10 Handy Photoshop Shortcuts for Working with Layers
Adobe just released this helpful 2-minute video that shares 10 handy shortcuts you can use in Photoshop when working with layers.
1. Add layer masks to hide all
To quickly add a layer mask to hide all of a layer, just hold down the Option key on Mac (or Alt on Windows) and click on the “Add Layer Mask” button in the Layers panel.
2. Delete layer masks
Instead of dragging a layer mask into the bin, you can just right click the layer mask itself and delete it from the tooltip menu that appears.
3. Add a layer mask based on selections
Creating a layer mask of a selection you have made is a useful thing to do for Photoshop users. Clicking the “Add Layer Mask” button will reveal your selection, but if you want to hide it then you just need to hold the Option key on Mac (or Alt for Windows) while clicking.
4. Invert a layer mask
If you want to invert your layer mask, just hold Command + I on Mac (or Control + I on Windows) to quickly move between the two.
5. Move a layer mask between layers
Simply click and drag the layer mask between different layers to apply it elsewhere.
6. Duplicate a layer mask between layers
If you want to move your layer mask onto a new layer, while retaining its position on the original later, just hold the Option key on Mac (or Alt key on Windows) and then click and drag to the new layer.
7. Move masks independently
To move a mask independently of the layer it is applied to, just click the little chain link between them to unlink it.
8. Display the mask as an overlay
Tap the Backslash key on your keyboard to show the overlay of your mask.
9. Target the layer or mask
Command + 2 on Mac (or control + 2 on Windows) will target the layer, whereas Command + Backslash on Mac (or control + backslash on Windows) will target the mask.
To temporarily disable the mask, just hold down the Shift key and click on the mask.
10. Change the density and edge of a mask
To non-destructively change the density of edge, you can move the “Density” slider in the Properties panel. To adjust and feather the edge of the mask, move the “Feather” slider in the same panel.
