Automated actions on files in a directory

I read 'somewhere' about some app that does actions that you preprogram to files that are put into a directory
It sounded really good and something I really need
Awesome. Except... I've now forgotten what it's called!!
I was researching something to do with Alfred when I cam across it - that's all I remember
I was reading some website where the guy was raving about this app
Can anyone tell me what this app is...??
THANKS!
Omar

got it
it's hazel

Similar Messages

"Import Files into iTunes" automator action not working

I'm having an issue with a simple automator action, "Import Files into iTunes". It's the only thing I have in the workflow but when I drop audio files onto the application, the action encounters an error. In trying to figure out what was amiss, I read that there was a version number conflict after iTunes 10, so I followed the instructions here but they did not fix the issue. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to try or how to diagnose the issue? I'm running Yosemite (10.10.2) and iTunes 12.1.0.50. Thanks for the help!

Yeah, I'd happy provide details if I saw them. The message itself just says, "The action “Import Files into iTunes” encountered an error." Is there a way to get more information on the error?
Thanks!

Automator action to move a specific file type to a folder..

've started shooting pictures in raw and jpg format. After I grab the pics from my camera, I'd like to put the raw files in a separate folder.
I've played around a little but can't figure it out-- so I dunno if it's possible. Is there a way I can make an automator action where I enter or select the folder and run the action. It then makes a folder named RAW and moves all of a certain file type to the RAW folder. Is this possible with automator?
I'd like it to make a folder named RAW inside the current folder I'm in or have selected.
I think I figured this out using filter finder items, and move to specific folder, but I think I need to learn how to use variables for this to work how I want it. Do I need variables or is there another way?

the following script should do it provided your Raw image files have extensions "raw" (do they?). If they have another extension, modify next to the last line accordingly.
tell application "Finder"
set theFolderName to "Raw"
set curFolder to (folder of the front window as alias)
-- Determine whether the specified folder exists
if folder theFolderName of curFolder exists then
set theFolder to folder theFolderName of curFolder
-- Create a new folder, if it doesn't exist
else
set theFolder to make new folder at curFolder with properties {name:theFolderName}
end if
move (every file of curFolder whose name extension is "raw") to theFolder
end tell
Save the above script as an application using Script editor. To use it, select the folder you want to work on and run the script.

Can't create new file automator action

I'm trying to create a new Automator action that prompts the user to choose a new file. The Action is similar to the "Ask for Finder Items" actions except that it asks the user to choose a new file and not one that already exists.
I chose to write it in applescript:
script PicknewFile
property parent : class "AMBundleAction"
on runWithInputfromAction_error(input, anAction, errorRef)
return choose file with prompt "Where do you want to save it?"
end runWithInputfromAction_error
end script
When I try and run it, I get the following error message in the Xcode console.
[Switching to process 10606]
Program received signal: “EXCBADACCESS”.
[Switching to process 10606]
sharedlibrary apply-load-rules all
No memory available to program now: unsafe to call malloc
Data Formatters temporarily unavailable, will re-try after a 'continue'. (Not safe to call dlopen at this time.)
kill
Does anybody know when this happens?
Thanks,
Scott

Looks like I was wrong. I created a brand new project in Xcode and all I did as add "choose file name" to the applescript. It still gets a "EXCBADACCESS". I also tried a 'display dialog "Error"' in my applescript and it does the same thing.
Here is the script the fails. Everything else in the project is default.
script ChoosenewFile
property parent : class "AMBundleAction"
on runWithInputfromAction_error(input, anAction, errorRef)
-- Add your code here, returning the data to be passed to the next action.
display dialog "Error"
return input
end runWithInputfromAction_error
end script
In the debugger, this is the stack:
#0 0x91184917 in objc_msgSend
#1 0x63707472 in ??
#2 0x16c01e36 in DecodeAEDescInternal
#3 0x16c02b4b in DecodeObjectSpecifier
#4 0x16c01c24 in DecodeAEDescInternal
#5 0x16c022bb in DecodeAEList
#6 0x16bccdd0 in ASExecuteEvent_PushSendStackFrame
#7 0x16bccfcc in ASExecuteEvent
#8 0x918026cb in callComponent_4444
#9 0x16bc3d4a in AppleScriptComponent
#10 0x917efcb6 in CallComponentDispatch
#11 0x972455df in OSAExecuteEvent
#12 0x00339ffe in +[BAObjectProto invokeScriptHandler:forObject:args:error:]
#13 0x0033a363 in -[BAObjectProto invokeScriptHandler:args:error:]
#14 0x0033b581 in -[BAObjectProto forwardInvocation:]
#15 0x92f760c4 in __forwarding__
#16 0x92f75bf2 in _forwarding_prep_0__
#17 0x000718af in -[AMAction runWithInput:loopParent:]
#18 0x00070d2f in -[AMWorkflowRunner runAction:withInput:loopParent:]
#19 0x000c60a8 in -[AMWorkflowRunner runAction:]
#20 0x0013261d in -[AMRunActionOperation main]
#21 0x9094d34c in -[__NSOperationInternal start]
#22 0x9094cfe0 in ___startOperations_block_invoke2
#23 0x91caa7b8 in dispatch_call_block_andrelease
#24 0x91c9c97e in dispatch_workerthread2
#25 0x91c9c401 in pthreadwqthread
#26 0x91c9c246 in start_wqthread
Any more advice would be appreciated.
Scott

