Tool keys
PhotoCraft tool shortcuts and modifier keys
A tool-selection key and a modifier used during a gesture do different jobs. Confirm both on a disposable document before depending on muscle memory.
Common tool groups in the v0.7.0 source
| Key | Tool or tool group |
|---|---|
| V | Move |
| M | Rectangle / ellipse marquee |
| B | Brush / pencil / mixer |
| L | Lasso group |
| W | Magic Wand / Quick Selection / Object Selection |
| C | Crop / slice group |
| G | Gradient / Paint Bucket |
| T | Type / Vertical Type |
| J | Remove / healing / patch group |
| S | Clone Stamp / Pattern Stamp |
| H / Z | Hand / Zoom |
The version-tagged tool-group source (opens a new tab) defines these keys. A group key does not always choose one specific tool: its active member and cycling preference matter. Keep a small image and practice layer, leave text input, then confirm the selected tool visibly.
The shortcut implementation supports cycling through a group with repeated presses. When the preference to use Shift for tool switching is enabled, Shift plus the group key cycles while the plain key keeps the last tool. Check your preference rather than assuming a universal cycling rule.
Test one modifier at a time
Modifiers can change a gesture’s behaviour, but the relevant key and timing depend on the tool, platform and build. Use a repeatable gesture and compare it without a modifier, then with one documented modifier.
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tool and target | A move, selection or brush action can interpret the same key differently. |
| Modifier and timing | Holding a key before a drag may differ from pressing it during the gesture. |
| Observed change | Record the actual result, rather than the behaviour you expected. |
| Platform and version | Keep the reference tied to the build you checked. |
Separate a focus problem from a tool problem
If a key types a character, edits a value or triggers a dialog, the canvas may not have focus. Finish the field, return to the document and try the visible tool control first. Check whether a transform or selection operation is still active.
Keep confirmed tool keys in a short personal reference alongside your everyday command shortcuts. An empty entry is more useful than an invented binding.
For a repeatable failure, include the exact tool, focus state, key combination, keyboard layout and expected versus actual result in an official issue report. A short permitted screen recording can clarify the gesture.
Official sources: PhotoCraft README (opens a new tab) · Issue tracker (opens a new tab).