Some important Photoshop shortcuts:

Some important Photoshop shortcuts:

Close a working window

Press CTRL + W

 

To apply the last-used filter:
Press CTRL + F

Apply the last-used filter with new settings:
CTRL + ALT + F

Change brushes without using the Brush palette

For changing the brush to the next/previous option, simply use the '[' or ']' keys.

Change background outside an image

• Select the Paint Bucket tool (G).
• Select the color you want to change the background to.
• Move your cursor outside the bounds of the image, then press SHIFT + left click.

Change the opacity of a brush or layer

Simply use the number keys. For example, 1 will give you 10% opactiy, while 9 will give you 90% opacity (0 gives you 100%).

If you type the number quickly, you can get increments, e.g. 56%. This works with brushes, rubber stamp and even layers.

Copy a layer

Hold ALT and click/drag on your canvas.

Copy Layer as new image

Layer > Duplicate Layer > Document: New

Create new Layers without using the Layers palette

• Press CTRL + SHIFT + N to open the "new layer" dialog box. This will allow you to name the layer at the same time you create it.
• Copy the current layer to a new layer: CTRL + J

Fill layers or selections without the Paint Bucket

Through the Fill dialogue box: Press SHIFT + BACKSPACE. This opens the Fill dialog box. You can then choose one of several options including Foreground colour, Background colour, pattern and more.

To fill the area with the foreground colour,

press ALT + BACKSPACE.

Hide palettes and rulers

Press the TAB key to toggle the palettes between 'visible' and 'invisible'.

Hide the effects of a Mask layer

Hold down the SHIFT button and click the Mask layer icon.

To move layers without using the layers palette:

• Move a layer down one level, press CTRL + [
• Move a layer up one level, press CTRL + ]
• Move a layer to the bottom, press CTRL + SHIFT + [
• Move a layer to the top, press CTRL + SHIFT + ]
•  

To select layers without using the layers palette:

• Select a layer down one level, press ALT + [
• Select a layer up one level, press ALT + ]
• Select the bottom layer, press ALT + SHIFT + [
• Select the top layer, press ALT + SHIFT + ]
•  

Invert a selection

Press CTRL + SHIFT + I

Invert an image's colours

Press CTRL + I

Make Free Transform appear

Press Ctrl+T

Make selections without the Magic Wand

Select and then CTRL + click the layer that contains the element to automatically surround everything on.

An easy way to open an image file

A double-click on the working area (grey area on most users' copies of PhotoShop) will open the dialog box.

Paste images into a layer mask

On the image to be inserted:

1. Press CTRL + A
2. Then press CRTL + C
3. Go to the layer where image will be inserted and ALT + click on its Mask
4. Then press CTRL + V
5. ALT + click on Mask again, to stop viewing the Mask.

Sharpen with Blur Tool

Hold down ALT + Left Click and drag

Select All Text

Press CTRL + A

Turn off Palettes except Tools

Press SHIFT + TAB

View image and canvas size

On the PC: right click on the title bar of an image and you'll get a series of options including Duplicate, Image Size, Canvas Size, etc.

Zoom

• Ctrl + Alt + + = zoom in (expanding window size)
• Ctrl + Alt + - = zoom out (shrinking window size)
• Ctrl + + = zoom in (retains window size)
• Ctrl + - = zoom out (retains window size)