Automator Action "Import Audio Files" error message

I use this automator action daily when it is activated via an alarm time in iCal. It is the 3rd workflow run in a series of 7 worlflows to create audio files while I'm at work (I record XM programming for use later on my iPod). Since I upgraded to OSX Lion yesterday, I'm getting a new error message I've never seen and I can't find any info on it. Can anyone help? The error message in a popup dialogue box is:
The action “Import Audio Files” encountered an error.
Check the actionʼs properties and try running the workflow again.
Under the Log for the workflow I get this message:
The operation couldn't be completed. (OSStatus error -1712.) (-1712)
The imported audio file does actually get inputted into iTunes and converted properly via iTunes, but the error creates two problems. One is the source file isn't deleted after the action runs (which is a checkbox option in that particular action). This isn't a big deal, because I can create another workflow seperately to delete the file, so I'm not as concerned with that. The major problem is that the error dialoge box displays and the sebsequent workflows that are scheduled to run right after this one can't run becasue Automator is occupied with the error message.
I'm looking for any advice I can find, I've been using this series of workflows for a long time without issue, but seems like everytime there is a new OS I have to go through the geriatrics of figuring out what slight changes apple made to the Automator actions.
Thanks for reading,
Chris

Hi,
I just solved the problem pretty easily: earlier, on Snow Leopard, automator had to be set to work in 32bit instead of 64bit otherwise there has been a lot of error messages.
I tried to do the same with iTunes on Lion and, oh miracle, it works:
close iTunes then go to Applications -> right click on iTunes -> read informations -> check the box to run the app in 32bits and restart iTunes and .... that's it.
I work in a local radio in Belgium and I rely on automator on an everyday basis to download then add prerecorded broadcasts to iTunes to be aired with Lion server and I was stuck since a few weeks because of that problem. Now I can finally work again :-)
English is not my native language so please forgive me for my mistakes ... :-)
Apple RULES (but you already know that )

Creating an action that treats all files in a directory

How can I make an action which changes the picture size and resolution for all files in a directory and saves the new versions of the files in a subdirectory?
Thanks

Macro Details wrote:
First create your Sub directory. Then start the Action. Open file, Resisize save as (to Sub directory) then close the file.
Now: File- Automate-Batch. Select your action and your folders and overide the open Command and the Save As Command.
Frankly Norbert I think the Image processor way is easier but to each his own as they say.

Processing multiple files in a directory and merging them with sample text

Hi,
I'm trying to use automator (or applescript, or cmd line) to perform a repetitive action on around 5,000 html files.
Here's the problem, can anyone help with the solution.
Sample text is in a file called sample.txt
I want to add the sample txt content to every file in a directory of my choice.
so the script would need to.
1. work it's way through the directory content.
2. For each file it would append the content of the sample.txt and re-save the file to the original file name.

sorry but in your first message you said you wanted it at the end of the file. also, you didn't really answer my question. an html file in text form usually starts with <html><head>... (it can have other junk there too)
and ends with ...</body></html>.
how do you want to handle that?
cycling through files is not a problem.
if you are using shell script action you can do the following:
1. get specified finder items (put the folder with your html files in there)
2. get folder content
3. run shell script (pass input as arguments)
for f in "$@"
do
#your shell script here
done
In the above "$@" is treated as the ambient folder from step 1 and f as the unix path of an item in that folder.

Using Automator action/workflow to create a poster in iPhoto

I'm using Jim Heid's Mac iLife 'lifeposter' idea [which comes from Mike Matas] and I keep getting a message taht says "the workflow was saved with an older version of 'get Selected items' some behavior may have changed. and also another ref. 'import files into iPhoto" -- I didn't find a more recent Automator action 'Create Thumbnail Poster" online nor updated information at Matas's blog or Heid's book...any suggestions for how to fix this? I last used it a few years ago and would like to use it again.

