Although we are no longer offering AppleScript Pro Sessions on a yearly basis, a description of the original five-day course is below. We do offer customized, on-site training. Please email for more information.
AppleScript Pro Sessions
Download Printable Info Sheet PDF
The course includes a fast-paced introduction to AppleScript, including advanced features, and an in-depth look at scripting major applications. A truly unique AppleScript training experience!
As part of the course, attendees receive our handy guide for quickly referring to frequently used commands and techniques. A CD containing the course scripts as well as bonus materials will be included.
Day 1: Starting Out With AppleScript
This is a fast-paced, lecture-driven course that covers the essentials for getting started in scripting. This day not only introduces newcomers to the basics of scripting, but it also makes an ideal refresher for experienced scripters. We include an introduction to scripting applications, with an overview of
how to read AppleScript dictionaries. And we look at the changes introduced
in Snow Leopard, and how they impact the way you should structure your
scripts.
BONUS SESSION: Scripting with Script Debugger, the premiere third-party development environment from Late Night Software.
Day 2: More AppleScript Intro, Scripting InDesign Part I
The day begins with some of the more advanced topics not covered on Day 1, such as understanding Unicode, text item delimiters, the powerful read/write commands and taking advantage of the power of bundles. The regular session ends with a look at scripting InDesign.
BONUS SESSION: More scripting of InDesign, with details to be announced later.
Day 3: Scripting InDesign Part II
Scriptability is at the core of Adobe InDesign, and if you’re an InDesign user, here’s how you can make your job a whole lot easier. Our coverage is wide-ranging, including the object model, document construction, printing, and exporting. We look at the bugs as well as the features, the short-comings, the quirks and the workarounds. We focus on typical practical applications, and provide a range of useful scripts.
BONUS SESSION: A detailed look at attaching scripts to events and menu items in InDesign, as well as creating new menu items with attached scripts.
Day 4: Scripting the UNIX Shell, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat
We begin the day with a session on using powerful built-in Unix command line tools via AppleScript, then take a look at working with graphics. We will look at scripting Adobe Illustrator for tasks ranging from document creation to pre-flighting and repairs, and we will have an in-depth look at scripting in Adobe Photoshop. We will look at scripting the creation of PDFs and the manipulation of them in Adobe Acrobat. At the end of the day, we will cover user-interface scripting, including an overview of PreFab UI Browser.
BONUS SESSION: To be announced.
Day 5: Data, AppleScriptObjC and more
The day begins with an overview of scripting FileMaker Pro and coverage of
scripting Excel. We also look at scripting that Swiss Army knife of text,
BBEdit. Then coverage turns to building AppleScript-based applications with
rich interfaces, using the newly introduced AppleScriptObjC.
BONUS SESSION: A session wrap-up and get-together, with an opportunity for attendees to ask additional questions or review scripts.
PREVIOUS SESSIONS
Florida 2008
Denver 2007
New York 2006
Chicago 2005
Monterey 2005
Newport 2004
Monterey 2004
Monterey 2003
New Orleans 2002
Monterey 2002
Atlanta 2001
Florida 2008
Denver 2007
New York 2006
Chicago 2005
Monterey 2005
Newport 2004
Monterey 2004
Monterey 2003
New Orleans 2002
Monterey 2002
Atlanta 2001
TESTIMONIALS
"Shane is the man when it comes to scripting, period."
Sal Soghoian
AppleScript Product Manager, Apple Inc.
"With an in-depth knowledge of InDesign's scripting and an ability to clearly articulate his knowledge, Shane is the best teacher of InDesign scripting."
Peter Boctor
InDesign scripting engineer
Adobe Systems
"Frankly, I was a bit leery of spending the money and time because I have been disappointed so many times in the past. I'm not a novice at scripting. I've been doing this for a lot of years and, frankly, have gotten a fair amount of press because of our AppleScript workflow automation. Shane and Ray, you put me to shame. I more than paid for my trip and the cost of the seminar with what I learned. Because of you folks, I implemented changes that decreased processing time and improved the workflow immediately."
"There is no better way to learn or advance your AppleScripting skills. The relaxed atmosphere encourages everyone to share ideas and solutions. It also is great to be involved in one of the friendliest programming communities. Shane and Ray are extremely approachable and passionate about everyone learning AppleScript. Their close ties to major developers make for an exciting course, where we get to speak with some of the most important people in AppleScript technology."
"I wish I could have come to all five days. You guys did a great job of covering the material. I learned a lot and hope I can come again."
"I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you can do with AppleScript. But that also inspired me to think of different things to script. Great that someone like Ray and Shane are even teaching this awesome program."
"As was said, AppleScript is only limited by one's imagination. For me, the best part was the teaching approach. I really appreciated the limited class size and the interaction during class."
"Shane is the man when it comes to scripting, period."
Sal Soghoian
AppleScript Product Manager, Apple Inc.
"With an in-depth knowledge of InDesign's scripting and an ability to clearly articulate his knowledge, Shane is the best teacher of InDesign scripting."
Peter Boctor
InDesign scripting engineer
Adobe Systems
"Frankly, I was a bit leery of spending the money and time because I have been disappointed so many times in the past. I'm not a novice at scripting. I've been doing this for a lot of years and, frankly, have gotten a fair amount of press because of our AppleScript workflow automation. Shane and Ray, you put me to shame. I more than paid for my trip and the cost of the seminar with what I learned. Because of you folks, I implemented changes that decreased processing time and improved the workflow immediately."
"There is no better way to learn or advance your AppleScripting skills. The relaxed atmosphere encourages everyone to share ideas and solutions. It also is great to be involved in one of the friendliest programming communities. Shane and Ray are extremely approachable and passionate about everyone learning AppleScript. Their close ties to major developers make for an exciting course, where we get to speak with some of the most important people in AppleScript technology."
"I wish I could have come to all five days. You guys did a great job of covering the material. I learned a lot and hope I can come again."
"I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you can do with AppleScript. But that also inspired me to think of different things to script. Great that someone like Ray and Shane are even teaching this awesome program."
"As was said, AppleScript is only limited by one's imagination. For me, the best part was the teaching approach. I really appreciated the limited class size and the interaction during class."
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Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of the products or services. All understandings, agreements, or warranties, if any, take place directly between the vendors and prospective users.
Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of the products or services. All understandings, agreements, or warranties, if any, take place directly between the vendors and prospective users.