I've always used keyboard shortcuts in my workflow, no matter which program I'm using, including everything from spreadsheet, word processing and other programs at work to Photoshop Elements and Lightroom for my favorite hobby. Learning keyboard shortcuts for routine and frequently repeated commands certainly speeds up the process for me. Today, I'd like to share some keyboard shortcuts for Photoshop Elements, some of which are universal shortkeys, and point out some that are my favorites and most frequently used.
Let Keyboard Shortcuts Improve Your Digital Workflow
The following image shows a variety of shortcuts using the Control (Ctrl) key (for Windows, or Command, Cmd, for Macs) plus a letter. I've included a few other select shortcuts as well.
Some of the standard, universal shortcuts that I use frequently, both in my digital scrapbooking and in my daily work, include:
Ctrl + X ...Cut: Used to cut text, images, digital elements, selected areas or portions of photos
Ctrl + C ...Copy: Quickly copy a selected item, text or area
Ctrl + V ...Paste: Quickly paste what you've cut or copied - can use to easily paste the same item multiple times using this shortcut
Ctrl + A ...Select All: Select all text or all items on the page/project
Ctrl + Z ...Undo: One of the BEST features of digital!
Ctrl + Y ...Redo: An undo of your undo! or repeat your last command
My most frequently used Photoshop Elements Shortcuts include:
Ctrl + G ...Group: Create a clipping mask with the layer below
Ctrl + E ...Merge Down: Merge with the layer below
Ctrl + J ...New Layer via Copy: A great way to duplicate items quickly or to duplicate a specific selected area/portion of an image
Shift + Ctrl + J ...New Layer via Cut: Cuts a selection from a layer and puts on its own layer; useful for spot edits or splitting items apart
Shift + Ctrl + I ...Inverse Selection: I often use to select an item on a solid background - it's easier to select the background with a magic wand tool than to try to use the lasso tool
Ctrl +/- ...Zoom in/out: Probably my most-used shortcut - allows me to zoom in or out without having to switch tools
[ or ] ...Change Brush Size: Changes brush size without having to switch tools
These are just a selection of the wide variety of keyboard shortcuts available. I hope you'll give them a try and see how they can speed up your workflow! What are your favorite shortcuts?