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Tool Tool Name Description Alternate Uses
Ctrl Alt Shift
Add Anchor tool Adds anchor points from lines created with the Pen tool. Tweaks segment Copies path Ortho
Airbrush tool Adds gradual tones of color like a spray paint can. Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho, also creates straight paths
Art History tool The art history brush tool lets you paint with stylized strokes, using the source data from a specified history state or snapshot Moves layer - Ortho
Audio Annotation tool Adds an audio icon to your workspace, move cursor over it to hear it and see the author.  Great for tutorials and instructions. Moves layer - -
Background Eraser tool Allows you to erase the background while maintaining the edges of an object in the foreground Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho
Blur tool Blur portions of your image with this tool. Moves layer Sharpens Ortho

Burn tool Increase the exposure to darken areas on a print. Moves layer Brightens Ortho
Clone Stamp Hold alt and select the surface you wish to copy, then stamp over the area you want covered up.  Duplicates pixels you selected with ALT. Moves layer Gathers your sample surface. Ortho
Color Sampler Grabs a 5x5 pixel color average Moves layer - Ortho
Column Marquee Makes a column selection to define the border as a 1-pixel-wide. Keeps a uniform shape Subtracts selection Adds to selection
Convert Point Converts anchors to straight or smooth corners Moves Path Copies path Ortho
Crop tool Crops out pictures and removes unwanted background space. Moves layer - -
Custom Shape Choose from a menu of custom shapes to create. Selects shape - Creates shape proportionally
Delete Anchor  Removes anchor points from lines created with the Pen tool. Tweaks segment Copies path Ortho
Freeform Pen Draw freehand and tweak its anchor points to your liking.  Right-click, select "Stroke" to make it visible. Selects segment - -
Gradient Adds a gradient to a selection, layer, or background. Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho
History Brush Paints by recreating the specified source data Moves layer - Ortho
Lasso Make selection using this freehand selection tool. Cut/moves selection Subtracts selection Adds selection
Line Make a line Selects segment - Ortho
Direction Select Drag anchor points towards the direction you want. - Copies path Ortho
Dodge Tool Holds back light to lighten an area on the print. - Saturates Ortho
Drag This will move your working surface around for easier navigation and viewing. Zooms in Zooms out -
Ellipse Shape Creates ellipse shapes selects path scales from center Keeps a perfect circle
Ellipse Marquee Make selections in the shape of an ellipse Moves Layer Subtracts from selection/scales from center Adds to selection/keeps a perfect circle
Eraser Erases portions of your image or layer Moves layer History eraser/restores past erasements Ortho
Eyedropper What is the exact color of that circle you just made?  Click on the circle with this tool and it will tell you. Moves layer selects background color Adds color sample
Magic Eraser On a layer only, erases similar colors and turns them transparent. Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho
Magic Wand This makes selections based on surrounding similar colors. Moves layer Subtracts selection Adds to selection
Magnet Lasso Selection tool that will follow outlines of objects in your pictures.  Based on colors and contrasts. Moves layer Subtracts selection Adds to selection
Measure Useful for printing work. Tells you how long/wide something is. Moves layer - Ortho
Move Move selected items, layers or objects around your screen. - Copies object Ortho
Note Add subtitle type notes to your image. Moves layer - -
Paint Brush Creates soft strokes of color. Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho
Paint Bucket Fills selections, backgrounds or average color goups with your foreground color. Moves layer Quick color picker -
Path Component Select   - Copies path Ortho
Pattern Stamp This stamp will fill whatever you stamp with a pattern that you have the option of selecting yourself. Moves layer - Ortho, also creates straight paths
Pencil Draw your heart out. Moves layer Quick color picker Ortho
Pen Draw lines and tweak its anchor points to your liking.  Right-click, select "Stroke - brush/pencil" to make it visible. Selects path Changes to convert tool over anchor Ortho, also creates straight paths
Polygon Shape Creates polygons based on how many points you give it. Keep proportional measurements scales from center Keeps a proportional shape
Polygon Lasso Selection tool that works in linear lines.  Very useful for those of you with hands that aren't so steady. Moves layer Subtracts selection Adds to selection
Rectangle Shape Creates rectangle shapes. Moves Layer scale from center Keeps a perfect square
Rectangle Marquee Makes a selection area in the shape of a rectangle Moves Layer Subtracts from selection/scales from center Adds to selection/keeps a perfect circle
Rounded Rectangle Shape Makes a rectangle shape with rounded corners. Keeps a square shape scales from center Keeps a perfect square
Row Marquee Makes a row selection to define the border as a 1-pixel-wide Keeps a uniform shape Subtracts selection Adds to selection
Text Your all-powerful tool that creates text. Moves layer Paragraph text size -
Sharpen Sharper portions of your image. Moves layer Blurs Ortho
Slice Use the Slice tool to modify only a the portion you select. Moves selection Scales from center Keeps perfect proportions
Slice Select This selects the slice areas that you created with the slice tool. Adds a slice - Moves/Ortho
Sponge This tool changes the saturation of the area subtly. Moves layer - Ortho
Smudge Smudge your image by moving this tool around. Moves layer - Ortho, also creates straight paths
Zoom Zoom in on your image to give you a more detailed look close up. Moves layer Zooms out -
Image Ready Click this button to have PhotoShop automatically import your image into ImageReady. - - -
Screen Mode Toggles between how you view your image on your monitor.  Give it a try. - - -
Standard/Quick Mask Masks let you isolate and protect areas of an image as you apply color changes filters or any other similar changes.  Serves as an advanced selection tool. - - -
Color Selector Foreground/background color.  Double click on the boxes  to open you color picker box.  Select your color and work from there.  - - -
 

 

 

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