So many times I find myself asking how do I ______ on a Mac? I have always enjoyed working on a Mac, but it seemed every job I had until now required PC use. Not to say I’m Mac illiterate, but it usually will involve a random and meticulous search on Google or some other search engine (Is there another?) for answers. At any cost it, I spend many hours searching around for tips and tricks for Mac computers. Only to find myself doing it again because I can’t remember it the second time months down the road.
For my own personal help, as well as helping others in this same predicament, I have chosen to post some of these great tips and tricks in one location as a instant resource for you late night designers/users. I plan to gather more information and helpful tools for the next part. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Digital Color Meter
This great tools come installed FREE on your mac. If you ever need to find the color of any pixel on your screen, then this is the tool for you. Forget the browser based color pickers. This tool works anywhere on your screen.
Shorcuts:
Cmd+X : Lock Horizontal Position
Cmd+Y : Lock Vertical Position
Cmd+L : Lock Position
Cmd+Shift+H : Hold Color
Cmd-C : Copy the Image in large box on the left
Cmd+Shift+C : Copy the RGB values as text
Cmd+Option+C : Copy the solid color as an image
Location:
Applications/Utilities/DigitalColor Meter
Cost: $FREE
Screenshots
Take screen-shots of specific areas or application windows. Every Mac comes with this included. just not explained.
Shorcuts:
cmd+shift+4: This will show crosshairs in which you can click and drag around specific area.
cmd+shift+4+spacebar: This allows you to copy application windows or web pages (think of whole areas).
esc: This exits out with out copying anything. Sort of an emergency exit.
Transfer Files from Non-Mac Mobile Devices
I had a problem recently trying to transfer my mobile photos to may Mac. My phone a LG “Dare” from Verizon, is incompatible with my iMac. I would plug it into my Mac and it wouldn’t even recognize it! After frustration wore off, I looked online and finally found a great idea to transfer photos and files to my Mac from any phone that is Bluetooth enabled.
OPEN>System Preferences/Bluetooth
In application window select + (add) for new device. follow the onscreen instructions.
You’ll have to set up your phone to receive the signal, on the File Sharing Setup link and make sure you check Remote Management.
Once setup is complete, just open your bluetooth panel again in System Preferences and click Browse Device. You should be able to view all files on your phone.
Location:
System Preferences/Bluetooth
Cost: $FREE
Synchronize Your Bookmarks
A great free service to keep your online bookmarks in order on various computers (Mac or PC) is XMarks. This software allows you to sync all your bookmarks from one browser to another. You can organize folders and files just the way you like them. Best thing is you only have to do it once!
Location:
Cost: $FREE
Popularity: 60% [?]
