We spent a few weeks testing the Snapmaker 2.0—from assembling the machine itself and its optional futuristic enclosure to testing all three modules. In this Snapmaker 2.0 review, we’ll let you know if it’s worth the hefty price tag. (Spoiler alert: Quite possibly.)

The Snapmaker 2.0’s predecessor, the Snapmaker Original, raised millions of dollars and gained thousands of backers on Kickstarter. Version 2.0 is currently available in two sizes: the A250 ($1,299 USD) and the A350 large format ($1,599 USD). We tested the Snapmaker 2.0 A350 and its enclosure ($599.00 USD). All are available on the Snapmaker website and on Amazon.

What Comes with the Snapmaker 2.0?

The Snapmaker 2.0 comes in a very large, heavy box because the parts list is lengthy, including:

• 3D Printing Module with Print Head
• Laser Module
• CNC Module
• Touchscreen
• Touchscreen Holder
• Controller
• Toolhead Cable
• Y Conversion Cable
• Z Conversion Cable
• AC Power Cable
• DC Power Cable
• USB Cable
• Base Plate
• Linear Module (5)
• 1 kg Spool of Filament
• Power Module
• Laser Safety Goggles
• CNC Safety Goggles
• Tool Box
• Fixture Accessory (4)
• Arched Fixture (4)
• Filament Holder Sheet
• Filament Holder Tube
• Converter (2)
• Z-axis Holder (2)
• CNC Carving Platform/Wasteboard
• Heated Bed
• Print Sheet
• Laser Engraving/Cutting Platform
• Platform
• Material Bag

If you also purchase the optional enclosure, you’ll get a second large, even heavier box that contains everything you need to build the enclosure, including:

• Beams (24)
• Cable Clip (20)
• Folding Door Slider (8)
• Wing Nut (4)
• Hex Nut (8)
• Hose Clamp
• Snap Bushing
• Hose
• Hex Key (2)
• Front Folding Door
• Side Folding door
• Back Panel
• Side Panel
• Top Panel
• Exhaust Fan
• Touchscreen Holder
• Hose Connector
• Foot Fixture
• Connecting Cable
• LED Strip Cable
• Screws in a variety of sizes (124)

As you can see from these parts lists, assembling the Snapmaker 2.0 and its enclosure won’t be a quick endeavor.

Assembling the Snapmaker and Its Enclosure

It took us a few hours to assemble both the Snapmaker and its enclosure. It took longer to assemble than most printers, but to be fair, most printers we’ve tried don’t have an enclosure. The Snapmaker’s enclosure integrates with the printer, keeping your work area clean and helping to reduce warping of 3D printing materials. You can control the lighting and the fan from the Android-based touchscreen.

There’s no doubt the Snapmaker’s build quality is top-notch. It’s got very sturdy aluminum extrusions and thick plastic panels. The accordion panels can be a little awkward to open, but being able to open both the front and the right sides is useful.

The panels are tinted to provide protection from the laser module, and it contains the dust fairly well when you use the CNC module. The exhaust system is really nice to have—protecting you from fumes and particulates. While it doesn’t come with a window mount, you could easily print one with the Snapmaker.

It’s clear that no expenses were spared on the components for this printer. All of the axes are covered and dust-proof. You can’t even see the motors-–they’re all enclosed. Everything from the rails to the heft of the bed mount screams, “Quality.” Given that, we were surprised that the cable management under the printer is so awkward.

Furthermore, there are rubber covers on the controller that are really easy to accidentally pull out and are rather difficult to put back in. Given the extremely high quality of everything else, these downsides, while minor, did stick out.

Since each module has an associated specialized bed, when you switch between modules, you also have to change the bed. Swapping them out takes some time. Switching from one module to another while the Snapmaker is inside the enclosure can be tricky because the screws fit through the back of the module heads, and it can be difficult to see what you’re doing. The bed sizes for each module are generous, allowing for a build volume that should accommodate all your projects.

The machine has WiFi and USB connectivity, allowing the firmware to update automatically. The Snapmaker Luban software can connect to the printer directly via WiFi.

The Snapmaker’s 3D Printing Module

3D printing calibration was essentially automatic. The printer has auto bed-leveling, performed via the touchscreen. It comes with a calibration card to help you set the Z offset. You can further refine the Z offset via the touchscreen at any time.

Like most FDM printers, you can use ABS, PETG, and PLA, and since it’s got a direct drive extruder, you can also use TPU and other flexible filaments. The Snapmaker is capable of layer resolutions between 50 and 300 microns.

Slicing an STL file with the Luben software was straightforward, similar to using Cura. We were able to send the g-code directly to the printer. Our test print looked so good, we used the Snapmaker to print some DIY custom pieces, and they turned out great too. When using the default settings, this printer is a little slow compared to some other printers we’ve tried.

The magnetic build plate feels great and leaves a nice texture on the prints. We had no problems with adhesion, and the parts were very easy to remove by flexing the print bed like an ice tray. The build volume for 3D printing is 320x350x330 mm—one of the largest build areas mentioned in any of our 3D printer reviews.

This printer works well, and we think beginners won’t have any problems with their prints.

The Snapmaker’s Laser Module

This was the feature we were dying to try. The diode laser power is 3.6 watts, and there’s also a 10 watt module available. The first time we tried the laser cutting/engraving module was the first time we’d ever used any kind of laser engraver/cutter. Calibrating the laser cutter involved cutting a piece of regular typing paper. Then we were ready to engrave a piece of beech wood included with the Snapmaker.

We used the Luben design and slicer software to set up our own engraving project by importing an SVG file. We knew that it would take some trial and error to get all the settings right.

You can see from the photo below that we didn’t set the workspace home coordinates entirely correctly, so the design isn’t perfectly centered. In retrospect, we should have turned the power up or used a darker image. Having said that, our Chicago flag etching still looked good.

We also tried etching a map on a piece of card stock just to see how it worked.

While it wasn’t perfect, we got surprisingly good results on card stock. We can’t wait to laser etch a piece of leather.

Laser engraving was a little slower than we thought it would be. If that’s a concern for you, look into Snapmaker’s faster 10-watt module (and the other add-ons).

The Snapmaker’s CNC Mill Module

It seemed crazy to be able to use CNC machining to cut a piece of acrylic with such precision in our living room, but the Snapmaker makes it look easy. Using the Luben software, we prepared a sample file for a cell phone stand.

An hour later, we had a non-transparent acrylic product that looked store-bought.

The CNC module supports a shank diameter of 0.5 mm to 6.3 mm making it compatible with a wide variety of bits. It is capable of spindle speeds between 6,000-12,000 RPM.

Cut to the Chase

We had a preconception that the modules would work together. That’s not really the case. Instead, the Snapmaker is three different machines that can be used one at a time. Even still, the Snapmaker brings functionality and quality to a consumer-level printer that we’ve never seen before.

Without question, it does more than any other single maker tool we’ve used, and the specs are high-quality. Since we tried the Snapmaker 2.0 All-in-One, they’ve released a new version called the Artisan, which has continued to improve upon its predecessors in myriad ways. If you can afford the Artisan ($2,799 USD pre-order), they have addressed all of our concerns about the 2.0 and added several excellent features like quick-change modules, dual extrusion, improved laser focus, a 5-axis module for the CNC router, an emergency stop button, and much more.

If, however, the Snapmaker 2.0 is closer to your budget, it’s still an incredible value for everything that you get.

*Special thanks to FormerLurker for his help with this review.

The post Review of the Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3-in-1 3D Printer first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

These instructions will work for most FDM printers—from the Creality Ender 3 to the Voxelab Aquila S2 to the Anycubic Kobra. That said, it’s always good to read the manual for your 3D printer, especially if you’re new to 3D printing or you’re using a model you’ve never used before.

How to Change the Filament on Your 3D Printer

There are several common reasons to change filaments.

• You’ve reached the end of the filament on the spool.
• You want to use a different type of filament.
• You want to change the filament mid-print to achieve an effect.
• The current filament is damaged.

Whatever the reason you want to change filaments, the steps are essentially the same.

1. Power Up Your Printer

Make sure your printer is on. The nozzle has to be hot to change the filament. If it’s not, you might not be able to purge the old filament, and you’ll be unable to load the new filament all the way to the tip of the nozzle.

2. Set the Desired Temperature of the Hot End

You need to know the recommended printing temperature range for the filament already loaded into the printer (if any) and the recommended temperature for the filament you want to load. Preheat the hot end to the higher of those two temperatures. This will prevent extrusion problems later.

Here’s why. While you’re loading the new filament, there may be two different types of filament in the nozzle at the same time—a little bit of the old filament as well as the new filament you’re loading. The nozzle temperature needs to be high enough to melt both types. Otherwise, you might wind up with a clogged nozzle.

For example, imagine you are printing with PETG, and you want to switch to PLA filament. Because PETG melts at a higher temperature, if you were to set the temperature for PLA, the PETG might not fully melt and may not be fully purged during the filament change. This is the most common mistake people make when changing filaments.

3. Remove the Old Filament

Some printers will have a menu option on the printer’s LCD screen to unload the existing filament. On other printers, this might be a completely manual process. Refer to your printer’s documentation. If it’s automatic, use that option and follow the on-screen instructions.

When manually removing the old filament, if the nozzle is too close to the printer bed for you to get your fingers under it, find your printer’s Move axis command and raise the z-axis about 50mm.

Next, disable the stepper motors. That’s usually in the control settings. Alternatively, you can send a g-code command, m18.

Some Bowden tube printers, like the Ender 3 Pro, have a manual extruder lever to release the filament from the stepper motor. Very gently pull the filament until it’s completely separated from the printer. Be careful not to pull too hard. You might break the filament.

