<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Whether you’re a graphic designer, digital artist, animator, or a long-time Illustrator user, you may be well aware of how inconvenient it can get to switch from one tool to another. To help you navigate Illustrator’s interface as quickly and smoothly as possible, we’ve come up with a list of 20 handy keyboard shortcuts that will boost your productivity.&nbsp;If you don’t see some of your own favorite keyboard shortcuts, feel free to share with us on the comments!</p>
</div>


<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.skillshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/image-asset-160.png" alt="" width="78" height="78"/></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.skillshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/image-asset-161.png" alt=""/></figure></div>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Viewing</strong></h1>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Move artboard with Hand Tool&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Space + Drag&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Space + Drag</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Turn Ruler on/off</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + R</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + R</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Turn Smart Guide on/off</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + U</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + U</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Make guides&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + 5&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + 5&nbsp;</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Zoom in/out&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + plus or minus sign (+/-)</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + plus or minus sign (+/-)</p>
</div>


<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Selecting</strong></h1>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. Switch to last-used Selection Tool&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. Add to or subtract from selection</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + Click</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + Click</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">8. Move selection by 10 pts</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + Arrow key</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + Arrow key</p>
</div>


<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Working with Layers and Shapes</strong></h1>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">9. Draw shape from the center out</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>OPTION + Drag</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>ALT +&nbsp;Drag</p>
</div>


<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.skillshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ext-46.png" alt="option + shift + click and drag to draw shape from cetner out"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">10. Copy and paste in front/back&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + C, Command + F/B</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + C, CTRL + F/B</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">11. Bring to front/back</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + [ or ]&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + [ or ]</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">12. Show/hide Pathfinder&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + SHIFT + F9</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + SHIFT + F9</p>
</div>


<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.skillshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ext-47.png" alt="how to show or hide pathfinder on illustrator"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">13. Group/ungroup</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + G</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + SHIFT + G</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + G</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + SHIFT + G</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">14. Lock/unlock</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + 2</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + OPTION + 2</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + 2</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + ALT +2</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">15.&nbsp;Move a shape while drawing it&nbsp;</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Space + Drag</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Space + Drag</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">16. Quick copy</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>OPTION + Click &amp; Drag</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>ALT + Click &amp; Drag</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">17. Convert Anchor Point</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + C</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + C</p>
</div>


<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Working with Colors and Text</strong></h1>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">18. Switch between Fill and Stroke</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + X</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>SHIFT + X</p>
</div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">19. Align text to left,&nbsp;center, or right</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + SHIFT + L/C/R</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + SHIFT + L/C/R</p>
</div>


<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Saving</strong></h1>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">20. &nbsp;Save for web</h3>


<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Command + OPTION + SHIFT + S</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + S</p>
</div>

<div class="wp-block-paragraph">
<p>Want to learn more fun tricks? Check out DKNG’s class, <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/design/Mastering-Illustrator-10-Tips-Tricks-to-Speed-Up-Your-Workflow/1583544555/classroom/discussions?via=search-layout-grid&amp;enrolledRedirect=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mastering Illustrator: 10 Tips and Tricks to Speed Up Your Workflow</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/design/Learn-the-Ins-and-Outs-of-Illustrator/589498286" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brad Woodard’s class on Illustrator</a> that includes a hot-key cheat sheet, or <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/design/Illustrator-for-Lunch-10-in-10-Ten-Top-Illustrator-Tips-in-10-Minutes/506653109" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helen Bradley&#8217;s 10 minute course</a> on top tips!</p>
</div>


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