Useful MAC Apps and Hardware [Ongoing Updates]

tfdesign

I've recently started using MacDraft again, so I've really got to champion MicroSpot's MacDraft Pro once more. I bought this MacDraft some years back, and never really used it, because I was lazy and didn't want to use a single button mouse again. But MacDraft really is something special, and it is very cheap too (at the moment, if bought from other distributors). MacDraft is very fast in Snow Leopard too.

There is also a Windows version too- which is very useful!

MacDraft Professional | Powerful 2D CAD, drafting, technical illustration and more for Mac | Microspot Ltd.

Sketch, draw, layout and present. The ultimate 2D CAD software from start to finish. Native to macOS, built with the latest technologies and designed for the future, MacDraft is a feature-rich 2D CAD software for architects, engineers and construction services as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists.

(www.microspot.com)

PC Draft Professional | Powerful 2D CAD, drafting, technical illustration and more for Windows | Microspot Ltd.

PC Draft Professional is the 2D CAD app that makes floor & garden plan design, architectural drawing and technical illustration easy on Windows. Create precise and professional 2D CAD drawings in moments, with this easy-to-use, powerful and affordable drafting application. With its precise vector tools, smart units and fully-featured scaled environment PC Draft is designed to deliver an easy to use solution, without having to spend hours and hours learning how to use more complicated software.

(www.microspot.com)

driven

select file hit space bar

If, like me, you look at the ruby code this is fantastichttp://www.usingmac.com/2008/10/29/time-saver-quicklook-plugins

it's from the same site I posted yesterday but is so fast and useful I thought it was worth highlighting

just put it in here

maybe it's been mentioned before, but I haven't seen it...

john

wind-borne

@tfdesign said:

I've recently started using MacDraft again, so I've really got to champion MicroSpot's MacDraft Pro once more. I bought this MacDraft some years back, and never really used it, because I was lazy and didn't want to use a single button mouse again. But MacDraft really is something special, and it is very cheap too (at the moment, if bought from other distributors). MacDraft is very fast in Snow Leopard too.

I use MacDraft regularly but can't give it an enthusiastic thumbs up cause I can't find any way to set up keyboard shortcuts for the tools themselves, only menu items. Dragging open each tool after having to click in the first place is a drag.

Am I missing something?

tfdesign

@wind-borne said:

Am I missing something?

No, and I agree, MacDraft in this area is a bit of a pile of shite. I'm championing MD, because apart from a few minor problems, like key commands, MD is actually very good. I just wish the developers would get their act together and improve it. Like I suppose Engineered Software have done for PC8 (it's now a Cocoa app). It's like Microspot don't really care for 2D anymore, despite that in the 'real world' 2D is still very much prevalent (In my experience anyway).

Mike Lucey

I'm having a look at this app.

The blurb says,

WindowFlow makes organising your application windows a breeze.

http://windowflow.com/

Mike Lucey

Just discovered BumpTop, downloaded the free version and brought the Pro version for $29 after 20 minutes! It's the type of DeskTop organiser that I have wished for. Check it out here, http://bumptop.com/mac/

rickgraham

being a fairly new Mac user, I scanned through your list and found it to be very helpful. I will sit down and read each one later when time permits.

I bought this program and find it to be invaluable as far as what all you get: Mackeeper (http://www.zeobit.com). It is one of the best $40 I have spent.

Also, if you are not already aware of them, Macheist and Macupdate have some good bundles on (although the current one I have almost all the apps. I still might get it though to get the one or two apps that seem really good).

And Techsmith SnagIt for Mac is under beta. I've been using it for a while and love it! I use the PC SnagIt at work and was lost. But then again, I also have Voila and Little Snapper.

Someday I will make up my mind and start clearing house!

Rick

chrisglasier

Those who downloaded the Mac version of cgScenes should have seen something like this on opening:

Unfortunately, I understand you actually saw an empty dialog with a small red square.

Not an auspicious start to getting the first web dialog based plugin to work on Macs as well as PCs.

But you know the reason was John ["driven"] who made the conversion also was keen to get it working on an iPhone and left a link to one of his local testing files. (Aside - think about manipulating a Sketchup display from a phone!). The upshot was that his testing of the plugin we published went fine on his machine with the linked file but not of course for anyone else.

So if you would like to download the new version (with sample model) please go here, and please don't remain silent again, be good enough to post any problems; it just might benefit the community.

tfdesign

I really loathe Adobe Flash. So I've decided to sack it 99% of the time. Now my browser is flying!! No crashes today at all. No fans all on at all pelt, and no Activity Monitor telling me that Flash is sucking 1gB of memory out of my computer! Hooray!

All because of this little freeware gem;

(clicktoflash.com)

The installer doesn't ask for a password, which is a bit strange. It can't be a security hole? Can it? Dunno, but clicktoflash is working really well. It seems highly configurable, so it comes highly recommended!

pbacot

@mike lucey said:

Just discovered BumpTop, downloaded the free version and brought the Pro version for $29 after 20 minutes! It's the type of DeskTop organiser that I have wished for. Check it out here, http://bumptop.com/mac/

Yes, check it out. They've been acquired by Google and the product snuffed out.

Mike Lucey

I read about Google buying it. While there were no concrete details, it hinted that the pro version would be made free and further developed ...... remind you of anything?

Mike Lucey

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/mowi/article.php/3879996/Google-Buys-BumpTop-3D-Desktop---Maybe-With-Mobile-in-Mind.htm

Edson

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

pbacot

@edson said:

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

Has anyone given this a trial? I can't tell, but, Mike you seem to like using third party Mac utilities... what I want is a way to create a finder view with certain FOLDERS open and in the format and position I choose:

If I don't mess with certain folders, I can do that now by opening each one. Here's what I need: For a particular project I may have a few folders with drawing files in them. then I have related folders with output files (pdf) that are made from the drawing files, and need to be periodically updated and sent off. I would like to have a finder view of these folders and nothing else for working on these tasks. And, of course, a way to save it and have it come up with a button or menu selection.

I don't really find a need to have "Spaces" limit what applications I can use. I don't understand that. I use all the same applications all the time. It's finder clutter I need help with.

Sorry for the long explanation. Any ideas?

Peter

Edson

@pbacot said:

@edson said:

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

Has anyone given this a trial? I can't tell, but, Mike you seem to like using third party Mac utilities... what I want is a way to create a finder view with certain FOLDERS open and in the format and position I choose:

If I don't mess with certain folders, I can do that now by opening each one. Here's what I need: For a particular project I may have a few folders with drawing files in them. then I have related folders with output files (pdf) that are made from the drawing files, and need to be periodically updated and sent off. I would like to have a finder view of these folders and nothing else for working on these tasks. And, of course, a way to save it and have it come up with a button or menu selection.

I don't really find a need to have "Spaces" limit what applications I can use. I don't understand that. I use all the same applications all the time. It's finder clutter I need help with.

Sorry for the long explanation. Any ideas?

Peter

why don't you try their 30-day demo? I am testing it and am liking it. it is well documented (good videos) and full of features. it certainly is better than the Finder.

Mike Lucey

Peter,

Let us know how you get on with Path Finder as it looks very capable. I am not using it but will give it a try soon.

Mike

pbacot

OK. I'll try it. What have I got to lose? Thanks, Peter

Mike Lucey

Peter,

You might also have a look at Blast by Apparent Software. It keeps track of the files you've been using and gives you fast access to them. Not a total solution but then again there is no perfect solution.

I have had Blast on my Menu Bar for the past couple of days and find I am using it quite a lot. I probably will fork out the $9

Check it out here, http://www.apparentsoft.com/blast

Mike