If there’s a lot of resistance, double-check the hot end temperature; make sure the stepper motors are off, and, if you have a Bowden extruder, ensure that you’re using the manual extruder lever if necessary.

After you’ve removed the filament, consider blowing some compressed air into the extruder gear to remove any plastic flakes that might have accumulated.

4. Prepare and Load the New Filament

Inspect the new filament. Make sure there aren’t any bends, weak spots, or gouged areas. You want the filament to look and feel pristine. Fingertips are very sensitive, so run your fingers along a few feet of the filament to see if you can feel any flaws. If you do, cut that part of the filament off and discard it.

While you’re inspecting the filament, make sure it doesn’t unwind from the spool. You don’t want the filament to get crossed or tangled.

To prepare the new filament, use a wire snip or razor blade to cut the filament at a 45-degree angle. It should feel sharp at the tip. This ensures that it easily slides into the printer. Put the filament spool on the spool holder before you continue.

If your printer has a menu option for loading filament, find it, and follow the on-screen instructions. If it does not and is a Bowden printer, make sure you use the manual release as you thread the new filament through the Bowden tube.

If your printer has a filament runout detector, make sure you load filament through it. Push the filament through until purging is complete, and you see melted filament coming out of the nozzle. Confirm that the color matches the color of the new filament you’re loading.

After you’ve changed the filament, make sure your hot end temperature is set to the recommended temperature for your newly-loaded filament. If you loaded it manually, once it has hit the target temperature, push a little more filament through. If the hot end temperature is set higher than the filament you’re loading, you’ll want to load the new filament quickly and adjust the hot end temperature right away so the filament doesn’t get too hot.

Remove any filament that has been extruded. Make sure the nozzle is clean and ready to go.

What to Do If You Run Out of Filament in the Middle of a Print

If you have a filament run-out detector, your printer will alert you that you’ve run out of filament. Follow the steps above for removing the old filament and loading the new filament.

In general, you want to load a new spool of filament before the existing filament completely runs out. If the filament is so short that it moves past the extruder gear, you might have to take your hot-end apart to get it out. A filament run-out sensor is a must-have, in our opinion. If your printer doesn’t have one, consider adding one.

If replacing the filament with the same type, you can leave the hot end temperature as-is. Otherwise, follow the instructions above.

If your printer doesn’t have a settings menu option to change filament, you can send an m600 g-code to the printer. That will pause the print and move the print head out of the way so it’s not touching your print. Now you can load the new filament as described above. Send the m602 g-code to resume the print.

To troubleshoot any other problems, refer to our troubleshooting tips for 3D filament prints gone awry.

The post How to Change Your 3D Printer Filament first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

We’ll discuss various cleaning products and how to use them to clean the beds of FDM printers.

Why Clean the Print Bed?

It may seem obvious, but plastics stick better to clean surfaces. If you have poor bed adhesion, your printing quality may suffer. To get the best adhesion, remove any buildup of filament, oil, dirt, and dust.

Plus when you have a clean 3D printer bed, you might not need to use hacks like glue sticks, painters tape, and hairspray to improve adhesion.

Safety First

As with anything involving chemicals and electricity, a little common sense will go a long way to protect yourself and your property.

Never mix chemicals. You may end up inadvertently creating toxic and dangerous substances. Specifically, never mix acetone and isopropyl alcohol. It forms a toxic chemical, peracetic acid, which can cause chemical burns or worse.

Don’t use any of these products in a confined space, and make sure you have good ventilation.

Also remember that acetone and all kinds of alcohol are highly flammable. All it takes to start a fire is a spark from the electronics or heated bed.

Cleaning Solutions

Only a few cleaning products are effective and safe to use to clean the bed surface.

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

IPA or rubbing alcohol at a 90% concentration or higher is an excellent cleaning solution. Anything above 90% will be hard to find at a drugstore, but you can easily find it on Amazon.

In a pinch, you can use 70%, but keep in mind it won’t remove as much oil from the build surface, and it may contain chemicals other than just alcohol and water. When alcohol and water dry, they might leave a thin film of other, unknown compounds on your bed.

In our experience, 70% isopropyl will do a great job on beds that are already fairly clean. If you see fingerprints or smudges on your build plate that don’t come off with 70% isopropyl, you may need something stronger. We’ve found 90% isopropyl to be the sweet spot between price and effectiveness.

Ethyl Alcohol

In theory, ethyl alcohol is also a good cleaning solution. However finding it in a strong enough concentration is difficult, and in some U.S. states it’s illegal to purchase over the counter.

Everclear is a brand of ethyl alcohol that you can buy at a liquor store. Everclear is 190 proof, which means it’s 95% alcohol.

On the whole, though, ethyl alcohol is more likely than isopropyl alcohol to have impurities, and it’s more expensive. For these reasons, we recommend isopropyl over ethyl alcohol.

Acetone

You might already have some acetone in your home. It’s the main ingredient in some nail polish removers. Read the label, because not all nail polish removers contain acetone. You can find 100% acetone at hardware stores, and it’s a relatively inexpensive solvent.

Acetone is extremely good at removing oil, and it evaporates very quickly. It has a very strong smell and is highly flammable. It can also dissolve some plastics like ABS and acrylic. For that reason, be very careful about what you’re putting acetone on. Prevent damage to your skin, your 3D printer, floors, and furniture by avoiding contact with any other surface besides the bed.

Even though it’s extremely good at cleaning the build plate, we don’t recommend using acetone regularly. In fact, it may damage beds that have a PEI coating.

Soap and Warm Water

Alcohol and acetone, though they can take off grease, aren’t good at removing glue sticks, which some people use to help with first layer adhesion. Dishwashing soap and water work well to remove both grease and glue stick. It’s easier to use dish soap and water if you have a removable bed because you can take it to your sink.

Remember, soap and water mixtures are conductive, so don’t get any on the electronics on your 3D printer. It might cause a short, or, worst case, a shock.

All in all, soapy water may be the best mix because it can remove all types of contaminants.

Glass Cleaner

Glass surface cleaners like Windex aren’t just for cleaning glass. They can act as release agents too. Windex will remove some oil from the bed as well as some other water-soluble contaminants, but it will also leave its own film behind. That might result in less adhesion—which isn’t always a bad thing.

In some cases—like when printing with PETG onto a PEI-coated printing surface—your prints may stick so well that they can pull up the PEI coating when you try to remove them. If you’re having that problem, consider using a window cleaner to clean your bed, or just spray some on to help reduce adhesion, even if your bed is perfectly clean. Just remember to clean it again if you switch to a filament type that doesn’t adhere as well, like PLA or ABS.

How to Clean Your 3D Print Bed

The steps for cleaning the bed of a 3D printer are largely the same, whether you have a glass bed (like the Anycubic Kobra Max), a metal bed (like the Voxelab Aquila), a magnetic bed (like the Anycubic Vyper), or a PEI-coated bed (like some Ender 3 printers).

There’s really only one exception. You shouldn’t use acetone to clean PEI sheets because it might damage the PEI sheet over time. With that in mind, follow these steps for cleaning beds of different materials.

These are the steps for cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, acetone, or Windex:

1. Using a scraper, remove any leftover filament residue or adhesive tape from the glass plate, metal bed, or PEI sheet.

2. Make sure the bed is at room temperature. Otherwise, the cleaning fluid will evaporate. You want to give it time to soak the oil off.

3. Don’t touch the bed directly with your hands, lest you recontaminate it. Pretend you’re a surgeon.

4. Always add your cleaning solution to a clean paper towel or cloth and avoid spraying it directly on the bed because the mist might get into your electronics. Put enough cleaning solution on the paper towel so you’re able to wipe down the whole bed before it starts evaporating.
   
5. Methodically clean the entire bed, applying pressure evenly throughout the cleaning process.
   
6. Optionally, introduce a second paper towel or clean cloth to dry the bed. Drying can remove even more surface contaminants and oil, and it can dust off any remaining dirt or pieces of the first paper towel. The first pass is dissolving the contaminants. The second pass is removing those contaminants. If your bed is relatively clean, you can skip the second pass. If you’re having adhesion issues, definitely dry the bed.

If you see any remaining smudges, fingerprints, etc., repeat the steps above until they’re gone.

With Soap and Water

When using soap and water to clean the bed, follow these steps:

1. First, wash your hands thoroughly.
   
2. Wash the bed like you would a dish, but don’t use anything abrasive. A soft sponge or cloth will work. You could just use your hands, but you’ll get off more grease if you use a sponge, cloth, or paper towel.

3. Add some pressure while you’re soaping it up to help dislodge the oil.
   
4. Then rinse all the soap off. Don’t leave any behind. You don’t want any soap left on the bed at all.
   
5. Lastly, dry the bed thoroughly with a new, clean cloth.

Keeping Your Bed Clean

The best way to have a clean bed is to not get it dirty in the first place. Avoid touching the bed at all, if possible. Thoroughly clean your hands if you do need to handle the bed. Better yet, wear clean gloves. Nitrile or latex gloves work great.

Once you’ve cleaned the bed, only touch it on the sides. Keeping your bed clean means future prints are more likely to be successful.

*Special thanks to FormerLurker for his 3D printing expertise.

The post How to Clean a 3D Printer Bed first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

The Shape Builder tool was added to Illustrator in version CS5, and all versions since then have included it. We used Adobe Illustrator CC, but as long as you’re using Illustrator CS5 or later, these instructions should work.

How to Merge Shapes With the Shape Builder Tool

We’ll start by merging vector shapes. All of the shape tools in Illustrator create vector shapes. That means they can be scaled to any size.

1. Add a few shapes to the artboard. You can use any shape tool like the rectangle tool, the ellipse tool, the polygon tool, or the pen tool.

