Is there a setting to temporarily select a tool by holding down it's key while you use it?

[guitarjorge24]

In Illustrator, is there a way to temporarily select a tool by holding down it's key while you use it and then releasing it when you finish using it to go back to your previous tool?

For example, in Photoshop, I can select the brush tool and paint, then press and hold the Z key to zoom in and out, then release the Z key to go back to the brush tool automatically.

[Barbara Ash]

It depends on the Tool. As you discovered, some tools, like the Zoom tool, have that ability. Some others are the Spacebar to temporarily select the Hand tool, Control (Win) or Command (Mac) to temporarily select the Selection tool (whichever one was used last - Selection or Direct Selection)

[RvdT]

Yes, if i understand correctly.

i.e.: I often use the 'Direct Selection Tool' and the 'Pen Tool'.

Press A for 'Direct Selection Tool', then press P for the 'Pen Tool'.

When you hold down the Ctrl key, you'll get the 'Direct Selection Tool' and when you release Ctrl you'll have the 'Pen Tool' again.

[Anna Lander]

Ctrl calls the last used selection tool (Selection or Direct Selection);

Space (Alt if you are working with text) — Hand tool;

Ctrl+Space — Zoom tool.

BTW In Photoshop this also works 😉

[guitarjorge24]

Oh I see, the functionality of pressing and holding Ctrl + Space in Illustrator is like holding "Z" in Photoshop. Is there a way to change the Ctrl + Space shortcut to just be "Z" or something else?

[Anna Lander · Accepted solution]

well, if you use a mouse with a wheel, you can rotate it holding Alt. Z in Illustrator calls Zoom, but not temporarily 😞

[guitarjorge24]

I see, it's too bad there's not a way to activate temporary switch for all tools like in Photoshop. The Alt + scroll works pretty well though, thanks!