Useful keyboard shortcuts for using Paint.NET

Video Useful keyboard shortcuts for using Paint.NET

Most commands in Paint.Net can be executed quickly via the keyboard. This article will summarize all shortcuts in Paint.Net.

Note: If two tools share the same shortcut key, each time it is pressed, it will cycle using each tool in turn. Numbers shown such as x3 - indicate the number of keystrokes needed to activate the tool group and cycle to the specified tool. Continuous keystrokes should not take longer than a second.

Control UI / Canvas

Rotate image (does not work while typing with Text tool	Hold `Spacebar`+ drag a picture with the left mouse button
Scroll up / down	Scroll the mouse wheel up / down or `PgUp`/`PgDn`
Scroll to the left	`Shift`+ scroll the mouse wheel up, `Shift`+ `PgUp`or `Home`x 1
Scroll to the right	`Shift`+ Mouse wheel down, `Shift`+ `PgDn`or `End`x 1
Scroll the image to the top left of the editing window	`Home` x 2
Scroll the image at the top left to the center of the screen	`Ctrl` + `Home`
Scroll the image to the bottom right of the editing window	`End` x 2
Bringing the bottom image in the right corner to the center screen	`Ctrl` + `End`
Zoom in / Out	`Ctrl`+ Mouse wheel scrolling `Ctrl`+ `-`and `+` `Ctrl`+ `0`(set actual size) In the Status Bar, drag the slider or type the value in the percent text box The options are in the View Menu
Photo center	`Ctrl`+ `B`(twice). First, combine zoom on the window, second, restore previous zoom level of images
Spinning canvas	`Spacebar` + Left mouse button `Spacebar` + Arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→` Click & drag with the middle mouse button
Spinning canvas x 10	`Spacebar`+ `Ctrl`+ Arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Deselect the current one	`Ctrl`+ `D`or`Enter`
Move 1 pixel for each current tool	Arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→`(may not work with all tools)
Move 10 pixels for the tool in use	Hold key `Ctrl`+ Arrow key `↑` `←` `↓` `→`(may not work with all tools)
Display the Hotkey Menu	`Alt`
Use the Hotkey Menu	`Alt` + underlined characters in menus
Show / Hide tools window	`F5`
Show / Hide history window	`F6`
Show / Hide layer window	`F7`
Show / Hide color window	`F8`
Send text or painting tools to the layer	`Esc`or `Enter`or `Ctrl`+ `D`or click `Finish`in the toolbar

List & navigate photos

Switch to the next image	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Switch to the previous image	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`Tab`
Switch to the number of X images	`Ctrl`+ X or `Alt`+ X

Toolbar

Reduce the width of the brush	`[`
Increase the width of the brush to 1	`]`
Reduce the width of the brush to 5	`Ctrl` + `[`
Increase the width of the brush to 5	`Ctrl` + `]`
Preset the width of the brush via the mouse wheel	Position the mouse pointer over the Brush Width value in the Tool Bar and use the mouse wheel
Preset the width of the brush via the arrow keys	Click in the Brush Width value box in the Tool Bar and use `↑`or`↓`

File menu

Open the File menu	`Alt` + `F`
New photo	`Ctrl` + `N`
Open the image	`Ctrl` + `O`
Open recent file	`Alt`+ `F`,`R`
Search	`Alt`+ `F`, Q
Close the image	`Ctrl`+ `W`or `Ctrl`+`F4`
Save Image	`Ctrl` + `S`
Save Image As	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`S`
Save the entire picture	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+`S`
Print	`Ctrl` + `P`
Exit paint.net	`Alt`+ `F4`or `Alt`+ `F`then, press`X`

Edit menu

Open the Edit menu	`Alt` + `E`
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`
Rework, do it again	`Ctrl` + `Y`
Cut	`Ctrl`+ `X`or `Shift`+`Delete`
Copy	`Ctrl`+ `C`or `Ctrl`+`Insert`
Merge copies	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`C`
Paste	`Ctrl`+ `V`or `Shift`+`Insert`
Paste into the new layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`V`
Paste into new photos	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+ `V`
Select copy	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+ `Shift`+`C`
Paste selection (Replace)	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+ `Shift`+`V`
Select delete	`Delete`
Selection to fill	Spacebar
Selection reversed	`Ctrl` + `I`
Select all	`Ctrl` + `A`
Deselect the current one	`Ctrl`+ `D`or`Enter`

Menu View

Open the View menu	`Alt` + `V`
Enlarge	`Ctrl` + `+`
Zoom out	`Ctrl` + `-`
Zoom in on the screen	`Ctrl` + `B`
Zoom in on the selection	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`B`
Actual size	`Ctrl` + `0`

