 |
CMD+D (PC:CTRL+D) to deselect–make the marching ants disappear. This is superior to using the mouse to deselect. (Drag out a 1×1 pixel selection just once, and you’ll remember this shortcut) |
 |
Certain tools don’t seem to be working correctly? Menu options unavailable? Press “Q” to toggle quick mask mode on & off. (The title tab for your image will show “Quick Mask” if it is on) |
 |
You can cycle tool groups by pressing SHIFT with the appropriate tool key. For example “L” selects the Lasso Tool. Pressing SHIFT+L will cycle through the Lasso, Polygonal Lasso & Magnetic Lasso. If you like mice, you can hold the OPT (PC:Alt key) while left-clicking the tool icons to cycle through the tool group. |
 |
Frustrated because CMD+Z (PC:CTRL+Z) just toggles Undo/Redo? Press CMD+OPT+Z (PC:CTRL+ALT+Z) instead to step backwards through your History steps. Want more than 20 History steps? Mac users goto Photoshop–>Preferences–>Performance (PC:Edit–>Preferences–>Performance) to adjust the History states. |
 |
The Filter menu doesn’t show every option? Your image is either CMYK color or 16-bit. Goto Image–>Mode to verify settings. RGB/8-bit images get full Filter menu access. |
 |
Unable to choose JPEG as an option when using the “Save As” command? Most likely your image is 16-bit, and will need to be converted to 8-bit. (This behaviour has been corrected in CS5, so there is no need to convert prior to saving files) |
 |
Pressing CMD+H (PC:CTRL+H) will toggle Extras on & off. If Selection Edges is an extra, this will show/hide a selection marquee. Not to be confused with CMD+OPT+H which hides other applications on the Mac. |
 |
Press “F” cycles through three screen modes in Photoshop. Use the Tab key to hide panels, tool bar & options. Use SHIFT+TAB to hide panels only. |
 |
Does the new Zoom behaviour get under your skin in CS5? Uncheck “Scrubby Zoom” in the options for the Zoom Tool. |
 |
Have your layers & merge them too. Press CMD+OPT+SHIFT+E (PC:CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E) to merge all layers to a new layer. |
Some other posts by A.J. Wood
- Using Non-Linear History in Photoshop
- Lightroom 3 - Watermarks
- Ten More Things About Photoshop
- Photoshop Quick Mask
- Ten Things Beginners Should Know in Lightroom
- Apply a "Pinch Curve" to Tighten a Layer Mask
- Photoshop Panels Often Overlooked
- Lightroom ‘Nose Trick’
- Photoshop Crop Tool Tips
- Fine Tune Lightroom 3
- Adobe Quick Tip Thursday
- AJ's Guide to Tuning Photoshop's Performance
About the author
Instructor • Photographer • Life Enthusiast.
As an Adobe Community Professional, A.J. has been an enthusiastic representative in the creative community for several years. It's not surprising he's been ranked the #1 Adobe Instructor WORLDWIDE more than once.
Students enjoy his straightforward teaching style, and the ability to communicate ideas in the simplest of terms. His passion for teaching is only matched by his community participation.
An active NAPP Evangelist, A.J. posts Adobe tutorial videos each week on YouTube.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
One thing I have had to show a few people is how to change/move the x/y zero coordinate by dragging the upper left corner in the rulers view.
I saw this from LinkedIn – very cool!
Nice summary of some important keys. Like the Layer Keeper!