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Shortcuts, a rethink. e.g. why use [command + J] for Duplicate?


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This particular shortcut is a legacy thing from Photoshop.

 

And it's a horrid shortcut, from an abhorrently shortsighted company when it comes to shortcuts and usability.

 

AD’s Shortcuts need a rethink so they're actually... well.. SHORTCUTS!

 

[command + J] requires taking the right hand off the mouse/trackpad (or leaving the screen/tablet with the stylus hand) in order to operate it. It is, therefore, no longer a shortcut, because the very first thing anyone is going to want to do with a duplicated object is to somehow transform it... 90% of the time with the mouse/trackpad/stylus.

 

So if you persist with this ridiculous shortcut you make [command + C, V] into a MUCH faster (but lesser) operation than using the Duplicate function.

 

See, that's ridiculous.

 

[command + D] is the most logical option for a Duplicate function. 

 

'D' fits nicely, also, into the holy triumphant of standardised cut/copy/paste [command + (X & C & V)] as it sits above and in the gap between X&C.

 

// I know, you're going to suggest that should be used for Deselect, I'd strongly suggest there's no need for a Deselect shortcut key beyond using Escape, especially when that's already serving that purpose.

 

Which brings up the disparity between the Help file’s information on Shortcuts and the actual shortcuts.

 

[shift + command + D] is listed as the shortcut for Deselect. It’s not, it’s just [command + D], pressing the suggested [shift + command + D] shortcut results in an error beep, and no action.

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AND....

 

[shift + X] combo, PLEASE!!!

 

And, while you’re at it, think about what key you’d like to use to deactivate the currently selected colour.

In Illustrator this is the [/] key, but it’s a horrid shortcut, miles away from the left hand’s home position and requires using the right hand most of the time.

 

 

So I’d be inclined to think that if:

 

[X] = Change edit focus from Outline to Fill to Outline etc

 

&

 

[shift + X] = Swap Fill with Outline

 

then

 

[alt + X] = Deactivate/Activate currently selected Colour (Fill or Outline)

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  • 6 months later...

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