script to set desktop background to a color (Solid White)

Question

Cucuke Author

Level 1

4 points

script to set desktop background to a color (Solid White)

Hi,

I'm trying to write a script to change the background color (Solid White).

I typed :

tell application "System Events"

-- GET DESKTOP PICTURE SETTINGS

tell current desktop

get properties

--> returns: {display name:"Color LCD", change interval:1800.0, id:2.077753021E+9, random order:false, picture rotation:0, pictures folder:"/Library/Desktop Pictures/Solid Colors", picture:"/Library/Desktop Pictures/Solid Colors/Solid White.png"}

end tell

I get this result :

{display name:"Color LCD", change interval:1800.0, id:2.077753021E+9, random order:false, picture rotation:0, pictures folder:"/Library/Desktop Pictures/Solid Colors", picture:"/Library/Desktop Pictures/Solid Colors/Solid Gray Pro Ultra Dark.png", translucent menu bar:missing value, class:desktop}

Can anybody tell me what is wrong?

Posted on Jan 8, 2019 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 8, 2019 9:23 AM in response to Cucuke

You can do this in Automator:

Create an application. Search for 'Desktop picture'. Drag the result to the application area. Then drag the solid white image to that area.

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Answer 2

Jan 8, 2019 1:45 PM in response to Cucuke

In Automator, you create an application when offered the options. You land up with a separate application which can be double-clicked in the usual way to run it. To start it on a keystroke you need a separate app to do that, like QuicKeys (but don't use that, it's likely to go defunct in the near future). Easier just to put it in the Dock.

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2019 2:50 PM in response to Cucuke

I think that might be rather tricky to script, if it's even possible. Simpler would be to create an all-black image - you'd need an image editor of some sort. Duplicate the white image, fill it with black, rename it, and place it in the same folder, then create another Automator application to seleft it.

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Answer 4

Cucuke Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2019 11:51 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thank you very much for your answer!

I'm sorry, I'm a beginner in Automator. I created the application in Automator based on your explanation but I don't know how to use it. When I press the RUN button, I get this message : To test this application within Automator, add the “Get Specified Finder Items” action to the beginning of your workflow. Remove or disable the action before running the workflow outside of Automator.

My goal is to assign a shortcut to this task : when I type the shortcut, the Desktop picture is set to Solid White.

In fact, even better for me :

When I tick "Invert colors" (in System Preferences > Accessibility > Display), the Desktop picture is set to "Solid White" and when I untick "Invert colors", the Desktop picture is set to Black.

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Answer 5

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,542 points

Jan 8, 2019 11:12 AM in response to Cucuke

Maybe I am missing something, are you trying to do this remotely?

Otherwise

>System Preferences>Desktop>Colors>White

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Answer 6

Cucuke Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2019 2:17 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thank you very much for your help!

It worked!

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Answer 7

Cucuke Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2019 3:01 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Yes, that's what I did!

And I use butler to open apps with keystrokes.

Thank you for your help!

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Answer 8

Cucuke Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2019 2:20 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

But do you have an idea how to automate theses actions?

If I tick "Invert colors" (in System Preferences > Accessibility > Display), then the Desktop picture is set to "Solid White" and if I untick "Invert colors", then the Desktop picture is set to Black.

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script to set desktop background to a color (Solid White)

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