macOS help with automator combine files to pdf

[Spinky]

I am trying to create an automator action to combine multiple jpeg files into a single pdf file.

I have a folder on my desktop and in the folder are multiple folders, each containing several jpegs. What I need is for the files in each individual folder to be combined as pdfs.

Can this be done in automator?

Thanks

 

[telecomm]

On Leopard? If so they've got exactly what you're asking for as a built-in action (but it's hard to miss, so I'm guessing you're still on Tiger).

If you are still on Tiger, I don't know what to suggest.

 

[Spinky]

I am running leopard, and I saw that action. But I was wondering if there was a way to create a workflow that would automatically go through each folder in the main folder and create multiple pdfs.

 

[telecomm]

In that case you'll want to do something like this:

Edit: Hmmmm, I think I see what you want now, one PDF for each folder, right? I'm not sure how to use Automator to do that, but that's not to say there isn't a way.

 

[Spinky]

Yes, one pdf file for each folder.

I tried using the exact workflow you posted in the image, but it froze up automator and my computer slowed down to a crawl. I will try it again though.

EDIT: I think this workflow is trying to combine all the files into one pdf.

 

[telecomm]

I haven't tested it, but yes, I would expect this workflow to try to combine everything into a single PDF.

You might want to try this with just one folder if images. To do this, untick the 'Repeat for each subfolder found' option, and then try feeding it a single folder of images, just to see that that's working properly.

 

[Spinky]

This workflow does exactly what I want it to do, I just need to figure out how to get it to automatically repeat for each folder. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[roylong]

Alternative - more than one way to skin a cat..

I have been looking at your problem and thinking about the best time saving option. Rather than try to get automator to do exactly what you want, what do you think of this suggestion?::

create a folder action from the automator script; apply it to a folder on your desktop; enable folder actions; grab each folder of images, one at a time, and dump it onto the folder with the script attached.

quicker than going through and running the script each time; but not as quick as having the script work on all the folders sequentially. Its kind of half way there..

i'll keep thinking about the better option.

Roy.