Changing Translucent Menu Bar Checkmark?

Question

I'm relatively new to Applescript and Automator. I know enough Applescript to simplify some shell scripts I run occasionally, among other things. I know it's possible to change System Preference preferences, so how would I be able to toggle Menu Bar transparency via Applescript using the System Preferences checkbox in Desktop & Screensaver > Desktop ?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

You must use [GUI Scripting|http://www.macosxautomation.com/applescript/uiscripting/index.html], since the System Preferences do not have AppleScript support. The script below should toggle the menu bar transparency.
tell application "System Preferences" to activate
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
tell menu bar 1
tell menu bar item "View"
delay 0.5
tell menu 1
click menu item "Desktop & Screen Saver"
end tell
end tell
end tell
tell window "Desktop & Screen Saver"
tell tab group 1
tell group 1
click checkbox "Translucent Menu Bar"
end tell
end tell
end tell
end tell
delay 0.5
keystroke "w" using command down
end tell
If you experiment any problem with the script, first try changing the delays from 0.5 to 1 second.
See also this [thread|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2006348&tstart=456].