Hello Everyone, and welcome to some more awesome photoshop tips! These top ten tips will boost your productivity significantly!

Tip #1. Instead of taking the long way to copy paste something, select the layer you want to copy, and then select the move tool. Now holding Alt or Option key click and drag inside your workspace. Everything on that layer will be duplicated. You can also select that layer and drag up or down to duplicate it!

Tip #2. Instantly switch your color pallet from foreground to background by pressing “X” key. Also you can instantly have your default foreground/background colors after pressing the “D” key.

Tip #3. It’s always a pain using the marquee tools, or the shape tools because you always need to set them up perfectly or start over again! Well while clicking and dragging your shape hold down “Space” key and move your mouse around. This will move your shape at the same time.

Tip #4. Quickly zoom into your workspace by holding Alt or Option key and scrolling your mouse wheel.

Tip #5. Why re-invent the wheel? Or in photoshop, why re-make a checker pattern or check-marks or arrows when photoshop comes loaded with shapes under your custom shapes tool! You can also download more on google.

Tip #6. Why drag out the clone tool? For small quick fixes just use the healing brush! Paint over any imperfections and you are done!

Tip #7. The pen tool is very helpful to draw paths or smooth objects. The easiest way to use it is with keyboard shortcuts. Pressing “P” key will bring up your pen tool. Now you can add two points on your workspace, but don’t use the handle bars to curve anything. Now, if you hover over the path you will see a little “+” sign next to your pen image. If you click anywhere on your path you will make a new point. Holding down “Apple” or “Command” click and drag that center point and you will get a really nice curve. This is a great way to create a path around an object to get rid of it’s background.

Tip #8. When trying to select an object like snow it’s easier if you adjust the levels. Bring the center slider all the way right. Now you can use your magic wand tool and select all the bright spots.  Make sure you have a duplicate of the original because once you are done selecting the adjusted levels layer you will delete that layer. It’s a perfect selection for your original picture.

Tip #9. Use guides! If you are designing a website or something similar guides are extremely helpful! You will be able to see a lay out before you start working! Also when working with marquee tools it will snap to guides giving you perfect measurements. To clear all the guides go View –> Clear Guides

Tip #10. Find all your tool shortcuts and try using them. It’s proven that keyboard short cuts significantly reduce productivity time! Also, feel free to add or change shortcuts under Edit –> Keyboard Shortcuts.