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macOS Tutorials

Starting a New InDesign Poster Project

This tutorial shows how to set your document settings for your poster and set up your Workspace in InDesign when starting a new project.  InDesign is similar to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It has similar tools, some of which work differently in InDesign than in...

Adding Color Shapes and Backgrounds InDesign

This tutorial walks through how to add color backgrounds and shapes to an InDesign poster.Add a Color Background Once your poster is created, you may want to start by creating a colored shape for your background. Select the Rectangle tool from the tool panel. The...

Adding and Formatting Text InDesign

This tutorial shows how to add and format text for your InDesign poster.Create a Text Box When adding text to your project, you will want to use the guides to center and align your text boxes. Select the text tool from the tool panel. The text tool icon is an...

Adding Images and Graphics to an InDesign Project

This tutorial shows how to add images and graphics to an InDesign poster.Creating Frames for Your Graphics To place an Image in your poster, you will first want to create an approximate layout of what you want your poster to look like by making a frame for each...

Making Adjustments to Images in InDesign

This tutorial walks though how to make different adjustments to images in your InDesign poster.Moving an Image After placing your images in their frames, you may want to reposition it within the frame, such as the image in the lower right corner of our poster. Choose...

Exporting An InDesign Poster

This tutorial walks through how to export your finished poster as a PDF file.To be able to share or print the poster you created in InDesign, you will next to export it as a PDF.NOTE: You may want to run the spell check before exporting your poster because InDesign...

Backing Up Your InDesign Project

This tutorial walks through backing up an InDesign project to cloud storage or a flash drive. When working on a Media Commons iMac, you will have to back up your project when you are not actively working on it. Penn State’s iMacs get refreshed daily, so everything...

Introduction to Basic Editing in iMovie

This tutorial will introduce some of the basic editing skills in iMovie.Starting a New Project Open iMovie. You should be presented with a screen that looks like this: This is the Project List, and it will show you all of the projects that you have made in iMovie. If...

Adding Sound Effects, Music and Recording Voiceovers in iMovie

This tutorial will explain how to add sound effects, music and how to record voiceovers in iMovie.Sound Effects and Music iMovie has a built-in Library of sound effects and royalty free music that you are able to use and access easily from within the program.  ...

Adding and Customizing Titles in iMovie

This tutorial assumes you are already familiar with the concepts discussed in the Basic Editing in iMovie tutorial.Add a Title Start with video already on your Timeline. Select Titles at the top of the screen. This will open up the Titles Browser where you can browse...

Using Transitions in iMovie

Transitions provide a smooth and easy change between clips. They generally are used to show a passage of time or change of location. This tutorial will guide you through the process of adding transitions to an iMovie project.Transitions Make sure you have some footage...

How to Use Green Screen in iMovie

This tutorial will guide you through the process of using green screen in iMovie. To use your green screen footage in a bigger project, first edit it the following way, export it, and then import the new file. Not doing so will cause you to be unable to use cutaways,...

Changing the Speed of a Clip in iMovie

iMovie allows you to change the speed at which – and direction in which – a clip plays. The following tutorial will help you find and change the speed and direction of a particular clip. Double-click the clip you wish to modify. In the Viewer panel of iMovie, you will...

Stabilizing Footage in iMovie

iMovie allows you to smooth out or stabilize a clip: in other words if your footage is really shaky it will help smooth that out. The following tutorial will help you find and smooth out your clip in iMovie.Once you have some footage in your Timeline you are ready to...

Adding Video Effects in iMovie

iMovie comes with several Clip Filters and Audio Effects that can be added to any or all of your footage to help you achieve a style or look to your video. The following tutorial will help you find and add those effects. Double-click the clip in your Timeline that you...

Creating Stop-Motion and Slowmation Videos in iMovie

This tutorial will show how to create a Stop-motion or Slowmation video in iMovie with still images. Download Workshop Files (135 MB)Start a New Project and Adjust Settings Start a new project in iMovie. Import your images into iMovie. If you need help with creating a...

Creating Animated Maps in iMovie

iMovie has a feature that allows users to place and customize animated maps in their video. This tutorial will outline exactly how to create and include one of these maps in your video.To start, we want to locate the Maps and Backgrounds section of the Media Browser. ...

Using Themes in iMovie

Themes can be used to quickly build stylized video edits. However, it should be noted that the No Theme or unstylized timeline is the most appropriate theme for most class assignments.Add a Theme to a Project Start a new project or open up an existing project from the...

Starting a New Podcast Project in GarageBand

This tutorial will show you how to create a new podcast project in GarageBand and adjust your settings to make it easier to record and navigate.Create a New Project Open GarageBand by selecting the GarageBand icon on the dock at the bottom of the screen or clicking...

Using QuickTime Player to Record P-MOPS Group Discussions

Migration of the University’s Box data began in October 2020, and Box cloud storage will be retired at Penn State in September 2021. Student, faculty, and staff files will be migrated to Microsoft Office 365 over the coming months. This move will help save on expenses...

How to Share Your Computer Screen with Media Commons

Sharing your computer allows the Media Commons consultants the ability to view and control your computer. This is useful if you are unsure of how to explain the problem or have no idea what is wrong. This lets the Consultants actually see and control your machine,...

Setting Mic Levels on the Mac

This tutorial will show you how to adjust microphone settings on a Media Commons iMac or any other mac computer. Make sure the audio source is connected to the computer. Click the Apple logo in the menu bar at the top of your screen and select System Preferences....