Category: Blog

Mastering Mac File Search: A Comprehensive Guide

Hello, Mac enthusiasts! In this guide, we’ll delve into the world of efficient file searching on your Mac. We’ve all been there – that moment when you’ve misplaced a crucial file and need to find it fast. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of searching for files even if you can’t recall their names. So, let’s jump right into it.

Understanding the Basics:

When you’re working on your Mac, it’s inevitable that you’ll save a file in the wrong place at some point. The key is knowing how to locate it efficiently. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the Finder’s search capabilities, enabling you to find misplaced files based on file type and creation date.

Navigating the Finder:

To initiate the search, head to the Finder by clicking on its icon in the Dock. Once there, locate the search bar at the top right corner.

Broad Search:

To search for any file on your Mac, use the shortcut Shift + Command + C. This will initiate a comprehensive search across your entire computer.

Narrowing Down the Search:

To make your search more specific, consider adding criteria such as the creation date and file type. For instance, you can search for files created after a certain date and filter by a specific file type.

Date Filtering:

In the tutorial, we demonstrate searching for files created between January 24, 2015, and February 28, 2015. Adjust these dates according to your needs to narrow down the results.

File Type Specification:

Further refine your search by specifying the kind of file you’re looking for. In the video, we focus on finding videos. You can apply the same principle for other file types, such as images or documents.

Sorting and Viewing Options:

Once the search results are displayed, you can organize them based on criteria such as name, date modified, or size. Experiment with different viewing options, such as list view, icon view, or thumbnail view, to suit your preferences.

Digging Deeper:

If you find a file you’re looking for, the tutorial shows you how to navigate through the file path efficiently. This feature is particularly handy when dealing with older files on backups.

Saving Searches:

To streamline your future searches, consider saving them as favorites. The tutorial demonstrates how to save a search for easy access in the sidebar.

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of file search on your Mac can save you valuable time and frustration. By leveraging the powerful search capabilities of the Finder, you can efficiently locate files based on various criteria. If you have any questions or need clarification on any steps, feel free to drop them in the comments section below. Happy searching, and stay tuned for more helpful tips in our next video!

My Favourite Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro – list & examples

About this list

This list is not just as a technical list of all the shortcuts in Final Cut Pro. This list will also include examples of where I regularly use those shortcuts. If you have suggestions for shortcuts that you use a lot then drop me an email or message in the Free Final Cut Pro X Tutorials group on Facebook. Happy editing!

Continue reading My Favourite Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro – list & examples

Free Custom Editable Rectangle Plugin for Final Cut Pro

Have you ever wanted to create an editable rectangle in Final Cut Pro but struggled to use the built-in tools? This rectangle plugin solves that problem. With editable borders, colour and the ability to round off edges this will be a great addition to your suite of basic shape tools in Final Cut Pro.

Continue reading Free Custom Editable Rectangle Plugin for Final Cut Pro

Creating Memes with Photoshop: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through a simple process of turning a photo of an adorable dog picture into a meme using Photoshop. The steps involve cutting out a photo, creating vector-based layers for the background, and adding text. Let’s break it down.

  1. Prepare the Canvas: Start by creating a new file with dimensions 600×600 pixels, suitable for web use. Ensure the background is white for ease of work.
  2. Cutting Out the Image: Use the polygonal lasso tool to carefully cut out the dog image. Create a layer mask for flexibility in editing later.
  3. Creating the Background: Generate a visually appealing background using the polygon tool. Manipulate the shape by adjusting the points and overlap for a dynamic pattern.
  4. Adding Depth: Apply a drop shadow to the dog’s layer to give the image depth, making it stand out from the background.
  5. Inserting Text: Use the type tool to add text to your meme. Play with fonts and sizes, and apply effects like strokes for emphasis.
  6. Final Touches and Export: Fine-tune the composition, duplicate layers as needed, and add any final details. When satisfied, save the meme as a high-quality JPEG for online sharing.

This quick tutorial is perfect for creating memes for social media platforms like Instagram. Whether you’re a Photoshop novice or looking for a refresher, these steps will have you creating engaging memes in no time. Happy meme-making!

Final Cut Pro | Split Screen Fundamentals Using Scale, Crop & Layers

Explore the art of split screen creation using Final Cut Pro without breaking the bank. These curated tutorials cover classic 4-Up, before and after, diagonal, and blended split screens, utilizing built-in tools or the excellent Splitz 2 plugin by BretFX. Elevate your projects with professional visuals and learn techniques to enhance your editing skills. Join in discovering the diverse possibilities of editing with Final Cut Pro.

