Cropping Shortcuts

Create a New Brush

Both: Click in empty slot

In Photoshop 6, you can also modify the current settings (diameter, angle, hardness, and spacing) of the currently selected brush. Photoshop 7 permits even more customization of properties, including texture, brush angle, and opacity jitter.

Delete a Brush

Mac: Opt + click the brush in the Brushes palette

Win: Alt + click the brush in the Brushes palette

Look for the cursor to change to a scissors icon.

Edit the Current Brush Preset

Mouse: Double-click the brush

In Photoshop 7, double-clicking a brush preset allows you to rename the preset. Other modifications are made through the Brushes palette.

Decrease the Brush Radius

Both: [

Increase the Brush Radius

Both: ]

Decrease the Brush Hardness

Both: {

Increase the Brush Hardness

Both: }

Change Painting Tool Opacity in 1% Increments

Both: Type two numbers quickly (11=11%, 63=63%, and so on)

Change Painting Tool Opacity in 10% Increments

Both: Type a single number (1=10%, 2=20%, and so on)

Paint Constrained to Horizontal or Vertical Axis

Both: Shift + drag

This shortcut works when using any of the following tools: Airbrush, Paintbrush, Rubber Stamp, Healing Brush, Pattern Stamp, History Brush, Eraser, Pencil, Line, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge, Dodge, Burn, Sponge, and Gradient.

Paint or Draw in a Straight Line

Mouse: Shift + click

This shortcut works when using any of the following tools: Airbrush, Paintbrush, Rubber Stamp, Pattern Stamp, History Brush, Eraser, Pencil, Pen, Line, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge, Dodge, Burn, Sponge, and Gradient.

Set the Paint Bucket and Line Tools to Clear

Mac: Option + Shift + R

Win: Alt + Shift + R

Mouse: Blend Mode pop-up menu in Layers palette

Blend Mode Shortcuts

These shortcuts work only if you have a selection or the Move tool is the active tool. Otherwise, these shortcuts change the opacity of the active Painting tool. Blend modes can also be selected from the pop-up menu in the Layers palette.