How to launch programs in OS X using mouse gestures

by Ross McKillop on October 13, 2007

Mac

Using a neat little program called Sapiens, you can quickly launch any program on your Mac without using your keyboard. This brief overview will guide you through setting up and using Sapiens.

  1. After you’ve installed Sapiens, launch it from your Applications list. To bring up the main ‘launcher’, move your mouse cursor in a circle (clockwise or counter-clockwise).
  2. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x

  3. You’ll see a brief animation and the launcher will open.
  4. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
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  5. If you mouse your cursor over any of the program icons, that programs name will be displayed. Click the icon and that program will launch.
  6. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
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  7. One of the main features of Sapiens is that over time, it learns what programs you use, and when you use them. Before Sapiens becomes “smarter”, you can type a programs name to bring it into focus. In the screenshot below, I entered cal and all of the programs that contain the 3 characters (c, a and l) are displayed.
  8. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
    click to enlarge

  9. Click the small ‘tools’ icon at the bottom of the Sapiens window to bring up its settings. The first tab, Foundation, lists all of the folders that Sapiens will look in for programs. If you store some of your applications in non-default locations, you can add those locations here.
  10. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
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  11. The Activation tab lets you change the sensitivity of the “circle gesture”. Or, change the Sapiens activation method to a keyboard combo/shortcut.
  12. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
    click to enlarge

  13. Select the Advanced settings… button from the Activation tab. From here you can specify programs that will ignore the “circle gesture”. For example, if you play video games that involve moving your mouse in a circular motion, you’ll want to add them to this list - so Sapiens doesn’t launch in the middle of a game.
  14. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
    click to enlarge

  15. Select the Layout tab. From here, you can change the way Sapiens is presented. Try each one out and see if you like them more than the default view.
  16. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x
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  17. Below is a screenshot of the Mini visual layout.
  18. sapiens mouse gesture launcher for os x

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