Place Tool in Affinity Designer for Rich Text Formatted Files

A guide to importing RTF files with preserved formatting on your Mac

Affinity Designer offers powerful tools to realize your creative projects. One key feature for text-heavy designs is the Place Tool, which imports Rich Text Format (RTF) files while maintaining their formatting. Unlike copying and pasting, which often loses styling, the Place Tool ensures fonts, sizes, alignments, and more remain intact. This post explains how to use the Place Tool in Affinity Designer on macOS to import RTF files, why it outperforms copy-and-paste, and tips to enhance your workflow.

Why Use the Place Tool for RTF Files?

RTF files are ideal for documents requiring consistent formatting across platforms, such as manuscripts or styled text for design projects. Copying and pasting text from an RTF file into Affinity Designer often strips formatting like bold, italics, or paragraph spacing due to inconsistent clipboard handling between applications. The Place Tool imports RTF content directly into a text frame, preserving the original styling, which is critical for projects like posters, brochures, or digital layouts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Place Tool for RTF Files

Follow these steps to import RTF files in Affinity Designer on your Mac while keeping their formatting:

1. Open or Create a Document in Affinity Designer
   • Launch Affinity Designer and open an existing project or create a new one via File > New. Configure your document settings, such as dimensions or color profile (e.g., CMYK for print or RGB for digital).
   • For text-heavy layouts, use the Frame Text Tool (shortcut: T) to create a text frame by clicking and dragging on the canvas.
2. Select the Place Tool
   • In the Tools panel, find the Place Tool (a small arrow with a document icon) or use the shortcut Shift + Cmd + M.
   • Alternatively, go to File > Place in the menu bar.
3. Choose Your RTF File
   • After selecting the Place Tool, a file explorer opens. Navigate to your RTF file (e.g., saved from TextEdit or Microsoft Word) and click Open.
   • To import multiple files, hold Cmd for non-adjacent files or Shift for adjacent ones. These load into the Place Panel for sequential placement.
4. Place the RTF Content
   • If a text frame exists, click inside it with the Place Tool to import the RTF content, retaining its formatting (fonts, sizes, bold/italic styles, etc.).
   • If no frame is selected, click the canvas to place text at default size or drag to create a custom-sized frame.
   • For large documents, overflowing text shows a red triangle with a crossed eye. Resize the frame or link to another by clicking the triangle and creating a new frame.
5. Verify and Adjust Formatting
   • The imported text retains its RTF formatting, visible in the Context Toolbar or Character and Paragraph panels.
   • To adjust formatting (e.g., change fonts or leading), select text with the Frame Text Tool or Move Tool and use the Text Styles panel to apply consistent styles.
6. Save and Export
   • Save your project via File > Save. For print, ensure proper settings (e.g., bleed, color profile) and export as PDF using File > Export with a preset like PDF/X-1a:2003.

Why the Place Tool Outshines Copy-and-Paste

Copying and pasting RTF text into Affinity Designer often results in formatting issues:

• Inconsistent Formatting: Pasting may apply the text frame's default font or ignore indents and bullet lists.
• Manual Fixes Required: Reformatting large documents manually is time-consuming.
• Compatibility Issues: Complex formatting, like nested bullets, may not transfer correctly.

The Place Tool reads the RTF file directly, preserving its attributes and leveraging Affinity Designer's RTF support for accurate typography.

Pro Tips for Working with the Place Tool

• Use Linked Text Frames for Long Documents: Link multiple frames across pages for automatic text flow. Hold Shift and click the Text Flow triangle to auto-create pages and frames.
• Check for Missing Fonts: If fonts are missing, Affinity Designer displays a warning. Use the Font Manager (Window > Font Manager) to substitute fonts.
• Combine with StudioLink: With Affinity Publisher and Photo, use StudioLink to access advanced text or image editing within Designer.
• Autoflow for Efficiency: Load multiple RTF files into the Place Panel, select all, and click a text frame to autoflow content across linked frames.
• Preview Cleanly: Use View > Preview Mode to hide design aids and view text as it will appear in the final output.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Text Overflow: Resize frames or link additional ones. Ensure enough pages for large documents.
• Font Substitution: Install missing fonts via Font Book or use the Font Manager to select alternatives.
• Formatting Glitches: Simplify complex RTF formatting (e.g., nested tables) in a text editor before importing.

Why This Matters for Mac Users

Mac users expect a seamless workflow, and the Place Tool delivers by preserving RTF formatting, saving time and ensuring design quality. It's ideal for freelancers or hobbyists working on newsletters, books, or portfolios.

Conclusion

The Place Tool in Affinity Designer simplifies importing RTF files on your Mac, preserving formatting that copy-and-paste often loses. From setting up text frames to linking long documents, this tool enhances efficiency and quality. Try it in your next project and explore features like StudioLink and text styles for better designs.

