Using Mac keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator

[jessicaj43626120]

Is there any way to use the keyboard shortcuts I have set on my Mac Keyboard Shortcuts in Illustrator?

I use these as more of a "fast keys" typing tool.. For example, when writing an email  (R) turns into ®. (Registered mark)

When using illustrator, I often need to specify printing techniques and was hoping to set a shortcut e.g WB = "WATERBASE"

Small request, but this would save a lot of time/typing errors at work!

Thanks,

[tromboniator]

My feeling (and this is purely opinion) is that you might be better served to train your brain to recognize the environment you are working in rather than to turn off or find substitutes for  Illustrator shortcuts. It probably depends on how you plan to use Illustrator, but there is just a ton of keyboard shortcuts, using individual letter keys or letters and one, two, or three modifier keys.

Go to the Edit menu, and open the Keyboard Shortcuts and look through it (it's extensive) and see where there are conflicts with the shortcuts you want to use, and whether it is worthwhile to eliminate or change any of the Illustrator default shortcuts. It really depends on how you want to use Illustrator, and whether you would rather go to a menu to invoke a tool or process rather than use a shortcut.

Peter

[jessicaj43626120]

Hi Tromboniator,

Thanks for your feedback - I'm not sure I've explained what I'm after very well.

I don't necessarily want to change/edit the shortcuts for commands - I just want to be able to type abbreviations, and have the full word entered like I can elsewhere on any other program on a mac.

I currently use keyboard shortcuts in the Mac system preferences to enable a kind of digital shorthand - where I type a combination of letters and it automatically changes them to the word I entered into the keyboard shortcuts replacement - I have attached a screenshot if this explains it better.

This is more of a text replacement tool, rather than shortcuts for a command. I'm wondering if i can apply this in Illustrator.

I don't tend to muck around with the default illustrator shortcuts, I'm quite used to the current ones and don't need any more!

This one typing tool would come in handy however.

Thanks!

[tromboniator]

Okay, yes, I misunderstood. Mac keyboard typing shortcuts don't seem to work in Illustrator, but I have a separate app (Typinator) that does work great for that, saves me a bunch of time. Sorry not to have a better answer for you.

Peter

[meganchi]

This may not be ideal, but an alternative is to use Illustrator's Edit menu, then choose Find and Replace.