NEWSLETTER
INSPIRATION
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKINGTips & Tricks – faster digi-scrapping!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Hey all you beginners out there! It’s Anna here with something I’ve done that has changed my digi-scrappin’ life!
The holidays are an extremely busy time for me. I bet they are for you, too! This week I have been working with my daughter to create a book for her husband for Christmas. While I was helping her, she commented “You are so fast!!!” I started to think about the reasons why I am able to work so quickly, and that gave me the idea to share some knowledge with all you newbies!
If you are still reading you must be in search of a faster way to digi-scrap. I know that when I first started scrapping, I would spend hours and hours working on a layout. I am a busy mom with a part time job. I am constantly on the lookout for a faster way to do what I do every day! In fact, people in my family laugh because I am always analyzing different driving routes to figure out which is the faster way! LOL!!! Do you do that?
Anyway, I realized that if I wanted to continue this hobby, I needed to find a way to fit it into my busy schedule. When I first started using keyboard shortcuts, I realized their potential. Basically, anything you do over and over again in Photoshop can be done faster. One way is by getting into the habit of using keyboard shortcuts.
I know for many of you this is basic knowledge. But I didn’t grow up with a computer, so it amazed me how much faster using a few keystrokes made my layout creation process. For a time, I would put a post-it-note on my computer with a new shortcut. I would leave that note up until I had that one mastered before creating a new one and working on it! I kept doing that until I very rarely used the drop down menus.
By doing this over and over, I became an extremely fast digi-scrapper! It also made the process of creating a layout a whole lot more fun. I could focus on my design instead of “now where is that command in the drop down menu…hmmm…is it under edit?…select?” Anyway, you get the idea! I want to challenge all you scrappers out there to learn a new keystroke this week and maybe even create one of your own (but that is for a different lesson).
Every version of Photoshop has different keyboard shortcuts. You will want to learn the ones compatible with your program. I use CS5, but most are universal or similar. It was nearly impossible to narrow down the shortcuts I use to just ten keystrokes…but I didn’t want to overwhelm you all!
For a more extensive list, one of my favorite finds is located HERE!
Thanks for stopping by! Casharina and Jenelle will be here tomorrow with more happy holiday hybrids!
Do you use photoshop or Paint Shop Pro?
Hi Julie :o)
Anna uses PHOTOSHOP CS5 and has based her tips and tricks post around that. Most of the Shabby Artists use either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
If you are looking for Paint Shop Pro shortcut keys then a search through google will result in plenty of options. Here is one that I found that may be of assistance:
JUST CLICK HERE!
Thanks and have fun scrapping with your new ‘tools’!!
what a great idea Anna!! I don’t use as many as I should, that’s for sure. My favorite, go-to shortcuts are:
shift+ctrl+i (“invert”) – this inverts your selection! So if you’re using the marquis tool to cut paper, you can actually select the part you want to KEEP and then invert your selection (which now means you have NOTHING you want to keep selected), and then hit delete! This is my fave shortcut for sure!
ctrl+d (“deselect”). I remember when I started scrapping that I’d get the “marching ants” going around a selected area and I had NO IDEA how to make them go away, lol! de-select was the first shortcut I ever learned! any time you have something selected and want to un-select it, just hit ctrl+d.
shift+ctrl+n (“new layer”). You’d be AMAZED how handy this is! A lot of times, I’ll just open up sheets of paper and keep them down in the bottom layers. Then, as I want to add paper accents to my pages (circles, squares, strips, etc), I’ll create the exact shape I want on my layout with the marquis tool, then go select the paper layer I want to use for my shape, and then use “Ctrl+C” for “copy”. Then, with shift+ctrl+n, VOILA – I’ve created a new layer for my circle element (or whatever shape it was). This is also really useful if you work with stamps and brushes. A lot of times I like to create my brush strokes on different layers so I can rotate the layer afterwards, rather than messing with rotating the brush around before I stamp. Keeping them all on separate layers gives great flexibility!
Thanks for this post Anna! I love learning new tips and shortcuts even though I’m NOT a beginner, LOL!!
Beckie, thanks for sharing your favorites especially the ctrl+d (“deselect”) I had the same problem with the marching ants when I scrapped. It drove me crazy until I learned the ctrl+d (“deselect”) shortcut! It’s so great that you shared “shift+ctrl+n (“new layer”)” I’m not using that one as much as I should. Okay time to pull out the post-its and focus on that one for a bit! Big Hugs to you Beckie!
This is great! I really need to learn more keyboard shortcuts! ctrl + g (clipping mask) and ctrl + z (undo) are the only ones I’ve really mastered so far!
Rosy for CS5 the clipping mask is Ctrl + Alt + G. I’m hoping my post it note doesn’t confuse everyone!
Anna I found in PSE7 the clipping mask is Ctrl + G like Rosy. I guess it depends on which Photoshop product you use, Photoshop Elements can use different shortcuts..but Hey Anna awesome shortcup tips! When used the Altkey it gave me the gradient tool instead! I am trying to use as many as I can now, so thanks for showing us more Anna! appreciate it.
My friend who taught me to digi scrap used to call it two-handed digi scrapping – and YES it sure does make things happen a whole lot quicker! :)
Perfect name for it Leah!!! I will have to remember that one!
This is great and the list will be a great resource! I didn’t know the clipping shortcut, and I just recently learned that the V would change to the Move tool! haha…I LOVE learning new things!! :) THANKS for the new post!!
Great post – not just for newbies Anna… I really must learn more shortcuts because I take FOREVER to get a layout done!! Thanks so much for spurring me on to learn them and USE them! I once saw a sticker sheet you could place over your keyboard with pictures of the PS tools on each shortcut letter. I think I need to get that :)
That sticker sheet sounds cool!!! Now I just use my shortcuts unconsciously and if I am scrapping with others they will say “How did you just do that?” I have to slow down and think about what I did and then explain it to them. LOL!!!