[kjbee]

OK...(reposting in Applications in hopes of more answers- originally in the MacBook forum)

I've decided that I really don't like iphoto. I feel like I just can't control things like I want to, I don't like how it keeps multiple copies of images, etcetc. Everything seems to be more painful than necessary. So anyway, I'd like to import using image capture/automator (then edit pics with iphoto if necessary -- I do not have photoshop), but I just can't seem to get the workflow to work the right way. I have never used applescript, and hope not to have to for this...but if I do have to, then I'll need some better directions.

Here's what I need to happen:
1. create folder in Pictures folder with current date 200X-XX-XX
(would be nice if i could pick the date, as I'd like to it be the event date, not the import date)

2. import pics via image capture into new folder
(being able to pick which images first would be nice since i tend to leave images on cam until backed up to CD)

3. rename all pics that were just imported to folder to 200X-XX-XX.xxx

a bonus would be...
4. burn that new folder onto CD (that I would keep in the drive)

Does anyone do this? Am I making things harder than necessary?

[kjbee]

I've had a chance to fool around some more and here's what I've come up with...
(all are linked to "use results from previous action" unless noted)

1. Download pictures (from Image Cap to Pictures folder) (would like to be able to select which pics to dl, but ok...)

2. New folder - show action when run so I can name folder appropriately

3. Get folder contents

4. rename finder items to YYYY-MM-DD item name.xxx

5. get specified finder items - show action so i can select the originally downloaded files - unlink use previous item

6. move to trash - use previous item

So I am left with the originally downloaded files in the trash, and the newly renamed ones in the new folder with the right date. Has anyone found a better way??

[Curiosity]

What I do is (1) import the images from my camera into iPhoto, (2) enhance them with iPhoto, then (3) drag them out of its window onto the desktop (the easiest way to get them into the normal file system). From there I (4) rename them, (5) add captions (using Gimp) and (6) burn to a CD or copy them to a USB flash drive to let the PC burn them to a CD. Since the caption has the date when the picture was taken, I do not worry about the date recorded by the file system.
The last step is to go into the Pictures directory in my home directory and from there to iPhoto Library, and wipe its contents clean. That gets rid of all the stuff that iPhoto has hoarded.

[kjbee]

well i'm trying to do this all in finder (it sounds like you do it manually?), without having to use iphoto (and create unecessary duplicates, then have to delete them). If i want to enhance a photo, then I'll put it through iphoto separately. And I defeinitely want to keep all photos organized in folders by filename/date. So i just need to refine the process above so that I can...

A) pick which pics I want to dl from camera. I know I can do this by choosing to start Image Cap when the camera is connected, and eliminating step 1 of the workflow and starting from step 2 after selective download, but somehow things seem to get messed up when I do this...?

B) not have to manually tell it which pics to delete (as it could be a pain when there are a ton) to eliminate duplicates.

C) burn that new folder to CD as a last step.

Also, I am starting the workflow each time by actually opening Automator, or by going to the file through finder. Is there a way to just make the workflow start when i connect the camera (or am I using the workflow the right way, through the automator program)? I suspect this its an Applescript to start the workflow when the camera is connected...

[kjbee]

ok...fooled around some more...since no one seems to be answering my posts ...and after quite a bit of blog perusing a googling I have discovered that:

They key is to save the workflow (basically as i had it above) as a plugin for image capture. that was you dont have to actually open Automator to use the workflow. choose to open image capture when camera is hooked up, then choose to run that plugin when image capture opens. i think i will add a step to my above workflow to then copy the new folder to a jump drive until i feel like burning a CD. (i'm crazy about backups after so many pc crashes).

one question that maybe possibly someone will answer (?!):
I saved a bunch of verisons on the workflow plugin as i was tweaking it, and even though i deleted them (from the workflow folder), they are still showing up as plugin/action options (though greyed out and unselectable) in image capture. that kind of annoys me just because. i seem to have deleted every other trace of them...?

or maybe in a couple days i'll figure this out too and keep answering myself. i am on my way to one star in no time with this method!