Photo menu

Open the photo menu	`Alt` + `I`
Cut to choose	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`X`
Resize	`Ctrl` + `R`
Canvas size	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`R`
Rotate 90 degrees (clockwise)	`Ctrl` + `H`
Rotate 90 degrees (counterclockwise)	`Ctrl` + `G`
Rotate 180 degrees	`Ctrl` + `J`
Flatten	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`F`

Menu Layers

Open the Layers menu	`Alt` + `L`
Add new layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`N`
Delete the layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`Delete`
Duplicate layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`D`
Include the currently selected layer below	`Ctrl` + `M`
Rotate / Zoom	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`Z`
Go to the top layer	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+`PgUp`
Go to the upper layer	`Alt` + `PgUp`
Go to the layer below	`Alt` + `PgDn`
Go to the bottom layer	`Ctrl`+ `Alt`+`PgDn`
Move the active layer to the top of the list	`Ctrl`+ Click icon with the left mouse button
Move the active layer to the bottom of the list	`Ctrl`+ Click with the left mouse button
Layer properties	`F4`

Edit menu

Open the Adjustments menu	`Alt` + `A`
Level up automatically	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`L`
Black and white	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`G`
Brightness / Contrast	`Ctrl` + `Shift`+`T`
Curve	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`M`
Color / Saturation	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`U`
Reverse colors	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`I`
Level	`Ctrl` + `L`
Posterize	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`P`
Sepia	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`E`

Effects menu

Open the Effects menu	`Alt` + `C`
Repeat the last used effect	`Ctrl` + `F`

Settings dialog box

Open the Settings dialog box Alt + X

Help menu

Open the Help menu	`Alt` + `H`
Online documents	`F1`
Search in paint.net	`Ctrl` + `E`

Tool window

Turn on / off window display	`F5` or
Reset window	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+ `F5`or `Ctrl`+ `Shift`+

History window

Turn on / off window display	`F6` or
Reset window	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+ `F6`or `Ctrl`+ `Shift`+
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`
Rework, do it again	`Ctrl` + `Y`

Window for setting layers

Turn on / off window display	`F7` or
Reset window	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+ `F7`or `Ctrl`+ `Shift`+
Add new layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`N`
Delete the layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`Delete`
Duplicate the layer	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+ D
Merge with the layer below	`Ctrl` + `M`
Rotate / Zoom	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+`Z`
Change the editing focus to the new layer	Use the left mouse button to click on the new layer
Move the active layer to the top of the list	`Ctrl`+ click with the left mouse button
Layer properties	`F4`

Color window

Turn on / off window display	`F8` or
Reset window	`Ctrl`+ `Shift`+ `F8`or `Ctrl`+ `Shift`+
Swap primary and secondary colors	`X`
Use gradients	`C`
Color Wheel - Changes Hue only	Hold `Ctrl`and drag the color picker
Color Wheel - only changes the Saturation	Hold `Alt`and drag the color picker
Color Wheel - Snap Hue about 15 °	Hold `Shift`and drag the color picker

Shortcut open tool

Select rectangle	`S`
Select Lasso	`S` x 2
Select Ellipse	`S` x 3
Magic Wand tool	`S` x 4
Paint Bucket	`F`
Paintbrush	`B`
Pencil	`P`
Clone Stamp	`L`
Text	`T`
Shapes	`O` x 2
Move selected pixels	`M`
Move selection	`M` x 2
Zoom	`Z`
Pan	`H`(temporarily activated: hold `Spacebar`+ drag with the left mouse button / arrows on the keyboard
Gradient	`G`
Eraser	`E`
Color Picker	`K`
Repaint the color	`R`
Draw straight / curved lines	`O`

Selection tools (except for the Magic Wand)

Select rectangle	`S`
Select Lasso	`S` x 2
Select Ellipse	`S` x 3
Choose create	Drag + left or right mouse button
Additional options	`Ctrl` + Drag with the left mouse button
Remove selection	`Alt` + Drag with the left mouse button
Reverse the selection mode	`Ctrl` + drag with the right mouse button
Mode select intersection	`Alt` + Drag with the right mouse button
Turn a rectangle into a square	`Shift` and drag the picture
Transform Ellipso into a circle	`Shift` and drag the picture
Move the selection while dragging	Drag the selection with the left and right mouse buttons
Move selected copy	Select the Move Selected Pixels + tool `Ctrl`

Magic Wand tool

Activate Magic Wand	`S` x 4
Create a selection like a pixel	Click the left mouse button
More options	`Ctrl` + click the left mouse button
Remove selection	`Alt` + left mouse click
Reverse the selected part	`Ctrl` + right click
Mode selection intersection	`Alt` + right click
Full selection	`Shift` + other Magic Wand actions
Reposition the click point	Drag the 4-way arrow icon

