5. Creating Shortcuts to Menu Functions
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## 5. Creating Shortcuts to Menu Functions

Many functions which are accessible via the image menu have a default keyboard shortcut. You may want to create a new shortcut for a command that you use a lot and doesn't have one or, more rarely, edit an existing shortcut. There are two methods for doing this.

Procedure 11.1. Using dynamic keyboard shortcuts

1. First, you have to activate this capability by checking the Use dynamic keyboard shortcuts option in the Interface item of the Preferences menu. This option is usually not checked, to prevent accidental key presses from creating an unwanted shortcut.

2. While you're doing that, also check the Save keyboard shortcuts on exit option so that your shortcut will be saved.

3. To create a keyboard shortcut, simply place the mouse pointer on a command in the menu: it will then be highlighted. Be careful that the mouse pointer doesn't move and type a sequence of three keys, keeping the keys pressed. You will see this sequence appear on the right of the command.

4. It is best to use the Ctrl+Alt+Key sequence for your custom shortcuts.

Figuur 11.31. Configure Keyboard Shortcuts

Procedure 11.2. Using the Keyboard Shortcut Editor

1. You get to this Editor by clicking on Configure keyboard shortcuts in the “Interface” item of the Preferences menu.

2. As shown in this dialog, you can select the command you want to create a shortcut for, in the “Action” area. Then you type your key sequence as above. In principle, the Space bar should clear a shortcut. (In practice, it clears it, but doesn't delete it.)

3. This shortcut editor also allows you to control the tool parameter settings with the keyboard. At the top of this dialog, you can find a Context menu that takes you to the tool parameters. To make your work easier, tool types are marked with small icons.

| Opmerking
Custom Keyboard shortcuts are stored in one of Gimp's hidden directory (`/home/[username]/.gimp-2.6/menurc`) under Linux, and `C:\Documents and Settings\[Username]\.gimp-2.6\menurc` under Windows XP. It is a simple text file that you can transport from one computer to another.

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