Thread: Automator Basics

The Apple Automator application allows Mac OS users to automate the repetitive computer tasks by creating a workflow. A workflow is a series of actions that will be executed one after the other when executed. An action is the simplest unit of the Automator like Copy to Clipboard By combining actions from different applications in the drag and drop interface of the Automator, you can create your own applications and plug ins.
Here is how it works.
1. Open Automator.app from the Applications folder.
2. You will see 4 panes: Library, Action and Help on the left; the workflow canvas on the right .
3. You can search for actions by typing in the edit box located on the top lefcorner of the a pplication.

1.Create a plug in for sending mail from the Finder
a. Press [Command] + [N] to create a new workflow.
b. Select Finder in the Library list.
c. Select Get Selected Finder items.
d. Drag it to the workflow canvas on the right.
e. Now setect Mail application in the Library List.
f. Select Get New Mail.
g. Drag it to the right window, below the Get Selected Finder Items box.
h. Select the Add At tachment to Front Message from the Action pane and drop it as the last action on the workflow.
i. You have just completed your workflow.
j. Click-the Run button on the top left corner of the screen.
k. The Mail app will pop up. Close it and go back to the Automator application
l. Open File > Save as a Plug-in. Type a name for the Automator plug-in.
m. Open the Finder window and click on a file that you would
like to send as an email attachment.
n. From the context menu( [Ctrl] + click), select Automator and then choose the workflow you just created.
o. If you have your mail account setup, you just need to type in the details of who you want to send the message to. You can now send attachments directly from your Finder window.