macOS Need help with automating folder views

[bingefeller]

Hi folks,

I'm guessing Automator would work with this but I'm not sure so....

I work with photographs a lot and I usually just browse through them in a Finder window. To do this I always do this:

Show items by icon
Right mouse click to show view options
Make icon size 512 x 512
Arrange by name.

This makes it a lot easier for me to navigate via the big thumbnails.

Seeing I'm doing this a lot I'm wondering if I can automate the process in some way?

 

[kryten2]

You can try the Set Folder Views action in Automator.

 

[bingefeller]

Thanks kryten2.

Not sure how to do this to be honest with you.

Do I choose the actual folder I'm using from the Automator program?

 

[kryten2]

Thanks kryten2.

Not sure how to do this to be honest with you.

Do I choose the actual folder I'm using from the Automator program?

You can choose the actual folder from Automator if you want to. Look into the Files & Folders actions in the Library for the Ask for Finder Items action. Why not make it a Service? That way you can right click the folder(s) in the Finder and choose the Service.

Automator Set Folders To Icon View Service example :

1. Service receives selected folders in Finder.
2. Set Folder Views

Note : I'm having mixed results in some testing. YMMV.

Edit : Did you try the Use as Defaults button?

 

[theSeb]

What issues are you having? I created a folder service just like you described and it works perfectly. I can right click on any folder and it will change the view settings as per the requirements.

 

[bingefeller]

You can choose the actual folder from Automator if you want to. Look into the Files & Folders actions in the Library for the Ask for Finder Items action. Why not make it a Service? That way you can right click the folder(s) in the Finder and choose the Service.

Automator Set Folders To Icon View Service example :

1. Service receives selected folders in Finder.
2. Set Folder Views

Note : I'm having mixed results in some testing. YMMV.

Edit : Did you try the Use as Defaults button?

I did try the use as defaults but this isn't suitable as I prefer list view for my folders. I just want to switch between this specialised view from time to time when sorting my photographs.

I followed your instructions but don't see the Automator workflow coming as a contexual menu item.

 

[theSeb]

I am not sure how you saved it, but it should have .workflow at the top. So it should say SetFolderView.workflow. Normally when you save a folder service it is automatically saved into /users/(user_name)/Library/Services so you could check if it is indeed saved there correctly.

The library folder is hidden, but it will show up in the menu by holding alt when clicking on "Go" in the Finder.

 

[kryten2]

See if the Service is enabled.

 

[bingefeller]

I am not sure how you saved it, but it should have .workflow at the top. So it should say SetFolderView.workflow. Normally when you save a folder service it is automatically saved into /users/(user_name)/Library/Services so you could check if it is indeed saved there correctly.

The library folder is hidden, but it will show up in the menu by holding alt when clicking on "Go" in the Finder.

Hi there,

Yes the service is saved there.

See if the Service is enabled.

Yes that is enabled too.

Do you guys want me to upload my service file?

EDIT: Actually, it's OK guys. When I set up my icon view for 512x512 and have it arranged by name and then click on "set as default" it remembers that setting for when I click on the icon view. I assumed that it would make all my folders like this but it seems to keep them in list view. Problem sorted. thanks.