Overview:

Once hotkeys become an integral part of your workflow, you will constantly be looking for new combinations to speed up your process.

Layer masks are an important tool in the visualization workflow, but Photoshop does not offer a hotkey for creating them. Follow the steps below to make your own:

1. Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts…
   
2. Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection
   
3. Assign a keystroke–I chose Ctrl + M (Cmd + M) to stand for “Mask”.
   
4. Accept > OK

Mac:

Cmd + M = create layer mask from selection

PC:

Ctrl + M = create layer mask from selection

This hotkey works for me because I am creating a Layer Mask from a selection 95% of the time (place entourage, make a selection around the area I want to see, mask the area). If, however, you like to create your Layer Masks first and then paint in the area you want to reveal, assign your hotkey to “Hide All” instead. Happy masking.