There are also keys to do things like filling areas with solid color that I use a lot when working in channels. Here are a couple of them along with a few others that help out in general when using Photoshop.
Shift + Backspace = pulls up the fill dialog box. This is a fantastic shortcut when working in channels.
Cmd + Backspace = fills the area with the bottom color selected in your toolbar.
Option + Backspace = fills the area with the top color selected in your toolbar.
When you’re typing, hit Cmd + Return and it will let you get out of the editing your text without having to go up to the toolbar and selecting your pointer.
You can select an item directly on the artboard without having to use the layers palette by holding Command while you click it. Hold Cmd + Shift while clicking to select multiple items. This is of course, if your Auto Select Layer box isn’t checked up top.
To get a mask from a layer or channel, hold Command and click on the icon of the layer or channel in their respective palettes. Cmd + Shift while clicking on the icon will add to the mask. Cmd + Opt while clicking the icon in the palette will subtract from the mask. There’s another I use often that involves Cmd + Opt + Shift and clicking but I have no idea how to explain it in words!
I think I’ll have another tute just on making selections later down the line.
Shift, Option, Command, Control and a combination of the four will most times change what your currently selected tool does as well. Learn those, my little warriors and you’ll be fierce!
For now…let’s move on to Actions.
Tags: actions, apparel, Graphic Arts, Illustrator, Photoshop, shortcut keys, Workflow
