pen and keyboard shortcuts for left handed people

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
August 18, 2018
1 reply
4361 views

I recently started using a pen and tablet to work in Photoshop and AI. However I am left handed and it is very unpractical to use the right hand for shortcuts on the left of the keyboard because the right hand crosses over the left hand holding the pen. Also, shift + alt on the left is different than shift + alt on the right of the keyboard. alt + backspace fills in the foreground color while on the right it fills in the background color so I cannot substitute. Very frustrating. Is there a way to change the keyboard shortcuts in such a way that it is not permanent in case I need to use the keyboard and mouse for some reason. Somehow I taught myself to draw with the mouse and have done it for years but it is almost impossible to do the same with the pen. Maybe a script?

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JJMack

Community Expert

Photoshop menu Edit>Keyboard Shortcuts

JJMack

avid_body16B8Author

Legend

I am definitely aware of that since I have been using PS for years, but this is not what I am talking about. There is a difference between the way shortcuts work for a lefty or a righty and I do not want to change the shortcuts each time I change between a pen or a mouse because I use the mouse with my right hand but the pen with my left hand.

J

jindap

Participating Frequently

sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

are you using your tablet directly in front of your monitor or off to the side?

I too, am a left-handed pixel pusher and over the years have adjusted the way I work to maximize efficiencies.

The adaptation of the Wacom meant my right hand became my "keyboard" hand. Since a Mac desktop keyboard has symmetrical "control / option / command" button layout to the left and right of the keyboard, most shortcuts can be modified via the Keyboard Shortcut option mentioned above. I've now moved 95% of all keyboard strokes to the right side of they keyboard. There's going to be exceptions of course. for example, a MacBook Pros keyboard layout doesn't have the "control / option / command" layout on both sides which presents some problems if you're working from a laptop. Or keyboard shortcuts that require more than your single hand can span for example: "control+option+commad+k".

I suppose if working in the above manner doesn't float, then possibly creating two distinct Workspaces to switch back and forth from could help. you can create keyboard shortcuts for each of your set ups to help as a work around from crossing over your hands.

Otherwise you might just have to "relearn" using the pen as your primary drawing hand and completely forgo the mouse altogether.

good luck.

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