Unless you got a message about it, the original Create Thumbnail Poster may work with the version of iPhoto that you have. As for the other actions, they sound like standard actions that have just been updated - you can open the older application and recompile it using the newer actions.

How can I add a picture to the Automator Action "Watermark PDF Documents.action"

Looks like a bug: under 10.7.2 i cannot add a picture to the Automator Action "Watermark PDF Documents.action".
Works perfectly under 10.6.8.

Its a verified bug (Automator - Watermark PDF Documents).
Please report to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html
As a workaround, if you saved the Action in SL, option-click the action, navigate to the file "document.wflow", open in TextEdit, search for the key "fileNames" and replace your old image with the new

Trouble Cleaning Up At The End of an Automator Action

So my automator action currently downloads a file (a .dmg), mounts it, copies its contents to Applications, and then... I then want to unmount the dmg and throw the dmg away. However, by this point I no longer have the references to these two items:
download file -> mount file -> copy items
I'd like to be able to get back to the downloaded file so I can trash it, but there's no way to "store" its name or reference or anything. Any ideas? Unfortunately I can't just do a search for it since its name is often different.
Thanks in advance!

ineedadifferent...
Try adding the following steps at the end of your current workflow. Steps 1-4 are Finder actions; step 5 is an Auomator action:
1) *Get Specified Finder Items* -- in the Open dialog navigate to your Macintosh HD > Users > +your name+ > Desktop. Select the Desktop folder and hit Open. Leave the Options unchecked.
2) *Get Folder Contents* -- Leave both "Repeat for each subfolder found" and the Options unchecked.
3) *Filter Finder Items* -- Whose: Name Extension - Is equal to - dmg. Leave the Options unchecked.
4) *Move to Trash*
5) *Run AppleScript* -- your script might look like this:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application "Finder" to eject (every disk whose local volume is true)
return input
end run
Good luck!
Andrew99

Reading only Image files from a directory

i am wanting to be able to read a directory but only obtain the Image files (ie, gif, jpeg, tiff, png etc) and ignore all other type of files.
i have made a custom ImageFIlter class which extends FileFilter which works for adding a photo singly, as only image files are shown in the JFileChooser. however i am wanting to add a folder of photos at once.
here is the code so far:
File dir;
                    JFileChooser fc = new JFileChooser();
                    fc.setFileSelectionMode(JFileChooser.DIRECTORIES_ONLY);
                    //Handle open button action.
                    int returnVal = fc.showOpenDialog(MainAppGUI.this);
                    if (returnVal == JFileChooser.APPROVE_OPTION) {
                         dir = fc.getSelectedFile();
                         if (dir.isDirectory()) {
                              File[] files = dir.listFiles(new FileFilter());
                              for (int i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
                                   if (files.isFile()) {
                                        try {
                                             Photo PhotoAdded = workingCollection.addManyPhotos(files[i], canvas.getChangedMaxDim());
                                             //need to also add it to the relevant vectors, ie
                                             //for mouse over operations, or photos added after
                                             //save.
                                             if(!workingCollection.isDuplicate()){
                                                  photosToCheck.add(photoAdded);
                                                  canvas.addToGrid(photoAdded);
                                                  photosAddedAfterLoad.add(photoAdded);
                                                  canvas.repaint();
                                             else{
                                                  //do nothing as it is already in the vectors.
                                        } catch (Exception er) {
                                             // Do nothing. Bad mp3, don't add.
                                   // recurse through directories
                                   else {
                         } else {
                              try {
                                   throw new IOException(
                                             "Error loading files from a directory: "
                                                       + dir.getAbsolutePath() + " is not a "
                                                       + "directory");
                              } catch (IOException e1) {
                                   // TODO Auto-generated catch block
                                   e1.printStackTrace();
any ideas?

it shouldnt be new FileFilter() there, it should be new ImageFilter() but it gives a compilation error saying i cannot apply that parameter to the listFiles() method in the File class

