Mac Apps
3D modeling applications are notoriously complex and can take years to learn. Complicated modeling tools, infinite material setting variables, lighting radiance adjustments, multiple cameras, UVs, etc., it can all be quite daunting and frankly unnecessary for someone looking to create a quick mockup. Enter Google SketchUp, an amazing free application for creating professional (non photo-realistic) 3D models on the fly.
Though SketchUp is relatively simple compared to more robust 3D applications, it still has a ton of features… too many too enumerate here. This review will briefly cover some of the principal features and tools in SketchUp and offer a little insight into how you can create complex geometry in a jiffy.
While you sit in front of your screen for hours on end, perusing tech blogs and pretending not to be addicted to Facbook, are you considering what sort of impact you’re having on the environment!? If you’re like me, the answer is “Hey pal, it’s a computer not a Hummer. Back off.” Luckily however, the good folks at Apple have put a lot of time and effort into this problem for us.
In honor of Blog Action Day we’ll be taking a look into what makes Apple one of the greenest technology companies you’ll find by examining the actions that they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint in the areas of manufacturing, transportation, product use, recycling, and facilities.
Think you know everything there is to know about OS X? Here’s a list of secret features and shortcuts known only by the most elite nerds. Test your knowledge and see if you are a good candidate to stand at the Genius Bar and wear a clever T-shirt.
We’ll start with some simple features before moving on to the more obscure. Topics covered include downloading YouTube videos using Safari, accessing an entire second clipboard, placing widgets on your desktop, and taking control of your system volume!
AppleScript is an easily approachable scripting language built into OS X. However, as with any programming language, performing complex tasks with AppleScript can be difficult and requires thorough knowledge of advanced programming techniques.
We’ve previously offered a basic introduction to AppleScript, and this article will cover a number of useful AppleScript tips and tricks to help you create some amazing advanced scripts.
Automator is an incredibly handy automation assistant for OS X. Instead of writing lines of code as in AppleScript, Automator allows you to string together preset actions through an easy to use drag-and-drop interface. The result is no-brainer automation on the fly.
This tutorial will cover a number of basic Automator features including how to work with application-specific actions, creating variables, embedding AppleScripts, and recording custom actions. Let’s get going!
The Finder is an excellent file browser that keeps getting better and better with every new version of OS X. However, many Mac users find OS X’s default file browser to be lacking in a few essential features like tabs, a dual window view, fast loading image previews, etc. As a result, several third party file browsers have sprung up bringing a lot of innovation to the table.
This article will briefly introduce five alternatives to the Finder. I’ll go over each app’s unique features and shortcomings so you can decide which solution works best for you.
AppleScript is a powerful scripting language that comes built-in to OS X. The principal use for AppleScript is the automation of tasks that are normally repetitious and time consuming. For instance, as a freelancer, I hate creating invoices every week for my various clients. To solve this problem I wrote an AppleScript that reads the hours that I log into iCal, creates an invoice in Microsoft Excel based on those hours, and emails the invoices to my clients. All with the click of a button!
The best part about AppleScript is that you don’t have to be a genius programmer to use it. In fact, you don’t have to have any programming experience whatsoever. This article will show you how to write an AppleScript for nearly any application using the simple instructions that come hidden within each app’s framework. Intrigued? Read on!
The Hit List is an excellent new Getting Things Done (GTD) application from Potion Factory. Many GTD applications suffer from an overly complex experience that leaves you spending your days creating and customizing your task list rather than completing it. The Hit List instead opts for a simple, streamlined interface void of clutter and big on productivity.
This review will cover the basic functionality of The Hit List as well as it’s major selling points and shortcomings. Keep in mind that The Hit List hasn’t reached version 1.0 yet, so anything lacking may be addressed before the official launch.
Have you ever deleted an application from your Mac by simply dragging it to the trash? It turns out there’s more to most applications than what you see in the “Applications” folder. Many apps spread system files all over your hard drive that can be a pain to track down. This means when you simply throw an app in the trash, you’re leaving behind associated content that unnecessarily eats up space on your Mac.
Fortunately, there are several third party solutions that save you the work of hunting down and deleting all these stranded files. Here’s a quick rundown of six of them, let us know which ones you use!
On the surface, Quicksilver is a simple application launcher. Type a quick shortcut to launch the main window followed by the first few letters of an application’s name and you’re off launching apps at will from the keyboard like some sort of OS X wizard. This is all fine and dandy, but the real power of Quicksilver lies in a broad and robust range of features.
However, faced with a formidable learning curve, many users fail to dig deeper to discover how to use Quicksilver beyond simply launching apps. This article will provide a brief overview of how to setup Quicksilver and begin using a number of its most useful features. Later we’ll have another article that delves into some more advanced features, techniques and tricks.
