Open And Close Tabs. This one is fairly standard one and works across all the browsers, but. Read on to learn about the super useful keyboard shortcuts for OS X. Shut down or Restart with keyboard shortcut. Power button: Press the power button to turn on the Mac or wake from sleep. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds without lifting to force your Mac to turn off. Press and hold power button for 1.5 seconds to get the turn off. Here is a list of Windows equivalent Mac keyboard shortcuts that will help you to get things done on both environments easily. Windows Equivalent Mac Shortcuts. Unfortunately, some Windows equivalent shortcuts are not available in Mac. However, you can setup custom keyboard shortcuts in Mac for that. 10 incredibly useful Mac keyboard shortcuts you should be using. Shortcuts with related Windows counterparts—such as ⌘+A to select all or ⌘+F open the Find prompt—and focus on shortcuts. Keyboard Shortcuts to Insert Bullets in Windows and Mac Updated on Sep 27, 2020 Posted by Editorial Staff Shortcuts, Tech Tips No Comments Bullets are the easy way to write your opinion point by point.
MacBook owners have a number of tools that come in very handy for using their laptops efficiently and for maintaining the operating system to keep it running in top shape. These MacBook keyboard shortcuts for the Finder, a maintenance checklist, and a “translation” of the modifier keys will speed you on your way to becoming a MacBook power user.
Mac OS X Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
The Mac OS X Lion Finder helps you access and organize most of the important Mac OS X functions while you work. Use Finder keyboard shortcuts to display windows, copy and move files, and launch applications. These keyboard shortcuts help you get things done more efficiently.
Key | Function |
---|---|
Command+A | Selects all items in the active window (icon view), all items in the column (column view), or all items in the list (cover flow view) |
Command+C | Copies selected items |
Command+D | Duplicates the selected item(s) |
Command+E | Ejects the selected volume |
Command+F | Displays the Find dialog |
Command+H | Hides All Finder windows |
Command+I | Shows info for selected item or items |
Command+J | Shows the view options for the active window |
Command+K | Displays the Connect to Server dialog |
Command+L | Creates an alias for the selected item |
Command+M | Minimizes the active window |
Command+N | Opens a new Finder window |
Command+O | Opens (or launches) the selected item |
Command+R | Shows the original for selected alias |
Command+T | Adds the selected item to the Sidebar |
Command+V | Pastes items from the Clipboard |
Command+W | Closes the active window |
Command+X | Cuts the selected items |
Command+Z | Undoes the last action (if possible) |
Command+, | Displays Finder Preferences |
Command+1 | Shows the active window in icon mode |
Command+2 | Shows the active window in list mode |
Command+3 | Shows the active window in column mode |
Command+4 | Shows the active window in cover flow mode |
Command+[ | Moves back to the previous Finder location |
Command+] | Moves forward to the next Finder location |
Command+Del | Moves selected items to the Trash |
Command+up-arrow | Show enclosing folder |
Command+` | Cycles through windows |
Command+? | Displays the Mac OS X Help Viewer |
Command+Shift+A | Takes you to your Applications folder |
Command+Shift+C | Takes you to the top-level Computer location |
Command+Shift+G | Takes you to a folder that you specify |
Command+Shift+H | Takes you to your Home folder |
Command+Shift+I | Connects you to your iDisk |
Command+Shift+Q | Logs you out |
Command+Shift+N | Creates a new untitled folder in the active window |
Command+Shift+U | Takes you to your Utilities folder |
Command+Shift+Del | Deletes the contents of the Trash |
Command+Option+H | Hides all windows except the Finder’s window(s) |
Command+Option+N | Creates a new Smart Folder |
Command+Option+T | Hides the Finder window toolbar |
Command+Option+Space | Opens the Spotlight window |
Command+Space | Opens the Spotlight menu |
F8 | Choose another desktop using Spaces |
Control+up-arrow (or F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Displays the Mission Control screen |
Control+down-arrow (or Control+F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Shows all open windows for the current application using Mission Control |
F11 (or Command+F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission Control |
F12 (or F4, depending on your keyboard model) | Displays your Dashboard widgets |
Space | Quick Look |
Strange-Looking Keys on the MacBook Keyboard
New to the Macintosh world? Some keys on the MacBook keyboard may be mystifying. Whether you’re using Snow Leopard or an older version of Mac OS X, recognizing and using modifier keys will make your job easier. Here’s a look at the modifier keys on both MacBook and desktop keyboards:
Mac OS X Maintenance Checklist
Maintenance is vital if you want to keep Mac OS X Lion in tip-top condition for as long as possible. Maintaining your MacBook keeps it running fast and smooth. Basic housekeeping includes regular back-ups plus some other, less familiar, tasks. Check this table often, or print it and keep a copy near your laptop!