For more tips, visit Affinity's YouTube channel or support forums.

Five Reasons Why Microsoft Edge Belongs in Your macOS Dock

This post dives into some of the features that make Microsoft Edge a compelling choice for Mac users.

1. Unleash the Power of AI with Built-in Tools:

• Copilot: Get help crafting creative text formats or writing different kinds of content directly within the browser.
• Microsoft Designer: Effortlessly generate stunning visuals for your projects with the help of AI-powered design assistance.

2. Smarter Shopping:

• Microsoft Shopping: Ensure you're getting the best deals while shopping online. Find coupons and compare prices effortlessly.

3. Enhanced Multitasking:

• Split Screen: View two websites side-by-side within a single browser window. This is ideal for tasks like comparing QA and production environments.

4. Organize Your Web Discoveries:

• Collections: Effortlessly save interesting web content, including images, text, or entire web pages. Group your collections for easy organization. Perfect for trip planning – gather potential restaurants and attractions to explore.

By leveraging these features and more, Microsoft Edge can become a valuable addition to your macOS workflow.

Pixelmator Pro Productivity: Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Three Shortcuts to Master

Pixelmator Pro is a powerful image editor, and like any robust application, knowing its keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow. Forget digging through menus; these handy combinations will keep your creative momentum flowing.

Duplicate a Layer: Command Shift D

Often, you'll want to create a copy of a layer to experiment with different effects or make non-destructive edits. Instead of right-clicking and selecting "Duplicate Layer", simply hit:

Command Shift D

This shortcut instantly creates an exact duplicate of your currently selected layer, saving you valuable clicks and keeping your focus on the canvas.

Remove Background: Shift Delete

One of the most frequent tasks in image editing is isolating subjects by removing their backgrounds. Pixelmator Pro makes this remarkably easy with its intelligent "Remove Background" feature. Access it instantly with:

Shift Delete

This powerful shortcut leverages Pixelmator Pro's machine learning capabilities to automatically detect and remove the background, giving you a clean cut-out in seconds.

Duplicating the layer and running the Remove Background helps you focus on the key subject in the image.

ML Enhance: Shift Command M

For quick and intelligent image improvements, Pixelmator Pro's ML Enhance feature is a game-changer. It analyzes your image and applies smart adjustments to improve exposure, contrast, color, and more. To apply this enhancement in a flash, use:

Shift Command M

This shortcut is perfect for giving your photos an immediate boost, often providing an excellent starting point for further fine-tuning.

Mastering these shortcuts will not only make your Pixelmator Pro experience more efficient but also more enjoyable. Incorporate them into your routine and watch your productivity soar.

Using Automatic File Splitting in OBS

A simple way to preserve your VHS tapes using OBS on macOS

Why Use File Splitting?

• Set it and forget it: Start the recording and walk away without worrying about file corruption due to length.
• Manageable files: Each segment is its own video file, making it easier to edit or archive.
• Safe backups: Smaller file sizes reduce the chance of data loss due to write issues or crashes.

How to Enable File Splitting in OBS

Follow these steps to turn on the automatic file splitting feature:

1. Open OBS and go to Settings
2. Select the Output tab
3. Under the Recording section, check the box for Automatically split recordings
4. Choose Time (minutes) and set the value to 90
    

This will instruct OBS to start a new recording file every 90 minutes. Perfect for archiving old VHS tapes without worrying about interruptions or storage issues.

Storage Planning

OBS is very efficient when recording analog footage from a VHS source. Here's what you can expect:

• 90 minutes: ~1.8 GB
• 8 hours (split into 5 segments): ~9.6 GB

Make sure you have sufficient storage before hitting record - an external SSD or USB drive is a great option.

Bonus Tip from a Mac Veteran

If you're using macOS Ventura or later, consider enabling Quick Look preview support for large video files by installing QLVideo. This makes it easier to skim through split files without opening them fully in QuickTime.

Create a Custom Silence Placeholder for Final Cut Pro

Using FFmpeg and Audacity

I'm always looking for clever ways to simplify my Final Cut Pro workflow. Today's tip tackles an annoying quirk in Final Cut Pro: you can't set the default length of a gap clip.

If you need to insert a 5-second placeholder multiple times, you're stuck dragging that gap clip longer each time. Let's fix that - permanently - with a custom silent audio clip.