Split Screens in Final Cut Pro

Classic 4-Up Split Screen

Create a classic 4-Up split screen with the built-in-tools in Final Cut Pro. A great tutorial for editors on a budget who need to create pixel perfect split screens.

Create a Before and After Split with or Without a Plugin

Create a cool before and after, animated, split using Final Cut Pro’s cropping features or the BretFX Quick List plugin.

Diagonal Split Screen

Using Final Cut Pro’s built-in Draw Mask Tools create this excellent animated diagonal split of two videos. A creative use of the tools that all Final Cut Pro editors have at their disposal.

Blended Two Videos Seamlessly

This video used a smart selection of footage and tools to blend two pieces of video together without any dividing lines. Very cool for a smooth and professional look for your creative content.

BretFX Splitz 2 Plugin

My favourite tool for creative, animated splits and one of the best out there on the market. Splitz 2 from BretFX is an excellent addition to any editors suite of plugins.

Get in touch

I am excited to share a series of tutorials on split screen editing using Final Cut Pro! From classic layouts to dynamic arrangements, these tutorials cover various techniques to enhance your editing skills. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback at design@benhalsall.com. Join us in exploring the possibilities of split screen editing!

Final Cut Pro Tutorial | Creating and Animating Type

Video editing enthusiasts often encounter challenges when it comes to effectively positioning text in Final Cut Pro. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the intricacies of adding and positioning type in Final Cut Pro, unraveling the complexities and providing insights into creating visually appealing text overlays.

1. Accessing Basic Titles:

To begin adding text, navigate to the top left of your Final Cut Pro interface. Locate the libraries, sound effects, and type and generators sections. Under the basic titles category, find the desired title, and either drag it down or click to add a connected clip.

2. Understanding Type Options:

Once the title is added, head to the top right for the inspector panel. Here, you’ll find various options to modify your text, including opacity, transform, cropping, and more. Dive into the type options, where you can customize the font, style, and other parameters.

3. Editing Text Content:

To edit the text content, use the type editor located in the inspector panel. Enter your desired text in the provided text box or directly within the type box. Adjustments to alignment, spacing, and font attributes can be made in this section, ensuring your text suits the video context.

4. Enhancing Visibility:

Ensure your text remains visible against different backgrounds by employing color correction and masking techniques. Utilize drop shadows, shape masks, and color adjustments to make your text stand out, especially when overlaying on diverse visual elements within the video.

5. Adding Transitions and Animation:

Experiment with movement transitions available in Final Cut Pro, such as slides and dissolves, to add dynamic effects to your text. For advanced users, delve into animation by keyframing transform options. This allows for more intricate and customized text movements throughout the video.

Conclusion:

Mastering text positioning in Final Cut Pro opens up a world of creative possibilities for video editors. Whether you’re adding informative titles, captions, or stylized text, understanding these techniques will elevate the visual appeal of your video projects. Experiment with the tips shared in this tutorial to enhance your skills and bring your video editing endeavors to new heights.

Jesse Treece – Collage Artist

Jesse Treece is a distinguished collage artist known for his captivating and surreal compositions that blend vintage imagery with modern elements. With a keen eye for juxtaposition and an intricate understanding of visual storytelling, Treece transforms ordinary found materials into extraordinary works of art. His pieces often evoke a sense of nostalgia, weaving together fragments of pop culture, nature, and everyday life into intricate tapestries of meaning. Through his unique artistic vision, Treece invites viewers to explore the intersection of past and present, inviting them on a journey of discovery through the layers of his meticulously crafted collages.

Create a Collage in Adobe Photoshop

Creating depth in a collage image can significantly enhance its visual appeal and storytelling. In this tutorial inspired by Jesse Treece’s distinctive style, we’ll delve into the intricacies of utilizing adjustment layers to achieve this effect seamlessly. Here’s a breakdown of the key points covered:

