replacing periods in file names with automator

[bpetruzzo]

My father is used to a computer system that is a little dated. He's always naming files with underscores and periods. When I get my hands on the files, I want them to be renamed so that they'll play friendly with my applications.

I'm looking for a way to create an Automator service that I can use to rapidly replace periods with spaces or dashes. I have the JuneBug actions which comes close, but it won't replace periods. I know I could use Name Mangler, but I have to do it so often, I'd really really like to get it onto the Mac OS services context menu and save myself a lot of clicks in the future.

So, I'd like automator to take this:

family.2002.sandiego.jpg

and turn it into:

family-2002-sandiego.jpg

Anyone know how I can do that with Automator?

 

[GGJstudios]

Name Mangler.

 

[MaskingTape]

This should work. Throw it in your services directory under yourname/library/services
(you are running snow leopard right)?
Then just right click the file and click on Rename (it MIGHT show up as Test, if it does.. my bad lol)

You can double click on it to load it up in automator to see what it does.

 

[miles01110]

Name Mangler.

My father is used to a computer system that is a little dated. He's always naming files with underscores and periods. When I get my hands on the files, I want them to be renamed so that they'll play friendly with my applications.

I'm looking for a way to create an Automator service that I can use to rapidly replace periods with spaces or dashes. I have the JuneBug actions which comes close, but it won't replace periods. I know I could use Name Mangler, but I have to do it so often, I'd really really like to get it onto the Mac OS services context menu and save myself a lot of clicks in the future.

GGJ wins again at reading, although a Name Mangler droplet in the Dock seems like it would do just fine.

 

[GGJstudios]

... although a Name Mangler droplet in the Dock seems like it would do just fine.

That's exactly why I recommended it. No need to use Automator to accomplish this. It just takes getting familiar with Name Mangler's capabilities. Create a droplet, then select files, right-click > Open with > NMdroplet.app. Done!

 

[bpetruzzo]

Thanks for the input folks.

This should work. Throw it in your services directory under yourname/library/services
(you are running snow leopard right)?
Then just right click the file and click on Rename (it MIGHT show up as Test, if it does.. my bad lol)

You can double click on it to load it up in automator to see what it does.

This was exactly what I was looking for. Saving it as a service let me add it directly into the right-click context menu and there's no need for extra applications or steps. This means I may also be able to work it into an automatic folder action in the future.

MaskingTape, thanks for going through the extra steps to show me how to do it.

 

[MaskingTape]

No problem, glad I could help!

 

[synth3tik]

The beauty of the underscore is known when running from the command line.

 

[philsurmac]

Old post sure, but ABSOLUTELY needs to thank for this service menu !!

 

[mgroot]

Old post sure, but ABSOLUTELY needs to thank for this service menu !!

You can now just do this in the finder...