10.4: Create a copier with Automator and a scanner
Mar 06, '06 05:38:00AM
Contributed by: seamus
My old (and very slow) Xerox copier ran out of toner before putting it away for storage several years back. I recently had the need for a limited number of copies, so I went to my local Staples, only to find that the cartridge was $120! I knew there must be a way to use my Epson Perfection 2450 Photo scanner and my printer to create a makeshift photocopier for the infrequent copies I do. I'm sure some scan software must allow a scan directly to printer function, but my Epson software is pretty limited. There may be some better ways of doing this but the following is what I came up with:
On my desktop (can be anywhere on your Mac), I created a folder called AutoPrint in which I created two folders named print and printed. Using Automator, I then created the following script:
- Finder: Get Specified Finder Items (and added my aforementioned print folder). For the input on this action, you must choose 'Ignore results from previous action,' or you'll end up sending previous print jobs.
- Finder: Get Folder Contents
- Finder: Print Finder Items (I chose the default printer)
- Finder: Move Finder Items (choose the printed folder).
I saved the workflow into the AutoPrint folder for safe keeping. Then I chose File: Save as plug-in, named the plug-in "AutoPrint," and chose "Folder Actions" from the pull-down menu. That brought up an "Attach to folder" pull-down from which I chose my print folder. If I remember correctly, it asked me if I wanted to enable Folder Actions, to which I replied yes.
At this point, I tested it by dragging a document into the print folder and, sure enough, it went straight to the printer, then moved directly into my printed folder. But if this was all I needed it to do, I could have simply created a desktop printer.
Finally, I set my Epson Scanner's auto features save into the print folder. Voila, instant photocopier. And in color, too! I figure its no slower than my old Xerox, and kept $120 bucks for the college fund.
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