2. We’ll use the Merge Mode of the Shape Builder Tool on overlapping shapes and move the shapes, so they intersect.

3. Use the Selection Tool to select two or more overlapping shapes. Hold down Shift to select multiple shapes.

4. Select Shape Builder from the tools panel or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + M.

5. Drag the Shape Builder tool across the selected shapes. Each part of the new shape will be highlighted as you drag over them. When you release the mouse, the shapes will merge. You’ll see a tiny plus sign next to the cursor to remind you that you’re adding one shape to another.

TIP: To avoid inadvertently missing some overlapping areas of multiple shapes, press Shift while you drag the Shape Builder marquee around all the shapes you want to merge.

How to Erase Shapes with the Shape Builder Tool

Sometimes a graphic design project will require you to subtract one shape from another. Shape Builder has an Erase mode that makes it easy.

1. Begin by using the Selection Tool to select two overlapping shapes. We’ll subtract one shape from the other.

2. Select the Shape Builder Tool and hold down Alt or Option (Mac) while you drag from one shape into the part of that shape that overlaps the other shape. As you can see, pressing Alt or Option puts the Shape Builder tool into Erase mode so that one shape is subtracted from the other. You’ll know you’ve activated Erase mode because you’ll see a tiny minus sign next to the cursor.

TIP: Notice that additional anchor points are added to your new shape where the two shapes used to intersect. If you like, you can use those anchor points to reshape the path.

If you’ve ever used Illustrator’s Pathfinder tool to create complex shapes, you’ll love how much faster and easier it is to use the Shape Builder tool instead.

How to Set Shape Builder Tool Options

Now that you have a good idea of how the Shape Builder tool works in Adobe Illustrator, take a minute to learn about the options you can customize.

Access the Shape Builder Tool options by double-clicking on Shape Builder in the toolbar.

Gap Detection

Imagine you have three overlapping ellipses with a gap in the middle.

Turning on Gap Detection in Shape Builder Options allows you to tell Shape Builder to include that gap region when merging shapes.

It may take trial and error to set the gap length correctly, so the Shape Builder includes as much of the gap as you want.

Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed

If you’ve used the Pen tool to create an open path and you check the Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed box in the Shape Builder options, Shape Builder will create an invisible edge where the path is open so it’s able to make a region.

In Merge Mode, Clicking the Stroke Splits the Path

If the In Merge Mode, Clicking the Stroke Splits the Path box is checked, you can select a portion of a path.

Pick Color From

This is where you choose how the newly-created shape will be colored.

• Select Artwork if you want the new shape’s styling to be the same as the first object you touch with the Shape Builder tool.
• Select Color Swatches if you want to fill the new shape with the swatch from the last object that was selected.

Checking the box for Cursor Swatch Preview will bring up a floating color picker. Use the left and right arrows to cycle through the options.

Selection

The Selection option you choose determines how the Shape Builder selection will behave as you drag it across objects. If you choose Freeform, you’ll be able to move around options and regions you don’t want to include.

Highlight

The Highlight option helps you see what you’ve selected with the Shape Builder tool. The Fill option will cause Shape Builder to fill the regions you’ve dragged across with a mesh pattern. You can see the mesh pattern in the screenshots above.

If Highlight Stroke when Editable is checked, parts of a path that can be edited will be stroked in the color selected. You must also have In Merge Mode, Clicking Stroke Splits the Path selected above. Otherwise, the path segments won’t be editable, and, therefore, won’t be highlighted.

Keep At It

Once you become familiar with Adobe Illustrator’s Shape Builder tool, you might want to try your hand at 3D modeling. It works in much the same way—by adding and subtracting shapes. The only difference is that in Illustrator, you’re working with two-dimensional shapes, and, by definition, 3D modeling means working with three-dimensional objects.

The post How to Use Adobe Illustrator’s Shape Builder Tool first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

For this GIMP tutorial, we used the most recent version available for Microsoft Windows, GIMP 2.10. Download GIMP for Windows, MacOS, and Linux from gimp.org.

Black and White vs. Grayscale

What’s the difference between black and white and grayscale? In black and white photography, the terms are used interchangeably. Consider the image below.

This is a color photo in RGB mode. If we remove the color, it looks like this:

Most people would describe this colorless image as a black and white photo, but a more accurate term is “grayscale.” While black is the only color used in the image, the image is composed of a spectrum of shades of gray spanning from pure white to pure black.

In the photo editing world, it’s important to distinguish between grayscale and true black and white, which uses only black and white and no shades of gray. Here’s the same image in true black and white.

The first step to making an image black and white in GIMP is to decide whether to convert it to a true black and white image or to grayscale. We’ll cover both below.

How to Convert a Color Image to True Black and White in GIMP

GIMP’s process for converting a color image into black and white involves using the Threshold tool.

1. Open your image in GIMP. We’ll use this image of two colorful birds.

2. In the Colors menu, select Threshold. This tool turns the current layer or selection into a black and white image. Here’s how our image looks now.

3. Note the Channel slider in the Apply Threshold dialog. Move it left and right to adjust the threshold until you like what you see.

4. Check the Split view box to see the threshold applied to half the image so you can compare it to the original color image.

5. When you’re satisfied with the threshold, click OK.

What was once a full-color image is now purely black and white, and you didn’t even need to buy Adobe Photoshop.

How to Make an Image Grayscale in GIMP

There are several ways to turn a color image into grayscale in GIMP.

Convert the Image to Grayscale Mode

The fastest, easiest way to make a grayscale image in GIMP is to turn the document color mode to grayscale.

1. Select Image > Mode > Grayscale.

4. Your color image will now be composed solely of black, white, and gray pixels.

Note: Once you convert an image to grayscale, you can’t go back to color. Save a copy of the color image before you begin. Also, be aware that changing an image’s color mode applies to the entire image, even if you’ve only selected part of the image.

Make an Image Grayscale with the Mono Mixer

To use GIMP’s Mono Mixer tool to turn a color image to grayscale, follow these steps:

1. Select Colors > Desaturate > Mono Mixer. (Alternatively, right-click to get to the same menu options.)

2. If you have the Preview box checked, you’ll see that the color image now appears in grayscale.

3. By default, each color channel will be set to 0.333. Experiment with changing the ratios for one or more of the channels. In the example below, we’ve increased the settings for the red channel multiplier to 1.826, the green channel multiplier to 0.930, and the blue channel multiplier to 0.686. Checking the Preserve luminosity box will keep the luminosity at the same level no matter what changes you make to the channel mixer.

As you can see, adjusting the RGB channels in the Mono Mixer can make a big difference.

Desaturate to Turn a Color Image to Grayscale

A third method for converting color images to grayscale involves adjusting the image’s saturation.

1. Select Colors > Desaturate > Desaturate.

2. Using the Mode drop-down, try the various options including Luminance, Luma, Lightness, Average, and Value. Check the Split view box to compare the desaturated image with the original.

3. When you’re satisfied with the results, click OK.

How to Use the Color to Gray Tool in GIMP

You can also use the Color to Gray tool to convert an image into grayscale in GIMP.

1. Select Colors > Desaturate > Color to Gray.

2. GIMP doesn’t offer any documentation about what exactly the Color to Gray tool does, but as you can see from the image below, the effect is more artistic than simply desaturating.

3. Experiment with the Radius, Samples, and Iterations sliders and the Enhance Shadows checkbox to achieve different effects. The image below has the following settings: Radius – 217, Samples – 5, and Iterations – 23.

Use the Hue-Saturation Tool to Make a Grayscale Image in GIMP

The Hue-Saturation tool is yet another way to make a grayscale image in GIMP.

1. Select Colors > Hue-Saturation.
2. Set Saturation to -100 or move the slider all the way to the left to turn the image into grayscale.

3. Click OK.

As you can see, there are many ways to make an image black and white in GIMP. By knowing multiple methods, you’re more likely to find one that works best for the image you’re editing.

Make Bold Choices

A lot of image editing comes down to trial and error, so don’t be afraid to explore all the tools at your disposal—whether you’re using GIMP, Photoshop, or another image editing app.

To get started, try our tutorial on creating a transparent background in GIMP where you’ll learn how to use a layer mask. Or experiment with plugins for GIMP that will extend the app’s functionality.

The post How to Make an Image Black and White in GIMP first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

You don’t have to adjust any settings to get a high level of security from Signal—those features are built-in. However, you can make a few tweaks to get even more out of the app. We’ll show you how to use Signal and offer some tips and tricks you’ll want to try.

Why Signal?

Signal has a lot going for it.

• The Signal Foundation is a non-profit organization.
• The private messenger app is free.
• It’s not affiliated with any tech company.
• Signal runs on donations from supporters, which pays for development and operations.
• Signal protects free expression by enabling secure global communication through its open source privacy technology.

With Signal, you can make voice calls, video calls, group calls, and SMS/text messages all with end-to-end encryption. People like Edward Snowden and Elon Musk rely on Signal (instead of other messaging services like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger) to keep their messages out of the hands of hackers.

Install Signal Messenger

Get Signal for Android devices from the Google Play Store. iPhone or iPad users should visit the Apple app store to install Signal. Or visit signal.org/install from your phone’s browser.

Once you’ve installed the Signal app, you’ll be prompted to register with your phone number. You’ll verify via a text message verification code, create a PIN, and fill out your profile. Feel free to use a nickname!

Use Signal on Your Desktop, Too

After you’ve installed the encrypted messaging app on your phone, consider using Signal’s desktop app, too. Signal desktop apps are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you choose to use the desktop or iPad apps, you’ll link to them with your phone app.

In the top right corner of Signal on Android—or by tapping your profile icon in the top-left corner—tap Settings > Linked Devices. On iOS, tap Signal Settings > Link New Device. Then use the app of your choice to scan the QR code on the desktop app.

