Table of Contents

Pixelmator Pro keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly accomplish many tasks in Pixelmator Pro. To use a keyboard shortcut, press all the keys in the shortcut at the same time.

While Pixelmator Pro comes with many pre-assigned keyboard shortcuts, you can also create some custom ones yourself to best suit your workflow. See Customize keyboard shortcuts to learn more.

Navigate an image
Zoom in	Command ⌘ + +
Zoom out	Command ⌘ + -
Temporarily turn on scrubby zoom	Hold down Option ⌥ + Space on your keyboard, then click and drag on canvas
Zoom to fit	Command ⌘ + 0
View actual size	Command ⌘ + 1 or Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + 0
Select Zoom tool	Z
Navigate using the Zoom tool	Click to zoom in, Option ⌥ – click to zoom out, drag over an area to zoom in to it
Scroll an image (use the Hand tool)	Press and hold Space, then drag the image or press H on your keyboard
Freely rotate the canvas	Press and hold Space + R, then click and drag to rotate the canvas

Select tools
Style	S
Arrange	V
Color Picker	I
Free Selection	L (selects the last used selection tool)
Rectangular Selection	M
Cycle through Free, Magnetic, and Polygonal selection tools	Shift ⇧ + L
Elliptical Selection	Y
Color Selection	W
Quick Selection	Q
Paint	B
Erase	E
Color Fill	N
Gradient Fill	G
Repair	R
Shape	U (selects the last used Shape)
Cycle through commonly used shape tools	Shift ⇧ + U
Pen	P (selects the last used Pen tool)
Cycle through Pen and Freeform Pen tools	Shift ⇧ + P
Type	T
Cycle through the Circular, Path, Freeform and the regular type tools	Shift ⇧ + T
Color Adjustments	A
Effects	F
Crop	C
Slice and Export for Web	K or Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + E

Open, save, and export images
Create a new image	Command ⌘ + N
Open an image	Command ⌘ + O
Save an image	Command ⌘ + S
Duplicate an image	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + S
Save an existing image as a new image	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + S
Export an image	Command ⌘ + E
Create a new image from your Photos library	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + N

Basic edits
Undo last action	Command ⌘ + Z
Redo last action	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + Z
Cut	Command ⌘ + X
Copy	Command ⌘ + C
Copy Merged	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + C
Paste	Command ⌘ + V
Paste and match style	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + V
Paste and match colors	Control ⌃ + Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + V
Duplicate layer or selected area	Command ⌘ + J or Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + D
Cut and paste selected area	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + J
Duplicate a layer and move it by a pixel	Press Option ⌥ and an arrow key
Duplicate a layer and move it by 10 pixels	Press Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ and an arrow key
Change the size of the image	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + I
Use ML Super Resolution to increase the resolution of an image	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + U
Remove background	Shift ⇧ + Backspace ⌫
Change the size of the image canvas	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + C
Change the color profile of the image	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + K
Replace an image	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + R
Enter the color picker mode	Hold down the Option ⌥ key and pick a color from an image

Work with layers
Create an empty new layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N
Insert an image as a layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + V
Delete selected layer(s)	Backspace ⌫ key
Select all layers	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + A
Merge selected layers	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + E
Merge all layers	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + E
Group layers	Command ⌘ + G
Ungroup layers	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + G
Lock or unlock layers	Forward slash / key
Toggle layer visibility on and off	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Comma ,
Copy layer mask	Option ⌥ – drag a layer mask from one layer to another
Temporarily disable layer mask	Shift ⇧ – click a layer mask
Link or unlink a layer mask	Double–click the mask link line
Create a layer mask from image, shape or text	Command-drag the image, shape or text onto a layer you'd like to mask
Create clipping mask	Option ⌥ – click between two layers in the Layers sidebar or press Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + G
Select next layer in layer list	Option ⌥ + Right bracket ]
Select previous layer in layer list	Option ⌥ + Left bracket [
Select top layer in layer list	Option ⌥ + Period .
Select bottom layer in layer list	Option ⌥ + Comma ,
Bring selected layer(s) forward	Command ⌘ + Right Bracket ]
Send selected layer(s) to the front	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Right Bracket ]
Bring selected layer(s) backward	Command ⌘ + Left Bracket [
Send selected layer(s) to the back	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Left Bracket [
Move a layer while any tool is active	Command ⌘ – drag the layer
Equally space objects horizontally	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Control ⌃ + H
Equally space objects vertically	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Control ⌃ + V

