A closer look at DropDMG

DropDMG (v3.0.6) is a piece of software that helps you create and work with Mac disk images – Apple’s preferred format for distributing Mac software and the only archive format whose contents you can directly access in the Mac Finder.

Disk images pack entire folders or disks into a single compressed file, either for transport across the Internet or simply for backup.

The welcome screen:

DropDMG automatically determines what you want it to do based on the files or folders that you give it. The goal is to create an output file that matches the options you’ve chosen in the preferences, so defining them might be the best way to start using the software.

Set up a few configurations:

You can choose between these formats:

For when you want to deliver your Mac application with a localized software license agreement, a background picture and precise icon layout, and a custom volume icon, customize a license agreement:

And design the layout of the image once it’s mounted and accessed:

Advanced preferences include the option of installing a command line tool and operations for the software to do or be allowed to do:

Well, now you can continue to test the software. Let’s say that you’ve set DropDMG to create compressed .dmg files.

If you drag and drop a folder into the software, it will create a .dmg disk image whose contents are the contents of the folder. If you give DropDMG a volume, it will create a special device image (in .dmg format) that is an exact copy of the volume. If you feed it a disk image file (e.g. .dmg or .sparsebundle), DropDMG will convert it into a .dmg disk image with the specified options. If you give it a file such as file.001, DropDMG will look for file.002, file.003, etc. and join them into file.

As you can see, there are plenty of things this software is capable of. Instead of dragging and dropping what you need into the software, you can also use the “New” button. You can also create a blank disk image and drag and drop items in it subsequently:

The “Info” button obviously shares with you the technical details regarding a disk image.

To burn a file, folder or disk image to CD, DVD, or Blu-ray, press the “Burn” button, choose what and how do you want it “burned”, then chose the medium:

The option of verifying an image comes handy if you want to check that all the files inside it are as they should be and not corrupted. This is especially important when you make encrypted backups and archives for safe off-site storage.

DropDMG is a very useful piece of software. Possessing the appealing looks and effortless maneuverability typical of the Mac OS platform and accompanying software, it’s extremely easy to understand how to use it effectively.

You can download a full-featured trial version here.