出自UXGuide.net

Automator

Automator

With Automator, a user can automate common procedures and build workflows by arranging processes from different applications into a desired order. Familiar Apple applications, such as Mail, iPhoto, and Safari make their tasks available to users to organize into a workflow. These tasks (called actions) are simple and narrowly defined, such as opening a file or applying a filter, so a user can include them in different workflows.

通过Automator，用户可以将一些通用的过程自动化，以及将不同程序的处理过程按照预期的顺序构建一个工作流。用户熟悉的Apple程序，如Mail, iPhone,以及Safari的功能（也叫做操作）既简单且具有严格定义，如打开一个文件或者应用一个过滤器，从而可以让用户将其功能组合进一个工作流。

As an application developer, you can define actions that represent discrete tasks your application can perform. You make these actions available to users by creating action plug-ins that implement the appropriate behavior. An action plug-in contains a nib file and some code to manage the action’s user interface and implement its behavior. You can develop action plug-ins using either AppleScript or Objective-C. You might consider creating a set of basic actions to ship with your application so users have a starting point for using your application with Automator.

作为一个程序开发者，您可以定义程序的功能，并实现这些功能对应的操作插件从而在Automator中对用户可用。一个操作插件包括包含了一个nib文件以及一些管理操作的用户界面和操作的行为的代码。您既可以使用AppleScript也可以使用Objective-C来开发操作插件。您可以考虑随着您的程序发布一些基本的操作插件从而用户可以使用Automator来开始使用您的程序。

For more information on developing Automator actions, see Automator Programming Guide.

关于开发Automator操作的更多信息，请参考Automator编程指南。

As you design the user interface of an action, keep the following guidelines in mind:

当您设计操作的用户接口时，谨记如下准则：

• Users stack actions on top of each other in Automator. Because display screens are wider than they are tall, you should minimize the use of vertical space. One way to do this is to use a pop-up menu instead of radio buttons, even if there are only two choices.

在Automator中，用户总是将一个操作叠放于另一个之上。由于显示屏幕的宽度总是大于其高度，所以尽量少用垂直的控件。一种方式就是尽量使用弹出菜单而不是单选按钮，即使仅有两个选项。

• Don’t use group boxes. An action does not need to separate or group controls with a group box.

不要使用组合框。操作不需要将控件分离或者组合到组合框中。

• Avoid tab views. Instead, use hidden tab views to alternate between different sets of controls.

避免标签视图，而是使用隐藏的标签视图来进行控件的切换。

• Avoid using labels to repeat the action’s title or description; these take up space without providing value.

避免使用标签来重复操作的名字或者描述，这是浪费空间。

• Use a disclosure triangle to hide and display optional settings. (See “Disclosure Triangles” for more information on disclosure triangles.)

使用三角箭头来隐藏和显示可选的配置选项(更多信息请参考macos:view-controls#三角箭头控件”一节）。

• Use small Aqua controls to minimize the use of space. (In “Controls” you can find information on the dimensions of those controls that are available in the small size.)

使用小型的Aqua控件来节省空间。（在 “控件”一节中您可以找到关于这些小型控件的更多信息。）

• Use 10-pixel margins to make the best use of the space.

使用10像素的边距以最大化的利用空间。

• Provide feedback. Use the appropriate progress indicator when an action needs time to complete (see “Progress Indicators” for more information on these controls).

提供反馈。当操作需要一定的时间来完成时，使用合适的进度指示器（关于进度指示器的更多信息，请参考 “进度指示器”）。

• If possible, display an example showing the effect of the action so users can see the impact of various settings.

如果可能的话，提供一个操作效果的预览以便用户查看不同设置的影响。