Using a painting tool like Krita can be difficult sometimes. Even though the app has so many features, you will find it hard when it comes to managing everything. Plus, creating a design by using Krita can be time-consuming. Most people feel less productive when it takes a lot of time to craft a design.

Here come Krita shortcuts. From navigating to layer handling, you can save a lot of time by using these shortcuts. There are so many benefits of using Krita shortcuts. Firstly, it will speed up your workflow. Hence, you can boost your productivity by using shortcuts properly.

Well, as a beginner, it will take time to understand the use of all these Krita shortcuts. However, it will work like magic when you learn how to use shortcuts.

In this article, we will share all Krita shortcuts that you can use while designing your future projects.

Krita Shortcuts List

According to Krita’s official website, these shortcuts will be similar to Photoshop CS2 and CS3. And they are based on the Krita 2.9 version. Well, they are basic shortcuts. If anything changes in the future, you will find an update on the official page.

Let’s find out about the basic Krita shortcuts:

1. Navigation

To navigate your documents in Krita, you can use these methods:

  • Move ‘Mouse Wheel’ up and down to pan your document
  • You can use the ‘+’ and ‘-’ keys on your keyboard
  • To zoom the document, use ‘ctrl + Space’ in Photoshop and Manga Studio
  • Alternatively, use ‘Ctrl + Alt + Space’ to have a discrete zoom.

2. Rotation

Rotating a canvas is very essential when you are designing something on Krita. If you want to rotate the document or canvas, you have to press the ‘Shift + Space’ keys together. 

3. Transform

If you want to transform or move documents in Krita, you have to use tools. Well, you can find them in the toolbar. To transform a document, press ‘Ctrl + T’ together. You can go back to the brush tool by pressing the B key. Make sure you don’t right-click in this process. 

4. Mirror

To check your drawing and painting in the mirror viewpoint, you have to press the M key. 

5. Selections

For selections, Krita has a similar shortcut to Photoshop. So, press Alt + Shift to add or remove a selection. For intersect, you can hold Alt + Shift. On the other hand, you can also use the Krita sub tool for this.

6. Layer Handling

Layer handling has so many common shortcuts with Photoshop. You can use the following method:

  • Merge down; Ctrl + E
  • Duplicate; Ctrl + J
  • Flatten all ; Ctrl + Shift + E
  • Insert new paint layer; Ins
  • Add new layer group; Ctrl + G

7. Blending Mode

When it comes to the blending mode, Krita can surprise Photoshop users. Hence, it’s very easy for beginners. In simple words, you can keep the blending mode and clean the layer stack by using groups. Krita has a more predictable feature in this case. 

8. Multi-Layer Transform

For multi-layer transform, you have to hold down the Shift key on your keyboard. It will help you move the layer inside the group. This method is applicable for sub-layers as well. However, you can use filters to multi-layer transform.

9. Smart Layers

Krita doesn’t have smart layers but there are several alternative options available in this app including file layers, clone layers, filter masks, and transform masks. All of these features can be used to non-destructive transform.

10. Layer Styles

Krita lets you apply Photoshop’s layer styles by right-clicking the given layer style. Make sure you select the layer style first from the context menu. Krita will save it as ASL files. 

11. Paint Erasing

Krita is one of the best apps when it comes to painting tools. However, Krita doesn’t have an erasing tool. It’s the Blending mode that will help you toggle between the paint and erase modes. 

12. Stabilization

For stabilization, you have to find the ‘paint and brush’ tool from the tools option. In fact, you can find more settings for brush smoothing and stabilization. 

13. Adjustment

Just like Photoshop, Krita lets you use classic filters to adjust crucial things while designing. Let’s find out the shortcuts:

  • Levels; Ctrl + L
  • Adjust HSV; Ctrl + U
  • Invert; Ctrl + I

14. Blur Tools

Even though you can’t find blur tools in Photoshop, Krita provides this feature. In this case, you have to use the Filter Brush Engine. You can use filters in brush forms.

15. Themes

To change the default dark theme, go to the Settings option and select Themes. There, you can choose a brighter theme. You can also change the canvas border color from that option.

How to Change Krita Shortcuts

As we noted, you can customize the application by configuring shortcuts.

To start with that, go to the ‘Settings’ interface first and choose the Keyboard Shortcuts tab to configure Krita. In this case, you can find most shortcuts in the menu section.

Krita added a new feature called ‘Actions’ that can help you by saving time. By using this option, you can search for any shortcut by pressing ‘ctrl + Enter’. That means you don’t have to assign a shortcut with every action. This new feature is available with the 5.0 version.

A user can assign up to two shortcuts. And they will be considered as the primary and secondary shortcuts. In this case, just use the custom button and type the combination as per requirement. 

If you want to migrate to Krita from another painting tool, you have to use default shortcuts. However, Krita is compatible with Photoshop and Paint Tool Sai. So, you don’t have to work hard if you have been using these apps. 

Conclusion

As a beginner, using Krita can be tricky and time-consuming. In this case, learning the shortcuts is the best way to improve your workflow. If you have been using Photoshop, you can learn Krita shortcuts fast. Plus, don’t forget to check new updates as Krita adds new features fast.

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