Create a Silent Audio File Using FFmpeg

Use this command in Terminal to create a 5-second silent WAV file:

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i anullsrc -t 5 -c:a pcm_s16le silence.wav

Explanation:

• -f lavfi: Uses libavfilter (virtual audio input)
• -i anullsrc: Generates a silent audio source
• -t 5: Sets the duration to 5 seconds
• -c:a pcm_s16le: Encodes using 16-bit PCM format (WAV compatible)
• silence.wav: Output filename

Want a different format? Just change the extension and codec:

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i anullsrc -t 5 -c:a mp3 silence.mp3

Creating Silence in Audacity (No Terminal Needed)

If you don't have ffmpeg installed or prefer a graphical method, use Audacity:

1. Open Audacity
2. If no project is open, use Command + N to create one
3. Go to Generate > Silence...
4. Set the duration to 00h 00m 05s 000ms or your desired length
5. Click Generate
6. Use Command + Shift + E to Export Audio
7. Name the file (e.g., 5-Seconds.wav) and Edit Metadata if you like

Why This Matters

Instead of repeatedly resizing gap clips, this silent file acts as a reusable, precision placeholder. It saves time, keeps your timeline clean, and gives you total control over timing placeholders - perfect for podcast intros, syncing edits, or planning space for VO recordings.

How to Use the Limiter in Ocenaudio to Make Audio Louder

Boost your audio's volume without distortion

Want to make your audio louder without ruining its quality? Whether you're editing a podcast, music track, or voiceover, Ocenaudio offers a powerful yet user-friendly Limiter tool to amplify your audio while keeping distortion at bay. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to use the Limiter in Ocenaudio to boost volume, based on practical testing and tips to get the best results.

Why Use a Limiter to Make Audio Louder?

A Limiter is an essential audio processing tool that increases the perceived loudness of your track by compressing peaks and preventing clipping (distortion caused when audio exceeds 0 dB). Unlike normalization, which only adjusts peak levels, a Limiter reduces dynamic range, making the average volume (RMS) louder. This is perfect for achieving a polished, professional sound for podcasts, music, or videos.

In Ocenaudio, the Limiter is intuitive, and with the right settings, you can significantly enhance your audio's loudness. Through testing, we found that starting with a Threshold of -19.5 dB works well for many audio types, but you should experiment to find what suits your project best.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Limiter in Ocenaudio

Follow these steps to make your audio louder using Ocenaudio's Limiter:

1. Open Your Audio File: Launch Ocenaudio and load your audio by dragging the file into the program or selecting File > Open.
2. Select the Audio: Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (Mac) to select the entire track. For specific sections, click and drag to highlight.
3. Access the Limiter: Navigate to Effects > Dynamics > Limiter to open the Limiter settings window.
4. Adjust Limiter Settings:
   • Threshold: Start at -19.5 dB, as found effective in testing. This sets the level above which the Limiter compresses the signal. Lower thresholds increase loudness but may introduce artifacts.
   • Ceiling: Set to -0.1 dB to prevent clipping and ensure compatibility with platforms like YouTube or Spotify.
   • Gain: Boost the input signal by +3 to +6 dB to increase loudness. Adjust based on your audio's needs.
   • Release: Use 50–100 ms to avoid pumping effects (unnatural volume fluctuations).
5. Preview the Effect: Click the play button in the Limiter window to hear the changes in real-time. Adjust the Gain or Threshold if you hear distortion or if the audio isn’t loud enough.
6. Apply the Limiter: Once satisfied, click Apply to process the audio.
7. Check the Result: Play the audio and inspect the waveform (View > Zoom In). Ensure peaks are below 0 dB and the audio sounds clear. Undo (Ctrl + Z) and tweak if needed.

Testing Insight: Why -19.5 dB for Threshold?

In our tests, starting the Threshold at -19.5 dB provided a great balance for various audio types, including podcasts and music. This setting allows significant loudness increase without overly compressing the dynamics, preserving the audio's natural feel. However, every audio file is unique, so experiment with your audio to find the sweet spot. Once you find settings that work, save them for future projects to streamline your workflow.

Tips for Best Results

• Normalize First: Before limiting, normalize your audio to -1 dB (Effects > Amplitude > Normalize) to maximize the starting volume.
• Use a Compressor: For extra loudness, apply a Compressor (Effects > Dynamics > Compressor) before the Limiter. Try a 4:1 ratio and -20 dB threshold.
• Avoid Over-Limiting: Excessive limiting can flatten dynamics, making audio sound lifeless. Aim for a natural sound, especially for music.
• Work on a Copy: Ocenaudio edits destructively, so save a copy of your original file (File > Save As) before processing.
• Monitor Levels: Use the level meter (View > Show Level Meter) to ensure peaks stay below 0 dB.
• Export Wisely: Save in high-quality formats like WAV or FLAC (File > Export). For MP3, use 320 kbps to maintain quality.

Conclusion

Using the Limiter in Ocenaudio is a straightforward way to make your audio louder while maintaining professional quality. By starting with a Threshold of -19.5 dB and experimenting with Gain and other settings, you can achieve the perfect loudness for your project. Save your optimized settings for future use to save time and ensure consistency. Whether you're a podcaster, musician, or content creator, Ocenaudio’s Limiter is a game-changer for audio enhancement.

