This is a question asked to me often so I thought it would be helpful to others just starting out. There are tons of keyboard shortcuts but some are very useful and save much time. The ones that I use often are listed below. Maybe all could input there favorites and we can all make use of them.
Load selection :
CTRL + Left click Layer
Fill Selection:
ALT + Backspace fills with foreground color,
CTRL + Backspace fills with Background
Change brush size:
[ makes smaller, and
] makes larger
Resetting colors:
"D" resets to black foreground and white background,
"X" switches the colors
All tools have shortcuts and are listed beside the tool; ex.
"E" for eraser and so on.
Hold
SHIFT key while drawing square or circle and aspect ratio will remain the same, also useful when resizing a selection.
Reordering layers:
"CTRL + [ " lowers layer order,
"CTRL + ] " raises layer in order.
The
"V" key activates the move mode to move a layer. Once in move mode you can move a layer with the mouse to get it close and then use right and left arrow keys to precisely move in place. Note: If you hold the
"SHIFT" key while using the arrows, it will move 10 pixels at a time.
Repeat a Filter:
"CTRL +F", Note: After applying filter, "SHIFT + CTRL + F" opens the fade filter mode.
Of course the obvious:
"CTRL + Z" deletes last action. In PS 7 or later,
"CTRL + ALT + Z" walks you back through the last ten actions. A very nice addition for me
When you have a slider bar activated such as opacity, use right and left arrow to adjust, better accuracy
To deselect all selections use
"CTRL + D"
To send the selected item or area only to a new layer use "CTRL J"
"CTRL R" cycles ruler on and off
The
"TAB" key cycles toolbars on and off
The
"SHIFT" key is your buddy. Hold it while in brush mode or eraser mode and it will only draw a straight line. If you click the brush in one place and the go to another and hold the
"SHIFT" key while you click brush, it will draw a straight line between the two, handy for cleaning up edges.
If you want to add to a selection, hold the
"SHIFT" key and it will add your selection to the existing selection. To subtract from your existing selection, Hold the
"ALT" key while making additional selections.
There are tons more but these I use every day on every image, I will post more as I think of ones that would be handy. I would appreciate hearing from the pros as to more of these helpful shortcuts.
Photoshop shortcut keys
