And even if you decide to switch to a different professional drawing app in the future, the foundational functionality would probably remain the same. Pick the right tool for the job. As you can see, there is no need to try to download Microsoft Paint for Mac as soon as you discover there is no exact counterpart within macOS. Oct 18, 2019 Note: In Sketch 53.1 and earlier, Rotate Copies will create a compound shape of your copies (like a boolean operation does). To turn this into separate layers, use Layer Combine Break Apart. Boolean Operations. In Sketch, there are four boolean operations you can use to combine and create complex shapes.
All Keyboard Shortcuts for Sketch
Sketch has a lot of handy plugins, shortcuts and even keyboard stickers to speed up your design process and iterations. If you find this page useful, share it with fellow designers and developers. Macos app store.
Insert an ArtboardArboards allow you to organize and place your designs in contextual flow. There are predefined Artboard sizes for iOS and Android devices, responsive websites, and icons, but you can always create a custom-sized Artboard. Resources: Social Media Marketing, Google Adsense, Google Adwords, Website Advertising Banners Related Plugin: Checkpoints | A |
Rename SelectionIt's helpful to quickly rename your Artboards, Groups, and Layers as you create more of them. Related Plugin: RenameIt | ⌘R |
Basic Shape LayersRectangle R and Oval O shapes are foundational to any design. | RorO |
Group LayersMultiple layers can be grouped and manipulated together. | ⌘G |
Ungroup LayersSimilarly, a group of layers can be ungrouped quickly. | shift⌘G |
Next or Previous PageAlthough there isn't a shortcut for creating a Page, you should consider using these shortcuts to navigate documents with multiple Pages. | fn↓orfn↑ |
Duplicate SelectionArtboards, Groups, and Layers can be duplicated anytime you hold alt when dragging anything in the Canvas. | HoldaltDrag Layer |
Duplicate & RepeatAfter duplicating, you can repeat the same action with the same position offset. | ⌘D |
Display DistancesDisplay the distance between surrounding layers by selecting a Layer. | HoldaltHover Around |
Creating Layers
Shapes are the most common type of layers in your document. There is a variety of simple shapes which can be combined into more complex shapes.
RectangleCreate a Rectangle or hold shift to create a Square. | R |
Rounded RectangleJust a basic Rectangle with default corner radius of 8. Alternatively, you can create a Rectangle and set the corner radius manually. | U |
Oval
| O |
Circle or Square (Perfect Aspect Ratio)First, press O or R. To create a Circle or Square, simply hold shift while creating the Oval or Rectangle. | Holdshift |
Draw from CenterBy default all shapes are drawn from the originating cursor point. Hold alt while creating a shape to draw it from the shape's center point. | Holdalt |
Draw from Center with Perfect Aspect RationSimilarly, hold altshift while creating the desired shape. | Holdaltshift |
LineSometimes it is more useful to create a Rectangle R and adjust the height and width. | L |
Pencil Tool | P |
Vector Tool | V |
Vector Points
Whenever you create new or edit an existing shape, you are dealing with vector points. With these shortcuts you can change the selected point's type and more.. Mastering the Bézier Curve in Sketch, Precise Pixel Editing
Vector Tool | V |
Draw Straight LinesWith the active Vector Tool, you can create a new point aligned at 45° angles to the previous point. | Holdshift |
StraightStraight line without control points. | 1 |
MirroredControl points are opposite of each other and mirror each other. | 2 |
DisconnectedControl points are completely independent of each other. | 3 |
AsymmetricDistance between the control points is independent, but they do mirror each other. | 4 |
Shape Edit ModeIf you want to edit an existing shape, double-click on it or press enter. | enter |
Select Multiple PointsHold down shift while you click on points. The selected point(s) will have more pronounced border. | Holdshift |
Next Point | tab |
Show Only Selected Point | alt |
Snap to Middle PointClick on a line between two points, Sketch will insert the point exactly in the middle of the line. | Hold⌘ |
Source: Mastering the Bézier Curve in Sketch |
Combining Shapes
A complex shape is often composed of more basic shapes. With Boolean Operations you can combine basic shapes to create more complex ones. When you have multiple shapes selected, you can use these shortcuts.
