Last Updated: November 21, 2025
Essential Shortcuts
V
Move Tool - Select and move objects
A
Node Tool - Edit vector paths and nodes
P
Pen Tool - Draw vector paths
N
Pencil Tool - Draw freehand paths
M
Rectangle Tool - Draw rectangles
X
Swap fill and stroke colors
G
Fill Tool - Apply gradient fills
T
Artistic Text Tool
Cmd/Ctrl + G
Group selected objects
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G
Ungroup objects
View & Navigation
Cmd/Ctrl + 0
Zoom to fit all objects
Cmd/Ctrl + 1
Zoom to 100%
Cmd/Ctrl + 2
Zoom to 200%
Cmd/Ctrl + 8
Zoom to selection
H
View Tool - Pan canvas (hold Space)
Z
Zoom Tool - Click to zoom in
Cmd/Ctrl + '
Toggle snapping
Cmd/Ctrl + ;
Toggle guides visibility
Vector Operations
Cmd/Ctrl + J
Convert to curves - Make text/shapes editable
Cmd/Ctrl + K
Add Boolean operation (Add, Subtract, etc.)
Layer → Geometry → Add
Union - Combine shapes into one
Layer → Geometry → Subtract
Subtract top shape from bottom
Layer → Geometry → Intersect
Keep only overlapping areas
Layer → Geometry → Divide
Split shapes at intersections
Layer → Expand Stroke
Convert stroke to filled shape
Cmd/Ctrl + L
Lock selected layer/object
Node Editing
A (Node Tool)
Select and edit individual nodes
Click node + S
Make node sharp/corner
Click node + M
Make node smooth
Click node + T
Make node smart (auto-smooth)
Double-click segment
Add node to path
Delete on node
Remove node from path
Alt + drag handle
Break node handles (independent)
Action → Close Curve
Close open path
Transform & Arrange
Cmd/Ctrl + ]
Bring forward one layer
Cmd/Ctrl + [
Send backward one layer
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + ]
Bring to front
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + [
Send to back
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + G
Group inside (create clipping mask)
Hold Shift while scaling
Maintain aspect ratio
Hold Alt while scaling
Scale from center
Cmd/Ctrl + R
Show/hide rulers
Color & Fill
Click swatch in Swatches panel
Apply fill color
Shift + click swatch
Apply stroke color
G (Fill Tool)
Edit gradient direction and stops
Linear Gradient
Apply straight gradient (Fill panel)
Radial Gradient
Apply circular gradient
Conical Gradient
Apply cone-shaped gradient
Bitmap Fill
Fill shape with image texture
Eyedropper (I)
Sample color from artwork
Text & Typography
T
Artistic Text - Click to place text
T (Frame Text)
Draw text frame for paragraphs
Cmd/Ctrl + T
Show character panel
Text → Text on Curve
Place text along a path
Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Adjust kerning (tracking)
Shift + Alt + Up/Down
Adjust leading (line spacing)
Cmd/Ctrl + B
Bold text
Cmd/Ctrl + I
Italic text
Effects & Styles
FX → Gaussian Blur
Add blur effect to layer
FX → Outer Shadow
Add drop shadow
FX → Inner Shadow
Add inset shadow effect
FX → Outer Glow
Add glow around object
FX → 3D
Apply 3D extrusion effect
Layer → Rasterize
Convert vector to pixel layer
Opacity slider
Adjust layer transparency
Blend Mode dropdown
Change layer blending (Multiply, Screen, etc.)
💡 Pro Tip:
Use
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + H
to toggle between Vector and Pixel persona for seamless vector-to-raster workflow. Master Boolean operations for complex logo designs.