How to Resize Photos with Automator

All Mac users have Automator, but most have no idea what it is... which is unfortunate.  There is so much it can do to help, well... automate things.  You can set up a script to automatically move MP3 files into a specific playlist within iTunes or bounce images into the appropriate album within iPhoto... without ever lifting a finger.  It's perfect for lazy rapscallions like me. 

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to set up a script that will automatically resize your photos.

In case it's hard to see here, either view it on YouTube or follow the directions below.

1. Create a new folder called "Resized" (fine... "Big, Spankable Asses" works, too)
2. Open Automator
3. File/New/Application
4. Highlight Files & Folders under Library
5. Grab Move Finder Items and drag it to the box on the right
6. In the "To" box, browse out and find your folder
7. Grab Get Folder Contents and move it over
8. Highlight Photos under Library
9. Grab Scale Images and move it over (you'll get a pop up; hit "Don't Add" to ignore)
10. Choose a specific size or percentage (I use By Percentage and set it to 40)
11. Highlight Files & Folders under Library
12. Grab Rename Finder Items and move it over (click "Don't Add" for the pop up)
13. I prefer to rename by Date and Time (Add Date or Time), but... up to you
14. File/Save (call it "Resize")
15. You'll now see an Automator application icon on your desktop (i.e. "Resize")
16. Find your huge image and drag it on top of the icon.  It will resize and move it for you.

Comments

[Carrie Oakie]

I could listen to your voice all day. I'm going to send you some things to read, just record yourself reading out loud & send me the files, okay? Great, thanks! :-) I don't use my Automator enough, i need to remember how to use it to rename files.