Style tool
Cycle through blend modes	Shift ⇧ + Plus + or Minus -
Set layer opacity	Press a number key once or twice quickly in succession. Press the 0 key once for 100% and twice for 0%
Temporarily view original layer without styles applied	Control ⌃ + M

Arrange tool
Resize a layer	Drag a layer handle
Duplicate a layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + D or Option ⌥ – drag
Disable alignment guides while moving or resizing	Command ⌘ – drag
Resize a layer from the center	Option ⌥ – drag a layer handle
Constrain the aspect ratio when resizing a layer	Shift ⇧ – drag
Constrain the aspect ratio when resizing a layer from the center	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ – drag a layer handle
Open the shortcut menu for the selected layer	Control ⌃ – click the layer
Rotate a layer	Command ⌘ – drag a layer handle
Rotate a layer in 15º steps	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ – drag a layer handle
Move a layer in a straight or diagonal line	Shift ⇧ – drag a layer
Align multiple layers according to their edges	Press Control ⌃ + Command ⌘ and an arrow key
Align multiple layers according to their centers	Control ⌃ + Command ⌘ + H or V

Crop tool
Turn on the Crop tool	C
Adjust the position of the crop	Press an arrow key
Resize the crop box using constrained proportions	Shift ⇧ – drag a crop box handle
Keep the center of the crop box fixed when resizing	Option ⌥ – drag a crop box handle
Reset the original image height	Double-click the top-middle crop handle. Hold down the Shift ⇧ key while double-clicking to reset the image height using constrained crop
Reset the original image width	Double-click the left or the right side handle. Hold down the Shift ⇧ key while double-clicking to reset the image width using constrained crop
Reveal hidden areas of an image	Double-click inside the crop box
Crop to fit image contents	Command ⌘ – click a crop box handle
Switch from straightening to rotation	Command ⌘ – drag outside the crop box
Cycle through crop overlays	Command ⌘ + G
Rotate the crop overlay	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + G

Free Transform
Turn on Free Transform	Command ⌘ + T
Skew	Drag a transform handle while holding Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘
Distort	Drag a transform handle while holding the Command ⌘ key
Perspective Transform	Drag a transform handle while holding Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘

Selection tools
Select the entire image	Command ⌘ + A
Deselect an active selection	Command ⌘ + D
Invert a selection	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + I
Load the outline of a layer as a selection	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + L or Command ⌘ – click the thumbnail of a layer
Load grayscale selection	Shift ⇧ + Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + R
Turn on Select and Mask	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + R
Turn on Smart Refine selection	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + R
Select subject	Control ⌃ + S
Copy a selected area	Command ⌘ + C
Cut a selected area	Command ⌘ + X
Paste a selected area	Command ⌘ + V
Duplicate a selected area	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + D
Constrain selection to a circle or a square	Press and hold Shift ⇧ after starting a selection
Add to a selection	Hold down Shift ⇧ before starting to select
Subtract from a selection	Hold down the Option ⌥ key before starting to select
Intersect a selection	Hold down the Shift ⇧ and Option ⌥ keys before starting to select

Paint and erase
Reset foreground and background colors to white and black	D
Switch between foreground and background color	X
Paint or erase a straight line	Shift ⇧ – click
Paint or erase a vertical or horizontal line	Press and hold the Shift ⇧ key before starting to paint
Temporarily switch from painting to erasing	Hold down ` or ~ on your keyboard
Navigate the brushes	Choose the next brush in the collection . or choose the previous brush ,
Stroke with brush	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + B
Increase or decrease brush size	Right bracket ] or Left bracket [
Increase or decrease brush softness	Shift ⇧ + Right bracket ] or Shift ⇧ + Left bracket [
Constrain gradient to 15º angle	Shift ⇧ – drag gradient
Pick a color from an image	Option ⌥ – click
Fill layer with color	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + F
Fill layer with background color	Command ⌘ + Backspace ⌫
Fill layer with foreground color	Option ⌥ + Backspace ⌫
Set Paint tool opacity	Press a number key once or twice quickly in succession. Press the 0 key for 100%, or 00 for 0%
Cycle through blend modes	Shift ⇧ + Plus + or Minus -

