Mac Users: A Note on Adobe Keyboard Shortcuts

February 22, 2008 | Posted in OS X |

[OS X 10.5] While having a Volume, Brightness, Pause/Play buttons integrated into my keyboard may be convenient, it really drives me crazy that my function keys don’t, well…function like I want them to in Photoshop. (or illustrator, etc.) I want to show you a way that I managed to get around this while keeping the functionality of the media buttons at the same time.

1. Reclaim your function keys!

Like in the screenshot above, go to your System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard. Now, directly below the 2 sliders, check the box that says “Use all F1, F2 etc. keys as standard function keys.”

Now your keys will act normally in Photoshop (and everything else). For example, Shift + F5 will do a fill instead of turning up your volume! (MacBook)

2. Regain the functionality of the specialty keys.

You can still use your specialty keys, but you have to hold the “Fn” (function) key to enable them. The function key is the bottom left key on a Macbook keyboard.

… as well as the wireless keyboard:

On the regular keyboards, the function key in up by the delete key:

Now, given the location of the key on the regular keyboards, this will likely require two hands in many cases. Therefore, this little workaround might be much more convenient for laptop users, but as I like to say, It’s nice to know your options. Happy Keyboarding :)

Tags: Adobe, Keyboard Shorcuts, OS X

This entry was posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm and is filed under OS X. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

26 Responses to “Mac Users: A Note on Adobe Keyboard Shortcuts”

Granata Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Thanks for the tip! I just got a new Mac at work with Leopard and immediately ran into the same problem.
Edwin Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm

I allready found out this by myself when I bought a new usb-keyboard for my macbook when I am working at home. But I wonder if there is a shortcut to switch the F-keys. So that I won’t have to go to the preferences-panel to switch it everytime I am traveling and coming home again. Is there somebody who knows more about this?
Heather Kate Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 3:46 pm

So, a question then. Is there anyway to use the delete forward key on the wireless keyboard since that key is not there? I did not realize when I purchased the wireless that it was a shortened version. I have the regular keyboard too, but I don’t like the cord, so I’m suffering without the delete key.

A side note…thank you, thank you, thank you for your site and all your graphics. I’m a new and now regular visitor to your treasure trove, and I cannot thank you enough.
Jared Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm

@Heather-

You should be able to hold the Fn key and press Delete to do forward delete.

@Bitt-

Why are you using Shift+F5 to do fill? The much better shortcut is Shift+Delete!
Heather Kate Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm

@Jared–I’ve all but fainted at the realization of what I can now do after months of suffering. I should have sought help long before. Thank you VERY. much.
Coghill Cartooning Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm

This Keyboard pref has been around (on my MacBook) at least since 10.4. Not sure if the pref appears on my aging G4 desktop, but I assume it would only show up for keyboards with dedicated media keys - such as the new Apple keyboards.
Rae Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 4:34 pm

Alternatively, instead of changing the preference, the inverse works—
you can access your Photoshop/Illustrator/ function key functionality by hitting +.

This keeps the media buttons as the default of sorts, but you can still hit + in Photoshop and pull up your Brushes Pallet.
Rae Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm

“you can access your Photoshop/Illustrator/ function key functionality by hitting fn + Fn.”

“but you can still hit fn + F5 in Photoshop and pull up your Brushes Pallet.”

…Oops, it saw my keystrokes as HTML
Mac Users: A Note on Adobe Keyboard Shortcuts - Vlakonline Said... February 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm

[...] (more…) [...]
Philip Said... February 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am

Anyone know of a way to disable the function keys but re-map certain ones so they’ll work without holding down function? For example, I never use F10, 11 & 12 and I’d like those to still control the volume on my computer.
gogole Said... February 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm

Hello Bittbox ,please can i use part of your “angel picture” on flickr for my banner ,modified of course.Thank you.
Luis Said... February 24th, 2008 at 12:03 am

Wow, i try this last week but i cannot find the way to maintain the both!!!! weee
::m Said... February 24th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

My leopard doesn’t have the same screen shot as you showed…? I’m on a G5 intel…MacPro. Is it maybe because I use a tablet/pen?
Matt Schinckel Said... February 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

@heather - try DoubleCommand - that might do what you need. With newer versions you can even have different setups for different keyboards.
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A Note on Adobe Keyboard Shortcuts at Creative Toolbox Said... February 25th, 2008 at 9:56 am

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Jeff Said... February 25th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Great! this really helps.
Nicki Said... February 25th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

I love you Bittbox! Thank you!
islam Said... February 27th, 2008 at 12:54 am

Thank you
Great this really helps.
dersler Said... February 27th, 2008 at 12:56 am

Thank you.
this realy help
Mike Welch Said... February 28th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Thank you! It’s so frustrating when I need those F5 and F6 keys in Flash and I end up turning up my volume or hitting the num lock.

m welch
Oliver Wilke Said... March 4th, 2008 at 6:03 am

wow, thank you so much for that! i’ve been so happy about my new keyboard, but the key-issue really drove me nuts. can’t wait to try this out at home!
mini Said... March 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

merci so much !
Mac 101 Reclaim your function keys | Apple Blog Said... March 12th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

[...] we’re not at a loss. The folks at Bitbox have described the simple steps needed to get some of that old flexibility back. First, launch system preferences [...]
marcus Said... April 9th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

thanks!
Tavo Said... July 6th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Excellent tip mate, really appreciate it!!!!