UnionThe result is a vector that is the sum of both vectors' areas. | alt⌘U |
SubtractThe result is a vector where the area of the top shape is removed from the one under it. | alt⌘S |
IntersectThe result is a vector consisting of the parts where the original shapes overlap. | alt⌘I |
DifferenceThe result of a difference operation is the inverse of an intersect operation. | alt⌘X |
Editing Shapes
To select and edit a Layer you can use the following shortcuts.
Change OpacityChange the opacity of a Layer or Group from 1 = 10% to 0 = 100% opacity. | 1 ..to.. 0 |
Toggle Border | B |
Toggle Fill | F |
Explore Fill Color | controlC |
Use as MaskAny shape can be turned into a mask. Any layers above the mask are clipped to its contents. | control⌘M |
Edit LayerEdit the vector points of the selected layer. | enter |
Direct SelectionSelect any layer regardless of Groups. | ⌘ + Click |
Transform | ⌘shiftT |
RotateHolding shift will rotate the selected Layer in 15° increments. | ⌘shiftR |
Toggle Lock | ⌘shiftL |
Toggle Hide | ⌘shiftH |
Moving and Resizing Layers
To restrict movement to a particular axis, hold down the shift key when you drag. The Smart Guides and distance parameters will help you align Layers within the Canvas.
Move LayerMove a layer in the respecting direction on the Canvas (hold shift for 10px increment). | ↑ / ↓ / ← / → |
Lock LayerMove a layer in the respecting direction on the Canvas (hold shift for 10px increment). | ↑ / ↓ / ← / → |
Enlarge by 1pxEnlarge a layer (hold shift for 10px increment). | ⌘→ / ↓ |
Contract by 1pxContract a layer (hold shift for 10px increment). | ⌘← / ↑ |
Direct SelectionSelect any layer regardless of Groups. | ⌘ + Click |
Select Multiple Layers | shift + Click |
Resize from Both Ends | alt + Resize |
Preserve Aspect Ration | shift + Resize |
Arranging Layers
If select multiple Layers and want to distribute them nicely, you can use the Make Grid tool by going to Arrange › Make Grid. Additionally, you can distribute and align Layers using the Inspector's position buttons as shown below.
Align SectionSelect multiple Layers and align the entire selection to their parent Artboard. | alt + click on the Inspector's align buttons |
Arrange Selected Layers Horizontally | control⌘H |
Arrange Selected Layers Vertically | control⌘V |
Send to Front | alt⌘↑ |
Send to Back | alt⌘↓ |
Move throughout Layers | tab |
Symbols
Symbols is a powerful feature in Sketch that allows you to reuse elements easily across Artboards and Pages.
Create Symbols (Custom Shortcut) | ⌘shiftC |
Go to Master Symbol | Clickenter |
Return to Last Symbol Instance | ⌘esc |
Next or Previous PageIf you Choose to Send Symbol to 'Symbols' Page, you can use these shortcuts to navigate between your Pages. | fn↓orfn↑ |
Text Layers
When you have a text layer selected you will notice that the Inspector has changed to show you all the properties that apply to text. Further reading: Typesetting in Sketch, Missing Fonts
Text | T |
Text Edit ModeSimply, press enter on selected text layer or double-click it. | enter or Double-click |
Change Font | ⌘T |
Bold | ⌘B |
Italic | ⌘I |
Underline | ⌘U |
Bigger Type | ⌘alt+ |
Smaller Type | ⌘alt- |
Tighten Character Spacing | controlaltT |
Loosen Character Spacing | controlaltL |
Left Alignment | ⌘shift{ |
Right Alignment | ⌘shift} |
Center Alignment | ⌘shift| |
Emojis and Special CharactersInserts emojis and special characters from a custom dialog while you are in text editing mode. | control⌘space bar |
Convert Text to OutlinesThis is especially useful for creating typographic logos as you will be able to manipulate every vector point independently. | ⌘shiftO |
Line BreakInserts a line break in text editing mode. | shiftreturn |
Spell Checker and Dictation
Text Edit ModeSimply double-click on a text layer or press enter. | enter or Double-click |
Check SpellingOnce in text edit mode, check the spelling of each word by using this shortcut multiple times. Misspelled words will be highlighted. | ⌘; |
Show Spelling and Grammar PaneAdditionally, once you are in text edit mode, you can open Spelling and Grammar pane. | shift⌘; |
Start DictationOnce you are in text edit mode, you can dictate text instead of typing. Note: Enabling 'Enhanced Dictation' option will download a 1.2GB file to your Mac. | fnfn |
Exporting
When you want to export your design you have to tell Sketch which part(s) you're interested in.
