I latterly offered a picture that explained how to retrace simple Automator work flow that you triggered via applications and iCal calendar case . This week I continue my Automator primer by demonstrating how to build two other kinds of workflows — serve and folder action . In the first part of the video you ’ll learn how to create a unexampled to - do item with a elementary key combining . In the latter portion , I ’ll show you how to exchange look-alike to pitch-dark and white simply by dragging them to a folder .
I offer a new Automator workflow each and every month . And if you ’re looking for additional information outside of this Macworld , check out theMac OS X Automation site .
Show transcript
In a recent video I demonstrated a brace of simple Automator workflows — one for creating a workflow program and another for creating a workflow trigger off by an iCal case . This sentence I ’d like to show you a couple of other workflow character that I think you ’ll find helpful . I ’ll begin with a work flow that allows you to well create a new To Do items , which you’re able to invoke via a service . Launch Automator and from the workflow guide that appears , select Service and click Choose .
At the top of the workflow you determine the context in which the military service will appear — with text or files , for example . In this case we want the religious service to solve with no particular item selected so we ’ll choose No Input . And I need it to work anywhere so I ’ll leave Any program choose in this pop - up menu . Now choose the Calendar library and from it tangle the New To Do Item into the workflow area . I ’ll opt my Home calendar from the second minimal brain damage To pop - up carte . select the Options clitoris and start the Show This Action When the Workflow Runs option . carry through your work flow and give it a name such as New To Do . To see what the workflow does , just tap the Run button . This New To Do Item appears . I can then add a title for my To - Do as well as lay its anteriority and due date . As you may see , it ’s designated for my Home calendar , which I configured in the action .
Now we ’ll see what arrive at this workflow as a table service so special . I ’ll move to the Finder and from it ’s menu select Services . Behold and Lo , there ’s my New To Do workflow . I select it , and there ’s the New To Do window .
That ’s good , but let ’s make it better . From that same Services dictation choose Services preferences . This opens the Keyboard Shortcuts tab key of the Keyboard predilection and selects the Services item . Scroll down to the bottom of the leaning to locate your New To Do armed service . Click to the rightfield of it and press a key combination — I’ll usage Control - Option - Command - T.
Now , I return to the Finder and ascertain the Services program line — there ’s my New To Do command along with its primal combination . I press those keys and , sure enough , Automator solvent . The best thing about this is that this key command should work regardless of which software I ’m act with .
And then there are folder action . The idea here is that you ascribe a workflow to a special folder . When you cut down an detail into that folder , the workflow kicks in . We ’ll make a uncomplicated brochure activity that converts images to black and white and commit the reborn transcript in another folder .
So , back to Automator where we ’ll make a novel workflow . This time prefer Folder Action . for make this folder action useful , I need a booklet , so I ’ll make one on the desktop shout archetype . I ’ll then create a second folder called Copies .
At the top of the workflow , I need to select a target leaflet . I ’ll do that by dragging my master copy folder to the top toss off - up menu . Now , I select the Photos depository library and drag the Apple Quarts Composition Filter to Image Files into the work flow .
Automator is smart enough to know that I risk change my original paradigm and wants to protect me , so it offer to lend an action that makes copies of the altered file and bear on the originals . Good thought , so I ’ll allow that materialize . You see that a young Copy Finder Items action is added to the work flow . Into this action I ’ll drag my Copies folder .
Now I ’ll save the workflow and call it Make B&W.
So , let ’s test it . I ’ll spread out the Copies leaflet so you could see what ’s happened and then drag a brace of image from the Desktop to Originals folder . surely enough , the images are copy and , as you’re able to see via QuickLook , the copies are in black and white .
And that ’s the gist of folder actions — a simple-minded room to fake items that you send away in a ready to hand brochure .
I ’m certain you’re able to retrieve good ways to put workflows like this to safe use . Thanks for view .
