Useful MAC Applications [Ongoing Updates]

[pbacot]

I have just come across PlanGrid, an amazing iPad app to take blueprints with you on the road, but not only that, it allows you to annote them for reference when you go back to the office. it has a free plan and a couple of paid ones. the upload is done through your mac. you can find at http://www.plangrid.com

Screen shot 2012-03-10 at 9.25.59 AM.png

Now we're talking! THANKS Edson! What I'm looking for. Looks easier than just using pdfs via standard iPad modes.

Also looking at good flexible presentation modes. Peter

[Edson]

I have just come across PlanGrid, an amazing iPad app to take blueprints with you on the road, but not only that, it allows you to annote them for reference when you go back to the office. it has a free plan and a couple of paid ones. the upload is done through your mac. you can find at http://www.plangrid.com

Screen shot 2012-03-10 at 9.25.59 AM.png

Looks easier than just using pdfs via standard iPad modes.

yes, I agree 100%. you can always put the pdfs in your ipad and take them with you but PlanGrid offers you tools to annotate the pdfs and share them with other people on the fly.

EDIT: Besides the above reasons, PlanGrid allows one to switch images much more easily.

[Edson]

I was thinking how nice it would be to take a model on the road to show to clients, students, family or whatever. after a brief search I found 3dVia Mobile HD, a cheap iPad app that allows one to do just that. you save your model in one of several formats (dae and kmz preferable), upload them to 3dVIA's site (for free up to 1GB) and open it in your iPad. this is all for $5!

Screen shot 2012-05-18 at 5.25.15 PM.png

[Mike Lucey]

For anyone that is looking for an alternative to the bloated Adode PDF reader, HyperPDF might be worth looking at. Its not free but at $9.99, I think it offer good value.

What I like most is the flipping page reader option. Its also has a lot more to it which can be read about here.

[pbacot]

Thanks, Mike.

I like using Preview for anything that it will do but it lacks some features. For some reason Adobe Acrobat Reader really bugs me (including the obnoxious automatic "update" application).

[Mike Lucey]

Guys,

I think you will like this one! Its a clever little search app called FOUND and the best part is that its free. You can locate it in the App Store here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/found/id527134927?mt=12 and while downloading, be sure to watch the well executed Demo / Tutorial Video!

Mike

[Edson]

Guys,

I think you will like this one! Its a clever little search app called FOUND and the best part is that its free. You can locate it in the App Store here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/found/id527134927?mt=12 and while downloading, be sure to watch the well executed Demo / Tutorial Video!

Mike

mike,

is the video available only while downloading? I looked for it in their site and found nothing.

[Mike Lucey]

Edson,

This might give you a better overview,
http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/02/found- ... ching-app/

I am wondering if these guys will add some extra 'pay for' features over time. I imagine they will. The other thing that is being mentioned is that its memory hungry! I think it probably is but everything as a cost at the end of the day.

Let me know how you get on with it?

Mike

[Mike Lucey]

SHUSH could be a useful little app for anyone that makes a lot of Skype calls! http://mizage.com/shush/

[mwm5053]

I saw this on OSX Daily kinda cool specially if you like the old typewriter.

http://fffff.at/noisy-typer-a-typewrite ... ur-laptop/

[Mike Lucey]

Thanks Walt. Noisy Typer is cool! Bring back memories of pre computer times. Oh! and don't forget the qaz123 code to quit to go back to silent mode

[Mike Lucey]

Guys,

I don't know how many of you ever use mindmaps. I use them occasionally and find the process useful for getting thought connections organised, even initial building room / area layouts requirements sorted.

The problem to date has been how to present the mindmap to a client / associate etc. Giving them a huge mindmap can be daunting and off putting but I've just learned of NovaMind's latest Beta with Presenter. It looks like it could be a nice solution.

The d/l link is here,
http://www.novamind.com/blog/2012/annou ... a-testing/

Mike

[Mike Lucey]

Hi All,

Just learned that Panic the CandyBar developers are now giving the app away for free. I won't go into the reason, you can read that for yourself.

http://www.panic.com/blog/2012/08/candy ... nd-beyond/

Mike

[mwm5053]

Here's one I found recently if it's been mentioned here sorry.
The Unarchiver, it opens zip, rar and a whole slew of other extensions I've never even heard of before, the great thing is if you download a plugin you can unzip it directly to the plugins folder no more copy and paste.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/the-unarchi ... mt=12&ls=1

[Aerilius]

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]

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]

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]

Cheers,
I'll have a look tomorrow night
john

[Mike Lucey]

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

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=23596

[Mike Lucey]

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

[Mike Lucey]

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]

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

Leap.jpg

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

[mwm5053]

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]

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]

take control

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

http://www.macbartender.com

[Mike Lucey]

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.jpg

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]

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]

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/app ... e_CAD.html

[Edson]

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/app ... e_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]

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