Export via DragDrag a Layer outside of Sketch: Export 1x PNG asset | Drag outside of Sketch |
Make Exportable (Custom Shortcut)Select the Layer (or Group) that you want to export and click 'Make Exportable' in the bottom-left of the Inspector or go to Layer > Make Exportable. | ⌘altE |
SliceDraw a new Slice or make a Slice based on selection. | S + Click |
Export SelectionExport the entire Canvas or only the selection. | ⌘shiftE |
General
Save DocumentOnce you save your Sketch document, your Mac will auto-save the file on a continuous basis. You can turn off and on this feature by going to Sketch > Preferences > General or ⌘,. | ⌘S |
Save Document Copy As | ⌘altshiftS |
Find Layer by NameQuickly search and filter layer names. See the Find input field in the bottom-left corner. | ⌘F |
Copy Layer | ⌘C |
Paste Layer | ⌘V |
Paste in PlaceBy default, Paste will position the new copy over the original. With this shortcut, you will position the new copy in the center of the Canvas. | click + ⌘shiftV |
Copy Layer Style | alt⌘C |
Paste Layer Style | alt⌘V |
Open Preference Window | ⌘, |
Canvas
Sketchup
These shortcuts will help you position and align Layers exactly how you want them. A great read on achieving pixel precision with the shortcuts below Precise Pixel Editing
Toggle Rulers | controlR |
Toggle Grid | controlG |
Toggle Layout | controlL |
Toggle Show PixelsPixels will be more visible when you zoom in past 200%. | controlP |
Toggle Show Pixels GridAny edges that do not align with the pixel grid will be visible when you zoom in past 600%. | controlX |
Move Around Canvas | space bar + Drag |
Zoom and Focus
Sketch's Canvas is infinite in size. You can scroll as far as you want in any direction and use these shortcuts to get back to your work.
Zoom InZoom to specific area by clicking or dragging while holding Z. | ⌘+ |
Zoom OutZoom out of specific area by clicking or dragging while holding altZ. | ⌘- |
Zoom to Actual Size of Selected Artboard | ⌘0 |
Zoom on All Elements on the Canvas | ⌘1 |
Zoom to the selected layer | ⌘2 |
Center the Selected Layer in the Canvas | ⌘3 |
Display
Presentation mode, full-screen, hide panels and more..
Toggle Presentation ModeHide everything except the Canvas. This mode is ideal for quick presentations. | ⌘. |
Toggle Full-screen Mode | control⌘F |
Minimize Window | ⌘M |
Toggle Toolbar Visibility | alt⌘T |
Toggle Layer List Visibility | alt⌘1 |
Toggle Inspector Visibility | alt⌘2 |
Toggle Layer List and Inspector Visibility | alt⌘3 |
Custom Shortcuts
![Sketch app free download Sketch app free download](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133919127/617898610.jpg)
Open your Mac's System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts > +
Custom shortcuts can be created via OS X System Preferences. To add your own custom shortcut, open your Mac's System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts > Add. In the drop-down select Sketch under Application. After you've selected Sketch you will be able to define your custom shortcut. | |
Make Exportable | alt⌘E |
Collapse Artboards and Groups | alt⌘/ |
Make Grid.. | ⌘shiftM |
Round to Pixel | ⌘shiftP |
Math Operations Shortcuts
After selecting a shape, perform basic math operations by focusing on fields in the Inspector with alttab and moving through all numerical inputs with tab.
You can add, subtract, divide, multiply, and in some cases, use percentage to tweak your shapes, as shown below. For exmple, you can select a shape and use +, -, *, /, and % in the numerical fields (position, size, and transform). In the radius input field you can specify a different value for each corner by using / (ex. 40/0/40/0).
