Using applescript to control an application which does not support it

applescript

I want to control an application that does not have an Applescript api (simfy). I would like to pause it via an Alfred command, but for this I need to use scripts. This application is build with Adobe Air and there is no script dictionary entry for it.

I have created some shortcuts via System Preferences, but I would like to access the options even when I am using another program. The typical use case, is that I am working in my editor, I want to switch to the next song without having to leave it.

Do you know how to script an application without applescript support?

Best Answer

The only way I am aware of is using UI Scripting (old link but still useful) via the dictionary of an application called "System Events". In substance, this allow you to make a script that click on a given button or press a given key. Unfortunately, you'll need to activate Simfy to send the keystroke (but you can automate it and automate a switch to the preceding frontmost application as well).

Remote Buddy allow you to send a keystroke to an application without activating it. You can then trigger the Remote Buddy action via AppleScript. But that seems overkill here except if you use Remote Buddy for other things already.

Related Solutions

Launch Genius via AppleScript

Try this :

tell application "iTunes" to try
    activate
    with timeout of 10 seconds
        reveal current track -- error if no current track
        set tName to name of (first window whose its class is browser window or its class is playlist window)
    end timeout
on error
    return "Can't find track!"
end try

tell application "System Events"
    tell application process "iTunes"
        try
            set b to (first button of window tName whose value of attribute "AXDescription" is "Genius")
            if not (enabled of b) then return "Genius button disabled" -- (film, video clip,...)
            perform action "AXPress" of b
        on error -- no Genius button (radio, podcast, .....) playlist
            return "Can't create genius list from that track!"
        end try
        delay 2
        tell front window to if value of attribute "AXSubRole" is "AXDialog" then -- dialog opened.
            perform action "AXPress" of button "OK" -- close the dialog
            return "Can't create genius list from that track!"
        end if
    end tell
end tell
return "Done"

How to start a Hangouts phone call with Applescript/Terminal

This script I wrote works for me. You may need to adjust a few of the delay values, depending on the speed in which your computer launches your browser etc.

I actually wrote this script and saved it as an application and then I enabled it as a dictation command

tell application "Safari"
    activate
    set URL of document 1 to "https://hangouts.google.com/"
    delay 8 --adjust this value if needed
    set the clipboard to "1-234-567-8910" -- enter the real phone number
    tell application "System Events"
        click button 5 of UI element 1 of scroll area 1 of group 1 of group 1 of tab group 1 of splitter group 1 of window "Google Hangouts" of application process "Safari"
        delay 1
        click button "New conversation" of UI element 1 of scroll area 1 of group 11 of UI element 1 of scroll area 1 of group 1 of group 1 of tab group 1 of splitter group 1 of window "Google Hangouts" of application process "Safari"
        keystroke (the clipboard)
        delay 2
        key code 36
    end tell
end tell

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Launch Genius via AppleScript

How to start a Hangouts phone call with Applescript/Terminal

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