Mac OS X Automator

Training Provided by The Virtual Training Company 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.

Mac OS X Automator

Introduction

1. About this Course
2. Introducing Automator
3. Useful Links for Additional Information

Using Automator Out of the Box

1. Import .Mac Photos
2. Looking Inside Import .Mac Photos
3. Process Images
4. Looking Inside Process Images

Introducing Workflows

1. Using Workflow Terminology
2. Looking At an Automator Workflow
3. Using an Automator Workflow

Introducing Actions

1. Using Action Terminology
2. Looking at an Automator Action
3. Using an Automator Action

Automator Actions

1. Using Ask Actions
2. Using Pause & Ask Actions
3. Running a Web Service
4. Using View Results
5. Running a Workflow
6. Running an AppleScript
7. Running a Shell Script

Workflow Management

1. Organizing a Workflow
2. Saving Workflows

Working with Finder & System Actions

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

Working With Media Actions

1. Using Image Capture Actions
2. Using iPhoto Actions
3. Using QuickTime Player Actions
4. Using iTunes Actions
5. Using DVD Player Actions
6. Using iDVD Actions

Working With Graphics Actions

1. Using Preview Actions
2. Using PDF Actions

Working With Text Actions

1. Using TextEdit Actions-Files & Documents
2. Using Other TextEdit Actions
3. Using Font Book Actions

Working With Data Actions

1. Using iCal Actions
2. Using Address Book Actions
3. Using Mail Actions
4. Using Safari Actions

Inside Actions & Applications

1. Xcode: Your Action Development Tool
2. Where Actions are Located
3. Applications/Bundles & Packages
4. Introducing Property Lists
5. More Action & Workflow Locations

Building Automator Actions

1. Action Architecture Overview
2. Building the AppleScript Action Template
3. Setting the Property List Values
4. Exploring the Xcode Action Groups & Files
5. Action Interface: Nib File Overview

Building An AppleScript Action

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

Building An Advanced AppleScript Action

1. Preparing an InDesign Document
2. Using AppleScript to Set Text
3. Converting the AppleScript to an Action
4. Testing the Action
5. Extending the Action: Dynamic Destination
6. Testing Dynamic Destination
7. Making the Text Variable Pt.1
8. Making the Text Variable Pt.2
9. Building the Interface: AMPalette
10. Setting Parameters
11. Binding the Text Field
12. Writing the Action Code
13. Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.1
14. Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.2
15. Calling an Opdate Parameters Handler
16. Using Awake from Nib
17. Using a Popup Button
18. Removing Items from a Popup Button
19. Adding Items to a Popup Button
20. Adding the InDesign Frame Names

AppleScript Dictionaries

1. Introducing AppleScript Dictionaries
2. The Structure of a Dictionary: Suites
3. Commands
4. Classes
5. Properties
6. Elements
7. Working with a Dictionary Pt.1
8. Working with a Dictionary Pt.2

Cocoa Method Calls

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

Action Types

1. Finding Action Type Documentation
2. Property Keys & Values

Building a FileMaker/InDesign Action

1. Introducing the Action
2. Populating the InDesign Popup Button
3. Testing the Indesign Popup Button
4. Populating the FileMaker Popup Button
5. Testing the FileMaker Popup Button
6. Creating Parameter Bindings
7. Finishing the Action
8. Enhancing the Action Interface
9. Adding a Table to the Interface
10. Creating the Data Source
11. Capturing the Data Source
12. Populating the Data Source Pt.1
13. Populating the Data Source Pt.2
14. Unloading the Data Source
15. Setting the Parameters
16. Completing the Action
17. Finishing the Action Strings
18. Clean Up

Summary

1. Action Overview
2. Workflow Overview

Credits

1. About this Author

About The Training Provider: The Virtual Training Company

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