Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Long shot: Script to change desktop when application is launched

B

Ben Kei

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2002
204
1
London UK
I know this is a long shot but does anyone know of a script (or fancy trying to write one!) that will change a desktop pattern when you launch a particular app.

Basically I'd like to have a couple of desktop patterns with all the shortcut keys for particular apps but don't want them up all the time, only when I'm using that app.
Ideally, quitting the app would return to the normal desktop pattern.

I'm no good with scripting or I'd give it a shot myself.

Thanks,
Ben
 
Just had a look at Marco Polo and it says it can change desktop patterns but the actual help files are really sparse on any useful information.

Think I'll give that a miss, I can see myself ploughing loads of time into it and not necessarily getting what I want from it.

Cheers anyway
 
Once you understand the concept it's really easy to use.

Basically, you create a context for each desktop pattern/application you want to use. Then you select "RunningApplication" under "Evidence sources" so MarcoPolo knows what to look for.
Then go to "Rules". Now create a rule for every desktop pattern like this:
Click the plus, "Add RunningApplication Rule", select the desired app from the list (it has to be running at the moment, though), then select the matching context and set the confidence to 100%.
Under actions, click the plus, "Add DesktopBackground Action" and then choose the machting desktop pattern. Choose the matching context and "on arrival". This should be enough. You can also define a desktop pattern for when you quit an app.
 
ergdegdeg said:
Once you understand the concept it's really easy to use.

Basically, you create a context for each desktop pattern/application you want to use. Then you select "RunningApplication" under "Evidence sources" so MarcoPolo knows what to look for.
Then go to "Rules". Now create a rule for every desktop pattern like this:
Click the plus, "Add RunningApplication Rule", select the desired app from the list (it has to be running at the moment, though), then select the matching context and set the confidence to 100%.
Under actions, click the plus, "Add DesktopBackground Action" and then choose the machting desktop pattern. Choose the matching context and "on arrival". This should be enough. You can also define a desktop pattern for when you quit an app.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for talking me through it.
I'll give it a step by step try in a minute.

Much appreciated.

@ aidrickdad - I'm on 10.4 otherwise I'd go with a spaces option.
Thanks anyway.

Ben
 
This sounds like something you may be able to do with automator. You could make a script that changes the desktop pattern and then launches the app. As long as you double click the script to launch the app this should work. The only thing is I don't know how well it will change it back when you are done.
 
ergdegdeg said:
Once you understand the concept it's really easy to use.

Basically, you create a context for each desktop pattern/application you want to use. Then you select "RunningApplication" under "Evidence sources" so MarcoPolo knows what to look for.
Then go to "Rules". Now create a rule for every desktop pattern like this:
Click the plus, "Add RunningApplication Rule", select the desired app from the list (it has to be running at the moment, though), then select the matching context and set the confidence to 100%.
Under actions, click the plus, "Add DesktopBackground Action" and then choose the machting desktop pattern. Choose the matching context and "on arrival". This should be enough. You can also define a desktop pattern for when you quit an app.
Click to expand...

I've just gone through this and have it set like this:

Context: Logic
Evidence Sources: RunningApplication (nothing else selected)
Rules: Logic Pro - confidence 100%
Actions: parameter = the desktop I want when Logic is running, description = empty, context = Logic (on arrival) delay = none enabled is ticked.
Actions: parameter = the desktop I want when logic isn't running, descrition = empty, context = Logic (on departure) delay = none, enables is ticked.
Advanced: I understand is ticked

But it's not doing anything.
I have the Logic context chosen in the 'Force context' menu, is there anything else I need to do?

Cheers for the help!
 
Try relaunching Logic Pro. It should work automatically without manually selecting a context.
 
ergdegdeg said:
Try relaunching Logic Pro. It should work automatically without manually selecting a context.
Click to expand...

I've got the background changing if I force the context to change.

What I can't figure out is how to change the context automatically when Logic is launched.

As it is now it stays on the Automatic context even after Logic is launched.

I'm going back to scan the help files again...

your help is really appreciated! I'm half way there.
 
Right!

Well I've got it switching my background (and the context to my Logic context)
But it's not switching back to my Automatic context when I quit logic.

I'll keep poking about but any help is greatly appreciated.

And massive thanks for the heads up on Marco Polo! Looks like it could be really helpful.
 
Sorted!

Just needed to set the Automatic profile as a default and it switches back when it's done.

Thanks ergdegdeg!
 
Good that you sorted it out on your own :) I love MarcoPolo myself. Sorry I didn't reply but I was in bed (European time zone ;) ).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back