Mac OS X Automator

One of the major new features of Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) is Automator. It is a tool that lets you build workflows from actions that may be provided by Apple (over 200 are part of the Automator installation), by software developers -- or by you, following the techniques described in the second part of this tutorial. You can use Automator to automate repetitive tasks or to manage complex and rarely-performed tasks. If you have Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later, you have Automator. VTC author Jesse Feiler guides you through using the software, taking advantage of the actions you already have, and show you how to build your own actions ranging from simple to complex. To begin learning, simply click on the links.

Introduction

About this Course
Introducing Automator
Useful Links for Additional Information

Using Automator Out of the Box

Import .Mac Photos
Looking Inside Import .Mac Photos
Process Images
Looking Inside Process Images

Introducing Workflows

Using Workflow Terminology
Looking At an Automator Workflow
Using an Automator Workflow

Introducing Actions

Using Action Terminology
Looking at an Automator Action
Using an Automator Action

Automator Actions

Using Ask Actions
Using Pause & Ask Actions
Running a Web Service
Using View Results
Running a Workflow
Running an AppleScript
Running a Shell Script

Workflow Management

Organizing a Workflow
Saving Workflows

Working with Finder & System Actions

Using Finder Actions Pt.1
Using Finder Actions Pt.2
Using Finder Actions Pt.3
Using System Actions
Using Spotlight Actions

Working With Media Actions

Using Image Capture Actions
Using iPhoto Actions
Using QuickTime Player Actions
Using iTunes Actions
Using DVD Player Actions
Using iDVD Actions

Working With Graphics Actions

Using Preview Actions
Using PDF Actions

Working With Text Actions

Using TextEdit Actions-Files & Documents
Using Other TextEdit Actions
Using Font Book Actions

Working With Data Actions

Using iCal Actions
Using Address Book Actions
Using Mail Actions
Using Safari Actions

Inside Actions & Applications

Xcode: Your Action Development Tool
Where Actions are Located
Applications/Bundles & Packages
Introducing Property Lists
More Action & Workflow Locations

Building Automator Actions

Action Architecture Overview
Building the AppleScript Action Template
Setting the Property List Values
Exploring the Xcode Action Groups & Files
Action Interface: Nib File Overview

Building An AppleScript Action

Using Script Editor Pt.1
Using Script Editor Pt.2
Converting an Example Script to an Action
Setting the Project Parameters
Setting the English Strings Pt.1
Setting the English Strings Pt.2
Changing the Inputs for Actions
Working with the Action Interface

Building An Advanced AppleScript Action

Preparing an InDesign Document
Using AppleScript to Set Text
Converting the AppleScript to an Action
Testing the Action
Extending the Action: Dynamic Destination
Testing Dynamic Destination
Making the Text Variable Pt.1
Making the Text Variable Pt.2
Building the Interface: AMPalette
Setting Parameters
Binding the Text Field
Writing the Action Code
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.1
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.2
Calling an Opdate Parameters Handler
Using Awake from Nib
Using a Popup Button
Removing Items from a Popup Button
Adding Items to a Popup Button
Adding the InDesign Frame Names

AppleScript Dictionaries

Introducing AppleScript Dictionaries
The Structure of a Dictionary: Suites
Commands
Classes
Properties
Elements
Working with a Dictionary Pt.1
Working with a Dictionary Pt.2

Cocoa Method Calls

Introducing Cocoa Interface Objects
Syntax for Calling Cocoa Objective-C Methods
Example: NSPopupButton Methods
AppleScript Call Method Pt.1
AppleScript Call Method Pt.2

Action Types

Finding Action Type Documentation
Property Keys & Values

Building a FileMaker/InDesign Action

Introducing the Action
Populating the InDesign Popup Button
Testing the Indesign Popup Button
Populating the FileMaker Popup Button
Testing the FileMaker Popup Button
Creating Parameter Bindings
Finishing the Action
Enhancing the Action Interface
Adding a Table to the Interface
Creating the Data Source
Capturing the Data Source
Populating the Data Source Pt.1
Populating the Data Source Pt.2
Unloading the Data Source
Setting the Parameters
Completing the Action
Finishing the Action Strings
Clean Up

Summary

Action Overview
Workflow Overview

Credits

About this Author