Photoshop Shortcuts for Beginners
The Basics of Working With Documents
Photoshop can be overwhelming at first, but a few simple keyboard shortcuts can make your work much easier. Let’s start with the basics: Win: Ctrl + N macOS: Cmd + N creates a new document, and Win: Ctrl + O macOS: Cmd + O opens an existing file.
This is the basis with which you start every project. Once you’re working, Win: Ctrl + S macOS: Cmd + S is your best friend – it saves your progress, protecting you from losing valuable work.
Working Efficiently With Layers
Working with layers is the heart of Photoshop. Win: Ctrl + J macOS: Cmd + J is the magic shortcut for duplicating a layer – handy when you want to experiment without risk.
When your project grows, Win: Ctrl + G macOS: Cmd + G will help bring the chaos under control by grouping selected layers.
Quick Access to Tools
Let’s move on to everyday tools. The B key is quick access to the brush, E to the eraser and V to the shift tool. It’s like changing tools in a box – quick and intuitive.
For precise work, zooming is useful: Win: Ctrl + “ + “ macOS: Cmd + “+” zooms in, Win: Ctrl + “-“ macOS: Cmd + “-“ zooms out, and Win: Ctrl + 0 macOS: Cmd + 0 adjusts the view to the screen.
Undoing and Redoing an Action
Everyone makes mistakes, so Win: Ctrl + Z macOS: Cmd + Z is a shortcut worth remembering – it undoes the last action, giving you a second chance.
And if you’ve overdone undoing, Win: Ctrl + Shift + Z macOS: Cmd + Shift + Z will restore the last action.
Remember, mastering these shortcuts takes time and practice. You will get faster and faster with each project and your Photoshop workflow will become smoother and more intuitive.
When editing photos and graphics, shortcuts in Photoshop allow you to make quick corrections and modifications without using the mouse. This allows you to focus on the creative process instead of the technical aspects of using the program.
For those who are new to Photoshop, knowing these shortcuts is crucial for smooth and efficient work.
Using them regularly can save time and increase productivity.
Photoshop Shortcuts for Advanced Editing
Shortcuts for Selection
In advanced image editing, efficient selection management is key. Shortcuts such as Win: Ctrl + D macOS: Cmd + D for deselecting and Win: Ctrl + Shift + I macOS: Cmd + Shift + I for reversing a selection are extremely useful.
Photoshop Shortcuts for Ergonomic Support
Working effectively with tools in Photoshop requires knowing the right shortcuts. B activates the brush, E activates the eraser and C activates the crop tool, allowing you to quickly switch between them.
Optimising Your Work
Masks and adjustment layers are key in advanced image editing. Using the Alt + click shortcut on a mask allows you to quickly edit its contents, which is invaluable for precise projects.
Using the shortcuts for masks and adjustment layers increases editing efficiency and precision. This allows you to focus on the creative aspects of your project, avoiding unnecessary clicks and downtime.
Advanced Photoshop users often use these shortcuts to speed up their work. Knowing they exist and knowing how to use them can make a significant difference to the quality and speed of your projects.
Using Shortcuts in Advanced Editing
Shortcuts for Quick Access to Panels
Advanced colour editing in Photoshop requires knowledge of the shortcuts to the correction panels. Win: Ctrl + M macOS: Cmd + M opens the curves panel and Win: Ctrl + B macOS: Cmd + B provides quick access to colour balance.
Using the shortcuts for the correction panels allows you to quickly adjust colours without having to search through menus.
Using Shortcuts When Working With Special Effects
Special effects and layer styles can be quickly applied with the appropriate shortcuts. Win: Ctrl + Alt + G macOS: Cmd + Option + G allows you to create a clipping mask, which is useful when applying effects to specific elements.
Use of Shortcuts in Creating and Editing Gradients
Creating gradients in Photoshop is made easier with the G shortcut, which activates the gradient tool. In addition, the Shift + G combination allows you to quickly switch between a gradient and a paint bucket.
These shortcuts allow you to make immediate changes to your designs, which is particularly important when working with gradients. Effective use of these shortcuts allows you to quickly experiment with different visual effects.
In advanced colour and effects editing, knowledge of keyboard shortcuts is invaluable. They allow you to manage complex projects with ease, saving time and increasing productivity.
When working on graphic design projects, shortcuts in Photoshop allow you to quickly make changes and adjust effects. Their use can make a significant difference to the quality and speed of your work, allowing you to focus on the creative process.
Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts Used in marshalstudio
Changing the Active Layer
In marshal, changing the position of layers is crucial to the efficiency of your work. Unpopular shortcuts such as Win: Ctrl + ] macOS: Cmd + ] to move a layer higher and Win: Ctrl + [ macOS: Cmd + [ to move it lower are invaluable.
Moving layers to the top or bottom of the stack can be achieved with Ctrl + Shift + ] and Ctrl + Shift + [. With these shortcuts, the management of layered projects becomes much simpler and faster.
Operations on Layers
Rasterising a smart layer is a common operation in marshalstudio, possible with the shortcut Win: Ctrl + Shift + R macOS: Cmd + Shift + R.
Accepting a layer mask can be done with Win: Ctrl + Alt + G macOS: Cmd + Option + G, which is useful for precise editing.
Merging all visible layers is achieved using Win: Ctrl + Shift + E macOS: Cmd + Shift + E.
For more complex projects, merging all layers, both visible and hidden, can be done with the shortcut Win: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E macOS: Cmd + Option + Shift + E.
