Getting started using Photoshop can take quite some time to master. Below are 10 tips to speed up the time it takes to work with the basic functions of Photoshop:

1. Moving Layers
   Activating the move tool is not required to move layers in an image. Press CTRL (Windows) or Command (Mac), then click the layer and drag it to the desired position using your mouse.
2. Hiding Palettes using TAB
   Palettes that are in the way can be hidden easily by hitting the “TAB” key on your keyboard. Simply hit “TAB” again to make them reappear.
3. How to select all pixels on a layer
   If you were for example to select all red pixels on a layer, simply hold the CTRL key (Windows), or Command key (MAC), then click on the layer in the palette.
4. Double click to open a file
   In order to open a file there is no need to use the file menu, simply double click anywhere in the grey background area of Photoshop and you can select the file you want.
5. Drag a layer from file to file
   To copy a layer you can simply click it and drag it to the desired file. Obviously both files must be open in Photoshop.
6. Photoshop 6+ Layer folder feature
   Users of Photoshop 6 or higher, for files with a large amount of layers be sure to organize them using the folder feature. On the layers palette click on the icon at the bottom to create a folder for it.
7. Full screen Modes with and without menus
   Very useful when working with large images. In order to make maximum use of the screen simply press “F” to switch between full screen with the menu and full screen without the menu and editing bar.
8. More positioning control
   When using the arrow keys to move the layers around you get increased control over the layers placement. Hold down the CTRL key (Windows) or Command key (Mac), and then use the arrow keys to position the layer. This makes it possible to move it pixel by pixel. Hold down shift along with the CTRL or Command key to move 10 pixels per move.
9. Fast color selection
   Press the “I” key to get to the Eyedropper function and click the color inside your image that you want. This will immediately change the foreground color to the color of your choice. Performing this while holding down the “ALT” key will do the same for the background.
10. Drawing a straight line
    You can restrict mouse movement while using the Paintbrush and Line and Move Tools by holding down the “SHIFT” key while using the mouse to drag the line.

M.A.H.