Request: Shortcut keys for pathfinder, array commands, and artboard rotation.

[mattwattsart]

I currently own Illustrator CS 5, but I more often use Inkscape because it has a few things that are more convenient to use:  For example, 'Ctrl Shift +' will join two shapes together while 'Ctrl Shift -' subtracts and 'Ctrl Shift *' gives the intersecting shape.  I'm a shortcut key fanatic and I feel like a turtle when I have to click buttons on menus instead of being able to use shortcut keys.  I couldn't find the individual pathfinder commands inside Illustrator's editable keyboard shortcuts.

Another Inkscape feature I like a lot is the ability to create arrays of shapes.   Say I want to make a brick pattern with one rectangle and then have illustrator create the rest of the bricks for me... In Inkscape, all I have to do is go into Edit\Clone\Create Tiled Clones, and specify some parameters to achieve this.  It would also be nice to have a rotational array, so I could make one leaf of a flower and have it automatically repeat itself 7 more times to create an 8-petaled flower.  I'd love to be able to even change the original if I wanted to and have the shape changes reflected in the other 7 petals.

Finally, I LOVE Photoshop and I do lots of illustration in it, but I would loved to use Illustrator if it could achieve the features requested above as well as rotate the artboard.  I want to be able to take advantage of my wacom tablet pressure sensitivity for linework, but without canvas rotation, I can't get some arcs I want to draw, and my wrist gets pretty sore from awkward repetitive angles of motion.

Thanks Adobe

[Mike Sofa]

To make a keyboard shortcut for a Pathfinder command, you can:

1) Create an action that performs the command, and 2) Assign an F-Key to the action.

In general I agree that Illustrator's keyboard shortcuts are too limited, especially for Scripts and Panel fly-out menus. The Illustrator team should take a look at the keyboard shortcut options for InDesign. The range of choices there is vast compared to Illustrator.

[MtheInsomniac]

Have you tried working with CTRL+4, the shortcut for Repeat Pathfinder Command? I know this doesn't aid in flipping between varied pathfinder commands but with prioritization it could be a useful workaround. Anyone else with any solutions? I am also one who considers mouse movement redundant

[CorySouthpaw]

Good stuff above.  I was trying to command the 'unite' feature, but couldn't get it.   Seeing how it's the Pathfinder feature I use most, the Ctrl + 4 tip is awesome!   Cheers man