Editing Keyboard Shortcuts

As you learn keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop, you may discover that some shortcuts are inconsistent with shortcuts you use in other programs. For example, I'm used to the Mac OS X standard of pressing Command+, (comma) to open the Preferences dialog box. Adobe applications generally use Command+K, and it always throws me off. To solve this inconsistency, I used the Keyboard Shortcuts and Menus dialog box to change the Preferences dialog box shortcut to Command+,.

Note that shortcut inconsistencies aren't intended to be inconvenient. Shortcuts can naturally become inconsistent as different companies develop their own standards over time. For example, if you've used Photoshop since version 3, you're probably used to pressing Command+H/Ctrl+H to Hide Selection. But if you're a Mac OS X user, you're probably used to pressing Command+H to hide the current program. It isn't clear which shortcut is "correct," and in fact, it depends on your own experiences and preferences. If you've spent years in Photoshop, you probably believe Command+H in Photoshop should perform a Hide Selection; if you spend more time in Mac OS X programs other than Photoshop you may think Photoshop's use of Command+H is wrong. Fortunately, the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop means that you can make sure that Photoshop is always right from your own point of view.

To edit keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop:

1.	Choose Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts (Figure 2.10). Figure 2.10.
2.	Choose a category from the Shortcuts For pop-up menu.
3.	In the commands list, locate the command you want to customize by scrolling and clicking the disclosure triangles as needed.
4.	Select the command and type the shortcut you want to use. Photoshop warns you if the shortcut is already in use or not available for use, so that you can try again.
5.	Click Accept.

You can do much more with keyboard shortcuts than simply edit them. Developing work habits that take advantage of powerful modifier keys can enhance your productivity further. See the section "Get the Most from Keyboard Shortcuts" in Chapter 3.

If you can't locate a feature in the Keyboard Shortcuts and Menus dialog box, check Photoshop menus more carefully. For example, if you're used to creating a new Curves adjustment layer by clicking the corresponding button on the Layers palette, you'll probably try looking under the Palette Menus section to add a keyboard shortcut for that feature. However, you won't find a command for creating a new Curves adjustment layer there, because the Layers palette provides that feature through a button, not a palette. Fortunately, Photoshop replicates the functions of the Layers palette's Create Adjustment Layer button in the Layer > New Adjustment Layer submenu, and that's where you'd look in the Keyboard Shortcuts and Menus dialog boxunder the Layers menu, within the Application Menus section.