Sketch Keyboard Stickers from SketchKeys.com
If you found this page useful, share it with fellow designers and developers. We'd love that!
Shapes are one the most common types of layers in Sketch documents. You can add and edit pre-made shapes, or create your own using the vector tool.
Adding shapes
How to Add Pre-made Shapes
To add a new shape, click the Insert button in the toolbar or the Insert menu item in the menu bar, select Shape option and then the type of shape you want to add.
You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts to add some pre-made shapes:
Click and drag anywhere within your Canvas or Artboard to add your shape. You’ll see the shape’s dimensions next to your cursor as you drag.
Hold ⇧ as you click and drag to make your shape’s height and width equal.
Hold ⌥ as you click and drag to draw your shape from its center (instead of the top-left).
Hold the Space bar as you click and drag to change your shape’s origin as opposed to its size (handy if you started in the wrong place).
How to Add Shapes with the Pencil Tool
Press P or choose to Pencil from the Insert menu to enable the Pencil tool. From there you can draw any shape you like. When you’ve finished drawing, Sketch will smooth curves and simplify the path you’ve created.
How to Add Shapes from SVG Code
You can create new shape layers by copying and pasting SVG code anywhere on your Canvas.
Editing shapes
How to Edit Shapes in the Inspector
When you select a shape, you’ll see options for editing that shape in the Inspector. The star, for example, lets you adjust its radius and number of points.
How to Edit a Corner Radius
Click on a rounded rectangle to adjust its corner radii in the Inspector.
You can choose between Round and Smooth corners, changing how the layer’s corners are drawn. Smooth corners have curvature continuity and allow you to create ‘squircles’, the shape used by Apple in their interfaces.
Tip: When you’re in vector editing mode you can select an individual corner point to adjust an individual corner’s radius.
How to Flip Shapes
You can flip shapes horizontally or vertically using the two buttons in the inspector. These buttons will stay selected (so you can click again to reverse the change) unless you flatten the shape and commit the changes using Layer > Combine > Flatten.
How to Rotate Shapes
There are a few ways to rotate your shapes in Sketch. Bluetooth equalizer app mac.
You can enter a value in degrees in the Inspector. This can be a positive or negative value to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise, respectively.
Alternatively, select your shape and click the Rotate button in the toolbar. Then click and drag anywhere outside your shape to rotate it.
To change the axis on which your shape rotates, simply click and drag the crosshair at its center to the point you want to rotate around. To reset this, simply reselect your shape.
Finally, you can quickly rotate any shape you’ve selected by holding ⌘ and dragging one of its selection handles.
Holding ⇧ when you rotate a shape will do this in 15° increments.
![Sketch Sketch](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133919127/953410035.jpg)
You can commit these changes and reset the rotation value to 0° by flattening the shape (Layer > Combine > Flatten).
How to Edit Shapes in Vector Editing Mode
To edit a shape in vector editing mode, either double-click on it, or select it and press the Enter key.
When you enter vector editing mode, you’ll see circular points connected together by paths. Click on any of the circular points and drag them to change the shape of a layer.
To add a new point, hover over a path between two points and click to insert. To delete a point, select it and press the Backspace key.
The paths between different points on your shape can be straight lines or curves, depending on the kind of point connecting them. Double-click on a point connecting straight paths to change it to a curved path.
When you change a point to create a curved path, you can use the two handle control points that appear to edit the curve itself.
Flattening your shape (by selecting Layer > Combine > Flatten) will create points at each end of the curve.
For further information about Sketch’s vector editing tools, take a look at the Vector Editing section.
How to Edit Shapes Using the Transform Tool
To use the Transform tool, select one or more shapes and head to Layer > Transform > Transform. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + ⇧ + T. You can also add the Transform tool to your toolbar via View > Customize Toolbar….
The Transform tool adds points to each corner of your shape(s), as well as points in between each corner. Click on a point and drag it to transform and skew your shape(s).
If you click and drag on a point between two corners, you’ll move both corners at the same time.
When you click and drag on a corner point, the opposite corner will move in the opposite direction at the same time. To control a single corner only, hold down ⌘.
