excuse the newbie question. I can't find the bucket tool in the toolbar... I've been looking for it for long time. Do i need to install photoshop from disc again? Is my photoshop corrupt? Any ideas may help me keep my hair! I hope there is simple solution. Pete

It's usually hidden under the gradient tool.

Yes it is there! I feel foolish and relieved! Thank you.

No problem. There's a lot to remember which can be tough unless you're using PS 8 hours a day every day!

A tip I picked up from one of the Photoshop tutorials here is that if you hold Shift and press the shortcut key for the tool you can cycle through the other tools that are grouped. For example, hold the Shift key and press the G key and you'll change from the Gradient tool to the Bucket tool, and then back to the Gradient tool if you press G again (while still holding the Shift key). It's a really nice tip for speeding up your workflow! Hope it helps you =)

That will work with most but not ALL the tools. If you look at the hidden tools you'll notice that some don't have a keyboard shortcut associated with them, a requirement for the shift-key shortcut to work. You can customize keyboard shortcuts to add those tools.

Kurt and Jim, Great tricks. I bet you both are very efficient at editing in photoshop. As for me, like Jim said, I'm struggling to remember what I know. Do you have any advise to help me remember the shortcuts and workflow?

Practice, practice, practice. Seriously, I tell my students to try to use the app every day and learn one new thing every time they use it. Continue to practice it every time you use the app and you'll be an expert in a few months. Of course it's harder than it sounds, but the more you do it the easier it becomes. You might also create a cheat sheet with your favorite tools and shortcuts listed and keep it handy until you don't need it anymore.

Thanks Jim, That's good advise. The more I use Photoshop the less intimidating it is, thanks also to your great tutorials! Many thanks again.

Hi Quest, Although I am not a Photoshop expert or trainer (like Jim) I recommend similar techniques to my Logic Pro students... Practice and more practice. Writing down new techniques/short cuts you learn on a small piece of card every time you use PS may be helpful too. That way you'll have a pile of cards with useful info... Although, having said that, may be a 'greener' option would be to use one sheet of paper where you reference tips and shortcuts to the chapters in Jim's tutorials ;-) Best Rounik