
Mac OS X Automator
by Jesse Feiler
Start the free chapterOne 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.
Course content
Introduction3 lessons
Using Automator Out of the Box4 lessons
Introducing Workflows3 lessons
Introducing Actions3 lessons
Automator Actions7 lessons
Workflow Management2 lessons
Working with Finder & System Actions5 lessons
Working With Media Actions6 lessons
Working With Graphics Actions2 lessons
Working With Text Actions3 lessons
Working With Data Actions4 lessons
Inside Actions & Applications5 lessons
Building Automator Actions5 lessons
Building An AppleScript Action8 lessons
- Using Script Editor Pt.15:221 credit or ad
- Using Script Editor Pt.24:431 credit or ad
- Converting an Example Script to an Action4:261 credit or ad
- Setting the Project Parameters3:271 credit or ad
- Setting the English Strings Pt.13:281 credit or ad
- Setting the English Strings Pt.24:291 credit or ad
- Changing the Inputs for Actions3:271 credit or ad
- Working with the Action Interface4:411 credit or ad
Building An Advanced AppleScript Action20 lessons
- Preparing an InDesign Document4:571 credit or ad
- Using AppleScript to Set Text4:491 credit or ad
- Converting the AppleScript to an Action3:191 credit or ad
- Testing the Action1:171 credit or ad
- Extending the Action: Dynamic Destination2:551 credit or ad
- Testing Dynamic Destination3:561 credit or ad
- Making the Text Variable Pt.12:351 credit or ad
- Making the Text Variable Pt.23:411 credit or ad
- Building the Interface: AMPalette4:461 credit or ad
- Setting Parameters5:121 credit or ad
- Binding the Text Field3:031 credit or ad
- Writing the Action Code5:191 credit or ad
- Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.14:341 credit or ad
- Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.24:181 credit or ad
- Calling an Opdate Parameters Handler4:101 credit or ad
- Using Awake from Nib6:221 credit or ad
- Using a Popup Button5:491 credit or ad
- Removing Items from a Popup Button5:351 credit or ad
- Adding Items to a Popup Button3:071 credit or ad
- Adding the InDesign Frame Names6:151 credit or ad
AppleScript Dictionaries8 lessons
- Introducing AppleScript Dictionaries3:571 credit or ad
- The Structure of a Dictionary: Suites2:201 credit or ad
- Commands3:561 credit or ad
- Classes2:201 credit or ad
- Properties2:401 credit or ad
- Elements3:581 credit or ad
- Working with a Dictionary Pt.14:211 credit or ad
- Working with a Dictionary Pt.25:061 credit or ad
Cocoa Method Calls5 lessons
Action Types2 lessons
Building a FileMaker/InDesign Action18 lessons
- Introducing the Action5:191 credit or ad
- Populating the InDesign Popup Button5:071 credit or ad
- Testing the Indesign Popup Button3:031 credit or ad
- Populating the FileMaker Popup Button4:261 credit or ad
- Testing the FileMaker Popup Button2:181 credit or ad
- Creating Parameter Bindings3:031 credit or ad
- Finishing the Action7:321 credit or ad
- Enhancing the Action Interface6:221 credit or ad
- Adding a Table to the Interface5:141 credit or ad
- Creating the Data Source2:291 credit or ad
- Capturing the Data Source4:291 credit or ad
- Populating the Data Source Pt.15:571 credit or ad
- Populating the Data Source Pt.22:591 credit or ad
- Unloading the Data Source7:541 credit or ad
- Setting the Parameters4:191 credit or ad
- Completing the Action5:181 credit or ad
- Finishing the Action Strings4:161 credit or ad
- Clean Up5:331 credit or ad