Extra Security and Privacy Settings

Tap Settings > Privacy to access options, including:

• Allow or disallow Read Receipts.
• Screen security where you can block screenshots in the recent list and inside Signal
• Incognito keyboard to disable the keyboard’s personalized learning feature
• Under Advanced, opt to always relay calls that route calls through the Signal server, so you don’t show your IP address to your contacts.
• Sealed sender options help you prevent the Signal service from knowing who the sender is of messages you send.

Make Your Signal Messages Disappear

Disappearing message options are under Settings > Privacy, as well. When you enable the Default timer for new chats, all new chats you start will disappear after the recipient has seen them.

Screen Lock Signal

On Android, go to Settings > Privacy, and under App security, toggle on Screen lock to apply Android’s screen lock or fingerprint to open the Signal app.

Verify the Security of Your Signal Session

Verify the session with a safety number to confirm that no third party is intercepting your conversation. Open a conversation and tap the name of the person you’re communicating with. From there, tap View safety number. Ask your contact to do the same.

You can either compare the safety numbers you see to make sure they match the numbers your contact sees, or, if you’re in the same place as your conversational partner, you can scan the QR code on their phone.

Disable iPhone Call History Syncing to iCloud

Signal users on iPhones who use Signal for voice calls might want to disable syncing their call history to the iCloud. Verify that syncing is disabled by going to Signal Settings > Privacy > Show Calls in Recents and making sure you’ve chosen the Disabled option.

Group Chats on Signal

To create a group chat, tap the pencil icon and then tap New group. Select group members from your contact list. Then tap the arrow icon to proceed. Give the group a name and tap Create. Invite more friends to the group by tapping Invite friends. You can choose an admin to approve new members and enable and share a link to the group chat. Share the link via Signal, another messaging app, or a QR code.

Chat Wallpapers and Themes

Choose a wallpaper or theme for a chat by tapping More (3 dots) > Conversation/Group settings > Chat color & wallpaper. From there, you can choose a chat color and wallpaper. For wallpapers, you can choose a Signal preset or select a photo.

Use GIFs and Stickers

Android users can add GIFs and stickers to chats by tapping the GIF button to the left of the message field.

iPhone users can add a sticker by tapping the button to the right of the message field. To add a GIF, iPhone users should tap the plus icon and then tap GIF.

Create Your Own Encrypted Sticker Pack

In the Signal desktop application, select File > Create/Upload Sticker Pack. You can add up to 200 stickers to create a custom sticker pack. Then, anyone to whom you send a sticker from the pack you made (or anyone you share the link with) can view the sticker pack.

Send Files on Signal

Select a conversation and tap the plus icon next to the message field. From there, tap Gallery to choose an image from your camera roll. To send a different kind of file, tap File and browse to the file you want to send. Tap the Send icon to send the file. You can also send a contact or a location.

Signal lets you blur portions of the image when you send photos or videos, like faces or other sensitive areas.

Create a Note to Self

Sending a note to yourself is like sending a message to anyone else. First, tap the pencil icon to begin a new message. Then, scroll to or search for Note to self in the contacts list. If you enable any linked devices, your notes will be synced across all of them.

Make In-App Payments

You can use Signal to make in-app payments to a contact, but you’ll need to activate the payments feature first. Go to Settings > Payments and tap the Activate payments button. This feature uses MobileCoin, which Signal describes as “a new privacy-focused digital currency.” Learn more about Signal’s in-app payments and MobileCoin.

Proxy Support

Some countries have blocked Signal. If you have an Android phone, you can use a proxy. Go to Settings > Data and storage > Use proxy. Then, toggle on the feature and enter a proxy address.

Signal recommends finding proxy addresses using one of these methods:

1. Search for the hashtag #IRanASignalProxy on Twitter.
2. Get a QR code or link from family or friends.
3. Set a proxy address up yourself. Signal has a great blog post explaining how.

These basic tips should help you set up and use Signal quickly. Do you use Signal every day? What are your impressions?

The post How to Use the Signal App: Tips & Tricks first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

We’ll walk you through the Tycoon’s design, assembly, calibration, and build quality. Then we’ll tell you what 3d printing is like with this reasonably-priced printer.

Kywoo’s Tycoon line includes the Tycoon, the Tycoon Max 3d printer, the Tycoon IDEX (dual extruder), and the Tycoon Slim, which has a design similar to the Ender3, Anycubic Vyper and Kobra, or the Voxelab Aquila. We tested Kywoo’s Tycoon model.

Features of the Tycoon by Kywoo

The Tycoon is packed with features including:

• A direct drive extruder mounted to a linear rail for smoother movements
• 240 x 240 x 230mm printing size/build volume
• A BL Touch-style integrated bed-leveling system
• A color LCD HD touch screen
• Dual z-axis screws and motors for better stability
• Glass heated bed
• Extruded aluminum frame
• Adjustable feet
• Support for SD cards and microSD cards
• Wifi connectivity
• Windows/Mac/Linux compatibility
• Y-axis that mounts to linear rods connected to four linear bearings
• Confirmed filament compatibility with PLA, PETG, TPU, TPE, nylon, and ABS (get Kywoo’s reasonably-priced enclosure if you plan to print with ABS)
• One-year warranty, excluding nozzle and build plate sheet
• Lifetime technical support

The bold yellow case containing the mainboard and power supply makes the Tycoon the best-looking 3d printer we’ve reviewed so far. Plus, the two carrying handles on the top make it much easier to move than other printers.

The Tycoon has another feature we’ve never seen before —a hand-crank for the E-axis (the extruder), so you can manually push or pull the filament in or out of the nozzle.

You might think having the firmware load the filament automatically would be better, but controlling the extrusion yourself is extremely satisfying. It also means there’s no need to print an extruder visualizer.

Assembling the DIY Kywoo Tycoon 3D Printer

The instructions weren’t very clear, which is not unusual. But, ultimately, it only took about five minutes to assemble. Furthermore, in hindsight, the steps are obvious.

Attach the y-axis to the x and z gantry, add the feet, plug in a few cables, and mount the spool holder. Next, attach the tempered glass bed with binder clips.

Warning: Make sure you adjust the power supply voltage to the standard for your country. Ours was set to 230v, so we had to change it to 115v. To avoid damage, it’s important to do this before powering the printer on.

Kywoo 3D Printer Calibration

We continued to follow the instructions in the manual by homing the printer via the touchscreen interface. We performed the auto bed leveling function and then pre-heated the nozzle and the bed via the touchscreen. We were pleasantly surprised by the tap and drag controls on the temperature and distance sliders—faster and easier than repeatedly pressing the plus and minus icons (although you can do that, too).

The instructions repeatedly refer to returning to the home screen. Note that the Home icon homes the printer. It’s the Back icon that returns you to the home screen.

Next we loaded the filament after cutting it to the recommended 45 degree angle with the provided side cutters. We ran the filament through the anti-runout filament sensor into the hotend via the wheel that’s connected directly to the extruder motor.

Finally, we adjusted the z-axis offset by running the auto-leveling test file on the microSD card that comes with the printer. As is typical, the z-offset wasn’t perfect out of the box. We had to raise it by a few tenths of a millimeter, but we were able to correct it before the calibration test print was completed.

We used the scraper to remove the lines from the test print. Although it was adequate, we prefer thinner, more flexible scrapers for fear of damaging the bed. Even though it looked like we left some scratches on the glass bed, a little isopropyl alcohol cleaned it right up and had it looking good as new.

Build Quality of the Kywoo Tycoon

The Tycoon has a really stiff frame. That’s good because any wobbling might affect the print quality.

The high-precision linear rails make for a stable x-axis, and there was no perceptible play on either the x- or y-axis. We suspect the y-axis bearings may be plastic since they’re so quiet.

The z-axis has dual motors and z-screws connected by a belt to prevent slippage.The z-axis is by far the noisiest part of the printer, so z-hopping is much louder than other movements on the machine. That’s not to say this is a loud machine—it’s just not as quiet as other machines we’ve tested.

The Tycoon’s First Print

We decided to print the simplest test model first—the ghost model on the microSD card—with the PLA filament that came with the printer. It was quite small and finished in about twenty minutes. The sides and top of the ghost looked fine. We didn’t see any imperfections or stringing.

We were most impressed by the first layer—the bottom side of the ghost. Except for one imperfection caused by our not having removed a little oozing from the extruder when we began the print, the first layer was flawless. In fact, it had a lovely texture imprinted by the glass plate.

We also printed the included bird whistle model which finished in about two hours. There was some stringing, but it was easily removed and turned out just as nice as the ghost print.

We did think the test models could have printed a bit faster. On the other hand, included test files usually don’t push the printer’s capabilities. Therefore, we decided to print a good old benchy, sliced with Cura 5 using their recommended settings at the maximum recommended speed of 80mm/second with 40mm/second outer walls. The print took fifty minutes.

You can see some stringing on the arches and across the bow. That’s probably because of retraction settings or moving too fast to adequately cool the layer. Overall, though, it looks good considering we pushed the printer to its maximum speeds.

Cut to the Chase

The Tycoon has a lot of features for the money. We especially liked the linear rail equipped x-axis, the satisfying manual extruder wheel, and the very attractive housing. It’s super-solid and great for a beginner or a seasoned maker.

We wish it included a removable magnetic bed, although it would be fairly cheap and easy to do that upgrade yourself.

Beginners will appreciate the document on the SD card that explains how to use the Cura slicer to turn 3d models into g-code that the Kywoo Tycoon printer understands. That information is often omitted, and we were glad to see it.

We hope Kywoo is working with Cura to add their line to Cura’s list of default printers. In the meantime, a downloadable profile for Cura and Prusa slicers would be useful, especially for beginners.

