Learn how to quickly deselect in Photoshop with a shortcut

Estimated read time 7 min read

How to deselect in photoshop shortcut

When using Adobe Photoshop, selecting and deselecting parts of an image is a crucial skill for any designer or photographer. Being able to precisely choose and remove or modify specific areas can greatly enhance the quality and versatility of your work. In this guide, we will explore various keyboard shortcuts and techniques that will help you quickly and efficiently deselect in Photoshop.

1. Selecting and Deselecting: The first step in learning how to deselect in Photoshop is understanding how to select in the first place. You can make a selection by using tools such as the marquee, lasso, or magic wand. Once you have made a selection, you can then use a keyboard shortcut to deselect. The most commonly used shortcut for deselecting is Ctrl+D (Windows) or Command+D (Mac).

2. Transforming the Selection: In some cases, you may want to transform or adjust the selected area before deselecting. To do this, you can use the transformation tools in Photoshop, such as the Move tool or the Free Transform command. After making the desired changes, you can then use the keyboard shortcut to deselect as mentioned earlier.

3. Feathering the Selection: Feathering a selection helps create a smooth and seamless transition between the selected and non-selected areas. To feather a selection, go to the “Select” menu, choose “Feather,” and enter a value to determine the amount of feathering. Once you have feathered the selection, you can use the shortcut to deselect.

4. Inverting the Selection: Photoshop also allows you to invert a selection, which is useful when you want to work on the non-selected parts of an image. To invert a selection, go to the “Select” menu and choose “Inverse.” This will select everything except the originally selected area. After inverting the selection, you can deselect using the keyboard shortcut.

By mastering these techniques and shortcuts, you will be able to efficiently and effectively deselect in Photoshop, allowing you to precisely edit and modify your images with ease. Practice these steps and incorporate them into your workflow to improve your productivity and achieve professional-looking results.

Learning the Photoshop Deselect Shortcut

Learning the Photoshop Deselect Shortcut

Mastering keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop can greatly enhance your workflow and efficiency. One essential shortcut to learn is how to deselect an active selection. This allows you to remove any selected areas or objects and work on the entire image again.

To deselect in Photoshop, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command + D (Mac): Pressing this combination will instantly deselect any active selection and return the image to its original state.
  • Ctrl + Shift + A (Windows) or Command + Shift + A (Mac): This shortcut is useful when you want to deselect but keep the current selection intact. It toggles the selection on and off, allowing you to switch between selecting and deselecting without losing your original selection.

Knowing these shortcuts will save you time and effort, especially when working on complex projects with multiple selections. Instead of manually deselecting using the mouse or navigating through the menus, you can quickly execute these commands with just a few keystrokes.

Keep in mind that these shortcuts can be used not only for rectangular or elliptical selections but also for more intricate selections like lasso or magic wand tools.

Remember to practice and incorporate these shortcuts into your Photoshop workflow. With time and repetition, you’ll become more adept at using them and improve your overall productivity.

Mastering the Keyboard Command

When it comes to deselecting in Photoshop, mastering the keyboard command is essential for efficient and quick editing. There are several keyboard shortcuts that you can use to deselect in Photoshop, and once you learn them, you’ll be able to easily switch between tools without having to use your mouse or trackpad.

Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command + D (Mac)

Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command + D (Mac)

One of the most common keyboard shortcuts for deselecting in Photoshop is Ctrl + D for Windows or Command + D for Mac. This shortcut allows you to quickly remove any active selection and start working on a new area of your image.

Ctrl + Shift + A (Windows) or Command + Shift + A (Mac)

Ctrl + Shift + A (Windows) or Command + Shift + A (Mac)

If you want to deselect everything in Photoshop, including all layers and masks, you can use the Ctrl + Shift + A shortcut on Windows or Command + Shift + A on Mac. This is a handy shortcut to remember when you want to start with a clean slate and remove any active selections.

By mastering these keyboard commands, you can streamline your workflow and save valuable time when working in Photoshop. Whether you need to quickly switch between tools or start fresh with a new selection, these shortcuts will help you become a Photoshop pro.

Using the Mouse Gesture

Using the Mouse Gesture

Photoshop offers a convenient way to deselect using a mouse gesture. This feature allows you to quickly remove the selection without having to navigate through menus or use keyboard shortcuts.

To use the mouse gesture for deselecting in Photoshop, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure you have an active selection in Photoshop.
  2. Hold down the right mouse button.
  3. While holding down the right mouse button, move your mouse cursor outside of the selection area.
  4. Release the right mouse button to complete the deselection.

The mouse gesture for deselecting is a quick and efficient way to remove a selection in Photoshop. It can help speed up your workflow, especially when you need to deselect multiple times during an editing session.

Remember that the mouse gesture can only be used to deselect an active selection. If you don’t have any selection active, the mouse gesture won’t have any effect. In that case, you can either create a selection first or use other methods such as keyboard shortcuts or the selection tools in Photoshop.

Customizing Your Deselect Shortcut

Customizing Your Deselect Shortcut

If you find that the default deselect shortcut in Photoshop is not convenient for you, you can easily customize it to better suit your needs. Here are the steps to customize your deselect shortcut:

Step 1: Open Keyboard Shortcuts

First, open Photoshop and go to the “Edit” menu in the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, select “Keyboard Shortcuts”.

Step 2: Choose the Deselect Command

In the Keyboard Shortcuts window, you will see a list of commands on the left side. Scroll down and find the “Select” category. Expand the category by clicking on the arrow next to it. Then, scroll down further and find the “Deselect” command.

Step 3: Assign a New Shortcut

Step 3: Assign a New Shortcut

Select the “Deselect” command, and on the right side of the window, you will see the current shortcut assigned to it. To assign a new shortcut, simply click on the box next to the command and press the keys or combination of keys that you want to use as your new deselect shortcut. Make sure the keys you choose are not already assigned to other commands.

Note that you can also remove the current shortcut by clicking on the box and pressing the “Delete” or “Backspace” key on your keyboard.

Step 4: Save and Test

After assigning your new deselect shortcut, click on the “OK” button to save your changes. Now, you can test your new shortcut by selecting an area in Photoshop and using your newly assigned keys or combination of keys to deselect it.

By customizing your deselect shortcut, you can streamline your workflow and make the editing process more efficient. Experiment with different combinations and find the one that works best for you.

Q&A:

What is the shortcut for deselecting in Photoshop?

The shortcut for deselecting in Photoshop is Ctrl + D (Cmd + D for Mac).

Is there any other way to deselect in Photoshop?

Yes, there are several ways to deselect in Photoshop. Apart from using the shortcut Ctrl + D (Cmd + D for Mac), you can also go to the menu and select “Select” > “Deselect”. Alternatively, you can right-click on the selection and choose “Deselect” from the context menu.

Video:

How to Deselect in Photoshop – The Ultimate Guide

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