Automator service won't show up as contextual menu choice

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Level 1

19 points

Automator service won't show up as contextual menu choice

I was trying to figure out a way in which, when right-clicking and choosing 'new folder' from the finder contextual menu, I could create a new folder of my own customized design. Unable to figure out a way to 'substitute' my folder for the default untitled folder, I finally thought the only way to do this was to create a workflow in Automator.

I've done this type of scripting before, years ago in Tiger, and I think the process was something like saving the workflow as a plug-in and then it automatically showed up in the menu when I right-clicked on the desk top. In reading around it appeared that with Snow Leopard (running 10.6.8) you needed to create the workflow as a service. I created and tested the workflow (basically the steps were selecting my custom folder, opening it in preview, copying the icon image, creating a new folder, performing a 'get info' and replacing it's default image with my custom one - it 'ran' fine) and saved it as a service. However, while the workflow was saved correctly under "User: Library: Services" it does not appear under either the finder services or in the rt-click menu on the desktop. Having to go into automator to run the script defeats the purpose of automating this task - anyone know hot to accomplish this? Thanks.

G4 iMac 1Ghz, 15" Macbook Pro Duo, iMac 3.6Ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 10.5.8 on G4& MBP

Posted on Nov 7, 2011 12:55 PM

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Answer 1

red_menace

Level 6

17,092 points

Nov 7, 2011 9:59 PM in response to Carla Finis

What kind of filter settings are you using (the setting at the beginning of the service)? These settings determine the situation in which a particular service will show up in the contextual menu. You might also check the System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Services settings to make sure your service is enabled.

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Answer 2

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Nov 7, 2011 10:15 PM in response to Carla Finis

Check (or play around with) the Automator's Service receives selected popup. Perhaps you chose the wrong one. Also I I think restarting the finder may be necessary.

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Answer 3

Carla Finis Author

Level 1

19 points

Dec 4, 2011 5:29 PM in response to red_menace

red_menace,

I agree and have played arpind with the settings and oddly, I inadvertently found out that the function does work and at least one place where I can find it. I took a screen shot and when I right-clicked on the image I happened to look at services and there was my "make my new folder" function - ran it and it works great but it doesn't show up in services either under the finder menu or when right-clicking on the desktop alone which ideally it what I would like it to do - any ideas how to get it into one of those two places? Thanks for your feedback.

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Answer 4

Carla Finis Author

Level 1

19 points

Dec 4, 2011 5:31 PM in response to X423424X

X423424X,

As I replied above to red_menace:

I agree and have played arpind with the settings and oddly, I inadvertently found out that the function does work and at least one place where I can find it. I took a screen shot and when I right-clicked on the image I happened to look at services and there was my "make my new folder" function - ran it and it works great but it doesn't show up in services either under the finder menu or when right-clicking on the desktop alone which ideally it what I would like it to do - any ideas how to get it into one of those two places? Thanks for your feedback. Interesting handle by the way - significance?

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Answer 5

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Dec 4, 2011 7:58 PM in response to Carla Finis

...but it doesn't show up in services either under the finder menu or when right-clicking on the desktop alone which ideally it what I would like it to do - any ideas how to get it into one of those two places?

I believe all the services stuff is oriented around acting on specific objects. So that's why you can't see the service when just pointing at the desktop.

Thanks for your feedback. Interesting handle by the way - significance?

None whats-so-ever! When I originally wanted to create an alias for my apple id all the ones I wanted were already taken. After screwing around for a while I finally got frustrated and just randomly punched a bunch of digits on tha keyboard and tossed an 'X' on each end.

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Answer 6

red_menace

Level 6

17,092 points

Dec 4, 2011 8:15 PM in response to Carla Finis

The "desktop" is a representation constructed from a number of things and isn't a file or folder, so if that is what your service is looking for it isn't going to show up when clicking in the desktop. Something else to try would be to set the service to get no input - in that case it still wouldn't show up in the contextual menu, but would show up in the general Application > Services menu.

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