Mac Maintenance Task | Schedule |
---|---|
Check for updates with Software Update | Once a day (automatic setting) |
Back up with Time Machine | Automatic |
Defragment (Micromat TechTool Pro/Prosoft Engineering Drive Genius 3) | Once a week |
Repair Disk Permissions (Disk Utility) | Once a week |
Delete Unnecessary User Accounts (System Preferences) | As necessary |
Scan for viruses (Intego VirusBarrier X6, ClamXav 2) | Automatic |
Check all volumes (Disk Utility/ Micromat TechTool Pro) | Once a week |
Check for the latest drivers for your hardware | Once a month (or after installing new hardware) |
Delete temporary Internet cache files (Prosoft Engineering Drive Genius 3) | Once a month |
In part one of the series, I gave instructions on how to setup a custom workspace that suits your preferences and workflow style.
Now that you know how to work efficiently with customized workspaces, we will now look at a way to work efficiently with Photoshop keyboard shortcuts.
Photoshop’s Keyboard Shortcuts allows users the ability to quickly access tools, functions and effects without scrolling for them through menus, “more options” fly out panels and Tool Bar icons.
Some people consider mastery of Keyboard Shortcuts essential for professional imaging artists and believe that it’s mandatory to memorize and use them.
However, there are hundreds of them; a daunting task, plus most artists’ brains are visually oriented; they like to see and click on things and it’s perfectly acceptable to do so.
That being said, mastering Keyboard Shortcuts that are relevant to the style of work at hand speeds up workflow and eliminates the monotony of repetitive seeking and clicking.
In this article I am providing the ones most commonly used by photographers who use Photoshop to adjust and retouch their images.
I’m also confining the shortcuts to those that consist of 2-3 keys because I like to assign multiple key shortcuts to a Function key or as an option on my Wacom tablet.
To download all of the below shortcuts in a free spreadsheet, just click here.
Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
When going for Keyboard Shortcuts that access specific tools and panels, press the first key and quickly the other as if you were playing a piano.
When using them to affect the way a tool or function is working, hold the key while accomplishing the task.
For File Handling
CommandWindowsMacOpen a file from a folderCtrl + OCommand + OSave a file with a new name (Save As)Shift + Ctrl + SShift + Command + SSave a file with new updates (Save)Ctrl + SCommand + SClose a fileCtrl + WCommand + WClose a file and open BridgeShift + Ctrl + WShift + Command + WMake a new blank file / File NewCtrl + NCommand + NFor File Navigation
CommandWindowsMacFit image on screenCtrl + 0Command + 0Zoom inCtrl +Command +Zoom outCtrl –Command –View / Hide extrasCtrl + HCommand + HDrag image with Hand ToolSpacebar dragSpacebar dragFit image in windowDouble click Hand ToolDouble click Hand ToolRotate filePress and hold R and use stylus*Press and hold R and use stylus*Reset rotationPress and hold R and choose reset from Main Menu Bar*Press and hold R and choose reset from Main Menu Bar*Toggle screen modes forwardFFToggle screen modes reverseShift + FShift + F
* The Rotate Tool in the Tool Bar can be selected with Shift + R, but it requires another Keyboard Shortcut to get back to the Hand Tool, so pressing and holding the R key is generally faster.
For Image Adjustments
CommandWindowsMacImage / Adjust / LevelsCtrl + LCommand + LImage / Adjust / CurvesCtrl + MCommand + MImage / Adjust / Hue SaturationCtrl + UCommand + UImage / Adjust / Color balanceCtrl + BCommand + BImage / Invert (also with layers and masks)Ctrl + ICommand + IAccept image adjustmentEnterReturnCancel window without changeEscapeEscapeThe above shortcuts apply the change to the selected layer as an all over adjustment.
To apply adjustments over the selected layer with the option to use Layer Masks, opacity, etc, select adjustment options from the Adjustment button located at the bottom of the Layers Window.
It looks like a circle, half white and half black.
Working With Layers
CommandWindowsMacNew Layer with window optionsShift + Ctrl + NShift + Command + NGroup layersCtrl + GCommand + GUngroup layersShift + Ctrl + GShift + Command + GMerge selected layer downCtrl + ECommand + ECreate / Remove Clipping MaskAlt + Ctrl + GOption + Command + GAdd Layer Mask – Reveal AllClick on Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers window. It looks like a square with a circle in the middle of it.Click on Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers window. It looks like a square with a circle in the middle of it.Add Layer Mask – Hide AllAlt + click on the Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers Window.Option + click on the Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers Window.Invert Layer MaskCtrl + ICommand + INew Layer via Copy from a selectionCtrl + JCommand + JNew Layer via Cut from a selectionShift + Ctrl + JShift + Command + JNudge what is on a layer by pixelsMove Tool – use arrows on keyboardMove Tool – use arrows on keyboardTransform what is on a layerCtrl + TCommand + TDistort Transformation BoxHold Ctrl and stretchHold Command and stretchRotate Transformation BoxDrag up and down outside the boxDrag up and down outside the boxAdjust size while constraining proportionHold Shift and use corner pointsHold Shift and use corner pointsChange rotation axis pointMove center point to the area you want to rotate aroundMove center point to the area you want to rotate aroundAccept TransformationEnterReturnCancel TransformationEscapeEscapeWorking With Selections
CommandWindowsMacSelect AllCtrl + ACommand + ADeselectCtrl + DCommand + DReselectShift + Ctrl + DShift + Command + DSelect / InverseShift + Ctrl + IShift + Command + ISelect All LayersShift + Ctrl + AShift + Command + AConstrain Marquee to a squareHold down Shift and dragHold down Shift and dragConstrain Elliptical to a circleHold down Shift and dragHold down Shift and dragDraw Selection from the centerHold down Alt and dragHold down Option and dragConstrain and draw from centerHold down Shift and Alt and dragHold down Shift and Option and dragAdd to a selectionHold down Shift and add what you wantHold down Shift and add what you wantRemove part of a selectionHold down Alt and draw the part you wish to removeHold down Option and draw the part you wish to removeNudge selection by pixelsArrow Keys – up, down, right, leftArrow Keys – up, down, right, leftSelect Multiple Layers ContiguouslyHold down Shift + select the top and bottom onesHold down Shift + select the top and bottom onesSelect Multiple Layers non ContiguouslyHold Ctrl + click on each oneHold Command + click on each oneUse Lasso tool over large areaHold down Alt while drawingHold down Option while drawingCLICK HERE to download a spreadsheet of these Photoshop shortcuts. Includes info on how to set up a custom workspace in Photoshop.
