Getting To Know Finder On Your Mac
If you are new to Mac, learning about the Finder is the first step toward finding and organizing your documents, media, folders, and other files.
The Finder is the first thing that you see when your Mac finishes starting up. It opens automatically and stays open as you use other apps. It uses windows and icons to show you the contents of your Mac and other storage devices. It's called the Finder because it helps you to find and organize your files.
The Finder is the first thing that you see when your Mac finishes starting up. It opens automatically and stays open as you use other apps. It uses windows and icons to show you the contents of your Mac and other storage devices. It's called the Finder because it helps you to find and organize your files.
To open a window and see the files on your Mac, switch to the Finder by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock. When you see a document, app, or other file that you want to open, just double-click it.
The sidebar in Finder windows contains shortcuts to commonly used folders, applications, devices such your hard drives, and more. Like items in the Dock, items in the sidebar open with just one click.
When viewing your files for this class, always make sure that you are in the column view. This will allow for you to easily view your files in their enclosing folders.
Sometimes you will need to open multiple Finder windows, such as when you want to transfer files from one location to another. To open a new Finder window, you can go to File>New Finder Window. Or you can use the keyboard shortcut, which is command+N.
Setting Up Your Flash Drive or Hard Drive
Now, let's set up your external storage device for the class. This can be either a USB flash drive or external hard drive. Insert your drive into the USB slot in the back of your computer. Your drive should appear in Finder under Devices on the left hand side.
Click on the name of your drive to access it. You will need to create a Digital Art folder on your drive. To create a folder, click on the cog icon at the top of the finder screen, or use the keyboard shortcut: command+shift+n.
Once you have created your Digital Art folder, click on that folder to make it active. An active folder in Finder is highlighted in blue.
Now make 2 more folders: one for Projects and one for In Class Assignments.
Whenever you are creating something for this class, be sure to save it to your external drive and NOT the computer.
Now make 2 more folders: one for Projects and one for In Class Assignments.
Whenever you are creating something for this class, be sure to save it to your external drive and NOT the computer.
It is also a good idea to back your work up in more than 1 place, in case you lose your drive or it fails. I recommend using Google Drive as backup storage, as you have unlimited free storage with your TMI email address.
Ejecting Your Drive
When you have finished using your drive, you must first eject it before removing it from your computer. Open Finder and locate your drive under Devices. Look for the eject icon to the right of your drive. Click the eject button and wait for your drive to disappear before removing it from your computer.
If you do not eject your drive correctly before unplugging it, you run the risk of losing your data or corrupting the drive, so be sure to practice safe hardware ejection!
If you do not eject your drive correctly before unplugging it, you run the risk of losing your data or corrupting the drive, so be sure to practice safe hardware ejection!
