Automate finder window properties in subfolders with AppleScript?

Automator can set window view all the way down to the subfolders. But I have to use AppleScript to set the window's position and columns' widths one at a time.
This is the AppleScript I use:
tell application "Finder"
activate
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {top, left, window width, window height}
select Finder window 1
set width of column id name column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 450
set width of column id modification date column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 150
set width of column id size column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 100
end tell
Is there a way to combine both Automator's Set Window View and the AppleScript above and apply it to run automatically all the way into the subfolders? I can only do the first part to set window view but I have to do hundreds of subfolders manually for the second part.
Google and search but couldn't find a solution.
Any help or suggestion? Thanks!

why don't you just change the column widths for all folders in finder? hold option while adjusting the width in one window.

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Preview in Finder windows does not work with VLC Player

hi there,
i am using vlc player, and whenever i access a folder where i have many avi folders that vlc player is set as the default program to open them, the finder windows freezes and i have to relaunch it. also, when i click on get info for a particular avi folder, finder crashes again because it cannot preview the file in the window. does anyone know how i can resolve this issue?
thanks!

paranoidandroid60 wrote:
ok, it works fine with quicktime, but anyone know why vlc player might be doing this?
thanks!
I use VLC and there are some bugs with the latest version. Try an earlier version. WIth VLC, I keep the older versions for things like this.
For instance, the new VLC give the wrong time on a stereo audio file. In fact it gives double the correct time. I have had some other issues with VLC, but it's easy enough to remove and install.
If you make QT the default and then right-click the video and select VLC to play it, does that work?
Also check out:
http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=7bc9db9ba2aa53d4660133d4b9e3dbb 8
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

How to create a folder (with subfolders) with Applescript

Good afternoon,
Filemaker has the ability to ake use of AppleScript.
From within Filemaker I want to create a new folder (with the name of a FileMaker field) that holds 6 subfolders.
I am a complete noob where it comes to Applescript.
This is my script so far:
tell application "FileMaker Pro Advanced"
set folder_name to cell "FolderName" of current record
end tell
tell application "Finder"
     activate
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end tell
tell application "Finder"
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end tell
My problem is: the creation of "Subfolder1"
What is my mistake there?
Help is much appreciated
Dick
Ps: I need to make 6 subfolders there

When you crate a new folder you can define various properties, but when refering to the folder just use the name, for example:
make new folder at folder folder_name of folder "Desktop" of folder "dick" of folder "Users" of startup disk with properties {name:"subfolder"}
Note that the result returned from making a new folder is a reference to that folder, so you can also do something like:
tell application "Finder"
set newFolder to (make new folder at folder "Desktop" of folder "dick" of folder "Users" of startup disk with properties {name:folder_name})
make new folder at newFolder with properties {name:"subfolder"}
end tell

How to close Terminal Windows and terminate processes with Applescript?

I'm trying to quit the Terminal via AppleScript. I need to run 4 different Terminal scripts on a server but would also need to restart this server every day automatically... and my favorite choice would be to do this properly.
I suceeded terminating all other applications, cleaning folders and sending messages, but I did not find a solution quitting the Terminal!
When I tell it to quit, it asks if I want to terminate all processes, even if I use the "ignoring application responses" command. The Terminal gets stuck on that dialog box and one has to manually hit "Terminate".
Anyone knows about a solution how to avoid this prompt or how to default "Terminate"? There must be something like "close window 1 with process terminate", or?
Many thanks in advance!

:-))) Sometimes the answer is so easy... Thanks a lot!

Opening a Finder window with all of the folders collapsed.

Is there a way to open a Finder window full of folders with all of the folders collapsed? OSX will remember the fact that you expanded a folder and if you open up a Finder window afterwards it will open with the same folder expanded meaning that you have to collapse it or navigate it.

With Finder on the Menu bar select File > New Finder Window, use the ⌘ N keys or right click Finder on the Dock and open a New Finder Window.

