This is driving me CRAZY.

[DrakeGraves]

Hi, first time caller long time listener. I'm using CS5, and a tablet, and anytime I try using click+shift click to draw a straight line, I end up drawing either vertically or horizontally, locking the stroke itself so shift click doesn't draw a straight line, but it enters the vertical or horizontal straight line drawing mode, if that makes sense. I can't think of how else to explain it.

Long story short, is there a way to change the hotkeys for either function, so i can just separate them from one another?

[Psychotime]

You're doing it wrong for what you're trying to do, but you're close.

You don't drag the brush to make those kinds of lines. You just tell photoshop where the line you want to make starts and ends. I personally use a mouse for anytime I need to do one of those.

You make a point. Then you get ready to click the endpoint of the line you want to make, which requires you to hold shift.

Stroke Paths are an alternative you can use.

Holding shift while moving a layer or using a tool locks them onto a grid that only allows it to move in one of four directions at a time, which is very useful in itself.