Alt Key Madness
I was teaching a workshop at the Lepp Institute last weekend, and I found myself (yet again) reminding those attending the workshop just how valuable the “magic” Alt key (Option key on Macintosh) really is when it comes to Photoshop. I often joke about how cool it is that this “secret” keystroke provides so many cool options that otherwise wouldn’t be available, and in fact that otherwise wouldn’t even be discoverable. The punch line, of course, is that me telling them about these “secret” features makes me look smart but makes the students feel stupid. This isn’t exactly a good thing.
The more I thought about this, the more frustrated I got. I’ve always thought it was so cool that there were so many “secret” features in Photoshop. But then I realized it was only cool because then I could impress audiences with the revelation of this feature. From the perspective of a user who is trying to learn how to use a truly complex piece of software, this is a very bad thing. If the user can’t discover the feature, it probably might as well not exist. I’m not suggesting that every feature should have yet another checkbox or button or other control so the user can see absolutely every feature available. But I am suggesting that Photoshop (and other applications) aren’t exactly the best when it comes to the ease with which users can discover the many available features. I love Photoshop, but I do sympathize with those who are trying to learn how to use it, and how to leverage the incredible power it contains.
I think Adobe is realizing that ease of use is a very important feature. I notice, for example, that Curves includes a checkbox for the clipping preview rather than relying on the user knowing they can hold the Alt (or Option) key to access this powerful feature. I just hope this is the beginning of a new era in making Photoshop more accessible, and not just a fluke.
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March 25th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Finally, someone admits that Photoshop’s UI presents an almost impenetrable barrier to the new user. Alt+key shortcuts are great as shortcuts, but terrible as a “hidden” way to accomplish something. Photoshop hides too many features behind arcane key combinations.
I’ve always thought that one of the greatest lacks in Photoshop is a customizable toolbar. How much easier Photoshop would be to use if I could create a custom toolbar with my most-used tools. I used to do that in Paint Shop Pro and could move left to right along the toolbar to process a photo in sequence of adjustments that I preferred. This would also allow the user to customize Photoshop for specific uses, such as photographic vs graphics.
Adobe has done better with the UI in Lightroom and Photoshop Elements. I’m disappointed they have been recalcitrant about fixing the UI in Photoshop.
March 30th, 2008 at 4:26 am
thanks for that tip. i love using keystrokes, and now will look for where others might be.
~sue
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
When an instructor at a lecture/workshop tells me something new that may not be in the manufacturer’s handbook, I don’t feel “stupid,” I rejoice (especially if the hint is a keyboard shortcut). Manuals rarely include everything, and I wouldn’t remember it all if they did! There are various ways of doing things, and manuals usually give the “mouse” way. (Keyboard users seem to be few and far between.) So Tim, keep “messing around” and discovering new ways of doing things. And sharing.
And as far as the seminars and workshops, isn’t that why we spend time and money to attend these events? Sometimes that one tidbit of information is what will make the workshop worth every penny spent (not that the rest of the information isn’t useful or welcome). So go ahead, Tim, Look Great!!! It isn’t really at the viewers’ expense. (And I don’t really feel that the manufacturers keep “secrets” per se. I just think when manual time comes, they have to make choices. So look on the bright side; their choices give lecturers and writers like you an income enhancement opportunity!)
May 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Agreed Tim. But you mentioning this causes me to wonder what else have I missed? Of course I knew some of the applications, but I’m sure I will discover more now. Thanks.
I hope you are right about Adobe seeing that the key to growing their customer base is ease of use. The trouble has been that ‘Top Dawgs’ usually can rest on their laurels, but it sounds like you are seeing a departure to that philosophy.
I know they have always touted their forums as answer magnets, and users do a very good job of helping others but their software needs to become more intuitive-based. You know far more than I and yet I get along fairly well. Imagine those who have spent the $650 and are about as comfortable as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Ball’s in your court Adobe.