Help
Here are some handy keyboard shortcuts and keyboard/mouse combinations that you can use with Curves:
- To cycle through your document’s channels (starting with the composite channel), press Command-2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Ctrl+2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on a PC). To cycle through your document’s channels in the Curves Adjustments panel, press Opt-/Alt+2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 if in CMYK mode.
- To show clipped shadows and highlights, Option-drag (Alt-drag) the panel’s shadows or highlights sliders, or click the shadows or highlights eyedropper and then press and hold Option (Alt) as you hover your cursor over the image.
- To switch between the 25 percent to 10 percent grid (page xx), or vice-versa, Option-click (Alt-click) the grid.
- To cycle forward (left to right) through curve points, press =.
- To cycle backward through curve points, press – (that’s the minus sign).
- To deselect the selected point(s), press Command-D (Ctrl+D).
- To select multiple points, Shift-click the points.
- To delete a single point, select it and press Delete (Backspace), drag it off the grid, or Command-click (Ctrl-click) it.
- To nudge the selected point one unit in the standard Curves dialog box (two units in the Adjustments panel), press one of the arrow keys.
- To nudge the selected point 10 units in the standard Curves dialog box (16 units in the Adjustments panel), press and hold Shift and then use the arrow keys.
And here are a couple of shortcuts you can use only after you click the Targeted Adjustment tool:
- To add a point to all channels simultaneously, Shift-Command-click (Shift-Ctrl-click) your image.
- To delete a point on the curve, Command-click (Ctrl-click) an area of the image with the same Input/Output levels as the point you want to delete. When a preview circle appears around the point, (circled in Figure 9-21), you’re clear to click.
Learn more about this topic from Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual.
Photoshop is the world's most widely used photo-editing and graphics program. But with all its fantastic new features and options, Photoshop CS5 can bewilder even the most seasoned professional. Packed with tips, tricks, and practical advice, this Missing Manual teaches you everything you need to know to edit photos and create beautiful documents in Photoshop -- whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro ready to try advanced techniques.
