1. Rotating patterns
You can make amazing kaleidoscopic patterns with the help of a keyboard shortcut. Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Alt+T lets you duplicate a layer and repeat a transformation in one go. To demonstrate, we’ve made a narrow glowing shape by squeezing a lens flare effect, but you can use any shape, image or effect you like. First, make an initial rotation by pressing Cmd/Ctrl+T and turning slightly, then hit Enter to apply. Next, press Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Alt+T repeatedly to create a pattern.
02. Combine images with text
There’s a really easy way to overlay an image on top of text. Drop an image layer over a type layer then hold down Alt and click the line between the two layers in the Layers Panel to clip the image to the text.
03. Bird’s Eye View
When zoomed in close, hold down H and drag in the image to instantly dart out to full screen then jump back to another area. One of the best Photoshop tips for viewing work!
04. Quick full Layer Masks
You can Alt-click on the Layer Mask icon to add a full mask that hides everything on the layer.
05. Easier marquee selections
Hold down Alt to start a selection at the centre point with any Marquee tool, and then hold Space to temporarily move the selection around.
06. Funky backgrounds
Want to change the default grey background to something more funky? Shift–click over the background area with the Paint Bucket tool to fill it with your foreground colour. Right-click it to go back to grey.
07. 1000 History states
Go to Edit>Preferences>Performance to change the number of History states up to a maximum of 1000. Beware though of the effect that this has on performance.
08. Colour Code Layers
Use colour coding to organise your Layers Panel. Right-click over a layer’s eye icon to quickly access 8 colour code choices.
09. Close all images
To close all of your documents at the same time, Shift-click any image window’s close icon.
10. Spring-loaded Move
While using any tool, hold Cmd/Ctrl to temporarily switch to the Move tool. Release to go back to your original tool. Note that spring-loaded keyboard shortcuts work for other tool shortcuts, too.
11. Interactive Zoom
For interactive zooming, hold Cmd/Ctrl+Space then drag right to zoom in, or left to zoom out. The zoom targets where your mouse icon is, so it’s one of the quickest ways to navigate around an image.
12. Lightning fast layer copies
Hold down Cmd+Alt and drag any layer to instantly make a copy.
13. Diffuse effects
The Diffuse Glow filter can give highlights a soft ethereal feel, especially when you combine the effect with desaturation. Hit D to reset colours then go to Filter>Distort> Diffuse Glow. Keep the effect fairly subtle, then go to Image>Adjustments>Hue/ Saturation and drop the saturation down to complete the dreamlike effect.
14. Undo, Undo, Undo
You probably know that Cmd/Ctrl+Z is Undo, but you may not know Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+Z lets you undo more than one history state.
15. Cycle Blend Modes
Shift + or – will cycle through different layer Blend Modes, so long as you don’t have a tool that uses Blend Mode options settings.
Shortcuts (16 - 43)
Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E will merge a copy of all Layers
F Cycle through workspace backgrounds
X Change your foreground and background colours
D Reset foreground and background colours to black and white
] and [ Change your brush tip size
Cmd/Ctrl+J Duplicate a layer or selection
Space Bar Hold Space and drag to navigate around the image
TAB Hides or shows all panels and tools
Cmd/Ctrl+T Transform a layer
Cmd/Ctrl+E Merge selected layer down, or merges several highlighted layers
Cmd/Ctrl/Ctrl+Shift+Opt+S Save for web & devices
Cmd/Ctrl+L Bring up levels box
Cmd/Ctrl+T Open Free Transform tool
Cmd/Ctrl+M Open Curves
Cmd/Ctrl+B Edit Colour Balance
Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Opt+C Scale your image to your preferred state
Cmd/Ctrl+Opt+G Create clipping mask
Cmd/Ctrl+0 Fit on screen
Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+>/< Increase/decrease size of selected text by 2pts
Cmd
