My top 5 favorite Photoshop Keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys)
Everyone loves getting things done quickly and these tips will help you.
When you watch a real Photoshop pro work, you will notice that they make use of keyboard shortcuts as much as possible. While a less-experienced Photoshop user is digging around in the menus, the pro is tapping keys and getting things done rapidly and efficiently. It’s not unusual to be a couple of keystrokes ahead of your computer. How do you learn all these? This tutorial is a good place to start. Also, if you watch and read my tutorials here at PhotoshopCAFE you will discover a ton of shortcuts and tips in every tutorial. I have been writing the tips column for Photoshop User Magazine, every month for about 14 years or so and have learned a few tips in that time. I hold nothing back and I’m very happy to share them all with you. Watch this video to see a few of my favorites in action, and Ill also add a few here. I’ll try and return and keep this page updated. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments, bookmark and share this page with everyone you know
Mac vs Windows
The keys are the same on both, but there is a slight difference in some keys, this is why I write things like Alt/Option.
Windows – Mac
- Alt=Option
- Ctrl=Cmd
- Right-Click=Control
- Backspace=Delete
Modifier Keys
Alt/Option: Offers alternative functions, such as creating a mask that is filled with black, vs white.
Ctrl/Cmd: Used in conjunction with other keys, launches tools such as curves etc.
Shift: The constraint tool. Maintains proportions while scaling, constrains movement etc.
Some Useful Shortcuts
- Ctrl/Cmd + T = Free Transform
- Ctrl/Cmd + Backspce/Delete = Fill with Background Color
- Alt/Option + Backspce/Delete = Fill with Foreground Color
- Ctrl/Cmd + J = Copy Layer
- Ctrl/Cmd + M = Curves
- Ctrl/Cmd + L = Levels
- Q = Quickmask
- X = reset foreground/background color
- Ctrl/Cmd + D = deselect
- Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt/Option + E = Create Composite Layer
- Ctrl/Cmd + G = Create Group
See more tips here
Thanks for checking this out.
Great to see you here at the CAFE
Colin
“Create Don’t Steal”
PS Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media for more tips.. (I’ve been posting some fun Instagram and Facebook Stories lately)
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