Lastly, the Kywoo Tycoon Official User Group on Facebook is fairly active and filled with users and experts willing to help troubleshoot any problems you might have.

All in all, this is a solid printer that’s worth the price. Purchase the Tycoon on the Kywoo official website, Amazon, or AliExpress.

Price: From $450.93

*Special thanks to FormerLurker for help in reviewing Kywoo’s Tycoon 3D printer.

The post Review of Kywoo Tycoon 3D Printer first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

This tutorial will cover how to arch text by creating a curved path, adding text along that path, and formatting the text so your Indesign project looks the way you want. If you’re working with vector graphics, learn how to flip text on a path in Illustrator.

Create a Layer for Text

First, if your design will have both graphics and text, consider creating a dedicated layer for all the typography.

Select Window > Layers to display the Layers panel or use the keyboard shortcut F7. Then select the New Layer button to create a new layer.

Create a Path

InDesign has several tools you can use to create a path. To create a curved path, you could use the Ellipse Tool or the Pen Tool. While you can use any shape tool to create a path, in this example, we’ll use the Ellipse Tool to create a perfect circle.

How to Create a Perfect Circle Path

First, select the Ellipse tool. It might be hidden behind the Rectangle Tool. If it is, click and hold the dropdown arrow on the Rectangle tool icon until you see the extra options appear, including the Ellipse tool. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut L to activate the Ellipse tool.

With the Ellipse tool selected, hold down the Shift key, and click and drag the cursor to create a perfect circle.

To create curved text in InDesign, you type on a path. This is the curved path we’ll add text to.

Make the Path Invisible

Paths are invisible by default. However, if base color and stroke color are turned on, you’ll need to turn them off to make the path invisible.

Using the Selection tool, select the circle path you just created. You can find the Selection tool at the top of the toolbar or by using the keyboard shortcut V.

With the Selection or Direct Selection tool selected, click on the circle path. Then select the Properties panel. In the Essentials workspace, select Windows > Properties to display the Properties panel.

If the circle path has a fill color and/or stroke applied to the path, you’ll see it in the Properties panel. Select the None option under Fill.

Then do the same to remove the stroke. Select the None option under Stroke.

You should be left with a simple circle path without fill or stroke.

Next we’ll add text to the curved line of the path.

Add Your Text

To add text, first select the Type on a Path tool from the toolbar. It may be hidden beneath the Type tool. Click and hold the mouse button on the text tool to reveal the Type on a Path tool. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift + T to select the Type on a Path tool.

Next, with the Type on a Path tool selected, move the cursor to the circle. When you see a Plus icon next to the Type on a Path Tool icon, click on the circle. The plus icon means you can add text there.

Once you click on the path, you’ll see a cursor on the path where you can add text. Type a line of text.

To adjust the font and size of the type, activate the Character panel by selecting Window > Type & Tables > Character or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T or Command + T for Macs.

To adjust the color of the type, activate the Color panel by selecting Window > Color > Color or use the keyboard shortcut F6. Select text and apply the color.

Next we’ll position the text exactly where you want it on the circle path.

Move the Text Along the Curve

To move your text along the curve, use the Selection Tool to select the type on a path. Hover the pointer over the type’s beginning or end bracket until you see an icon with an arrow next to the pointer. Avoid the bracket’s in port or out port—those are used to thread text frames from one to the next.

Drag the text along the path to the desired position.

Type on a Path Options

The Type on a Path tool comes with a variety of options. Select Type > Type on a Path > Options to display the dialog box.

You can add Effect, Align, and Spacing options.

Make sure the Preview box is checked, and try all the options in the Effect dropdown. Rainbow is the default effect, but look at others like Stair Step or Skew to see which text effect you like best.

Check the Flip box to put the anchor point in the inside of the circle path. You can also use the Align options to adjust where the text appears relative to the line of the path. Baseline is the default. In general, selecting Ascender will align the top of the text to the path. Selecting Descender will align the bottom of the text to the path.

The Spacing option controls the spacing of the text around the curve.

Adobe Apps Work Together

The best part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps is how they work together. Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are essential graphic design tools. Check out some of our other tutorials:

• How to Link Text Boxes in Indesign
• How to Mask in Photoshop to Hide Layers
• How to Cut Out a Shape in Adobe Illustrator

The more you work with Adobe apps, the more comfortable you’ll be creating new designs.

The post How to Curve Text in InDesign first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, the Google Meet video conferencing app comes with virtual backgrounds and background effects—including a blur feature—that you can apply to obscure whatever is naturally behind you.

Why You Should Blur or Change Your Background on Google Meet

There are compelling reasons to use a blurred or virtual background during video meetings.

• Worry less. With a blurred or virtual background, you don’t need to worry about what’s happening behind you during your call.
• Keep it professional. No matter where you are, a blurred background keeps the focus on the meeting topic and participants, not your surroundings.
• Take the pressure off. If you’re in your bedroom or a space with lots of kids’ stuff or other messes, a blurred background can conceal the chaos and maintain your privacy.
• Pump up your brand. Whether you’re advertising your personal brand or the company you work for, virtual backgrounds are a great marketing opportunity.
• Help fight inequality. Virtual backgrounds help hide economic differences. Normalizing the use of blurred or virtual backgrounds can help stop people with fewer resources from being judged or bullied.

Whatever your reason for wanting a blurred or virtual background, here’s how to do it in Google Meet.

Requirements to Apply Visual Effects in Google Meet on a Computer

To use visual effects in Google Meet running on a computer, first you’ll need to ensure your computer meets the minimum requirements.

You’ll need a browser that supports backgrounds, styles, and immersive effects. If you have Google Chrome version 91 or above on a Mac, Windows, or Linux machine, that will work. If you have version 91 or above on Chrome OS, that will work, too. Similarly, Microsoft Edge (Chromium) 91 or above on Windows or Mac should meet the requirements. Safari 10.1 or above should work as well, but to be on the safe side, use Chrome.

You’ll also need a 64-bit operating system and a browser that supports WebGL.

If you’re using Chrome on a Windows or Mac machine that meets all the requirements above but you still can’t use visual effects in Google Meet, you probably need to enable hardware acceleration.

How to Enable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome

To enable hardware acceleration in Chrome on Windows or Mac, follow these steps.

1. In the top right corner of a Chrome window, select the More (three dots) icon.

2. Select Settings.
3. In the menu on the left, select System.

4. Toggle on Use hardware acceleration when available.

5. Select the Relaunch button to restart Chrome.

When Chrome restarts, it will reopen all the browser tabs you had open when you selected Relaunch.

How to Blur the Background in Google Meet on a Computer or Chromebook

As long as you’re signed into your Google account, you can blur or change the background before you join a Google Meet video call.

1. In a web browser, sign into your Google account.
2. Open the meeting link or navigate to meet.google.com and enter the meeting code or link.
3. Select Join.
4. In the self-view preview, select the Apply visual effects button.

5. From there, select one of the blur background options—slightly blur your background or blur your background.
6. Alternatively, select one of the pre-uploaded options or filters or upload your own.

7. Close the Get ready pop up box.
8. Select the Join now button to join the meeting.

On a Chromebook or Windows or Linux computer, you can choose a blur option or change your virtual background after you’ve already joined the meeting by selecting the More (three dots) icon in the meeting controls at the bottom of the meeting window. From there, select Apply visual effects and choose the blur effect, background, or filter you want to apply.

To blur or change your virtual background after you’ve joined a Google Meet video call on a Mac, select the More (three dots) icon in the meeting controls. Then select Change background. From there you can choose Blur Background or Slightly Blur Background.

How to Blur the Background in the Google Meet App on Android or iPhone/iPad

Android users must have a device running Android 9.0 or higher and can get the official Google Meet app from the Google Play Store. Users of iPhone 8 and up or iPad 5th generation and up can get the app from the Apple App Store. Even with those caveats, it’s worth mentioning that the availability of effects on Android varies by device. The feature is not available on our Pixel 3, although we’ve heard it works great on a Pixel 3a.

Once the app is installed, follow these steps to blur the background.

1. Open the Meet app and select a meeting.
2. Before you join the meeting, tap Effects beneath your self view.
3. Choose the blur, background, filter, or style option you want to use.
4. When you’re finished, tap Close or Done.
5. Tap Join to launch the meeting.

During a video call, change or blur your background by tapping Effects on your self view and choose the background effect you desire. When you’re done, tap Close.

The post How to Blur the Background in Google Meet first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

The right tool for the job is essential, especially for home cooks. We’ll go through the best kitchen gadgets and gizmos you should buy now for various cooking tasks—from preparing a gourmet dinner to relaxing with your favorite coffee drink.

1. Thermapen ONE from ThermoWorks

Invest in a thermometer if you want your dishes to be perfect every time. We love the Thermapen One. It reads temperatures almost immediately and turns off when you fold the probe back toward the body.

Price: $84

2. Wautton Household Vacuum Sealer

You can use this vacuum sealer as a food saver or even for sous vide bags. This gadget worked perfectly from the start. Order directly from Wautton—they even handle small wholesale orders.

Price: $49.90

3. Bosch Benchmark Induction Cooktop

We’ve extensively researched induction cooktops and found the Bosch Benchmark to be the cream of the crop. With flex induction, auto-chef temperature maintenance, and power boost on all burners, this is the induction cooktop you’ve been dreaming of.

Price: From $1749

4. Sushi Bazooka

Make your own California rolls or any other kind of maki with the Sushi Bazooka. Available on Amazon, the Sushi Bazooka creates perfect rolls every time.

Price: $33.25

5. Breville SmartGrinder Pro

Are you serious about your coffee? We thought our espresso machine was defective until we got this grinder from Bed Bath and Beyond. A good, consistent grind makes all the difference. You can grind into the provided sealed canister or directly into a portafilter.

