COMMON CONCEPTS

In this book, we address both the Macintosh and the Windows platforms. Because the modifier keys on the keyboard differ between Windows and Macintosh, we use the following system of key identification:

• and Ctrl: The Mac Command key and the Windows Ctrl key are modifier keys that do nothing on their own and are always used in conjunction with another key and/or another modifier key.

• Option and Alt: The Option key on Mac and the Alt key on Windows are also modifier keys that are used in conjunction with other keys.

• Control-click, right-click: Although Mac OS has always supported multibutton mice and right-clicking (the machines just ship with single-button mice), we'll still use the traditional Control-click instruction, indicating the user holds down the Mac's Control key and clicks the mouse button (the left button on multibutton mice). Windows users click the right mouse button.

You may see a couple of modifier keys used with another key. For example, when we discuss the default keyboard shortcut used for copying to a new layer in Photoshop, you will see this convention used: -Shift-J (Mac users) or Ctrl+Shift+J (Windows users).

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