QA Graphic

Using Pixelmator as a Canvas

I have been using Pixelmator a lot over the past few weeks. I really like some of the flexibility that it offers over other graphic applications. I take a lot of computer screen shots, and I like to touch up and combine some pictures in Pixelmator.

I have checked out SnagIt by TechSmith, and it?s a pretty cool application, as I used it all the time on my Windows computer. The problem is that I have a pretty old license and in order to use it on my Macintosh I would need to pay for an upgrade. So, instead of paying for an upgrade, I decided to use Snapz Pro X. I paid for my copy about 4 years ago and the license still works! It cost $60 to purchase Snapz Pro. That's expensive for a screen capture program. However, since the license still works 4 years later - I now see it as a great investment!

My Productivity Hack

In Pixelmator, I created a blank 1950x1080 image and saved it in my Documents folder. I then put a shortcut of the document in my desktop dock. This gives me a quick access to a blank canvas where I can drag and drop screen shots.

Pixelmator Canvas

By having a canvas, I can easily combine screen shots, so If I want to show before and after changes, or if I want to show how functionality is broken in Staging but working fine in Production. I can use the Layers Style functionality to add drop shadows. When I am all done, I crop the image before saving to eliminate any unused space.

 

Amazon Prime Videos

If you have Amazon Prime Membership, you?ll be happy to know that you can get the entire Back to the Future movie series as part of your membership. This is good know if you have a Kindle Fire HD. You can download the movies to the device and watch the movies any place - yes even on the airplane!

BacktoFuture

This is a great time to get the movie because on October 21, 2015 is when the Delorean will be arriving at Hill Valley, California.

If your not a Back to the Future fan, you can find all sorts of movies, including many from the 1980?s. Here?s some of the movies that you can download and watch via Amazon Prime.

  • Anchorman 2
  • Brady Bunch Movie
  • Desperately Seeking Susan
  • Erased
  • Godzilla
  • Gremlins
  • In the Line of Fire
  • Men in Black 2
  • Pee-Wee?s Big Adventure
  • Popeye
  • Serendipity
  • Space Jam
  • Stuart Little 2
  • The Patriot
  • The Switch

Amazon Prime members should take full advantage of all the perks that come with Prime Memberships!

 

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Meanwhile, At the Movies

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