Taking the Shortcut

Everybody likes a shortcut. If you can get the same end result in less time, why not?!Sometimes I think I would like to know how much time I've wasted not using shortcut keys and the only reason I've wondered that is because I've seen how fast using shortcut keys has made things for me. Aside from the basics, I started learning a lot more shortcut keys in my graphic design and video editing programs to help me save a lot of time. So keep reading!!!

Let's get the basics covered that everyone should know and can be used in pretty much all programs (CTRL is for PC users/CMD is for Apple users):

CTRL/CMD + C = COPY CTRL/CMD + X = CUT CTRL/CMD + V = PASTE CTRL/CMD + A = SELECT ALL CTRL/CMD + Z = UNDO CTRL/CMD + S = SAVE CTRL/CMD + SHIFT + S = SAVE AS CTRL/CMD + P = PRINT ALT + F4/CMD + Q = EXIT PROGRAM CMD + W = CLOSE WINDOW

Word/WordPress/Text Shortcuts: CTRL/CMD + B = BOLD CTRL/CMD + U = UNDERLINE CTRL/CMD + I = ITALICS

Internet Browsers (most use these):

CTRL/CMD + T = NEW TAB CTRL/CMD + N = NEW WINDOW CTRL/CMD + D = BOOKMARK BACKPSACE = GO BACK

If you are using the Adobe Creative Suite there are countless shortcuts you can use. One of the things I love the most with Adobe products is that you can create your own shortcuts. In Photoshop I have a number of files I use and update often so I created specific shortcuts to help me speed things up quite a bit:

CMD+SHIFT+P = PLACE SHIFT+CMD+ALT+S = WEB SAVE ALT+CMD+I = RESIZE IMAGE

*And if you're really into video editing, there are keyboards you can buy with every shortcut on it. ** If you want to know what shortcuts are in Adobe, you can usually hold the mouse over the tool and it will show you the shortcut key is.

These are only a few shortcut keys, each program can have their own set or created shortcuts and it really saves a lot of time for you once you learn them. If it takes you 3 seconds to move your mouse to the toolbar and select the tool you need to use or .5 seconds to hit your shortcut keys, that really adds up after a while.

Hope it helps. Matthew A. Hawkins

On My Desk, rantMatthew Hawkinschilliwack, creative director, creative services, fraser valley, hawkins media, matthew a hawkins, picture blog, production design filming, production servicesComment