If you have your Mac adjusted for a region where the comma is the decimal separator of fraction numbers, or if you are using a keyboard with a comma instead a point on the numerical keyboard, then the shortcut is. Toggle display of hidden files in Finder with keyboard shortcut Enjoy! # 10.6: Show (and hide) hidden files in Open/Save.
See How to set ⌘ + H to enable show hidden files. What I offer below differs by a dialog informing you of the current status. I created a service using the Automator application. When I want to toggle the viewing of hidden files, I select 'Toggle Hidden Files' from the Finder services submenu as shown below. (Hint: Click image for a better view.). Free download Hidden Files Toggle Hidden Files Toggle for Mac OS X. Hidden Files Toggle is a free-to-use application for Mac OS X that simply adds and toggle switch into your menu bar of your Mac that allows you to toggle it over there. Save the Service (as Toggle Hidden Files or whatever you like) and exit Automator. You can now turn the hidden files setting on and off by selecting Finder - Services - Toggle Hidden Files.
Since starting my own freelance business I've battled with a process I like for establishing new projects. After an overdue amount of time, I've discovered a way to automate folder and file creation on a mac.
Why automate?
That's a simple question to answer. Time. While generally, it isn't that obtrusive to my workflow to create new files and folders as I go but for the sake of collaboration and consistency it's an absolute must.
I sought out a way to create what I like to call a project scaffold. This essentially helps me automate folder and file creation on my mac.
I was inspired by a tool called Yeoman which does essentially the same thing for web development projects. This handy tool helps rid of the setup time most projects take. I was also inspired by the way you generate files when working with Ruby on Rails. Rails have generators built-in for nearly anything and it's incredibly useful.
Mac Only for now
I currently run a PC that I built to use both Windows 10 and Mac OS. It's the biggest contradiction ever but I guess you could say I wanted to spend less and get more. Apple products are top quality no doubt but when they get older there's no room to improve them rather than buying a whole new unit. This is on purpose.
All that said, In this screencast, I make use of an application called Automator. You can use it for a slew of things to help automate your workflow. It's a little tricky to set up but once you do it's like a dream come true.
How We Use It
For this screencast, I utilized Automator to create a project scaffold for my agency. My agency is a two person team. With just two people I have noticed the amount of inconsistency in where files, folders, and other various assets were being kept. On a team larger than that I can only imagine how inconsistent things could get.
At Couple of Creatives, we utilize a Dropbox Team Folder. Inside the team folder, we have a Clients folder and inside that, we run the project scaffold when onboarding a new client.
To fix the inconsistencies, I defined our own project framework using the Automator app. Having created the project scaffold application our client's project files and folders now remain consistent. This helps us save time by not having to ask each other where certain things are.
On your own feel free to tweak the app to include any files and folders you wish to generate by modifying the bash script included.
Creating the Application
When starting with Automator you are prompted to choose what type of Automation to build. I tend to use Applications simply because it behaves like other apps I use. Upon double-clicking the generated app you would then run the scripts you authored inside Automator.
Extending the Application
To edit the application you simply open it with Automator. As time goes on you may find you need to change folders or file structures to match your new and improved workflow. You can do this at any time.
What else can I do with Automator?
If you develop any sort of application, more often than not you use a tool or framework to help you along the way. Languages such as Ruby, Node.js, or even Git make use of files on your system that aren’t visible by default. Why getting easy access to these files isn’t an option beats me..
Normally, to edit these files you either need to know the path to the file by heart or use a script on the command line to show these files.
This post is a short tutorial to show you how to toggle hidden files on your mac with by creating an easy to use application.
The Old Way
Plain and simple, the old way works. Swishmax 4 for mac free download. The only issue with it is that it is incredibly hard to remember. Some of you who have ever executed this script may recognize it below.
which when executed shows the hidden files. To undo this you would run
which hides the hidden files, leaving you back where you started.
Adobe illustrator cs6 torrentz2 download mac. While this is all valid, it’s easy to forget. Some other resources across the web have introduced their own methods. Some of which make use of the
.bash_profile file on your Mac or creating a function to run when needed.
The New Way
Rather than depending on the command line, why not create a small application to do the work for you?
Automator
If you have never used the Automator application on a Mac you are not alone. I rarely had needed to use it before but sometimes, especially for a case such as this, it just makes sense. Follow along below to create an application for toggling hidden files.
Find the automator app within your applications folder and launch it.
Applications/Autmator.app
Step 1 - Create a Service
When Automator launches you are greeted with the screen above. Our application type will be a service Service.
After that do a search in the search field for Run AppleScript. Double click on Run AppleScript and you will see some code appear in the pane to the right which looks like this.
Step 2 – Customize AppleScript
Add the code below where you see the placeholder ( Your script goes here )
Toggle Hidden Files Mac Automator Downloads
The code entered looks all too familiar to the “old” way I mentioned earlier. At the heart of the function, the script is checking to see if there is an alternate boolean value (if it’s true or false).
Step 3 - Test the Script
Before creating an application out of this, it is probably wise to check the code runs correctly. Go ahead and press the play button to verify the files and folders appear or disappear once you click again.
You should see your Finder do a delayed-type of flash which is a good indicator that everything is working. Though, to really verify, open up your main hard drive and you’ll notice some opaque folders you now have access to.
Step 4 - Make it an Application![]()
Up until now everything we have done seems like a lot of work and it was, but this keep in mind is the only time you will have to do this. To make things final we need to create a small application out of this script.
Save the project as something clever for your app name. I chose something easy like Toggle Hidden Files. From here you need to select
File/Convert To from the File menu.
Remove Automator Mac
Then when the type of application window appears choose Application.
You will create a new project and from here you can save out to an actually application. Be sure to select Application from the file format option like below: ![]()
I saved my application to the desktop to keep it handy for any working situation where I need to have my hidden files present. You’ll notice it has the same app icon as Automator but if you want a custom icon you can create one and replace it using another app called LiteIcon if you please.
Application Complete!
Good job. You just made yourself a cool little Mac app. Now you won’t have to always do a Google search for the script to make all this happen as I used to ;).
Do you use Automator for other things within your designing or developing workflow? Share your tips or tricks in the comments
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