Clone tool
Set clone source	Option ⌥ – click

Draw shapes
Choose the Shape tool	U
Unite a shape with the selected shape	Press and hold the Shift ⇧ key before starting to draw
Subtract a shape from the selected shape	Press and hold the Option ⌥ key before starting to draw
Intersect a shape with the selected shape	Press and hold Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ before starting to draw
Move a shape on the canvas while using any shape tool	Command ⌘ – drag a shape
Select a different shape on the canvas while using any shape tool	Command ⌘ – click a shape
Select multiple shapes on the canvas while using any shape tool	Press and hold Command ⌘ + Shift ⇧ then click or drag to select shapes
Move multiple shapes on the canvas while using any shape tool	After selecting multiple shapes, press and hold the Command ⌘ key and drag the shapes

Edit shapes
Make a shape editable	Return ↵ key
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point	Option ⌥ – drag a direction point
Rejoin the direction lines of a smooth anchor point	Option ⌥ – drag the opposite direction point
Select or deselect multiple anchor points	Shift ⇧ – click an anchor point or Shift ⇧ – drag to draw a selection over multiple anchor points
Delete the selected anchor point(s)	Backspace ⌫ key
Stop editing a shape	Esc key

Draw paths with the Pen tool
Add a sharp point	Click anywhere in the image
Add a smooth point	Drag anywhere in the image
Delete the most recently added anchor point	Backspace ⌫ key
Adjust the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	Command ⌘ – drag a direction line
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point while adding it	Press and hold the Option ⌥ key while dragging to add an anchor point
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	Option ⌥ – drag a direction point
Adjust the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	Command ⌘ – drag a direction line
Finish drawing a path and close it	Return ↵ key
Finish drawing a path and leave it open	Esc key

Type tool
Insert a text layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + T
Insert a circular text layer	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + T
Expand the text box to both directions	Option ⌥ – drag a text box handle
Move the text box along the path (when editing text on a path)	Shift ⇧ – drag a text box handle

Color Adjustments
Add a color adjustments layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + A
Automatically enhance the colors of an image (ML Enhance)	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + M
Remove camera noise and image compression artifacts (ML Denoise)	Control ⌃ + Shift ⇧ + D
Apply the Hue & Saturation adjustment	Command ⌘ + U
Apply the Color Balance adjustment	Command ⌘ + B
Apply the Levels adjustment	Command ⌘ + L
Apply the Curves adjustment	Command ⌘ + K
Invert Colors	Command ⌘ + I
Temporarily view original layer without adjustments	Control ⌃ + M
Enter the the Split Comparison view	Press Control ⌃ + C , Option ⌥ – click the Show Original button, or force click the canvas

Effects
Add an effects layer	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + F
Apply the Color Fill effect	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + F
Temporarily view original layer without effects	Control ⌃ + M

General
Show Pixelmator Pro welcome screen	Command ⌘ + Shift ⇧ + 1
Show Pixelmator Pro preferences	Command ⌘ + Comma ,
Show guides	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Semicolon ;
Show rulers	Command ⌘ + R
Show grid	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Apostrophe '
Show colors	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + C
Show tool names	Control ⌃ + O
View document info	Shift ⇧ + Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + I
Show Info bar	Command ⌘ + Forward slash /
Hide toolbar	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + T
Show or hide overlay	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + H
Show or hide interface	Control ⌃ + H
Hide Tools sidebar	Option ⌥ + T
Hide or show the Layers sidebar	Option ⌥ + L
Switch Layers sidebar to List view	Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + L
Switch Layers sidebar to Thumbnails view	Control ⌃ + Shift ⇧ + L
Enter full screen	Fn + F or Control ⌃ + Command ⌘ + F
Close window	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + W
Close all windows	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Shift ⇧ + W
Close tab	Command ⌘ + W
Close other tabs	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + W
Show Next Tab	Control ⌃ + Tab ⇥
Show Previous Tab	Control ⌃ + Shift ⇧ + Tab ⇥
View All Tabs	Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + Backslash \
Cycle through windows	Command ⌘ + Grave `
Minimize window	Command ⌘ + M
Minimize all windows	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + M
Hide Pixelmator Pro	Command ⌘ + H
Hide others	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + H
Print	Command ⌘ + P
Quit Pixelmator Pro	Command ⌘ + Q
Quit Pixelmator Pro and keep windows	Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Q

Pixelmator Pro User Guide

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Working with layers

Pixelmator Pro keyboard shortcuts

Pixelmator Pro keyboard shortcuts

Pixelmator Pro User Guide