  1. Introduction to Adjustment Layers: Inspired by Jesse Treece’s approach, we’ll explore how adjustment layers play a pivotal role in creating depth within a collage image.
  2. Modifying Saturation and Contrast: Taking cues from Treece’s work, we’ll learn how to tweak saturation and contrast levels to add dimensionality to specific elements within the image, particularly focusing on key focal points.
  3. Adding Textures for Depth: Texture layers are a hallmark of Treece’s style. We’ll follow suit by incorporating textures effectively into the composition to enhance its depth and visual richness.
  4. Working with Layer Masks: Treece’s meticulous attention to detail often involves intricate layer masking. We’ll learn how to create transparency using layer masks, allowing for seamless integration of multiple images while maintaining a cohesive composition.
  5. Maintaining Image Quality with Smart Objects: Treece’s dedication to preserving image quality is evident in his work. We’ll adopt similar practices by converting layers into smart objects to ensure optimal scaling without sacrificing quality.
  6. Refining Composition: Like Treece, we’ll explore techniques for refining the composition, including transforming and positioning images to achieve the desired visual impact and narrative coherence.
  7. Applying Adjustment Layers Strategically: Inspired by Treece’s methodical approach, we’ll strategically apply adjustment layers and utilize clipping masks to ensure that each layer’s adjustments are targeted precisely, contributing to the overall depth and visual harmony of the composition.
  8. Fine-tuning with Shapes and Colors: Drawing inspiration from Treece’s use of shapes and colors, we’ll explore how these elements can further refine the composition, adding layers of visual interest and guiding the viewer’s gaze to key focal points.

In essence, this tutorial offers a comprehensive guide to leveraging adjustment layers effectively, inspired by Jesse Treece’s distinctive style. By following these techniques and incorporating elements of Treece’s approach, creators can elevate their collage compositions to new heights of creativity and visual impact.

Monospaced Fonts and Fixed Width Type on Mac OS

Below is a list of monospaced fonts [aka fixed width fonts] that I have installed on my Mac. You can list all your monospaced fonts in the Font Book app by creating a smart collection File > New Smart Collection and selecting the design style as monospaced from the available drop down menus.

  • Andale Mono
  • Apple Braille
  • Apple Colour Emoji
  • Caravan Lt Std
  • Consolas
  • Courier
  • Courier New
  • GB18030 Bitmap
  • Lantinghei TC
  • Letter Gothic Std
  • Lucida Console
  • Lucida Sans Typewriter
  • Menlo
  • Monaco
  • Monoline Script MT Std
  • MS Gothic
  • MS Mincho
  • OCR A Std
  • Orator Std
  • Osaka
  • Prestige Elite Std
  • PT Mono
  • Source Code Pro
  • Spot Mono

List Your Monospaced Fonts in Font Book

You can list your monospaced fonts in Font Book by creating a smart collection File > New Smart Collection and this will give you the options needed to create your own custom font list.

A screenshot of monospaced fonts in the Font Book application.
Setup your own custom font lists in Apple’s Font Book application.

When Monospaced Fonts become invaluable – Tutorial on How to Create a Countdown Timer with Final Cut Pro

In this tutorial the fixed with fonts become really useful – Create a Countdown Timer in Final Cut Pro . This is because using a monospaced font prevents the animation jumping around when you switch from narrow digits like ‘1’ to wider digits like ‘5’ or ‘0’. This countdown timer uses only the built-in plugins in Final Cut Pro with some simple tips and tricks.

Create a Countdown Timer in Final Cut Pro,
Use monospaced fonts when you create a countdown timer in Final Cut Pro.

Why do I see different fonts?

Each version of macOS has its own set of fonts installed by default. Below are some links to recent font lists on macOS. If you are using a different version of macOS you can just google “font list” and the name of your version of Apple’s operating system which you can find from the Apple Menu under About this Mac.

Big Sur font list – https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT211240

Catalina font list – https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT210192

Mojave font list – https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT208968

Unlock the Art of Typography

Thinking with Type, often likened to Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time for typography, serves as a comprehensive guide to the intricate world of visual communication through letterforms.

This edition boasts forty-eight pages of new content, offering the latest insights into style sheets for both print and web, the use of ornaments and captions, as well as nuances such as lining and non-lining numerals, small caps, enlarged capitals, and the art of mixing typefaces. Additionally, Lupton delves into font formats and licensing, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of typography.

In this revised and expanded edition, Ellen Lupton delves into the essentials of typography, from understanding typefaces and type families to mastering kerning and tracking. The book provides clear guidance on aligning, spacing, ordering, and shaping letters, words, and paragraphs, accompanied by visual examples to demonstrate inventive approaches within typographic systems.

Throughout the book, readers will find eye-opening demonstrations of basic typography design, along with practical exercises and dozens of illustrations to aid comprehension. Whether you’re a seasoned designer, writer, editor, student, or anyone else working with words, Thinking with Type is an indispensable resource. Ellen Lupton’s expertise reveals the intricate construction of typefaces and offers valuable insights into their most effective utilization.

For fans of Thinking with Type, Lupton’s new book Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers promises further exploration into contemporary design practices with a focus on inclusivity and social responsibility.

Affiliate Links

Many of the links above are affiliate links. This means that I earn a small commission if you purchase the plugins or sign up for a subscription. It won’t cost you any more but it helps me to keep making these tutorial videos for free.