Price: $199.99

6. Breville Bambino Espresso Machine

Breville makes quality espresso makers. Soon you’ll be enjoying a cappuccino, latte, or just a simple ristretto. Get the Bambino at Crate & Barrel.

Price: $299.95

7. Cuisinart Immersion Blender

If you get the Cuisinart SmartStick, your soup and smoothie games will be on point! Bonus: you’ll have fewer dirty dishes to clean because you can blend right in the cooking pot. Find it everywhere, including Home Depot.

Price: From $49.95

8. Zororushi Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker

Do you want your rice to be perfect every time, no matter what rice you use? Would you like your rice maker to play a little tune when your rice is done? This gadget takes the guesswork out of rice making.

Price: $189.49

9. Kitchenaid Attachments

If you keep your Kitchenaid mixer on the countertop because you use it so often, you may want to invest in these four attachments: the meat grinder, pasta roller, spiralizer, and ice cream maker.

Price: From $34.99

10. Master Feng Pasta Cutter Set

If you get the Kitchenaid pasta roller attachment above, then definitely get these pasta cutters, too. It will make your ravioli “perfecto come se fa”. You can get this set on Amazon.

Price: $12.99

11. Silicone Spatulas

These non-stick spatulas are dishwasher safe and are a thousand times better than the old versions. Find this set from UHOMEPRO at Walmart.

Price: $10.99

12. Lagomian Silicone Cutting Board

This silicone cutting board is unlike the plastic ones that slide all over your counter. It stays in place. Even better, it’s BPA-free.

Price: $29.56

13. Chef’n Lemon Juicer

Get every last drop out of your oranges, lemons, and limes with the FreshForce Citrus Juicer from Chef’n.

Price: $17.80

14. Shun Premier Knife

Who needs a special tool to julienne carrots and potatoes? Chefs’ knives are the original slicers and dicers. You can do it all by hand with these gorgeous knives by Shun.

Price: From $144

15. 10.25” Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

Cast iron isn’t the lightest cookware–that’s for sure. But when it comes to sauteing onions or making the “slidey eggs” trending on Reddit, a perfectly seasoned Lodge cast iron skillet can’t be beat.

Price: $19.90

16. Le Creuset Dutch Oven

They’re costly, but they’ll last several lifetimes. The stews you make in a Le Creuset Dutch oven will be the stuff of legends.

Price: From $220

17. Technivorm MoccaMaster Coffee Maker

If you have limited counter space, reserve it for this baby. It’s better than other coffee makers because it heats the water to the best temperature for brewing coffee. No frills, just good coffee.

Price: $329

18. Chef’s Choice Knife Sharpener

This professional knife sharpener can convert your knives from the traditional 20-degree factory edge into high-performance 15-degree edges. Trust us—you want that.

Price: $173.60

19. Microplane Grater

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get an excellent Microplane zester/grater.

Price: $14.99

20. OXO 5 Lb. Kitchen Scale

Food scales are perfect for baking. Start measuring ingredients by weight instead of volume, and you’ll see an improvement in your breads, cookies, and cakes.

Price: $32.99

21. Kuhn Ricon Vegetable Peeler

Popular chef Kenji López-Alt likes these simple plastic Y peelers, but you might like the traditional version from OXO Good Grips better. Either way, you’ll be peeling veggies at record speed.

Price: From $11.95

22. Instant Pot

Is it a slow cooker like a Crock Pot? Is it a pressure cooker? Is it a yogurt-maker? Yes, the Instant Pot is an all-in-one multicooker! Choose from a variety of sizes and simplify your cooking.

Price: From $69

23. Stainless Steel Colanders

Colanders and strainers aren’t particularly exciting, but it’s frustrating if you need one and don’t have any on hand. Target has a good deal on a set of three.

Price: $35.59

24. Measuring Cups & Measuring Spoons

We like this set of measuring cups and spoons because the measurements are engraved into the handles, so they’ll never rub off. Plus, the color-coding makes finding the right one easy.

Price: $18.99

25. Fox Run Stackable Mixing Bowls

These stainless steel stackable mixing bowls are legit game changers—especially if they fit nicely in your dishwasher. Buy several.

Price: $12.65

26. Breville Smart Oven

If we could only have one kitchen gadget from this list, it would be the Breville Smart Convection Toaster Oven. From toasted bread and English muffins to frozen pizza, you’ll turn to this over your regular oven because of how quickly it heats up. Save power; be green!

Price: $269.95

The post 26 Best Kitchen Gadgets You Should Buy Now first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best free audiobooks on Amazon’s Audible service to listen to when you can’t spare a credit. From science fiction to nonfiction, classic stories to new releases, these are some of the best audiobooks out there right now. 

The best Audible books on our list are available through the Audible Plus Catalog, Audible Originals, or are categorized as Free Titles. There’s no comprehensive list of free Audible books, but if you know where to look, you’ll find a great selection of audiobooks that won’t cost you anything extra.

1. The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

From the author of Americanah, one of the New York Times’ Best Books of 2013, comes The Visit, a sci-fi short story that’s part of the Black Stars series of speculative fiction from Black authors. Listen to a story about a matriarchal world where role-reversal means men are under surveillance.

2. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Maggie Gyllenhaal narrates this edition of the Russian classic. Since Tolstoy wrote this before 1927, this work of art has been in the public domain. However, it’s still as relevant as ever, which explains why it’s still trending.

3. Mythos by Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry wrote and narrated these mythic tales of Zeus and the other residents of Mount Olympus. He’s one of the funniest comedians, and his treatment and retelling of Greek myths are not to be missed.

4. Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Speaking of Stephen Fry, his narration makes this monster collection of Sherlock Holmes stories a delight to listen to. Fry reads six collections of stories about the moody English detective that run over sixty hours. This downloadable audiobook will keep you entertained for days.

5.  The Jane Austen Collection

A full cast of all-stars narrates this collection of novels by Jane Austen. You’ll get 45 hours of Jane Austen goodness. Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Claire Foy, who you might know from her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II on the Netflix series The Crown. This audiobook collection also includes Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. So make yourself a cup of Earl Grey tea and settle in.

6. Thicker Than Water by Tyler Shultz

If you followed the rise and fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, you’d be interested in this whistleblower documentary account from a former employee whose family was deeply entwined in the Theranos scandal. 

7. Choice by Jodi Picoult

Picoult’s short story about an ex-couple’s unwanted pregnancy has a timely topic with a twist—it’s the men who are pregnant in this dystopian crisis.

8. Alien III by William Gibson

William Gibson wrote a draft script for a possible Alien III movie back in 1987. His version was never filmed, but you can listen to it on the Audible app. In this full-cast production, you’ll recognize the voices of Alien movie stars Lance Hendrickson (Corporal Hicks) and Michael Biehn (Bishop).

9. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Narrated by mega-star Scarlett Johansson, this audio treatment of the classic fantasy fairytale about Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Cheshire Cat was directed by Johansson’s sister Vanessa. So if you’re in the mood for a whimsical—and nonsensical—story, give this one a listen.

10. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankel

Frankel has written a riveting memoir about his experience in Nazi concentration camps. Unbelievably, Frankel found purpose and meaning in the experience and became the head of the neurology department at the Vienna Polyclinic Hospital. His views on meaning and mental health were foundational to the field of positive psychology. This book is regarded as one of the most influential books in the world.

11. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Brontë’s classic tale of Jane and Mr. Rochester is known as one of the most famous romance novels of all time. You may recognize the voice of Thandie Newton from movies like Mission Impossible 2 and Solo: A Star Wars Story. 

12. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Let’s be honest—talking about race can be difficult. Author Ijeoma Oluo helps readers (and listeners) learn new ways to think about structural injustice and discuss racism. 

13. Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World by Michael Pollan

Chances are you’ve had a caffeinated beverage today. Best-selling author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence, Michael Pollan brings his signature focus on science and history to the subject of caffeine. Pour yourself another cup, and learn how caffeine has changed the course of human history. 

14. Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman

Richard Feynman was a theoretical physicist with a keen talent for explaining complex concepts in simple, often entertaining ways. The stories he tells in this book, which he narrated himself, run the gamut from his fascination with safe-cracking to his work on the Manhattan Project. 

Taking Reading to Another Level

Avid readers know that buying reading materials can get quite expensive. Luckily there are ways to get some books and audiobooks for free. In addition to the list of free audiobooks on Audible above, consider browsing titles on Librivox. If you have a library card, you might also have access to collections on Hoopla and Overdrive.

The post 14 Best Free Audiobooks on Audible first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Do you have a Google Pixel smartphone? Whether you have the newest Pixel 6 Pro, a Pixel 6a, or an older Pixel phone, you can install and use the Personal Safety app from Google. The app helps you prepare for an emergency, and if an emergency occurs, the app can connect you to help and the information you need.

The Personal Safety app has features like car crash detection and location sharing with your emergency contacts. You can also get crisis alerts about nearby natural disasters or public emergencies.

We’ll walk you through how to install or activate the app on your Google Pixel device and how to use it to enhance your personal safety.

How to Install the Personal Safety App

The Personal Safety app requires Android version 10 and up. The app will be installed automatically if you have a Pixel 4 or later. Confusingly, the app is called Personal Safety in the Google Play store but simply Safety in the list of apps on Pixel phones.

Google Pixel 3a or Earlier

If you don’t see the app in your app drawer on a Google Pixel 3a or earlier, it might be installed but hidden. To check, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings > About phone.
2. Tap Emergency information.
3. On the banner, tap Update.