Reading only Image Files from a Directory and ignoring the rest

i am wanting to be able to read a directory but only obtain the Image files (ie, gif, jpeg, tiff, png etc) and ignore all other type of files.
i have made a custom ImageFIlter class which extends FileFilter which works for adding a photo singly, as only image files are shown in the JFileChooser. however i am wanting to add a folder of photos at once.
here is the code so far:
File dir;
                    JFileChooser fc = new JFileChooser();
                    fc.setFileSelectionMode(JFileChooser.DIRECTORIES_ONLY);
                    //Handle open button action.
                    int returnVal = fc.showOpenDialog(MainAppGUI.this);
                    if (returnVal == JFileChooser.APPROVE_OPTION) {
                         dir = fc.getSelectedFile();
                         if (dir.isDirectory()) {
                              File[] files = dir.listFiles(new ImageFilter());
                              for (int i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
                                   if (files.isFile()) {
                                        try {
                                             Photo PhotoAdded = workingCollection.addManyPhotos(files[i], canvas.getChangedMaxDim());
                                             //need to also add it to the relevant vectors, ie
                                             //for mouse over operations, or photos added after
                                             //save.
                                             if(!workingCollection.isDuplicate()){
                                                  photosToCheck.add(photoAdded);
                                                  canvas.addToGrid(photoAdded);
                                                  photosAddedAfterLoad.add(photoAdded);
                                                  canvas.repaint();
                                             else{
                                                  //do nothing as it is already in the vectors.
                                        } catch (Exception er) {
                                             // Do nothing. Bad mp3, don't add.
                                   // recurse through directories
                                   else {
                         } else {
                              try {
                                   throw new IOException(
                                             "Error loading files from a directory: "
                                                       + dir.getAbsolutePath() + " is not a "
                                                       + "directory");
                              } catch (IOException e1) {
                                   // TODO Auto-generated catch block
                                   e1.printStackTrace();
any ideas?

I'm confused.
You already ARE using a FileFilter to only pick up image files. Whats the problem?
If you need to recurse directories you need to change your code only a little.
Write your method
JFileChooser fc = new JFileChooser();
fc.setFileSelectionMode(JFileChooser.DIRECTORIES_ONLY);
//Handle open button action.
int returnVal = fc.showOpenDialog(MainAppGUI.this);
if (returnVal == JFileChooser.APPROVE_OPTION) {
dir = fc.getSelectedFile();
if (dir.isDirectory()) {
scanDirectory(dir);
else{
// not a directory
public void scanDirectoryForPhotos(File directory){
// taking your code
if (dir.isDirectory()) {
File[] files = dir.listFiles(new ImageFilter());
for (int i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
    if (files.isFile()) {
// details deleted
// recurse through directories
else {
scanDirectory(files[i]);
Your exception handling is a little strange. You throw an exception only to catch it immediately to print a stack trace? Not exactly the most common handling I've seen. You should probably just throw the exception and let the next level down handle it.
Cheers,
evnafets

A script to open files in a directory that have certain properties

I need a script to open all JPG files in a directory and it's subfolders that have a height greater than the width and then run a specific photoshop action for each (inlcuding a save for web within the same directory). Not sure if it's best to record that into the action as it will probably always try to save in the same directory. Probably need something similar to the batch options available in Photoshop that override this...
Any help is much appreciated.

I think I found what I'm looking for in ImageReady although I'm not sure how to set it to batch. I don't see the batch command in the File menu like Photoshop...

It once worked but now a simple automator action won't :-(

I am trying to highlight songs in tunes and then copy the file into a folder. I've just got an empty folder on my desktop titled "Music". The automator action consists of: Get Selected Items (with itunes icon), and Copy Finder Items (to the Music folder). After I hit the Run button it proceeds to copy what appears to be my whole itunes library folder to the Music folder. I used to do this all the time and it worked perfectly taking little time. Now, not so lucky.
Here is a link a picture of how automator looks while I run it. http://web.me.com/caseyheyer/Site/Blank.html

Sometimes putting another action in between (even if it doesn't do anything) can get things going. It looks like iTunes Songs are easier to convert than iTunes Items, so give this a try:
1) Get Selected iTunes Items
2) Set Options of iTunes Songs (leave everything unselected)
3) Copy Finder Items {To: Music}

Using external database as source for Quicktime annotation automator action

Hi
I have approximately 1500 quicktime files which require annotations added to them (title, author etc).
I've been provided a spreadsheet with all the neccessary data. And I know there is an automator action that can add annotations to quicktime files but was wondering if either of the following was possible:
1) Can I get the an automator script to use this spreadsheet as a source for the values it is to enter.
OR
2) If I can get automator to add the files name to the annotations section (under title)
Greatly appreciate any help you can provide.
Regards

HI
Make sure you select the Initialize or Run methods, depending on where you try to define the database connection it will not let you do it.
Good practice would be to define the database and the connection in the initialize section, the SQL and execute in the Run section and the disconnect in the Finish section, however that could change depending on your needs.
Regards
Alex

Automated actions on files in a directory

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for