Useful MAC Apps and Hardware [Ongoing Updates]

Aerilius · 31 Oct 2012, 14:55

For those who have always been interested to use both OS X/Windows variants of SketchUp in combination (they have both pros/cons in their UI), still today you can get Codeweaver's CrossOver for free (they only ask you to promiss to vote...)
http://flock.codeweavers.com

CrossOver is a program to run any Windows application directly without virtualization/emulation.

driven · 31 Oct 2012, 22:47

Hi Aerillius,

have you managed to run SketchUp under crossover on linux?

I've tried on mac in the past and just reinstalled to try anew, but get a Bugsplat on startup, and cant locate openGL error, etc...

a working bottle may help
john

Aerilius · 31 Oct 2012, 23:40

I am using it (for years), but until now with Wine, I will try CrossOver now.
The Bugsplat on the first start is usually because SketchUp first tries software rendering, but after setting it to hardware acceleration in the registry it usually works (not sure if CrossOver is different, but in your bottle you should find a Windows directory with regedit.exe).

driven · 1 Nov 2012, 00:25

Cheers,
I'll have a look tomorrow night
john

Mike Lucey · 13 Nov 2012, 02:52

Hi Guys,

Are any of you missing the 'Save As' function after upgrading to Mountain Lion? If so the problems can be solved in seven easy to follow steps.

How to Restore 'Save As' Functionality to OS X Mountain Lion

(www.iclarified.com)

Mike Lucey · 13 Nov 2012, 02:59

Clean Memory App is good and free on the App Store.

Mike Lucey · 15 Nov 2012, 23:24

Guys,

Productive Macs are doing a good deal on a bundle, here, http://www.productivemacs.com/f/847429

There is a total of 9 apps in the package for $29.99.

I have purchased and find Task Paper and Disk Aid and Desktop Shelves very useful.

Mike

Mike Lucey · 18 Jan 2013, 22:38

I did a try and buy for LEAP by Iconic Software. http://www.ironicsoftware.com/leap/ I find it a huge time-saver

For those that like a video review, check this out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FgWjLTYexo&hd=1

mwm5053 · 19 Jan 2013, 18:35

If you use a Mac you know they love shortcuts for about everything this is a dashboard app that has lot of Mac apps only (wish the made one for SU) for you to look up from Finder to Mail and third part apps like Apature, Keynote and lots more.

http://dashkards.com/

Enjoy

wind-borne · 19 Jan 2013, 20:37

@mwm5053 said:

If you use a Mac you know they love shortcuts for about everything this is a dashboard app that has lot of Mac apps only (wish the made one for SU) for you to look up from Finder to Mail and third part apps like Apature, Keynote and lots more.

http://dashkards.com/

Enjoy

a couple that show Mac's hardwired SU shortcuts (different than those entered within SU) and the ones you make in System Preferences.
Neither allow editing as far as I could tell which limits their usefulness in my eyes.
You can click from items on both.

Free
http://www.grandtotal.biz/CheatSheet/

$
http://www.ergonis.com/products/keycue/

I have an older version of KeyCue, a little easier on the eyes than CheatSheet

wind-borne · 19 Jan 2013, 21:22

take control

I purchased this app immediately when it emerged from Beta, better price back then

Bartender 5 - Take control of your Menu bar

(www.macbartender.com)

Mike Lucey · 29 Jan 2013, 10:46

WB, thanks for the heads-up on Bartender, I'm now using it ...... it makes things a lot tidier looking

I have had a Mac Mighty Mouse wireless for some time but only recently started using it due to the death of my MobilityLab mouse. While the Mighty Mouse took a little getting used to, I now quite like it as the ball scrolling is easy on the finger!

I was having a few problems with 'right clicking' on SU but since installing SteerMouse http://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/ my problems have been cured.

SteerMouse is a mouse driver that lets you freely customise buttons, wheels and cursor speed. The app is not cheap at $20 but worth it I think as it really enhances the functionality of the MM

Edson · 29 Jan 2013, 11:13

mike,

can you tell me in what way is SteerMouse better than or different from the free app MagicPrefs?

on second thoughts, perhaps the difference is the fact that MagicPrefs is a for the MagicMouse whereas SteerMouse works for the Mighty Mouse.