If you don’t have the Safety app installed, you can still sign in with your Google account and add emergency contacts and medical information. Remember, anyone who picks up your phone can see your emergency information on your phone’s lock screen. This can be very helpful to first responders, so they know who to contact if you are incapacitated. You can turn this setting off in the Safety app.

Once the Safety app is installed, you can take advantage of even more features the app has to offer, although car crash detection is only available on Pixel 3 and later.

Personal Safety App Setup

If you haven’t used the Safety app before, you’ll see a button labeled Start setup to guide you through the setup process.

1. First, you can set up emergency real-time location sharing. This is a relatively new feature. Select Next to set emergency contacts or No thanks to skip to the next section.

2. Review the list of emergency contacts and add a contact if you wish.

3. When emergency sharing is activated, your phone will send SMS updates to your emergency contacts. Select what information will be shared. Real-time location sharing is required for emergency sharing.

4. Next, tap Go to Maps to set up location sharing in Google Maps.

5. Google Maps will prompt you to set location access to Allow all the time. Tap Go to settings to allow access. When you’ve set the permissions, return to the Safety app and tap Done.

6. Next, turn on car crash detection or try a demo to see what will happen if your phone detects a car crash.

7. If you want to be alerted about emergencies affecting your area, tap Turn on or Learn more under “Get alerts about nearby crises.”

Once you’ve gone through the steps above, the Safety app is ready to help you in the event of an emergency.

How to Get Help When There’s an Emergency

The Safety app offers several ways to request help or information during an emergency.

Schedule a Safety Check

If you’re in an unfamiliar area or feel you’re entering a situation where your safety might be at risk, you can schedule a Safety check. The app will check on you, and your phone will notify designated emergency contacts if you don’t respond to the check-in.

1. Tap the yellow Safety check button.

2. Next, select your situation from the Reason drop-down list. Choose from: Walking alone, Going for a run, Taking transportation, Hiking, or Write my own.

3. Select the duration of the safety check.

4. Tap Next and select which emergency contacts should be notified if you don’t respond to the safety check. If you wish, you can notify your emergency contacts that you’re planning a safety check. Tap Turn on when you’re finished.

When a Safety check is active, the Safety app’s home screen will display how long you have until it’s time to check in and who it will notify if you fail to respond. When the app asks you to check in, you’ll have one minute to respond before emergency sharing is activated. To delete the safety check, tap the notification at any time. Select from these options:

• I’m OK. Don’t share.
• Start sharing now.
• Call 911.

If you choose Start sharing now, future checks will be stopped. However, if you lose a signal or your phone is turned off, the check will stay active, and it will share your last known location with your emergency contacts.

Emergency SOS

To activate Emergency SOS, quickly press the Power button on your phone five times (or more). The Emergency SOS feature has three main functions:

1. Make an emergency call for service.
2. Share information with your emergency contacts.
3. Record a video of the emergency.

Configure the Emergency SOS feature in the Safety app by selecting the Settings/gear icon. Tap Emergency SOS > Start setup. Follow the wizard to choose options like whether to play a countdown alarm when Emergency SOS is starting and to review the phone number the app will use to contact emergency services.

When you record a video with Emergency SOS, the video will be automatically shared with your emergency contacts if you have auto-share enabled. Also, videos are automatically uploaded to the cloud in case your phone is lost or destroyed. Uploading and video management require an internet connection.

Better Safe Than Sorry

With a few minutes of preparation, Pixel users can give themselves a few advantages in an emergency. So take the time now to set up the Google Safety app.

The post How to Use Google’s Personal Safety App first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

When you find a website you want to visit again later, you can create a bookmark—a link to that site. The Google Chrome web browser provides simple ways to create, edit, organize, and delete bookmarks on desktop and mobile devices.

How to Add Bookmarks in Google Chrome

To add a bookmark in Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and navigate to a website.
2. Select the star icon next to the website’s URL in the Omnibox—Chrome’s address bar.

That’s all you have to do to add a new bookmark in the desktop or Android versions of Chrome. The keyboard shortcut to add a bookmark on Windows and Linux is Ctrl + D.

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, tap More (three dots icon) and then Bookmark (plus icon). Mac desktop users can use the keyboard shortcut Command + d.

How to View Google Chrome Bookmarks

Bookmarked pages are automatically added to the bookmarks bar in the Chrome browser.

To turn the bookmark bar on or off, press the More (3 dots) icon to the right of the Omnibox. Then select Bookmarks > Show Bookmarks Bar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Command + Shift + B.

If you’re using Chrome on a computer, another way to find your bookmarks is to select More (3 dots icon) > Bookmarks. All the bookmarks added to the bookmarks bar appear in a list. Select the bookmark you want.

Yet another way to view your bookmarks in Chrome on a computer is via the side panel.

1. At the top of the Chrome window, select the sidebar icon.

2. Select the Bookmarks tab to view your bookmarks.

3. Select the bookmark for the webpage you want to visit.

How to Edit Bookmarks in Chrome

To edit or rename bookmarks in Chrome on a computer, use Chrome’s bookmark manager.

1. Select the More (3 dots) icon and then select Bookmarks > Bookmarks manager or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Command + Shift + O.

2. In the bookmark manager, select the More icon next to the bookmark you want to edit.
3. Select Edit.
4. In the Edit bookmark popup, edit the name or URL of the bookmark.

5. Select Save.

To edit a bookmark on an Android device, tap More > Bookmarks. Then, to the right of the bookmark you want to edit, tap More > Edit.

On iOS devices, tap More > Bookmarks, touch and hold the bookmark you want to edit, and then tap Edit bookmark. When you’re finished, tap Done.

How to Delete Bookmarks in Chrome

To delete a bookmark in Chrome on a computer, use the bookmark manager. Remember that once you delete a bookmark, it’s gone forever—or at least until you add it again. There’s no way to restore deleted bookmarks.

1. In the top-right of Chrome, select the More icon (3 dots).
2. Select Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.
3. Select the More icon to the right of the bookmark you want to delete.
4. Select Delete.

On an Android device, tap More > Bookmarks. Then, to the right of the bookmark you want to delete, tap More > Delete. To delete multiple bookmarks, long-press each bookmark you want to delete, and then tap the Delete (trash can) icon.

To delete a bookmark in Chrome on an iPhone or iPad, tap More > Bookmarks, swipe left on the bookmark you want to delete, and then tap Delete. To delete multiple bookmarks at once, tap Select at the bottom of the screen. Then tap the bookmarks you want to delete, swipe left, and tap Delete.

How to Organize Your Chrome Bookmarks

If you have a lot of bookmarks, you may want to create folders to organize them. To create a folder in Chrome on a computer, use the bookmark manager.

1. In the top-right of Chrome, select the More icon (3 dots).
2. Select Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.
3. In the bookmark manager, select the More icon (3 dots).

4. Select Add new folder.

You can also right-click on the bookmarks bar in Chrome on a computer and select Add folder. Name the new folder and select Save.

To create a new bookmark folder in Chrome on Android, first, open the Chrome app and tap the More icon, then Bookmarks. Next, to the right of the bookmark, you want to move into a new folder, tap More > Move to > New folder.

To create a new bookmark folder in Chrome on an iPhone or iPad, tap the More > Bookmarks > Select a folder. At the bottom of the screen, tap New Folder.

If you want to move an existing bookmark into an existing folder on a computer, use the bookmarks manager.

1. In the top-right of Chrome, select the More icon (3 dots).
2. Select Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.
3. Drag a bookmark into a folder in the folder list on the left.

Expand the folder list to view any subfolders you’ve created, including the Mobile bookmarks folder, which is automatically created if you’ve connected your Google account between your computer and your phone.

How to Import and Export Bookmarks in Google Chrome

You can import bookmarks and settings from most browsers into Chrome, including Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox.

1. Open Chrome on a computer.
2. Select More in the top-right.
3. Select Bookmarks > Import bookmarks and settings.
4. From the dropdown list, select a web browser.
5. Check the boxes next to the items you want to import.

6. Select the Import button.

To export your bookmarks in Chrome, use the bookmark manager.

1. In the top-right of Chrome, select the More icon (3 dots).
2. Select Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.
3. In the bookmark manager, select the More icon.
4. Select Export bookmarks.

5. In the Save As dialog box, enter a file name and select the Save button.

As you can see, Google Chrome offers easy ways to save and organize your bookmarks. Check out our guide on other ways to import, export, and back up your Chrome bookmarks.

The post How to Manage Bookmarks in Google Chrome first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

We’ve discussed why Google Calendar is the best online calendar service. Since then, we’ve discovered even more ways to integrate Google Calendar into your life, especially if you’re using Google Workspace. For example, if you want to add weather to your calendar, use Gcal notifications to support Atomic Habits, or sync Slack with your Google Calendar, we’ve got you covered. Many iPhone and Mac users have found they like Google Calendar better than iCal.

Regardless of how you use Google Calendar—whether via Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari, or a web browser on your Linux machine—these keyboard shortcuts will improve your experience. There aren’t very many shortcuts, so with a bit of practice, you can memorize them all, especially since many of them are standard shortcuts you already use in other programs like Microsoft Excel.

How to Turn on Keyboard Shortcuts in Google Calendar

You access Google Calendar via web browser, so it doesn’t matter if you’re on a Windows PC or an Android or Apple device. Note that keyboard shortcuts only work when you’re using a computer. These keyboard shortcuts won’t work on your iPad.

You have to enable keyboard shortcuts in Google Calendar to get them to work, unlike other Google apps like Google Docs or Gmail (or even Microsoft Office), where keyboard shortcuts just work automatically.

To enable keyboard shortcuts in Google Calendar, follow these steps.

1. Visit Google Calendar in a browser and sign in to your account.
2. Select the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down to the section called Keyboard shortcuts.
4. Make sure the checkbox labeled Enable keyboard shortcuts is checked.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the Save button.

