Expert: Amy - 8/13/2009

Question
Hi Amy,
In my work with AI CS4, I'm CONSTANTLY having to "Select same..." 1) fill color, 2) stroke color, and 3) appearance. Is there any keystroke shortcuts for these three actions or some way to save my wrist from have to reach up for the top menu to make my selections all the time?  Also a "Clear Guides" shortcut would be helpful too.
Thanks much!
Marianne


Answer
Hi Marianne,

Three things...

1) I want to make sure you know that Ctrl+6 is a repeat select command. If you are using Select Same Fill over and over again, using Ctrl+6 repeats it after you have done it once. Once you switch to select same stroke, Ctrl+6 repeats that command, etc.

2) You can also create more specific keyboard shortcuts for each of the Select functions.

Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts. Choose Menu Commands where it currently says Tools. Scroll down until you find Select. Expand it. Scroll down until you find Same. Expand it. You can enter a key combination by clicking on the row you want, under the Shortcut column.

3) You can make some Actions to do these commands.

Make sure nothing is selected in your document.

Go to Window > Actions.

Use the window's flyout menu (upper right corner) and make sure that you are not in "Button Mode."

Using same menu, create a new Set. Name it "Marianne's" or something personal.

Then create a new action. Name it "Select Same Fill." Create it in the "Marianne's" set you just made. Give it a comfortable Fkey combination. I believe that both F2 and F3 are unused by default. Also, give it a color. This will help later.

Press record.

Immediately go through the steps you want this Action to perform. Select > Same > Fill Color.
Immediately click the gray square on the bottom of the Actions window to end recording.

Create Actions for each Select function you need. Give each a different color.

When you're done, use the flyout menu on the Actions window and switch into Button mode. place the Window somewhere comfortable for you, maybe along the side or bottom of your screen.

Now when you want to use this action, just click the color-keyed button - or - use the Fkey combo you created.

Hope this helps!
Amy