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Mac OS X Automator Training

Course Content
One of the major new features of Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) is Automator. It is a tool that lets you build workflows from actions that may be provided by Apple (over 200 are part of the Automator installation), by software developers -- or by you, following the techniques described in the second part of this tutorial. You can use Automator to automate repetitive tasks or to manage complex and rarely-performed tasks. If you have Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later, you have Automator. VTC author Jesse Feiler guides you through using the software, taking advantage of the actions you already have, and show you how to build your own actions ranging from simple to complex. To begin learning, simply click on the links.
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Introduction
About this Course (04:57)
Introducing Automator (03:31)
Useful Links for Additional Information (02:36)
Using Automator Out of the Box
Import .Mac Photos (06:13)
Looking Inside Import .Mac Photos (06:10)
Process Images (02:28)
Looking Inside Process Images (04:03)
Introducing Workflows
Using Workflow Terminology (05:51)
Looking At an Automator Workflow (04:49)
Using an Automator Workflow (04:24)
Introducing Actions
Using Action Terminology (05:33)
Looking at an Automator Action (02:46)
Using an Automator Action (05:54)
Automator Actions
Using Ask Actions (05:43)
Using Pause & Ask Actions (03:55)
Running a Web Service (07:02)
Using View Results (02:22)
Running a Workflow (02:26)
Running an AppleScript (03:18)
Running a Shell Script (02:40)
Workflow Management
Organizing a Workflow (03:30)
Saving Workflows (03:39)
Working with Finder & System Actions
Using Finder Actions Pt.1 (05:49)
Using Finder Actions Pt.2 (03:37)
Using Finder Actions Pt.3 (04:54)
Using System Actions (03:51)
Using Spotlight Actions (06:08)
Working With Media Actions
Using Image Capture Actions (04:31)
Using iPhoto Actions (02:53)
Using QuickTime Player Actions (05:13)
Using iTunes Actions (04:21)
Using DVD Player Actions (01:33)
Using iDVD Actions (03:18)
Working With Graphics Actions
Using Preview Actions (04:21)
Using PDF Actions (05:45)
Working With Text Actions
Using TextEdit Actions-Files & Documents (04:07)
Using Other TextEdit Actions (03:36)
Using Font Book Actions (04:03)
Working With Data Actions
Using iCal Actions (05:18)
Using Address Book Actions (04:06)
Using Mail Actions (04:05)
Using Safari Actions (02:59)
Inside Actions & Applications
Xcode: Your Action Development Tool (04:04)
Where Actions are Located (03:20)
Applications/Bundles & Packages (05:00)
Introducing Property Lists (02:18)
More Action & Workflow Locations (03:05)
Building Automator Actions
Action Architecture Overview (04:53)
Building the AppleScript Action Template (07:06)
Setting the Property List Values (04:20)
Exploring the Xcode Action Groups & Files (06:21)
Action Interface: Nib File Overview (04:26)
Building An AppleScript Action
Using Script Editor Pt.1 (05:22)
Using Script Editor Pt.2 (04:43)
Converting an Example Script to an Action (04:26)
Setting the Project Parameters (03:27)
Setting the English Strings Pt.1 (03:28)
Setting the English Strings Pt.2 (04:29)
Changing the Inputs for Actions (03:27)
Working with the Action Interface (04:41)
Building An Advanced AppleScript Action
Preparing an InDesign Document (04:57)
Using AppleScript to Set Text (04:49)
Converting the AppleScript to an Action (03:19)
Testing the Action (01:17)
Extending the Action: Dynamic Destination (02:55)
Testing Dynamic Destination (03:56)
Making the Text Variable Pt.1 (02:35)
Making the Text Variable Pt.2 (03:41)
Building the Interface: AMPalette (04:46)
Setting Parameters (05:12)
Binding the Text Field (03:03)
Writing the Action Code (05:19)
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.1 (04:34)
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.2 (04:18)
Calling an Opdate Parameters Handler (04:10)
Using Awake from Nib (06:22)
Using a Popup Button (05:49)
Removing Items from a Popup Button (05:35)
Adding Items to a Popup Button (03:07)
Adding the InDesign Frame Names (06:15)
AppleScript Dictionaries
Introducing AppleScript Dictionaries (03:57)
The Structure of a Dictionary: Suites (02:20)
Commands (03:56)
Classes (02:20)
Properties (02:40)
Elements (03:58)
Working with a Dictionary Pt.1 (04:21)
Working with a Dictionary Pt.2 (05:06)
Cocoa Method Calls
Introducing Cocoa Interface Objects (06:06)
Syntax for Calling Cocoa Objective-C Methods (06:05)
Example: NSPopupButton Methods (04:07)
AppleScript Call Method Pt.1 (04:53)
AppleScript Call Method Pt.2 (03:32)
Action Types
Finding Action Type Documentation (03:00)
Property Keys & Values (05:18)
Building a FileMaker/InDesign Action
Introducing the Action (05:19)
Populating the InDesign Popup Button (05:07)
Testing the Indesign Popup Button (03:03)
Populating the FileMaker Popup Button (04:26)
Testing the FileMaker Popup Button (02:18)
Creating Parameter Bindings (03:03)
Finishing the Action (07:32)
Enhancing the Action Interface (06:22)
Adding a Table to the Interface (05:14)
Creating the Data Source (02:29)
Capturing the Data Source (04:29)
Populating the Data Source Pt.1 (05:57)
Populating the Data Source Pt.2 (02:59)
Unloading the Data Source (07:54)
Setting the Parameters (04:19)
Completing the Action (05:18)
Finishing the Action Strings (04:16)
Clean Up (05:33)
Summary
Action Overview (02:07)
Workflow Overview (02:54)
Credits
About this Author (03:49)

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Tutorial Information / Pricing
Title: Mac OS X Automator
Author: Jesse Feiler
SKU: 33664
ISBN: 1-933736-01-1
Duration: 8 hrs / 112 Lessons
Compatibility: Win XP, 2000, 98, NT, Mac OS X, OS 9

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