Working With Brushes
CommandWindowsKeyboard Shortcuts For Apple
MacConstrain Brush Tool to a straight lineHold down Shift and click pointsHold down Shift and click pointsIncrease Brush SizeBracket key – right oneBracket key – right oneDecrease Brush SizeBracket key – left oneBracket key – left oneChoose Brush Opacity by %Number keys (1=10%, 2=20% etc)Number keys (1=10%, 2=20% etc)Undo the last thing doneCtrl + ZCommand + ZThe tools located in the Vertical Tool Bar may also be accessed using Keyboard Shortcuts, or by just clicking on the one you want visually.
Many of these tool boxes contain multiple options within that may be scrolled through just by repeatedly clicking the Keyboard Shortcut for that tool.
Photoshop Tool Shortcuts
CommandWindows/MacMove Tool BoxVMarquee Tool BoxMLasso Tool BoxLQuick Selection Tool BoxWCrop and Slice Tool BoxCEyedropper Sampler Ruler Tool BoxIHealing Brush Tool BoxJBrush Tool BoxBClone Stamp Tool BoxSHistory Brush Tool BoxYEraser Tool BoxEGradient Fill Tool BoxGDodge Burn Tool BoxOPen Tool BoxPText Tool BoxTPath Selection Tool BoxAShapes Tool BoxUHand ToolHRotate ToolRDefault Color Box to black and whiteDExchange foreground and background colorsXWhen you are learning to use Keyboard Shortcuts, take it easy! Don’t try to learn them all at once; master a few of them and then add a few more.
I’d suggest starting with easy navigation shortcuts, like:
- Zoom In
- Zoom Out
- Fit on Screen
- File Save
- File Close
- Toggle Screen Mode (I suggest working in Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar)
Then add:
- Brush Opacity
- Brush Size
- New Layer
- New Layer via Copy
- Add Layer Mask
- Edit / Transform
- Add Adjustment Layer
From there, add more according to the tools and functions you use the most.
Create/Modify Your Own Custom Photoshop Shortcuts
If you want to modify an existing Photoshop shortcut or create custom Photoshop shortcuts for commands that have no default shortcut, follow the instructions below:
In Photoshop, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, or hit Alt + Shift + Ctrl + K (a shortcut to access the shortcut!)
Within the Keyboard Shortcuts window, choose a shortcut type from the “Shortcuts For:” drop down menu.
- Application Menus: Customize keyboard shortcuts for items in the menu bar
- Panel Menus: Customize keyboard shortcuts for items in panel menus
- Tools: Customize keyboard shortcuts for tools in the toolbox
Once you find the command that you want to create/modify, click on the blue arrow to view the existing shortcuts.
To modify – click on an existing shortcut and you’ll be able to modify it with your own personalized shortcut.
To create – click on the blank space next to a command and you’ll be able to create your own personalized shortcut.
If you want to undo a change, press the undo button, or Ctrl + Z.
Once you’re finished with customizing your own shortcuts, click on the OK button and it will save into the Photoshop Defaults set.
If you want to create your own set (not save into the Photoshop Defaults set), simply click on the save icon on the top and you’ll be able to name and save your personalized set.
These shortcuts + a bonus post on setting up a custom Photoshop workspace. Click here to download.Closing Thoughts
Keyboard Shortcuts For Mac Pro
Keyboard Shortcuts are designed to help you cut down on the time spent navigating the software so you can concentrate on the creative part of imaging.
Keyboard Shortcut
Don’t feel like a dummy if you don’t know them all – the important part of digital imaging is the beautiful results you produce with your imagination and mastery of the tools and functions to create art.
Keyboard Shortcuts just help you get there a little faster!
Jane Conner-ziser is an award winning photographer, digital artist, premier educator and independent consultant. With over 25 years of experience, 19 of them in digital imaging and evolving technologies, the techniques Jane developed for facial retouching and enhancement and portrait painting from photographs are widely emulated by photographers and digital artists worldwide through her classes, online training and educational products. You can learn more on her website.