Changing the Applescript Icon?

Question

Level 2

296 points

Changing the Applescript Icon?

Hi,

I'm trying to change the icon associated with an applescript that's saved as an application.

Its the one with a verticle scroll sitting on a horizontal piece of paper (or some such thing).

Normally, when I change an icon like this I just control click the main app to get "show contents" and replace the icon with my own file of the same name. (saving the original of course).

However, I can't find this particular icon in the apple script application folder.

Am I looking in the wrong place or going about this all wrong?

Thanks

G5 Dual 2.5 Gz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 23, 2007 12:20 PM

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Answer 1

Neithan

Level 1

120 points

Jan 23, 2007 12:44 PM in response to Samuel Muindi

The file should be YourApp/Contents/Resources/applet.icns.

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Answer 2

Samuel Muindi Author

Level 2

296 points

Jan 23, 2007 2:21 PM in response to Neithan

Thanks for the quick response, but could you be a bit more specific?

For some reason I still can't find it. Even more strangely, when I do a spotlight search for "Applet.icns" I get hits for my back up disks but not for my main system.

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Jan 23, 2007 2:49 PM in response to Samuel Muindi

AFAICT, script applications are not bundles; therefore, no contents. Your best bet would be to select the app, CMD+I, and replace the icon with one of your choosing. If that doesn't work, try the AppleScript forum at http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=724.

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Answer 4

Samuel Muindi Author

Level 2

296 points

Jan 23, 2007 3:49 PM in response to baltwo

I've been doing just that. But every now and then, for no reason whatsoever, the darned icon changes back. It happens most often after a reboot.

This really isn't a big deal, but I keep a script in the dock and the original icon is pretty ugly.

Thanks for the help though.

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Jan 23, 2007 4:18 PM in response to Samuel Muindi

Good luck. BTW, ScriptEditor has many icns files; however, I didn't see one associated with the script as application. It might be buried somewhere within a framework.

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Answer 6

Andreas

Level 4

1,510 points

Jan 24, 2007 8:24 AM in response to Samuel Muindi

Open the app in Script Editor and "Save As…" an application bundle. (You probably won't want any of the boxes ticked). A Control-click on the app will now show "Show Package Contents" and you can replace "applet.icns" (your replacement must have that name). The icon MAY not show in the Finder but it will show correctly in the Dock.

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Answer 7

Andreas

Level 4

1,510 points

Jan 24, 2007 8:43 AM in response to Andreas

BTW, a little trick that might get the Finder to display your icon… Paste any icon into the app's Get Info panel; launch and quit the app; delete that icon from the Get Info window – a bit crazy, but it usually works! If it doesn't, move the app to the desktop and back into its folder – that should serve to convince the Finder to refresh the display. Make sure that "Show icon preview" is ticked in the info (Cmnd-J) for the folder that contains the app.

G5 2.1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Jan 24, 2007 10:48 AM in response to Andreas

Cool solution, Andreas. Saving the script as application bundle reveals the applet.icns. Based on that informatioin, I found the applet.icns in /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OpenScripting .framework/Versions/A/Resources/. Additionally, it also contains a droplet.icns. Now, if you replace those with your preferred icns files, subsequent script applications and application bundles should reflect that new icon. Give it a go and let us know.

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Answer 9

Samuel Muindi Author

Level 2

296 points

Jan 24, 2007 10:49 AM in response to Andreas

Thanks a lot Andreas.

Your first suggestion seemed to work. I found the right icon in the bundle and changed it, but the application displayed the generic Apple application icon.

The second option seems to have worked, but I'll to wait to see if the change holds.

Thanks again.

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Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Jan 24, 2007 11:14 AM in response to Samuel Muindi

Did you give my suggestion about changing the applet.icns in the framework a go?

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Answer 11

Andreas

Level 4

1,510 points

Jan 24, 2007 1:11 PM in response to baltwo

I wouldn't myself make the change in the framework…

• Every AppleScript app would have the same icon. I couldn't live with that – it would be like Photoshop and MS Word having the same icon! Every one of the many apps I have written, unless it sits tucked away where it never gets seen, has its own distinctive icon.

• I don't like advising anyone to make changes at that level, even though this one is only in the System Library.

• A change in the framework is prone to being nullified by an Apple update – hello Leopard! A change in the app itself stays put.
=-=-=-=-

Samuel ~ Once the Finder has 'noticed' the change it should stick. Let us know after a few reboots.

G5 2.1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 12

Samuel Muindi Author

Level 2

296 points

Jan 24, 2007 2:30 PM in response to Andreas

I will Andreas.

I share your hesitancy to tinker at the system level, although in this case I could live with making a universal change to the Apple default script icon.

Thanks again.

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Answer 13

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Jan 24, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Samuel Muindi

Thanks for the feedback. Since we've beaten this little horsy to death, please mark the thread answered and the replies, appropriately. Good computing and hacking.

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