Moving tool

Move selected pixel tool	`M`
Move selection tool	`M` x 2
Resize the selection	Drag corner or edge point
Resize & scale	`Shift` + drag corner points
Move selection	Use the left mouse button to drag the 4-way arrow icon
Rotate selection	Use the left mouse button to drag the arrowhead on either end or select with the right mouse button
Increase rotation angle by 15 °	Hold Shift while rotating

Zoom tool

Activate Zoom tool	`Z`
Enlarge	Click with the left mouse button
Zoom out	Click with the right mouse button
Pan while Zoom	Click and drag with the middle mouse button or mouse wheel

Pan tool

Activate Pan tool	`H`
Pan canvas	Click & drag with the left or right mouse button or click and hold the mouse button + arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Reposition the Pan tool	Move the mouse or the arrows on the keyboard `↑` `←` `↓` `→`

Paint Bucket

Activate Paint Bucket	`F`
Fill the area with Primary color	Click LEFT MOUSE BUTTON or SPACEBAR
Fill the area with Secondary color	Click the right mouse button or `Shift`+`Backspace`
Full fill mode	Keep `Shift`in Contiguous mode
Contiguous fill mode	Keep `Shift`in Global mode
Reposition the click point	Drag the icon

Gradient tool

Activate Gradient tool	`G`
Gradient from Primary → Secondary	Drag with the left mouse button
Gradient from Secondary → Primary	Drag with right mouse button
Move start / end points	Drag either control
Swap the direction of the gradient (example: swaps color roles)	Use the right mouse button to click on the point
Move the gradient	Drag
Limit gradients to 15 degrees	Hold `Shift`while dragging the point

Paint Brush

Activate Paintbrush tool	`B`
Draw with Primary color	Click or drag the brush with the left mouse button
Secondary color drawing	Click or drag the brush with the right mouse button

Pencil Tool

Activate Pencil tool	`P`
Draw with Primary color	Click or drag the pencil with the left mouse button
Secondary color drawing	Click or drag the pencil with the right mouse button

Eraser Tool

Activate Eraser tool	`E`
Delete an area	Click or drag with either mouse button

Color Picker

Activate Color Picker	`K`
Set the Primary color	Click with the left mouse button
Secondary color setting	Click with the right mouse button

Recolor Tool

Turn on the Recolor tool	`R`
Replace Secondary with Primary	Drag the color with the left mouse button
Change Primary color to Secondary	Drag the color with the right mouse button

Clone Stamp Tool

Turn on the Clone Stamp tool	`L`
Set source point	`Ctrl` + Click point with the left mouse button
Copy pixels	Drag with the left or right mouse button

Text Tool

Turn on the Text tool	`T`
Add text to the layer	`Esc`or click `Finish`in the toolbar
Move the text (before wrapping the text in the layer)	Drag the icon

Line / Curve Tool

Activate straight / curved line drawing tool	`O`
Use Cap style	`,`
Line style	`.`
End Cap style	`/`
Move the Line / Curve points	Drag the point with either mouse button or click & hold the point and use the arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Drag the whole Line / Curve	Drag the icon with the left mouse button
Move Line / Curve up 1px	Press any arrow key `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Move Line / Curve by 10px	Hold down `Ctrl`and press any arrow key`↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Rotate Line / Curve	Drag with right mouse button
Lock rotation level up to 15 degrees	Hold `Shift`while rotating

Shapes Tool

Turn on the Shapes tool	`O` x 2
Draw shapes using Primary color	Use the left mouse button to draw a picture
Draw pictures with Secondary color	Draw the shape with the right mouse button
Turn around shapes	`A`
Reverse the shapes	`Shift` + `A`
Move the Shape point	Drag the point with either mouse button or click & hold the button, then use the arrow keys `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Fixed high and wide ratio of Shape	Hold `Shift`while dragging the point
Drag the entire Shape	Drag the icon with the left mouse button or drag the cursor positioned in the shape with the left mouse button
Move the Shape up 1px	Press any arrow key `↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Move the Shape to 10 px	Hold down `Ctrl`and press the arrow keys`↑` `←` `↓` `→`
Lock the maximum rotation angle to 15 degrees	Hold `Shift`while rotating
Increase angular value change to 5px (rectangle only next to rounded)	Hold `Ctrl`while clicking `-`or `+` at the corner size keys on the toolbar

Advanced troubleshooting

Corrupt .NET data collection Ctrl+ Alt+ Shift+`

Command line (paintdotnet: protocol)

Start paint.net & download the image Start> Run+ paintdotnet: "C: \ Users \"

Above are the top useful mouse commands and keyboard shortcuts when using Paint.NET . Hope the article is helpful to you.

Tags: #paint.net #paint.net keyboard shortcuts #paint.net shortcuts

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