Alt/Option Key

[sauron]

The alt/option key has so many uses in Photoshop, here's a few that I can think of - if I have missed any, feel free to add them below.

Rulers:

This one I use all the time, you can drag out a horizontal ruler by going to the ruler below the document names and clicking and dragging but if you hold the alt/option key it will change from a horizontal ruler to a vertical ruler. This is the same for the vertical ruler, if you hold alt whilst dragging it will change to a horizontal ruler.

[attachment=44022:alt_key_...al_ruler.jpg]

Layer Masks:

When you have a layer mask on one of your layers, if you hold the alt/option key and click on the layer mask it will show everything in black that you have masked. This is useful if you are masking something and you may have missed a section you can easily see it in the view.

[attachment=44023:alt_clic...yer_mask.jpg]

Inverted Mask:

Whilst holding alt/option and clicking on the layer mask icon, the mask will be applied inverted.

[attachment=44024:alt_clic...ask_icon.jpg]

Cycle through tools:

Again, whilst holding down the alt/option key, click on any of the tools that have extra tools and it will cycle through them for example holding alt and clicking on the move tool will change it to the artboard tool.

Resizing images:

Whilst resizing images (make sure you hold shift if you're on an older version of Photoshop - see Baz's post here ) if you hold the alt/option key your image will resize from the centre rather than the point you selected.

Zoom Tool:

If you hold alt/option whilst using the zoom tool, depending on what you have selected in the top menu your the magnifying glass will change to a plus or minus. This is also the same for the hand tool, holding alt/option will change it to zoom out and holding ctrl will change to zoom in.

Direct selection tool:

Whilst using the direct selection tool, if you hold the alt/option key the tool will temporarily change to the path selection tool

Paragraph Text Size:

When you are using the text tool, if you hold alt/option and drag a dialog box will appear and allow you to enter in specific values, it does seem a bit buggy in the latest version of Photoshop (unless it's just my computer)

[attachment=44025:paragrap...ext_size.jpg]

Dodge & Burn Tools:

Holding the alt/option key when using the burn tool will temporarily change the tool to the dodge tool and vice versa for the dodge tool.

Smudge Tool:

If you press alt/option whilst dragging using the smudge tool, the smudge tool with change to the finger painting option.

Blur & Smudge Tools:

If you press alt/option when using the blur tool it will change to the smudge tool and the same goes for the smudge tool, holding alt/option will change to the blur tool.

Gradient Tool:

If you hold alt/option whilst using the gradient tool, it will temporarily change to the Eyedropper tool and if you have the foreground to transparent gradient select the colour will change to whatever colour you select when using the Eyedropper tool.

Eyedropper tool:

Holding the alt/option key when using the eyedropper tool will select a background colour rather than a foreground colour.

Crop tool:

To crop your image from the centre hold the alt/option key.

Lasso Tool:

Holding alt/option will minus anything from a selection.

Duplicate layer:

When you have a layer selected and you have the move tool selected, if you hold the Alt/Option key and drag this will duplicate your layer.

[attachment=44026:duplicate_layer.jpg]

[ctaulbee]

Nice tip

[VincentLupo]

Lots of great examples.

[bazzah]

These are great tips. I especially like the layer mask alt option. Thanks buddy!