6 Shortcuts for Viewing Your Google Calendar

There are six ways you can view your Google calendar.

• Day view

• Week view

• Month view

• Custom view. Set the custom view in Settings. Choose from 2-7 days or 2-4 weeks.

• Schedule view. Some people call this “agenda view” because it shows a list of upcoming events on your calendar.

• Year view

It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that there are six keyboard shortcuts for changing the calendar view. If you use the shortcuts, you don’t need to select the view from the drop-down list. Each view has two keyboard shortcuts you can use.

• Day view: Press 1 or d
• Week view: Press 2 or w
• Month view: Press 3 or m
• Custom view: Press 4 or x
• Schedule view: Press 5 or a
• Year view: Press 6 or y

Shortcuts for Navigating Your Google Calendar

You can use keyboard shortcuts to move around your calendar, too.

• Previous period: Press p or k. For instance, if you’re viewing today’s calendar in Day View and press p or k, Google will display yesterday in Day View. If you’re viewing the current month’s calendar in Month View and you press p or k, it will switch to the previous period—in this case, the prior month.
• Next period: Press n or j. As you would imagine, this shortcut will display the next period in whichever calendar view is active. So, if you’re viewing 2022 in Year View, and you press n or j, Google will display the calendar for 2023.
• Today: Press t. We use this one all the time. Regardless of which date or date range you’re viewing in the calendar, pressing t will take you back to the current day or the range that includes today.
• Go to date: Press g. If you don’t want to select a date with the mouse on the tiny calendar on the left side of the Google Calendar app, you can press g instead. A popup will appear where you can type in the specific date you want to view.

Shortcuts for Events on Your Google Calendar

Creating appointments and adding event details in Google Calendar has its own set of keyboard shortcuts.

• Create event: Press c.
• Edit event: Press e.
• Delete event: Press the backspace or delete key.
• Undo the last action (if possible): Ctrl + z or just z.
• Back to calendar view: Press the Esc key. For example, if you’re in the middle of creating a new event and decide to abandon it, press Esc to return to the calendar.
• Save event: Ctrl + s or just s.

Application Shortcuts for Google Calendar

These are some of the most helpful keyboard shortcuts for Google Calendar.

• Search: Press /. This one’s easy to recall if you remember it’s the same key the question mark is on.
• Focus on Search for people to meet text box: Shift + = or +. Using this shortcut will let you quickly search for people to add to an event. Once you find the person you want to meet with, press Enter, and a popup will appear where you can schedule an event with the person or people you selected.

• Open create dialog: Press Shift + c or q. This shortcut opens a dialog where you can create a new event or task.

• Print: Press Ctrl + p.
• Settings: Press s.
• Jump to Side Panel: Press Alt + Ctrl + period or Alt + Ctrl + comma. This will change the focus of your cursor to the side panel where you can tab through options like Google Keep, Tasks, Contacts, and Google Maps. Press Enter to open the selected app in the side panel. Mac users can use Command + Option + period or Command + Option + comma. And if you have a Chromebook, try Alt + Shift + period or Alt + Shift + comma. The side panel is nearly identical to the side panel you might already use in Google Drive.

• Show person or group info: First, select a person in the Search for people field. Then press Alt + Right arrow, and their contact card will pop up.

How to View a List of All the Keyboard Shortcuts for Google Calendar

And here’s an important bonus shortcut. If you can’t remember a shortcut, you can always press the ? key on your keyboard (Shift + /) to toggle on a list of all the shortcuts available to you in Google Calendar.

The post 23 Handy Google Calendar Keyboard Shortcuts first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

This shortcut tutorial is mainly for Windows users, but we’ve included some keyboard shortcuts for macOS. If you use keyboard shortcuts on your macOS computer, you’ll notice that many of those keyboard shortcuts will also work on iPhones and iPads paired with external keyboards.

Android users who use an external keyboard will find that many of these key combinations will work, and most of these shortcuts also work on Word for the Web.

Bonus Tip: Hovering your mouse over a tool on the menu bar will display a dropdown with info on the keyboard shortcut for that option.

1-26. Learn the Alphabet: Ctrl/Command + A to Z

First, let’s run through the alphabet of Ctrl/Command + shortcuts. Windows users should use the Ctrl key. Apple users running Word for Mac or iOS should use the Command key.

• Ctrl + A: Select all.
• Ctrl + B: Bold.
• Ctrl + C: Copy to clipboard.
• Ctrl + D: Change character formatting. We use this to access effect options like Strikethrough, Double strikethrough, Superscript, and Subscript. It’s also useful for changing lowercase text to uppercase or small caps. You can also use it to change the font, font style, and size of the selected text.

• Ctrl + E: Align center.
• Ctrl + F: Find. Ctrl + G: Go to. Ctrl + H: Replace. These three keyboard shortcuts go together and are especially useful when you’re working with long documents. The Find keyboard shortcut might launch the Navigation pane instead of the dialog box shown below. The dialog box has multiple options the navigation pane lacks. You can always use the Ctrl + G or Ctrl + H keyboard shortcuts to launch the Find and Replace dialog box. Each function (find/replace/go to) is a separate tab in the box.

• Ctrl + I: Italics.
• Ctrl + J: Justify.
• Ctrl + K: Insert hyperlink. This one’s not just for links to web pages and email addresses. You can link to another place within the same document or another document entirely. You can even use it to create a new blank file and link to it, and Word will let you opt to edit the new document later or right away.

• Ctrl + L: Left align.
• Ctrl + M: Indent paragraph.
• Ctrl + N: New document.
• Ctrl + O: Open document.
• Ctrl + P: Print.
• Ctrl + Q: Remove paragraph formatting. Imagine you’ve formatted a paragraph using any of the tools below. No matter how long ago you applied the formatting, if you position the cursor within that paragraph and press Ctrl + Q, the paragraph formatting will be removed.

• Ctrl + R: Right justify.
• Ctrl + S: Save.
• Ctrl + T: Create hanging indent (tab).
• Ctrl + U: Underline.
• Ctrl + V: Paste.
• Ctrl + W: Close document.
• Ctrl + X: Cut.
• Ctrl + Y: Redo previously undone action.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo an action.

If you memorize those 26 shortcut keys, you’ll find using Microsoft Word becomes much easier and faster. To become an expert user, though, check out these other, lesser-known Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts.

27. Ctrl/Command + [ (Left Bracket) and Ctrl/Command + ] (Right Bracket): Increase & Decrease Font Size

These two key combinations are quick ways to decrease or increase the font size by one point. Ctrl + [ decreases the font size of the selected text, and Ctrl + ] increases the size.

28. Ctrl/Command + Enter to Insert a Page Break

Quickly add a page break by pressing Ctrl + Enter.

28. Use Alt for Ribbon Keyboard Shortcuts

This set of shortcuts is only for Windows users. Pressing the Alt key by itself will display Key Tips, which are shortcuts to different tools on the Ribbon. Pressing Alt will show you shortcuts to the different tabs on the Ribbon. Then you can combine Alt with the Ribbon tab shortcut to navigate to a specific tab on the Ribbon.

Press the Esc key any time to leave selection mode, and use the Ctrl + Spacebar shortcut to close a task pane.

For example, press Alt to display the Key Tips for the tabs on the Ribbon. Then, combine Alt with the shortcut for a specific tab. Pressing Alt + N will take you to the Insert tab. From there, you’ll see the Key Tips for the options on the Insert tab. Simply type the letter(s) for the tool or option you want.

Here’s another example. You can adjust the zoom magnification on your document without ever moving your hands away from the keyboard. Once you learn it, you’ll use it all the time. Press the Alt key. Then press W and then Q. Then use the Tab key to navigate around the Zoom dialog box to select the value you’re looking for. Press Enter to select the OK button.

29. Navigate the Document with Ctrl Key Shortcuts

You’re probably already using the End, Home, Page up, and Page down keys to move around your document. End will move the cursor to the end of the line it’s on. Home moves the cursor to the beginning of that line. Page up and Page down scroll the document up or down. Use key combinations with Ctrl to fine tune document navigation.

• Ctrl + End moves the cursor to the end of the document. Command + End on a Mac and Command + Fn + Right arrow on a MacBook.
• Ctrl + Home moves the cursor to the beginning of the document. Command + Home on a Mac and Command + Fn + Left arrow on a MacBook.
• Ctrl + Page up will move the cursor to the top of the previous page. Command + Page up on a Mac and Command + Fn + Up arrow on a MacBook.
• Ctrl + Page down will move the cursor to the top of the next page. Command + Page down on a Mac and Command + Fn + Down arrow on a MacBook.
• Ctrl + Left arrow key will move the cursor one word to the left. Option + Left arrow on Macs.
• Ctrl + Right arrow key will move the cursor one word to the right. Option + Right arrow on Macs.
• Ctrl + Up arrow moves the cursor up one paragraph. Command + Up arrow on Macs.
• Ctrl + Down arrow moves the cursor down one paragraph. Command + Down arrow on Macs.

30. Use Ctrl to Select Graphics and Text

The Ctrl key is also handy for selecting text and graphics. Use it in combination with Shift and the arrow keys to make selections.

• Ctrl + Shift + Left arrow key will select the word to the left of the cursor. Shift + Option + Left arrow key on a Mac.
• Ctrl + Shift + Right arrow key will select the word to the right of the cursor. Shift + Option + Right arrow key on a Mac.
• Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow key will select from where the cursor is positioned to the beginning of that paragraph. Command + Shift + Up arrow on a Mac.
• Ctrl + Shift + Down arrow key will select from where the cursor is positioned to the end of that paragraph. Command + Shift + Down arrow on a Mac.

The post The 30+ Best Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts first appeared on Online Tech Tips.