photos-automation-banner
•
OS X AUTOMATION
AUTOMATOR
IWORK AUTOMATION
•

Automator Quick-Start

What is Automator?

Automator is an application, installed with every copy of OS X, that is used to construct automation tools using a drag-and-drop process to make a workflow.

What is a Workflow?

An Automator workflow is an automation recipe comprised of a series of automation steps called actions. The actions in a workflow are displayed as a vertical list in the Automator window and are executed in order from the top action to the bottom action.

Workflows often accept data as input, with each action processing its input data and passing the results of the processing to the next action in the workflow.

Automator Workflow Types

Automator workflows can be implemented within the system in a variety of formats. The various workflow options appear as templates in the workflow template chooser sheet when a new Automator document is created. The template options are described in the illustration below:

AutomatorQuickStart.001

The Workflow Window

The illustration below describes the areas and controls of the Automator workflow window:

AutomatorQuickStart.002

Constructing a Workflow

Think of workflows as automation recipes with each step of the recipe being an Automator action. You create workflows by determining what are the required steps in the automation process, and then adding the actions for accomplishing those steps, to the workflow.

Actions are added from the Automator Action Library to the workflow. Actions are executed in order from the top to the bottom of the workflow, passing data between them.

AutomatorQuickStart.003

Learning More About Automator

Many of the automation examples provided in this Keynote-Automator website contain videos demonstrating the creation, saving, and execution of specific workflows. For more information, visit the Automator website at: macosxautomation.com/automator

NEXT TOPIC: Selection & Content

TOPICS

  • Overview
  • Automator Quick-Start

  • Selection & Content
  • Importing Media Items
  • Exporting Media Items
  • Metadata
  • Slideshow Actions

  • Scripting Overview

  • Workflow Recipes
  • Dictation Commands

DISCLAIMER

THIS WEBSITE IS NOT HOSTED BY APPLE INC.

Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM provides this only as a convenience to our users. PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM and that PHOTOSAUTOMATION.COM has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.