# How to Create a Vector Mask Shortcut in Photoshop

Creating a keyboard shortcut for a vector mask in Photoshop involves navigating the Keyboard Shortcuts menu and assigning a custom key combination to the desired vector mask action.

Here's how to set up a shortcut for adding a vector mask:

How to Create a Vector Mask Shortcut in Photoshop

Assigning a custom shortcut can significantly speed up your workflow when frequently using vector masks. While Photoshop doesn't have a single "Add Vector Mask" option to assign a shortcut to directly, you can assign shortcuts to specific vector mask actions like "Reveal All" or "Hide All".

Here's a step-by-step guide based on accessing mask options via the Layer menu:

1. Open Keyboard Shortcuts: Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts....

2. Navigate to Layer Menu: In the "Shortcuts For" dropdown, ensure "Application Menus" is selected. Expand the Layer menu item by clicking the triangle next to it.

3. Find Vector Mask Options: Scroll down within the expanded Layer menu and find Vector Mask. Expand this submenu.

4. Select an Action: You will see options like Reveal All, Hide All, Current Path, etc. The most common action you might want a shortcut for is adding a new vector mask, often corresponding to Reveal All if you don't have an active path selected or want to add one and then draw the path later.

   • Reference Insight: As highlighted in the reference for layer masks, Photoshop often lists specific actions like "Reveal All" under the Mask/Vector Mask submenus rather than a generic "Add" or "New" mask option in the shortcut settings. This means you assign the shortcut to a specific type of mask addition (like revealing everything by default).

5. Assign Your Shortcut: Click in the blank column next to the Reveal All action (or your chosen vector mask action). Press the key combination you want to use for the shortcut (e.g., Shift + Alt + V). If the shortcut is already assigned, Photoshop will notify you and show you what it's currently used for. You can choose to accept the change (reassigning the shortcut) or pick a different combination.

6. Accept and Save: Once you've assigned the shortcut, click OK to close the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog. You can save your custom shortcut set if you wish, giving it a unique name.

Now, when you use the assigned key combination, Photoshop will perform the selected vector mask action on the currently active layer.

Example:

If you assigned Shift + Alt + V to Layer > Vector Mask > Reveal All, pressing Shift + Alt + V will add a Reveal All vector mask to your selected layer.

Vector masks are powerful for creating sharp, scalable mask edges using paths, making this shortcut valuable for shape and design work.

Step	Action	Menu Path (in Shortcuts Dialog)
1. Access Shortcuts	Open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog.	Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts...
2. Navigate Layer Menu	Expand the Layer menu.	Layer
3. Find Vector Mask	Locate and expand the Vector Mask submenu under Layer.	Layer > Vector Mask
4. Select Action	Choose the specific action (e.g., Reveal All) for your shortcut.	Layer > Vector Mask > Reveal All
5. Assign Shortcut	Click the shortcut column and press your desired key combination.	(Enter Keys Here)
6. Save Changes	Click OK to confirm and optionally save your shortcut set.	OK

Remember that unlike layer masks (which use painting), you typically create or refine a vector mask using the Pen tool or Shape tools, defining the mask boundary with vector paths. The shortcut assigned here simply adds the vector mask container to the layer with the default setting (Reveal All, Hide All, or based on a path if one is active and you choose 'Current Path').