Triggering screensaver change via script / turning ss off with applescript

Question

Triggering screensaver change via script / turning ss off with applescript

I use the ScreenSaver feature to display my pics on a dedicated iMac. The iMac has a few other duties, but the main one is to be a picture frame.

I use an applescript to change screensavers and change it does, in preferences, but until I move the mouse or something that in effect turns the screensaver off it still displays the previous screensaver. I assume it's in memory when screen save starts and doesn't get looked at again until screen save starts next time.

To the question: How to force the screen saver off in applescript so that next time it's invoked (3 minutes later) it will read the new parameter.

TIA

G5/G4/1.25 MDD, 1ghzTiG4 & ViPod, iSight-iMac, Mini Duo, MBPro17, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Dual booting the Mini/MBP17

Posted on Jan 30, 2007 4:21 PM

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Answer 1

kel

Level 3

850 points

Jan 30, 2007 5:16 PM in response to Heinz Wittenbecher

Hi Heinz,

You can quit the screen saver app with this:

tell application "ScreenSaverEngine"
quit
end tell

You can start it with this:

tell application "ScreenSaverEngine"
activate
end tell

Edited: I'm thinking that there is a way to show pictures dynamically though without turning the screen saver off and on. How are you changeing the pictures?

gl,

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Answer 2

Jan 30, 2007 5:21 PM in response to kel

Thank you.

I build the screensaver with Boinx FotoMagico Beta. Basically a slideshow turned screensaver with all the functionality of a slideshow like varying times, dissolves, zooms, etc.

To keep the 'slideshow' managable I keep it at 150-200 images. I change the script via iCal. The cycling of the screen saver was the missing link. Thank you.

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