Efficient Work with Shortcuts
- Custom shortcuts – You can create your own keyboard shortcuts for the most frequently used tools. Simply go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Remembering important shortcuts – If you’re learning new shortcuts, write them down on paper or save them in notes for easy reference.
- Use combined shortcuts – For example, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E creates a new merged layer from all current layers.
Speeding Up Common Tasks
- Instant brush size adjustments – Use Alt + right mouse button and drag to quickly adjust the brush size and hardness.
- Quick zoom in and out – Ctrl + + (zoom in) and Ctrl + – (zoom out). For smooth zooming, hold Alt and use the mouse wheel.
- Fast layer duplication – Ctrl + J creates a copy of the current layer without opening any menu.
Workflow Optimization
- Using History – Photoshop allows you to go back several steps using Ctrl + Alt + Z instead of the standard Ctrl + Z, which only undoes one action.
- Browsing blending modes – With Shift + +/-, you can quickly cycle through blending modes without needing to click the dropdown menu.
- Faster transformations – Hold Ctrl while resizing an object to adjust its perspective.
| Function | Shortcut | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| New document | Ctrl + N | Create custom document templates for a quick start. |
| Open file | Ctrl + O | Use Bridge for fast file browsing. |
| Save file | Ctrl + S | Get into the habit of saving frequently or enable autosave. |
| Deselect selection | Ctrl + D | Use Ctrl + Shift + I to invert the selection. |
| Transform | Ctrl + T | Hold Shift while resizing to maintain proportions. |
| Desaturate | Ctrl + Shift + U | For better control, use the Channel Mixer. |
| Duplicate layer | Ctrl + J | Experiment with edits without affecting the original layer. |
| Merge layers | Ctrl + E | Use Ctrl + G for better organization. |
| Undo multiple steps | Ctrl + Alt + Z | Go back multiple steps, great for testing changes. |
| Zoom in/out | Ctrl + + / Ctrl + – | Use Alt + mouse wheel for smooth zoom control. |
Additional Useful Tips
- Quickly work with masks: Hold Alt while clicking on a mask to view its contents directly.
- Quick brush size adjustments: Use Alt + right mouse button to smoothly change brush size.
- Layer merging: Use Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E to merge visible layers into a new one without affecting the originals.