How can I automate 'Save as PDF' in Safari?

Question

I routinely research stuff, then save it in PDF (it seems to be a better format that html pages).
Is there a way I can automate this, rather than the lengthy CMD+Print>PDF>Save As PDF routine?

Answer 1

You can also script the user interface with an AppleScript. The following AppleScript will save the current Safari (Version 3.1.2) page to the default location (if you want to specify another location, just remove the last keystroke return statement):
<pre style="
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
width: 720px; height: 340px;
color: #000000;
background-color: #FFDDFF;
overflow: auto;"
title="this text can be pasted into the Script Editor">
-- save the current Safari page as PDF
tell application "Safari"
activate
tell application "System Events"
keystroke "p" using {command down} -- activate print menu item
delay 0.5
tell sheet 1
repeat 2 times -- tab to the PDF button
keystroke tab using {shift down}
delay 0.25
end repeat
keystroke space -- press the button
delay 0.25
repeat 2 times -- move to the save item
keystroke (ASCII character 31) -- down arrow
delay 0.25
end repeat
keystroke return -- activate the menu item
delay 0.25
keystroke return -- press the save button
end tell
end tell
end tell
</pre>