What's that keypad thing next to your tablet? It looks cool!
Itâs actually a USB numpad that I reprogrammed to use as a Photoshop  hotkey/shortcut pad! Thereâs an entire tutorial here on how to do it.Â
But I ended up doing this because with the way my work area is set up, itâs much easier to have all my shortcuts close to my left hand while Iâm drawing with my right hand, instead of having to reach over to use the keyboard.
I bought the numpad at my local computer store on clearance for $6 (regular price was $10) and the sticker paper for $4 at Wal-Mart (itâs actually 8.5âł x 11âł shipping labels). The tutorial I provided above already has everything you need to make one of these keypads yourself, including the sticker files, so it only cost me $10 to make mine. Compare that to the brand name programmable hotkey pads (like X-Keys) that cost $100+!!Â
Itâs very useful and I highly recommend doing it if you find yourself frustrated with your work station (like having to reach over your tablet for your keyboard).
One thing I suggest tho that the tutorial left out, is that when you print the stickers out, make sure you put strips of scotch tape over the printed image before you cut them out, that way the ink wonât rub off from your fingers touching them on the keys all the time.






















