Manual · Chapter 13
Keyboard Shortcuts
ViolaScope provides keyboard controls for fast photo navigation, extending selections, assigning star ratings and setting culling states without repeatedly reaching for the mouse.
Keyboard navigation
The left and right arrow keys move through the current photo set.
- ← – move to the previous photo
- → – move to the next photo
This makes it possible to work through a photo collection continuously while keeping your hands on the keyboard.
Open the selected photo in full screen
Return / Enter
Opens the currently selected photo in single-photo
full-screen view.
The command works in the normal workspace with the filmstrip as well as in grid view when a photo is selected.
Esc
Leaves single-photo full-screen view and returns to the
view from which it was opened.
If the photo was opened from grid view, the previous grid size is preserved when returning.
Navigation in comparison view
The arrow keys have a comparison-specific behavior while comparison view is active.
- ← – move the comparison pair backward
- → – move the comparison pair forward
This allows you to continue comparing photos without leaving comparison mode after each pair.
Extend the selection
Outside comparison view, the current selection can be extended one photo at a time with the Shift key.
- ⇧ + ← – extend the selection backward
- ⇧ + → – extend the selection forward
This is useful when several neighboring photos should receive the same rating or culling state.
Select all displayed photos
Use:
⌘ + A
to select all photos in the currently displayed photo set.
If a filter is active, the command therefore applies to the currently visible filtered set rather than automatically selecting every photo in the complete project.
The normal Select All command is not used for the photo set while comparison view is active.
Star ratings
Star ratings can be assigned directly with the number keys.
- 0 – remove the star rating
- 1 – 1 star
- 2 – 2 stars
- 3 – 3 stars
- 4 – 4 stars
- 5 – 5 stars
No Command, Option or Control modifier is required.
The rating is applied to the current selection.
Favorites and color labels
Favorites and color labels can also be assigned directly with letter keys.
f
Toggle the favorite state of the current selection.
- r – Red
- y – Yellow
- g – Green
- b – Blue
- v – Violet
Pressing the same color shortcut again removes the color label.
Create a tag
Press t to create a new tag.
Rating multiple photos
If several photos are selected, pressing a number from 0 to 5 applies that rating to the selected photos.
This makes it possible to rate a group without repeating the same action for every image.
Check the current selection before assigning a rating when several photos are highlighted.
Culling shortcuts
The three culling states can be assigned directly with letter keys.
- p – Pick
- u – Hold / neutral
- x – Reject
No Command, Option or Control modifier is required.
The chosen culling state is applied to the current selection.
Zoom and grid size shortcuts
The + and - keys adapt to the currently active view.
In single-photo full-screen view and full-screen comparison view, + zooms in and - zooms out.
In grid view, + increases the grid size and - decreases it.
Grid sizing is therefore available from both the keyboard and the existing plus/minus interface controls.
Culling multiple photos
If several photos are selected, p, u or x applies the corresponding culling state to all photos in the current selection.
This can be useful for sequences or groups that should receive the same review decision.
Keyboard commands in comparison view
Rating and culling commands remain useful while two photos are being compared.
The current comparison selection can receive a star rating or culling state without leaving the comparison workflow.
The arrow keys then continue through comparison pairs rather than performing the normal single-photo navigation.
Text fields receive their own keyboard input
ViolaScope does not treat normal typing inside an editable text field as photo-management shortcuts.
When a text field is active, letters, numbers, arrow keys, Return/Enter and ⌘ + A are available to the text input itself.
This prevents a file name, project name or other text entry from accidentally changing photo ratings or selections.
Keyboard input while a sheet is open
When a dialog or sheet is open, the main workspace keyboard controls are temporarily suspended.
Keyboard input is then handled by the active dialog.
After the dialog is closed, the normal workspace keyboard controls become available again.
Escape and Return in dialogs
Standard macOS dialog actions are available where the corresponding dialog defines them.
Esc can be used for a standard cancel action where one is available.
Return can activate the standard default action in dialogs that provide one.
The exact result depends on the currently open dialog.
No direct shortcut for every function
ViolaScope does not currently assign a keyboard shortcut to every interface function.
There are currently no documented direct workspace keyboard shortcuts in this manual for switching immediately to grid, comparison or map view.
The currently selected photo can, however, be opened directly in single-photo full-screen view with Return / Enter.
Use the corresponding interface controls for the other workspace views.
Shortcut overview
- ← – previous photo
- → – next photo
- ⇧ + ← – extend selection backward
- ⇧ + → – extend selection forward
- Return / Enter – open the selected photo in single-photo full-screen view
- Esc – return from single-photo full-screen view to the originating view
- ⌘ + A – select all currently displayed photos
- 0 – remove star rating
- 1–5 – assign star rating
- f – toggle favorite
- r – Red
- y – Yellow
- g – Green
- b – Blue
- v – Violet
- t – create a new tag
- p – Pick
- u – Hold / neutral
- x – Reject
- + – zoom in / increase grid size
- - – zoom out / decrease grid size
In comparison view, the left and right arrow keys move through comparison pairs.
A keyboard-focused review workflow
A fast review sequence can look like this:
- Use the arrow keys to move through the photo set.
- When needed, use Return/Enter to open the selected photo in single-photo full-screen view and Esc to return.
- Use 0 to 5 to assign or remove star ratings.
- Use p, u and x for culling decisions.
- Use Shift with the arrow keys when several neighboring photos should be selected.
- Use ⌘ + A when the complete currently displayed set should be selected.
- Continue through the collection with the arrow keys.
This allows a substantial part of the review process to be completed without repeatedly switching between keyboard and mouse.
Next step
The final chapter collects common questions and troubleshooting steps for projects, filters, GPS, Vision Culling, export, keyboard input and data safety.
Back: Project Folder and Data Safety