Frequently Asked Questions

Installation


To instal Automator Virtual Input, simply drag the application into the applications folder.
Automator should automatically detect the new actions it can preform the next time it is run in the application under "Automator Virtual Input"
If no new actions are seen, restart automator, run Automator Virtual Input and restart your machine. The new actions should be available the next time you run Automator.

Getting Started


Making Automator workflow using Automator Virtual Input is easy:
Simply drag the desired action from the Actions panel into the workflow panel and fill in the desired information.
If the action requires you to input x and y coordinates, for example with mouse clicks and movements. The desired coordinates for an action can be obtained by running the Automator Virtual Input application. This displays the current x and y coordinates of the mouse as it appears on the screen.
For example, if you required left mouse click on the apple menu, to find the coordinates required, simply run the Automator Virtual Input application, hover the mouse cursor over the apple menu, note down the x and y coordinates and input these into the "Left Mouse Click" action in automator.
Once you have compiled a list of actions you wish to carry out, simply add the "Run Virtual Input" action at the end of the desired actions.

Be sure to check out the included examples and explanations of these examples as a guide.
Remember! A set of Automator Virtual Input Actions will only take place when the "Run Virtual Input" action is called by automator! This runs all the virtual input actions inputed via automator since the last time the "run virtual input actions" was called.


Hints and Tips


If you wish to execute Virtual Input Actions, carry out more actions with automator, remember to add a Automator pause after calling "Run Virtual Input", otherwise Automator will continue regardless of what Virtual Actions remain to be carried out, a pause of a few seconds can fix this.
If you wish to two or more sets of Virtual Input Actions at different points, simply call "Run Virtual Input Actions" after the first set of actions, pause, list the new actions then call "Run Virtual Input Actions" again, and so on.
Sometimes Finder might not be able to keep up with the Virtual input Virtual Machine, so it is good practice to add a virtual input pause every so often to let Finder catch up.
It may be sometimes necessary to add additional clicks when activating external applications, as Finder may activate the Virtual Machine when run.
When Inputing information into actions in automator, make sure you deselect the active text box! If the text box is not deselected the action will use the previous value. This can be done by pressing the return key.


Automator Virtual Input Requires Mac OS 10.4 or greater (Mac OS 10.4 Includes Automator). PPC Binary, Intel Binary planned.

Please, feel free to download a trial of this software and register it for only $25.