Appendix: Shortcuts and Modifiers
Unlike most graphics programs, Photoshop invests a lot of its capabilities in the keyboard. Literally hundreds of functions are available exclusively at the press of a key. For example, Photoshop provides no menu command that lets you delete multiple layers at a time. There is no command that hides all palettes, nor is there an option that brings up the last-used color correction settings. Every one of these options is out of your reach if you don't know the right key. The keyboard may seem like an unlikely artistic tool, but it is a powerful and an essential ally in Photoshop.There are two basic varieties of keyboard tricks:
Shortcuts: Some keystroke combinations produce immediate effects. For example, pressing Ctrl and Backspace together (z and Delete on the Mac) fills the selection with the background color.
Modifiers: Other keys change the behavior of a tool or command. Pressing Shift while dragging with the lasso tool adds the lassoed area to the previous selection. As a result, Shift, Alt, and Ctrl are known collectively as modifiers.
Naturally, I discuss both in meticulous detail throughout this chapter. With a keen mind and a little practice, you'll be driving your new Model CS Photoshop at speeds that would land your butt in jail in the real world.