Using these shortcuts saves considerable time when working on complex projects. Effective layer management is key to keeping your marshalstudio work organised and fluid.
The effective use of keyboard shortcuts in marshalstudio allows you to adjust your projects quickly. Knowing them and knowing how to use them can make a significant difference to the quality and speed of your projects.
Other Keyboard Shortcuts for Photoshop
Shortcuts for Working on Graphic Design Projects
Graphic designers and illustrators often use the Win: Ctrl + T macOS: Cmd + T shortcut for transformations, allowing them to quickly adjust the size and angle of elements. Win: Ctrl + Alt + T macOS: Cmd + Option + T enables advanced transformations such as perspective or distortion.
Remember the shortcuts you use most often to automate your work and save time.
Shortcuts in Photoshop are crucial for projects that require fine adjustments. Using them allows you to make changes quickly and efficiently, which is important in dynamic working environments.
Shortcuts in Teamwork
In teamwork, keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve communication and coordination. Establishing standard shortcuts within a team helps to harmonise work and avoid misunderstandings.
Shortcuts such as Win: Ctrl + Shift + S macOS: Cmd + Shift + S for saving a project as a new file are useful for version management. This makes it easy for each team member to track progress and changes made.
Effective management of editing projects requires knowing and using the right shortcuts. Their regular use allows for a smooth transition between different stages of a project and ensures consistency in teamwork.
Photoshop Shortcuts – 108 of the Best Keyboard Shortcuts
Document Management
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| New document | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N |
| Open | Ctrl + O | Cmd + O |
| Save | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S |
| Save as | Ctrl + Shift + S | Cmd + Shift + S |
| Save a copy | Ctrl + Alt + S | Cmd + Option + S |
| Close | Ctrl + W | Cmd + W |
| Close all | Ctrl + Shift + W | Cmd + Option + W |
| Ctrl + P | Cmd + P | |
| Exit | Ctrl + Q | Cmd + Q |
Working with Layers
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| New layer | Ctrl + Shift + N | Cmd + Shift + N |
| Duplicate layer | Ctrl + J | Cmd + J |
| Merge down | Ctrl + E | Cmd + E |
| Merge visible | Ctrl + Shift + E | Cmd + Shift + E |
| Group layers | Ctrl + G | Cmd + G |
| Ungroup | Ctrl + Shift + G | Cmd + Shift + G |
| Layer up | Ctrl + ] | Cmd + ] |
| Layer down | Ctrl + [ | Cmd + [ |
| Bring to front | Ctrl + Shift + ] | Cmd + Shift + ] |
| Send to back | Ctrl + Shift + [ | Cmd + Shift + [ |
| Clipping mask | Ctrl + Alt + G | Cmd + Option + G |
| Merge layers | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E | Cmd + Option + Shift + E |
Tools and Editing Functions
| Function | Shortcut (same for Windows and macOS) |
|---|---|
| Move | V |
| Select | M |
| Lasso | L |
| Quick select | W |
| Crop | C |
| Eyedropper | I |
| Healing brush | J |
| Brush | B |
| Eraser | E |
| Gradient | G |
| Dodge/Burn | O |
| Pen | P |
| Text | T |
| Path | A |
| Rectangle/Ellipse | U |
| Hand | H |
| Zoom | Z |
Selection and Masks
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Select all | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
| Deselect | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Reselect | Ctrl + Shift + D | Cmd + Shift + D |
| Invert selection | Ctrl + Shift + I | Cmd + Shift + I |
| Quick mask | Q | Q |
| Feather | Ctrl + Alt + D | Cmd + Option + D |
| Expand | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + D | Cmd + Option + Shift + D |
Zoom and Navigation
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom in | Ctrl + + | Cmd + + |
| Zoom out | Ctrl + – | Cmd + – |
| Fit to screen | Ctrl + 0 | Cmd + 0 |
| 100% | Ctrl + 1 | Cmd + 1 |
| Full screen | F | F |
Undo and Redo
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Step backward | Ctrl + Alt + Z | Cmd + Option + Z |
| Step forward | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Cmd + Shift + Z |
Transformations and Deformations
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Transform | Ctrl + T | Cmd + T |
| Transform again | Ctrl + Shift + T | Cmd + Shift + T |
| Scale | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T | Cmd + Option + Shift + T |
| Rotate | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R | Cmd + Option + Shift + R |
Color Correction and Effects
| Function | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Levels | Ctrl + L | Cmd + L |
| Curves | Ctrl + M | Cmd + M |
| Hue/Saturation | Ctrl + U | Cmd + U |
| Black and White | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + B | Cmd + Shift + Option + B |
| Invert | Ctrl + I | Cmd + I |
| Auto Contrast | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + L | Cmd + Shift + Option + L |
| Auto Color | Ctrl + Shift + B | Cmd + Shift + B |
All Photoshop shortcuts: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html
This list contains basic and advanced shortcuts in Photoshop that will speed up your work significantly. Remember that mastering these shortcuts takes practice, but over time they will become a natural part of your creative process.
Exploring the vast array of Photoshop shortcuts can be transformative for both beginners and seasoned professionals alike. Mastery of photoshop keyboard shortcuts not only streamlines the creative process but also minimizes interruptions, allowing for a more immersive and effective workflow.
Whether you’re simplifying the transition between tools or speeding up intricate edits, these shortcuts empower users to focus on artistry rather than mechanics.