Software Update doesn't open a Finder window

I am helping a friend new to the Mac OS learn to use the "download only" option in Software Update. On my Mac, when the download completes, a new Finder window opens and shows the complete path to the update pkg(s). I have my Finder window preference set for column view.
I recommended that my friend use the "download only" option on 4 recent updates.
On her Mac, the downloads arrived, but a Finder window never opened. As a result, she was in a panic because she had no idea where the downloads went.
It has now been verified that they are indeed in /Library/Packages. But she had no way of knowing to look there.
I am trying to win this new user over to the Mac, and told her how Software Update would simply show her where it put the pkg files, but it truly doesn't happen on her machine.
It is the late 2006 Core 2 Duo iMac, 2.0 GHz (Intel), running 10.4.11, with almost all subsequent updates.
She is a "new user" in the sense that a) she is 78 years old and b) her previous PC ran Windows 95. She has had a very rough 2 years to date with Tiger - I receive a "HELP!" e-mail or phone call every 2-3 days. She looks for Mac Help in Mail, looks for Address Book Help in iPhoto, etc.
Excuse the digression. Any ideas why Software Update refuses to show where the downloads are? Any possible fixes? I know this is a small problem, but it's a significant one for my friend.
Thanks

I'm aware of that approach. I personally think its handy to have the update installers all at hand before I do any updates. If an update goes badly, sometimes it can be a good idea to verify the hard drive, repair permissions, and reapply it, at least that's what I've seen recommended many times for problematic updates.
I'm trying to avoid a philosophical discussion, though, of how to do OS X updates (standalone dmg files vs. Software Update, repairing permissions, or not, safe boot, or not etc. etc.) I've seen long, long discussions. I've never used Software Update to do an update on my machine, but that's only my preference. I could be branded a complete Luddite for this.
I was just hoping that someone out there had a quick fix for the "busted" automatic Finder window - that's all I seek. If not, it's not a serious problem, and I'll move on. Just irritating to see it work 100% perfectly on one Mac and not at all on the other.
Thank you for your input.

Thumbnail images for file icons in finder windows

Is there are way to automatically create thumbnails for images imported into iPhoto that will also appear in finder windows? When I save images in Photoshop, a thumbnail of the image is created and appears as the icon image of the file. However, when I import images from my camera or another storage device into iPhoto, only the generic JPEG icon appears in the finder window.
Is there a shortcut to create thumbnails of image files that will appear in finder windows? Is there a way to batch create these thubmnails?

WDW Duncan
In any Finder window go View Menu -> Show View Options -> Show Icon Preview.
Are you using this to try and find pics in the Finder? If so, it might help to know that there are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size.
3. Show File: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD

A weird question on opening a new finder window

this is not a big deal, but it really bugs me. when you have a finder window open and do apple-N to get a new one, it puts the new one right on top of the one already open. this is totally stupid. 99% of the time when i open a new window it's because i want to drag a file from one location to another, in which case i have to first move the new window. is there some way you can have it put new windows someplace else other than right on top of the current one?
and please, please, please dear apple, give us tabs in finder windows like in safari. i keep expecting it to happen in each new system upgrade, and it keeps never happening.

...when you have a finder window open and do apple-N to get a new one, it puts the new one right on top of the one already open... is there some way you can have it put new windows someplace else other than right on top of the current one?
In addition to the excellent suggestions regarding the Sidebar offered earlier, you might consider creating an AppleScript and adding it to your Finder window's toolbar. Once added to the toolbar, the script would serve as a button, which, when clicked on, would open a fully viewable new Finder window positioned above and slightly to the left of the existing Finder window. The existing Finder window would be repositioned if necessary and set to a size matching the dimensions of the new window.
The example scripts below were created with the assumption that your Home folder's Finder window opens when you press ⌘N. These scripts can be modified so that another window is opened instead by replacing the word "home" where it appears in the script with "desktop" or "documents" or "applications" etc. To open the "Computer" window use the command *make new Finder window* exclusively. Paths to non system-level folders, or user-created folders, can be specified by using an *open "Macintosh HD:path:to:folder"* command.
Copy and then paste either block of code below into your AppleScript Script Editor (Applications > AppleScript > Script Editor). From the Script Editor's File menu choose Save As > File Format: application, and leave the Options unchecked.
To add the button to your Finder window's toolbar, simply open any Finder window and drag the saved AppleScript icon to a convenient location on the toolbar. Let go of your mouse when you see the round green "+" indicator.
+This script might work best with a monitor set to a minimum 1024 x 768 screen resolution:+
*tell application "Finder"*
activate
*make new Finder window to (path to home folder)*
*set the bounds of window 1 to {70, 59, 955, 399}*
*set the bounds of window 2 to {100, 403, 985, 743}*
*activate window 2*
*end tell*
+This version would be more suitable for a monitor set to 800 x 600 screen resolution:+
*tell application "Finder"*
activate
*make new Finder window to (path to home folder)*
*set the bounds of window 1 to {85, 47, 715, 317}*
*set the bounds of window 2 to {115, 320, 745, 595}*
*activate window 2*
*end tell*
Good luck.

