gear comes along...[snip]...A preset is like a photo - it speaks a thousand words (which the manual does too, but is far more boring).

Excellent point. The "reverse engineering" of presets can indeed be quite educational.

Sometimes I just combine them. Use a tape delay preset, then add some chorus or an automated filter to the tail. Just depends on what I am going for.