An Automator is an application that Apple Company developed for Mac OS X for implementing pointing-and-clicking
(or dragging-and-dropping) workflow creation for automating repetitive jobs.
Ease of Use
Despite the fact that Automator uses Cocoa and/or AppleScript, it does not require any expertise whatsoever for these languages. Nevertheless, the concept could be familiar to languages used in UNIX pipes: the last action’s output becomes the next action’s input (although the user is capable of optionally choosing an action in order to disregard the previous action’s input). The workflows of Automator are sequential on the other hand: every action is concluded prior to the commencement of the workflow’s next action.
How to Use
Automator comes inclusive of a library comprising numerous Actions (locating linked images, file renaming and creating new mail messages). All these are individual steps in Workflow documents. Workflow documents can then be used for carrying out repetitive jobs. These Workflows can as well be saved by users to be used repeatedly, whenever required. The command lines of UNIX scripts and AppleScripts are also cited as Actions, which are linked together in Workflows and saved as applications, Workflow files or contextual menu items. The ideal way of learning the means of using an Automator is through a construction and running of the following workflows examples where each is a step-by-step detailed description inclusive of related illustrations:
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Re-naming Finder items: involves using Automator for creating a tool that can easily rename Finder item groups.
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Webpage images: involves the means of automating a download linked image from a webpage into iPhoto.
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Easy-Share .Mac Photos: A downloader application can be made through a single click and relatives and friends can be given the .Mac website images to share.
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Desktop Mailer: Make 3 workflows capable of mailing Finder items selected from a respective desktop.
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Media Browsers: Simple workflows with an ability of quickly accessing images and movies used most.
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Simple Movie Blog: This workflow can be re-used and it turns the preparation and addition of movies process of an individual’s blog into a simple menu item selection.
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Workflow attachment to disks: Workflows automatically run every time particular derives are connected to the computer.
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Import Aperture Auto-Camera: Creation of a workflow with a capability of automatically downloading, renaming and importing into aperture after connecting the camera to the computer.
An automator enables task repetition across a broad range of programs, inclusive of the Finder, iCal, the Safari web-browser and Address Book. It is also capable of working with applications of third-party including Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