How to Edit Shapes Using the Scissor Tool
You can use the Scissor tool to cut away paths from shapes. To do this, select the Shape you want to edit, enable the tool via Layer > Path > Scissors (you can also add it to your Toolbar via View > Customize Toolbar…) and click on any of the paths that make up your shape to remove them.
When you’re done, click outside of the shape or press Enter or Esc. Best mac performance enhancing apple.
How to Edit Shapes with Rotate Copies tool
Rotate Copies takes a single shape and rotates copies of it around a single point. To use it, select a shape and head to Layer > Path > Rotate Copies (you can also add a button for it to your Toolbar via View > Customize Toolbar…). From there, choose how many copies you want to create and click OK.
Use the handle that appears to set exactly how you want your copies to be positioned. When you’re done, press Esc or Enter.
Note: In Sketch 53.1 and earlier, Rotate Copies will create a compound shape of your copies (like a boolean operation does). To turn this into separate layers, use Layer > Combine > Break Apart.
Boolean Operations
In Sketch, there are four boolean operations you can use to combine and create complex shapes. Select two or more shapes, then click on the boolean operations buttons in the toolbar.
- Union creates a shape that’s the sum of multiple shapes’ areas.
- Subtract removes the area of a shape from the one underneath it.
- Intersect creates a shape from the areas where the selected shapes overlap.
- Difference creates a shape from the areas where the original shapes don’t overlap. It’s the opposite of Intersect.
You can also access the boolean operations buttons from the Touch Bar.
Boolean operations apply from the top layer down. So, if you were to draw a smaller circle inside a larger circle and apply the Subtract operation, you’d create a donut shape.
Combined Shapes
When you apply a boolean operation to two or more shapes, Sketch will group the original shapes together in a new combined shape group.
With combined shapes, boolean operations are non-destructive, so you can edit the original shapes and change the result at any time. You can even even bring together two or more combined shapes with a new boolean operation.
How to Edit Combined Shapes in the Layer List
You can expand a combined shape just like a normal group in the Layer List. When you do this, you’ll see all the different shapes that make up your combined shape and the different boolean operations applied to them.
By clicking on a boolean operation icon next to a shape, you can change that boolean operation that’s applied to that layer.
To hide any of the original shapes in your combined shape, Control-click on them in the Layer List and select Hide Layer (or use ⌘ + ⇧ + H). This will change how your combined shape appears in the Canvas.
You can also create a combined shape in the Layer List by dragging one shape layer on top of the other. This will apply the Union boolean operation by default.
Masking Shapes
There are a few different ways to create masks in Sketch, but they all follow the same rule: Sketch will use the shape that’s lowest in the Layer List as the mask.
How to Create an Outline Mask
An outline mask only shows parts of a layer or multiple layers that fall within its shape. There are a few ways to create them.
Select a shape on your canvas and choose Layer > Mask > Use As Mask. Alternatively, you can control-click on the shape and select Mask.
When you create a mask, Sketch adds icons to any layers or groups above it in the Layer List to show that they’re being affected by the mask. If you drag another layer or group above the mask, it will also be affected by it.
If you want to place objects above your mask layer but don’t want them to be included in the mask, select it and choose Layer > Mask > Ignore Underlying Mask.
You can also group your masked layers and the mask itself so that anything outside of that group isn’t affected.
If you select multiple layers at the same time, you can mask them all at once by choosing Layer > Mask > Mask With Selected Shape. This will use the shape at the bottom of the Layer List within your selection as the mask and automatically group them all.
When you have multiple layers selected, Control-clicking on your selection and choosing Mask has the same effect as Mask with Selected Shape.
Selecting a layer within a mask group and choosing Layer > Mask > Ignore Underlying Mask will keep it within the group, but stop it from being affected by the mask.
How to Create an Alpha Mask
Alpha masks in Sketch hide anything that falls outside of their shape and also control the opacity of any layer they’re masking.
To create an Alpha mask, create an outline mask like normal, then select it and choose Layer > Mask > Mask Mode > Alpha Mask.
Head to your mask layer’s Fills in the inspector and be sure that it has a gradient fill. It’s worth noting that Sketch looks for the alpha in your gradient, not the colour, to control the alpha mask settings.
Mac Basic Sketch App Creator
Last updated on 18 Oct 2019