Save file as or save file in different folder

Question

I want to open a file then save it in a different predetermined folder with the same name or maybe with a different name, is there a save or save as... action?
I also want to sometimes create a new folder then rename it based on the name of the original file. Can't find that either. But I'm totally new at this.
I'm getting stumped by both of these.
Thanks,
Automator newbie trying to convert 3d files to other format 3d files.
Automator is so cool if I can get it to work.

Answer 1

When using variables, the input items for the various Automator actions can be looked at like a stack of cards. You can do stuff with the stack you have, or set it aside to do stuff with a different stack and get the original stack back later.
The following is an example that creates a folder from the name of a file, then copies the file there.
1) *Ask for FInder Items* -- just get a single file
2) *Set Value of Variable* { Variable: _Original Item_ } -- save it for later
3) *Get Names of Finder Items* { Name: Basename only } -- get the name for the folder
4) *Set Value of Variable* { Variable: _Item Name_ } -- save for use with the *New Folder* action
5) *Get Value of Variable* { Variable: _Original Item_ } (Ignore Input) -- get the file back
6) *New Folder* { Name: _drag Item Name variable here_ Where: wherever } -- create & copy
Note that this workflow takes advantage of the fact that if items are passed to the *New Folder* action, it will copy them to the newly created folder.
Since there isn't a way to loop a workflow other than the whole thing, to handle multiple items you would need to use an action such as the *Dispense Items Incrementally* action from http://automator.us/leopard/downloads/. The action will take your original input items and dispense them one at a time each time the workflow loops.