PDF service problem

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Level 1

19 points

PDF service problem

I have been using a simple automator workflow to print a file to PDF and save it in a designated folder. With the El Cap update, the file no longer saves to the folder. I tried creating a new workflow, saving to a different folder and resetting my printer system, all without success. Is anyone else seeing problems with the Move Finder Items to a designated folder in automator workflows or otherwise having issues with PDF service workflows?

Thanks,

Norm

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 1, 2015 3:43 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,842 points

Oct 2, 2015 1:08 AM in response to MooneyPilot

I'll have to poke around to test, but you don't need a workflow to move to a folder in the PDF Services. Just make an alias to the folder in the PDF Services folder and you can "print" to that folder.

If you are doing more processing than moving to a folder, then that won't work.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,842 points

Oct 2, 2015 1:08 AM in response to MooneyPilot

After doing some testing, my guess is the Move action isn't getting the item it expects (i.e. a file in the Finder).

If I add an "Apply Quartz Filter" action before moving, it does the move. You don't have to do anything with the Filter, though you could use it to reduce the file size.

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Answer 3

MooneyPilot Author

Level 1

19 points

Oct 2, 2015 12:20 AM in response to MooneyPilot

Thanks Barney-15E. I found a similar solution after posting. If one puts a rename finder item step in first, then the move step works fine. This is a new requirement under El Capitan. My workflow places the pdf file into a processing folder. Hazel.app watches that folder and then renames the file with a date stamp added, tags with metadata as needed based on the source, and then moves the file into DevonThink Pro Office for filing. I use this for electronically filing receipts. It's an important workflow for me, so glad that it is now working again. 🙂 Again, thanks for responding.

Norm

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Answer 4

Oct 12, 2015 7:22 AM in response to MooneyPilot

I have a similar problem with a service that has stopped working under El Capitan. It files a PDF in a folder after a dialog. My script start with putting the name of the PDF into a variable then manipulating the name. Can you explain what has changed

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Answer 5

MooneyPilot Author

Level 1

19 points

Oct 12, 2015 7:55 AM in response to meljturner

I'm not sure exactly what happened. It could be related to a new restriction on the use of temporary files which are produced by the print/pdf engine. I would suggest using the rename finder item step first in the workflow, then go through your dialog, manipulate the name and then apply the new name to the file when you save it in the folder. Perhaps that will fix the problem for you.

Norm

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Answer 6

Oct 23, 2015 3:49 PM in response to MooneyPilot

This issue was fixed with the latest release of OSX (10.11.1). My original scripts now work as PDF services.

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Answer 7

Nov 17, 2015 10:56 AM in response to MooneyPilot

I had the same problem and your solution worked for me. I have had a simple two-step Automator Printing Workflow added to my Mail print dialog. It has worked for years. It simply takes the PDF and moves it to my Web Receipts folder, then it opens the Web Receipts folder using Reveal in Finder. I simply recreated the original script in Automator, but added the single command "Apply Quartz Filter" as the first step in the workflow. I even chose no quartz filter to be applied in the command options.

Many thanks!

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