The Best Journal Tool for Developers on macOS

Day One vs Visual Studio Code

Keeping a journal isn't just for introspective writers - it's a power tool for developers. Whether you're jotting down debugging insights, feature ideas, or that one obscure Stack Overflow fix you finally got working, a dev journal can supercharge your productivity.

But on macOS, which tool should you reach for - Day One, the beautifully designed Mac-native journaling app, or Visual Studio Code, the trusted IDE already open on your screen?

Visual Studio Code: The Practical Powerhouse

Day One: The Mac-Native Journal Champion

Which One's Better?

My Take

As a QA automation developer on macOS, the best approach might actually be both.

Use Visual Studio Code to maintain a “dev log” - a daily stream of debugging notes, experiments, code snippets, and terminal commands.

Then, at the end of the day, open Day One and summarize what you learned, how you felt, and what challenges you overcame. That combo gives you the technical paper trail and the personal reflection - two sides of the same productivity coin.

Mastering the "Float on Top" Feature in Stickies

Forgotten Tool that is still useful

If you're looking for a simple, distraction-free way to keep important notes front and center, the macOS Stickies app has just the tool: "Float on Top."

Why Use Stickies?

Stickies has been part of macOS for decades, and it's still incredibly useful. Whether you’re jotting down a quick to-do list or pasting in an important phone number, Stickies gives you fast access to notes without opening another app.

The Magic of "Float on Top"

One of Stickies’ most underrated features is "Float on Top", which keeps a note above all other windows - even when you switch applications.

Perfect for Zoom Calls

If you're running a virtual meeting, use Stickies with Float on Top to:

• Remind yourself of key talking points
• Keep an agenda visible without flipping between documents
• Highlight names or questions you don’t want to forget

It’s like having a personal teleprompter - without the price tag.

Also Great for Task Reminders

Stickies can serve as lightweight reminders while you work. When a sticky is floating on top, it’s hard to ignore, making it ideal for time-sensitive to-dos or quick notes that shouldn't get buried under browser tabs and chat windows.

Simple, Yet Powerful

In a world full of over-complicated productivity apps, Stickies offers something refreshingly simple. And the Float on Top feature makes it surprisingly powerful. It’s built into macOS, lightweight, and always ready when you need it.

Try using Stickies the next time you’re preparing for a meeting or need to keep something top of mind - it just might become your new favorite productivity trick.

Quickly Join Audio Files with OcenAudio

Best Way to Join Files on macOS

If you're looking for a fast and easy way to combine multiple audio files-whether for podcasts, voiceovers, or even pulling audio from a set of video clips - OcenAudio is one of the simplest tools out there.

I recently tested how OcenAudio handled large files, and I was genuinely impressed. It took less than 13 seconds to open a 935 MB video file-a speed that's hard to beat, especially for a free editor.

How to Join Audio Files in OcenAudio

1. Drag and Drop your audio or video files into the Audio Sidebar.
2. Reorder the files by clicking and dragging them within the sidebar.
3. Select all files (use Shift+Click or Cmd+Click).
4. Right-click the selection and choose "Join" from the popup menu.
5. Select the new join file and go to File > Save As to export your new audio file.

Best Method

Use Case: Dashcam Audio Extraction

This method is incredibly handy if you want to convert a bunch of dashcam videos into a single audio file. Just load them into OcenAudio, join them, and save. No complicated editing timeline or advanced audio engineering required.

If you're dealing with lots of audio files or want to extract audio from videos without dealing with complex software, OcenAudio is a fantastic lightweight option to get the job done - quickly and for free.

Mastering Text Sorting with LaunchBar

Quick Tip to Sort any Text

If you frequently work with lists or blocks of text, you know how tedious it can be to manually sort them alphabetically. Fortunately, LaunchBar - the powerful productivity tool for macOS - makes this task effortless with its "Sort Lines" action.

In this quick guide, I'll show you how to sort any text in seconds using LaunchBar.

How to Sort Text in LaunchBar

1. Select Your Text
   • Select the text you want to sort (e.g., a list of names, items, or keywords).
2. Open LaunchBar
   • Press Shift twice (or your preferred LaunchBar shortcut) to bring up the bar.
3. Find the "Sort Lines" Action
   • Press Tab to switch to actions.
   • Type "Sort Lines" and select "Sort Lines Ascending"
4. Execute & Paste
   • Press Return to sort the clipboard contents.
   • Press Command C to copy
   • Now, just Command V the sorted text wherever you need it!

Why This is a Game-Changer

• No manual editing - No need to manually rearrange text in a text editor.
• Works anywhere - Use it in emails, notes, spreadsheets, or code.
• Super fast - Once you get used to the shortcut, sorting takes seconds.