Some iPhoto events aren't displayed in finder windows

When trying to upload or attach iPhoto pictures, the finder item labeled iPhoto is missing events from my recently uploaded events and photos. I can see older events and upload files easily. I'm hoping this is a simple fix but does anyone have ideas on how to update this file listing in finder?
I have an iMac with snowleopard, iPhoto 11 and all of the latest software updates for both. I have also rebuilt the data base, repaired permissions etc from the iPhoto repair menu.
Any ideas? Thanks!

The newer iPhoto version is not setup for accessing the photos via the Finder. the following is from a post by Terence Devlin on accessing photos for use outside of iPhoto. It's the definitive treatise on the subject.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps.
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3.Show File:
a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
b. On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
The above is how one should access photos for use outside of iPhoto.
OT

Finder problem in column view with Pages

When saving a document the Finder view comes up BUT most of the top part of the view is up off the screen. Because I cannot access the Toolbar I cannot move it back down only resize it from the bottom which doen't move the top down. Help please !!!!

Eureka! I think I found it. The Finder window of which I speak is there because I gave Pages an instruction to Save a document. The Finder window can thus be moved by moving the Pages document being saved, by its Toolbar. The Finder window moves in sync with the Pages document.

Fixed finder window size

I was wondering if there is a setting for opening a finder window?
it would be great to have fixed size and location if I open a new finder window ...
would be an improvement of my workflow and avoid to resize each new finder-window to my preference manually ; )
does anybody know how to set this in either a preference file or with the terminal?
BIG thanks in advance for any input!

I just did a search at macupdate.com for the term "finder window". Mixed in with a bunch of mis-hits there's some that potentially might do what you want (e.g., Finder Window Manager, Windown, Intelligent Windows). I personally have no knowledge of any of those of if they do exactly what you want. I'm just basing this on what I see in the one line descriptions in the search results.
As for any settings in the finder itself, no, there isn't any. The finder always "thinks" it knows what you want and what's best for you (yes, I'm being sarcastic if it isn't obvious)!

An applescript to change the background color for all finder windows

I'll start off by telling you what I am trying to achieve, then show you what I've tried.
I have a macbook with several HDD's attached. what I want is for each of those hdd to have a specific finder window background color. so no matter where I am in that hdd the background color will always be the same. so for instance if I set the background color of hdd 2 to blue then as long as I see a blue background I know that I'm within hdd 2.
I've tried setting up an applescript to do this but can only get it to change the open finder window, and none of the subfolders have their backgrounds changed.
here is what I have so far:
tell application "Finder"
tell the icon view options of the front Finder window
set the background color to {52942, 54484, 31097}
end tell
end tell
so how do I get this to apply to all subfolders without opening each one and running the script.
thanks in advance for any and all help with this

According to this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=AppleScript/2.1/en/as2039.html
it seems that the various options can only be set while the window is open and in icon view.
Rather than manually opening the window of every single folder on the hard drive, it should be possible to write a script to open every folder in sequence, make sure it is in icon view, change its background, then close its window. I have never been any good at the "actions within actions" procedure needed for folders within folders, so maybe someone else with the necessary knowledge and experience might be able to assist in this regard. Such a script would probably take a few minutes to complete while it ran through "every folder of every folder", but it sure would be quicker to have the process automated than to do it by hand - computers are really good at repetitive tasks (as long as the instructions are accurate, of course!).
On the other hand, you might like to try the following:
open a few windows in icon view, choose Show View Options in the View menu (I'm in System 10.4), click the radio button All Windows, click the Color radio button under Background, then choose your color. It might achieve what you are trying to do.

Any way to apply AppleScript into subfolder for windows properties?

