Applescript to answer dialog

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Level 1

0 points

Applescript to answer dialog

Hi,
I am just learning applescript.. sorry in advance if I don't explain clearly.

I am writing a script that tells Adobe Illustrator to run an action but I need to add to the script that if a dialog appears, answer it with a return. Is it possible to have the script answer a dialog while running the action? If so, any help on the scripting would be greatly appreciated!
Note: I can not prevent the dialog from coming up at all.. I need it to answer the dialog with a return.
(I needed to add a menu item to the actions that requires a dialog to come up)

If you need to know more details, let me know.
Thanks so much!!
Winnie

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Sep 22, 2010 10:21 AM

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Answer 1

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Sep 22, 2010 10:45 AM in response to Winnie Brown

Here is an example:

Notice
You need a delay to wait for the dialog to appear
delay 1

simulate the return key
keystroke return

don't forget

tell application "System Events"

on open dropped_items -- Remember you need to turn on enable assistive devices -- this lets applications software to access screen elements -- blue apple > system perferences > universal access > enable assistive devices -- Write a message into the event log. log " --- Starting on " & ((current date) as string) & " --- " -- set see to alias "Macintosh-HD:Users:mac:Desktop:app.html" -- set dropped_items to {see} set the_app to "Safari" repeat with dropped_item_ref in dropped_items --set UrlBase to "xzzx FILE://" & POSIX path of dropped_item_ref --display dialog UrlBase -- Activate activate application the_app -- Open the URL tell application the_app open dropped_item_ref -- print dropped_item_ref tell application "System Events" tell process the_app delay 3 -- click menu item "Print..." of menu "File" of menu bar 1 keystroke "p" using command down delay 1 keystroke return delay 10 keystroke "w" using command down end tell end tell --quit end tell end repeat end open

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Answer 2

red_menace

Level 6

17,048 points

Sep 22, 2010 10:45 AM in response to Winnie Brown

There isn't a way for an AppleScript to know when an application puts up a dialog. However, if you know when the dialog is going to be put up, you can just add a statement in your *Adobe Illustrator* tell statement (when the application is activated) to keystroke a return:

tell application "System Events" to keystroke return

This assumes that the default for the dialog is what you want and that GUI scripting is enabled by having the *System Preferences > Universal Access > Enable access for assistive devices* checkbox is checked.

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Answer 3

Winnie Brown Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 22, 2010 11:49 AM in response to red_menace

red_menace,
Thanks SO much! This is exactly what I needed. It runs perfectly.

Thanks to rccharles also (your response was a little over my head, but greatly appreciated).

~Winnie

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