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.
IntroductionAbout this CourseIntroducing AutomatorUseful Links for Additional InformationUsing Automator Out of the BoxImport .Mac PhotosLooking Inside Import .Mac PhotosProcess ImagesLooking Inside Process ImagesIntroducing WorkflowsUsing Workflow TerminologyLooking At an Automator WorkflowUsing an Automator WorkflowIntroducing ActionsUsing Action Terminology
Looking at an Automator Action
Using an Automator Action
Automator ActionsUsing Ask Actions
Using Pause && Ask Actions
Running a Web Service
Using View Results
Running a Workflow
Running an AppleScript
Running a Shell Script
Workflow ManagementOrganizing a Workflow
Saving Workflows
Working with Finder && System ActionsUsing Finder Actions Pt.1
Using Finder Actions Pt.2
Using Finder Actions Pt.3
Using System Actions
Using Spotlight Actions
Working With Media ActionsUsing Image Capture Actions
Using iPhoto Actions
Using QuickTime Player Actions
Using iTunes Actions
Using DVD Player Actions
Using iDVD Actions
Working With Graphics ActionsUsing Preview Actions
Using PDF Actions
Working With Text ActionsUsing TextEdit Actions-Files && Documents
Using Other TextEdit Actions
Using Font Book Actions
Working With Data ActionsUsing iCal Actions
Using Address Book Actions
Using Mail Actions
Using Safari Actions
Inside Actions && ApplicationsXcode: Your Action Development Tool
Where Actions are Located
Applications/Bundles && Packages
Introducing Property Lists
More Action && Workflow Locations
Building Automator ActionsAction Architecture Overview
Building the AppleScript Action Template
Setting the Property List Values
Exploring the Xcode Action Groups && Files
Action Interface: Nib File Overview
Building An AppleScript ActionUsing Script Editor Pt.1
Using Script Editor Pt.2
Converting an Example Script to an Action
Setting the Project Parameters
Setting the English Strings Pt.1
Setting the English Strings Pt.2
Changing the Inputs for Actions
Working with the Action Interface
Building An Advanced AppleScript ActionPreparing an InDesign Document
Using AppleScript to Set Text
Converting the AppleScript to an Action
Testing the Action
Extending the Action: Dynamic Destination
Testing Dynamic Destination
Making the Text Variable Pt.1
Making the Text Variable Pt.2
Building the Interface: AMPalette
Setting Parameters
Binding the Text Field
Writing the Action Code
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.1
Calling an On Opened Handler Pt.2
Calling an Opdate Parameters Handler
Using Awake from Nib
Using a Popup Button
Removing Items from a Popup Button
Adding Items to a Popup Button
Adding the InDesign Frame Names
AppleScript DictionariesIntroducing AppleScript Dictionaries
The Structure of a Dictionary: Suites
Commands
Classes
Properties
Elements
Working with a Dictionary Pt.1
Working with a Dictionary Pt.2
Cocoa Method CallsIntroducing Cocoa Interface Objects
Syntax for Calling Cocoa Objective-C Methods
Example: NSPopupButton Methods
AppleScript Call Method Pt.1
AppleScript Call Method Pt.2
Action TypesFinding Action Type Documentation
Property Keys && Values
Building a FileMaker/InDesign ActionIntroducing the Action
Populating the InDesign Popup Button
Testing the Indesign Popup Button
Populating the FileMaker Popup Button
Testing the FileMaker Popup Button
Creating Parameter Bindings
Finishing the Action
Enhancing the Action Interface
Adding a Table to the Interface
Creating the Data Source
Capturing the Data Source
Populating the Data Source Pt.1
Populating the Data Source Pt.2
Unloading the Data Source
Setting the Parameters
Completing the Action
Finishing the Action Strings
Clean Up
SummaryAction Overview
Workflow Overview
CreditsAbout this Author
Click here to find out more about the Mac OS X Automator Training CD 
