OmniGraffle 6 Shortcuts

Some OmniGraffle 6 tips I recently shared with my UX team...

Shortcuts I Use the Most (aside from the usual save, copy, paste, etc):

Duplicate:

⌘D (TIMESAVER)

Easy Copy/Paste:

Option and click/drag item (Very useful)

Select All:

⌘A

Inspector sidebar (show/hide):

⇧⌘I

Fonts (show/hide):

⌘T

Color Palette (show/hide):

⇧⌘C

Paste without format:

⌥⇧⌘V (LIFE CHANGING. Works in most apps)

Make into a Table:

⇧⌘T (GREAT FOR MENUS)

Move to Front:

⇧⌘F

Move to Back:

⇧⌘B

Group:

⇧⌘G

Ungroup:

⇧⌘U

Next/Previous Canvas: 

⌘ [ and ] OR Function up/down arrow 

⇧ = shift

⌘ = command

⌥ = option

Shortcuts I’m Currently Learning (I try to learn a few new ones a month)

• special characters: cntrl + command + space
• show stencil:  command 6
• start preso: option + control + p
• show/hide left panel: option + command + 1
• show/hide grid line: command + \
• next/previou scan vas: option [ and } 

Other Tips:

• Hold shift when you drag an object to maintain the position
• Use the Combine Shapes tool
• OG 6 now has double stroke with full. Fun.
• "Scale text and shapes" is really helpful for converting full size wireframes into mini versions to show user flows 
• Format objects with the chicklets

chicklets

ALL TIPS:

In OG > Help > Keyboard Shortcuts (attached)

Twitter: To # or Not To #

Two people recently asked me to explain hashtags on Twitter (mostly related to search queries). To best understand that it's a matter of context, take a look at the following 2 examples, each with and without a hashtag.

Search "#Random": people tweeting about things that are random; random is the subject, or tag, the defines their tweet.
Search "Random": the word random so happens to be a word in their tweet and therefore displays in the results page.

In the above case, the # is important cause the context of the word is different in both cases.

Search "#fml": people tweeting about how shitty life is (fml = fuck my life; originated from www.fmylife.com); fml is the subject, or tag, that defines their tweet.
Search "fml": pretty much pulls up the same types of tweet cause fml only has one meaning so even if it's used without the #, it still pulls up similar results.

So, at the end of the day, the hashtag will likely give more accurate search results since people are tagging their tweet with a specific subject, vs just using the word in there.

I think the 2 images speak for themselves (click to enlarge).

AppleCare Protection Plan

I was contemplating (aka researching) getting Apple's extended warranty (AppleCare Protection Plan) for my new MacBook Pro and came across some good advice I thought I'd share...

Yes, it is recommended to get the warranty, however, since you can purchase it within the first year of device ownership, it's best to get it at as late as possible. This way, if you do something in the first year that would have voided the warranty (e.g. spilled liquid on it, dropped it, cracked the screen, etc.,), you won't have wasted your money.

Learn more about AppleCare here.

MacBook Pro: Changing Folder Icons

Changing a folder icon is a fun way to customize your computer.

My desktop:

 A. USING ANY IMAGE:

1. Find an image you want to use as your folder icon (I like to use google images) and copy it to your clipboard*
2. Select the folder whose icon you want to change and click CONTROL+I (or right click and select Get Info)
3. Select the icon in the upper left
4. Click CONTROL+V (or Edit>Paste)
   

B. USING THE ICON OF ANOTHER FOLDER:

1. In Finder, select the folder whose icon you want to use (there are a bunch of interesting options in your App folder) and click CONTROL+I (or right click and select Get Info)
2. Select the folder icon in the upper left and click CONTROL+C to copy it (or Edit>Copy)
3. Now, in Finder, find and select the folder whose icon you want to change and click CONTROL+I (or right click and select Get Info)
4. Select the folder icon in the upper left
5. Click CONTROL+V (or Edit>Paste)

That's it!

*The quickest way to do this is COMMAND+SHIFT+4, while holding the CONTROL key, use your mouse to select an image (or part of an image) that you like. Let go of your mouse. Your selection is now ready to paste.

Macbook Pro: Multi-touch Trackpad

I love my MacBook Pro. Mostly, I love the mutli-touch trackpad.

Many friends who also have this computer aren't making the most of the all available features. Here's a reminder of the great things you can do with the trackpad. (3 finger horizontal scroll is my favorite - never use the Back button again!)

Click images below or watch the demo video here (demo is with a MacBook Air).