Updated May 29, 2023
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Shortcut Keys
Adobe Photoshop uses shortcut keys for almost all functions and tasks. These shortcut keys help the user in a way that the user saves a lot of time and effort in finding that tool. These shortcuts are quite easy; designers and artists can use them according to their work. Sometimes, artists find working with Photoshop difficult as they have always found the necessary tools, but when the shortcuts are there, and you know their use, the artists save a lot of time and speed up the workflow.
All the users of Photoshop know that Adobe Photoshop comes with a multitude of features, effects, options, and tools to help with the creative process, which warrants the significance of shortcut keys to make the entire working experience in the application user-friendly, fast and effective as Photoshop offers shortcuts ranging from those used to activate specific tools from the toolbar, adding effects on to the created objects and artworks, or changing the layer orientation and properties, and to change the color of any particular objects – mastering the right shortcut key at the right time is necessary.
Different Shortcut Keys of Adobe Photoshop
The essential shortcut keys are –
- Scroll Through the Layers – The shortcut for Windows and MAC is F7. This shortcut will let the user show and hide the Layers Panel. It also conducts and hides the Paths and Channels toolbox.
- Create a New Layer – For MAC, the shortcut is Shift+Cmd+N, and for Windows, the Shortcut is Shift+Ctrl+N. This shortcut allows the user to create a new project quickly, and the dialogue box appears.
- Fill a Layer – For Windows; the shortcut is ALT+Delete for Foreground and Ctrl+Delete for Background. While for Mac, the shortcut for foreground and Background are Alt+Backspce and Cmd+Backspace, respectively.
- Flatten the Layers – To flatten the layers, use Ctrl+ Alt+ Shift+ E for Windows and Cmd+Alt+Shift+E for MAC.
- Group the layers – The user can use this shortcut to merge the selected layers into one layer. The shortcut is Ctrl+ Alt+E for Windows and Cmd+Alt+E for MAC.
- Hide/ Show Tools and Panels – Use the Tab key to hide or show the tools and panels dialog box.
- Cloning a layer – Use the Alt key with a drag to clone the selected layer.
- Change the layer Opacity – Use the Number keys to change the opacity of the selected layer.
- Select the text on the layer – Double-click the Thumbnail in Layers Panel to select all the text in the selected layer.
- Modify the Kerning and tracking of a text – Use the Alt key with the Right and left arrow to change the kerning and tracking of the selected text.
- Alignment of the text – Use the Ctrl+ Shift + L/C/R for the Alignment of the text. L is for Left, C is for Centre, and R is for Right.
- To activate the Eyedropper tool while painting – Use the Alt key with the painting tools to activate the Eyedropper tool.
- Modify Paintbrush opacity – Use the Number key to change the opacity of the Paintbrush while Airbrush is off and the Shift+ Number keys while the Airbrush is On.
- Size of the Brush – To modify the size of the brush, use the [ or ] key.
- Erase the History – To erase the source from the History Tab, use the Alt+ Eraser tool for the same.
- Direct selection while using Pen Tool – Use the Ctrl Key for direct selection while the Pen tool is activated.
- Convert-Path to Selection – To transform the path drawn to a selection, use the Ctrl key and click on the Path Name in the Paths panel.
- Play with the blending modes by using the Shift key with + or –
- To activate Rulers – Use the Ctrl+R key to activate the Rulers in the project.
- Hide/ Show Guides – Use the Ctrl+ H key to access the Guides function.
- Clone Stamp Tool sample point – Hold down the Alt key, then click to choose a sample point for the tool.
- Scale from the center point of the image – Click the Shift + Alt key to scale the image with proportion to the center point.
- Invert Selection – Click the Ctrl+ Shift +I Command to select the objects around the preselected image.
- Deselect the entire image – To remove the selection from the entire image, use the Ctrl+D Command.
- Move a selection – Use the Spacebar key and the Marquee tool to move an already-made selection.
- Select a color from an image – Click on the Alt key and use the Brush tool to select a color from an image.
- Save the image for web and devices – Click the Ctrl+ Shift + Alt+ S Command to save the image or project as a JPEG or PNG or to any other image format.
- Access the Bridge – Use the Ctrl+ Shift + W key to activate and go to the Adobe Bridge.
- Lens Correction – Use the Shift+ Ctrl+ R key to use the lens filter option.
- Access the Camera Raw Filter – Use the Shift+ Ctrl+ A key to access the Camera Raw feature.
- Create Clipping Mask – Use the Ctrl+ Alt+ G key to create a clipping mask.
Conclusion
Many keyboard shortcuts are available for Photoshop, and the user can only use a few of them for their purpose and need. It is true that these keyboard shortcuts make the work easier and speeds up the workflow, but there are a vast number of shortcuts for each tool and function that the user can use only some important ones from them. Photoshop is a huge program, and these keyboard shortcuts will only help the user if they gain command over these shortcuts.
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