(by the way, I still find the older MightyMouse much better for modeling in sketchup than the current touch mouse)

Mike Lucey · 3 Feb 2013, 14:20

Well, you answered your own question Edson

Yep, I also prefer the wireless mighty mouse. I have only tried out the new touch mouse at my local Apple Store but as it doesn't have a scroll ball / wheel I gave up on it. I did however come across an article about a work-around for this which seemed to work. I will locate it and post here.

BTW, I use the wireless might mouse on my MBP which is on a stand which slopes. I initially found the mighty mouse a little heavy but then discovered that it would work perfectly with one battery! Removing a battery dropped the weight a little and as they same 'every little helps'

EDIT: Couldn't find the article I had in mind but found this, How to use Apple's Magic Mouse with CAD!

http://www.archicadmonkey.com/files/apple_magic_mouse_CAD.html

Edson · 4 Feb 2013, 12:11

@mike lucey said:

Well, you answered your own question Edson

Yep, I also prefer the wireless mighty mouse. I have only tried out the new touch mouse at my local Apple Store but as it doesn't have a scroll ball / wheel I gave up on it. I did however come across an article about a work-around for this which seemed to work. I will locate it and post here.

BTW, I use the wireless might mouse on my MBP which is on a stand which slopes. I initially found the mighty mouse a little heavy but then discovered that it would work perfectly with one battery! Removing a battery dropped the weight a little and as they same 'every little helps'

EDIT: Couldn't find the article I had in mind but found this, How to use Apple's Magic Mouse with CAD!

http://www.archicadmonkey.com/files/apple_magic_mouse_CAD.html

thanks, mike. well, apart from a few tips for windows users, the article suggests one to use magicprefs, which I have been doing since I got my magic mouse.

actually, I use the magic mouse for everything except for modeling in sketchup. it is great for navigating the www and even for photoshop and its siblings. but magicprefs notwithstanding, nothing beats the good old little scroll ball of the mighty mouse for modeling.

the problem with the wireless mighty mouse is that it has been discontinued (although the wired one has not). one can still find a few lying around in big stores. because it is an extinct species I have been saving it for use with sketchup and let the magic do the rest.

Mike Lucey · 4 Feb 2013, 13:33

It might be an idea to pick up a wireless Mighty Mouse on eBay etc if they come up for sale!

driven · 4 Feb 2013, 13:43

@mike lucey said:

It might be an idea to pick up a wireless Mighty Mouse on eBay etc if they come up for sale!

Maybe I should sell mine there, the balls on both wired and wireless, 'bung' up and are a nuisance to clean...

It became a daily chore before I retired them...

I did really like them before they started failing.

john

Mike Lucey · 4 Feb 2013, 14:36

How were you cleaning them? This video show the process involved, Cleaning the Mighty Mouse Scroll Ball
http://vimeo.com/338625

I think he could do with a tweezers though!

elmer · 20 Feb 2013, 17:10

Mike,

Thank you so much for this video link!
Altough the first part, unsealing the bottom ring, is a little tricky, all the process
is very easy and efficient.
I was just going to buy a new mouse (the fourth one in a few years ), now all I have to do is to clean my mouse stock

Thanks again.

Patrice

Of course, I also thanked Julian on Vimeo.

jeff hammond · 20 Feb 2013, 17:50

(i'm not sure if this has been brought up in this thread yet or not but...)

i'm going on 3 months now using pixelmator..

http://www.pixelmator.com

it's 15 dollars.. seriously, the first application i ever used on a computer for content creation was photoshop.. and i used it for years and years..

and i'm saying, i don't miss a single feature in photoshop by using pixelmator.. (other than me being so used to photoshop's UI)..

it has all the tonal controls i need as well as very similar layers and blending modes.. good sharpening and selection tools etc.. a solid base set of tools that function very well for me..

but the main benefit for me at this point (besides the price point) is that it's a simple drag/drop type of instal (or via app store).. a nice&neat little app.. with photoshop, it installs all sorts of crap all over my computers and things are always launching/popping up (app managers!? or whatever)..

might not be a good 'downgrade' for some people that are photoshop maniacs but for people like me and what i need out of an image editor, it actually feels like an upgrade..