I'm using the AppleScript below to set window's position and columns' widths to my liking. But I can only one window at a time. Is there a way to apply this script to all the subfolders? Automator can set window view to subfolders but can't set window's position and columns' widths.
Any help or suggestion? Thanks
tell application "Finder"
activate
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {top, left, window width, window height}
select Finder window 1
set width of column id name column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 450
set width of column id modification date column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 150
set width of column id size column of list view options of Finder window 1 to 100
end tell

You can open Finder windows for all of the subfolders of the front window, then loop through each one making your settings. Since this approach will also change the settings for any other open Finder windows, in my example script I just close all but the front window. Your example script doesn't use correct terminology for the bounds of Finder windows, so change the numbers I used for the bounds as desired:
<pre style="
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
width: 720px;
color: #000000;
background-color: #FFEE80;
overflow: auto;"
title="this text can be pasted into the Script Editor">
set {TheLeft, TheTop, TheRight, TheBottom} to {50, 50, 900, 500} -- a Finder window bounding rectangle
tell application "Finder"
try -- skip if no window
set TheWindows to (count Finder windows)
if TheWindows is greater than 1 then -- close other windows
repeat with SomeWindow from TheWindows to 2 by -1
close window SomeWindow
end repeat
end if
open folders of entire contents of (get target of window 1) -- all
-- open folders of (get target of window 1) -- one level
on error errmess
log errmess
end try
repeat with SomeWindow in (get Finder windows)
set bounds of SomeWindow to {TheLeft, TheTop, TheRight, TheBottom}
set width of column id name column of list view options of SomeWindow to 450
set width of column id modification date column of list view options of SomeWindow to 150
set width of column id size column of list view options of SomeWindow to 10
end repeat
end tell</pre>

AppleScript That Saves Finder Window Size and Location

I wrote the following AppleScript to position and size Finder windows, but the Finder doesn't "remember" the settings the next time I open the windows.
tell application "Finder"
activate
make new Finder window to disk "Hard Drive"
set toolbar visible of Finder window 1 to false
set current view of Finder window 1 to icon view
clean up Finder window 1 by name
set position of Finder window 1 to {30, 55}
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {30, 55, 400, 625}
make new Finder window to folder " Files" of disk "Hard Drive"
set current view of Finder window 1 to icon view
set toolbar visible of Finder window 1 to false
clean up Finder window 1 by name
set position of Finder window 1 to {410, 55}
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {410, 55, 975, 455}
close Finder window 1
close Finder window 1
end tell
How do I make it so the Finder will remember the location and position?

Hello
Here is a script that I use daily.
The code used to force the Finder to "remember" the window position seems a bit tricky. If I remember well I found it on MacScripter.
As far as the Finder is not corrected, we must use this kind of trickery.
--[SCRIPT]
my commun(choose folder)
on open (sel)
my commun(sel's item 1)
end open
(* set bounds to {10, 50, 800, 600} *)
on commun(F)
set F to F as Unicode text
tell application "Finder"
if class of item F is document file then set F to (container of item F) as Unicode text
if ((class of item F) is folder) then my set_bounds(F, {10, 50, 800, 600}, false)
end tell
end commun
on set_bounds(F, b, toolbar)
local ao, i, lesFichiers, fichier
tell application "Finder" to tell folder F
set lesFichiers to every file
repeat with fichier in lesFichiers
my saveImageWithItselfAsIcon(fichier as alias)
end repeat
tell container window
set ao to class is Finder window
open
set current view to icon view
set properties of its icon view options to ¬
{arrangement:arranged by name, icon size:128}
set bounds to b
set toolbar visible to toolbar
set toolbar visible to not toolbar
set toolbar visible to toolbar
if not ao then close
end tell -- to container window
repeat with i in (get folders)
my set_bounds((i as alias), b, toolbar)
end repeat
end tell -- to folder F then to Finder
end set_bounds
on saveImageWithItselfAsIcon(F)
tell application "Image Events"
launch
try
tell (open F)
try
save with icon -- save iconimagefile with itself as icon
end try
close
end tell
end try
end tell
end saveImageWithItselfAsIcon
--[/SCRIPT]
Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mardi 13 mars 2007 20:51:14)

Toggle Finder sort order with AppleScript under Lion 10.7?

For years I've been using this AppleScript to toggle the sort order of a Finder window:
if sort direction of column id size column of list view options of window 1 is normal then
set sort direction of column id size column of list view options of window 1 to reversed
else
set sort direction of column id size column of list view options of window 1 to normal
end if
(You can replace size with kind, name, modification date, etc.)
But ever since Lion, this no longer works!
The little arrow in the column header DOES change, but the items do not re-sort.
Any way to get this working?

Why not just click on the columns?

Automate finder window properties in subfolders with AppleScript?

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