Automator - Folder Action help!

Question

Level 1

13 points

Automator - Folder Action help!

Hey there,

I am trying to create a Folder Action with Automator which doesn't seem to not perform.

Essentially I want to drag and drop all files from my GoPro's micro SD card (with multiple files/extensions) to a folder (on an external hard drive) which will then filter by specific extensions into specific folders.

I've created and tested the desired Folder Action on my MacBook's internal SSD, replicating what needs to happen and that runs fine. When I try to apply it to the external hard drive folder it simply doesn't work.

The automator folder action process looks like this:

The external hard drive folders look like this (all the files that need filtering are in '100GOPRO' for the time being along with the desired folders I want the folder action to filter and move them into):

With the Folder Action enabled on the '100GOPRO' folder, whenever I drag a .LRV file out into 'GOpro' and then proceed to drop it on top of '100GOPRO', it then just sits amongst the rest of the other files in '100GOPRO' and not into the 'In-GoPro Formats' folder like the action is meant to perform.

Am I missing something in the action process on Automator or is this something to do with the external hard drive itself? - I really can't figure it out -- If anyone could help and for better context, I'd like all the .THM and .LRV files to go into 'In-GoPro Formats', .MP4 into 'Videos (360)' and .JPG into 'Photos'.

Thanks

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 9, 2020 5:53 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Spazzy207 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jun 10, 2020 11:20 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks for the help and explaining my error - the correction worked but not fully.

Essentially the majority of the .LRV files do transfer across but there are some 20 odd files that simply do not get moved. The same applied to the .THM files and weirdly enough the .360 and .MP4 don't move to their respective folders (even with the same Folder Actions workflow).

After speaking with Apple they determined that the external hard drive, being used with Time Machine for a backup of my MacBook, ultimately maybe have caused issues due to formatting of the hard drive to sync with Time Machine application.

Some of the .LRV files were there before the backup so that may explain the reason for only those moving - I'm still not certain as to if/why this could be and the formatting affects, but does offer insight into resolving the problem maybe.

As a result, Apple suggested erasing and reformatting to 'APFS' to allow this folder action workflow to operate the way it should. I've tested on another hard drive with success so will confirm once the reformatted on the necessary drive.

Reply

Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,372 points

Jun 9, 2020 6:14 PM in response to Spazzy207

You don't need the Get Specified Finder Items (though, see below). You are already getting what is added to that same folder. You are essentially getting them twice and processing each one twice. Also, the Get Specified Finder Items is not getting the contents of the folder. It is just getting the folder.

Folder Actions do not process immediately.

Also, Filter Finder Items has been flaky for as long as I can remember.

For Testing, leave in the Get Specified Finder Items and add a Get Folder Contents immediately after it.

Step through the workflow and look what shows up in the Results of the Filter Finder Items.

Reply

Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,372 points

Jun 10, 2020 11:29 AM in response to Spazzy207

That all sounds hokey. It may just be the drive has some issues and reformatting (to any Mac format) would solve the problem.

Folder Actions are not particularly reliable when a large number of files are dumped into it. The folder action activates when it sees that items have been added, but if other items are on the way, it may not capture those files and process them. When it detects another add event, it will process the files added, not anything that was already there.

Reply

Automator - Folder Action help!

Similar questions