Using AppleScript to Programmatically Convert PICT to BMP

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b
• Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, version 2.5b

SUMMARY

Because the Pict To Bmp application that comes with FoxPro for Macintosh is a "scriptable" application, you can instruct it to programmatically convert a file of type "PICT" to a file of type "BMP" using AppleScript.

See below for instructions and a sample script.

MORE INFORMATION

The following script can be called from within FoxPro for Macintosh or any other application that can communicate with the AppleScript extension. The script can be keyed into the AppleScript Script Editor supplied with the AppleScript extension.

This script requires that Scripting Additions be installed in the Extensions subfolder of the System Folder. The "choose file" Scripting additions is utilized. These additions are supplied with the AppleScript extension and placed in the Extensions folder by the Installer program.

Please note that due to the limitations of the character set used to display and print this Microsoft Knowledge Base article, the line- continuation character created by pressing OPTION+RETURN on the Macintosh has been replaced by a semicolon (the FoxPro line-continuation character). When you are typing the script in the AppleScript Script Editor, replace any line that ends with a semicolon with the appropriate line-continuation character.

To create the script:

1. Start the AppleScript Script Editor.

2. In the Script Editor edit region where the cursor is initially blinking, type the following code:

         -- Pict2Bmp, a routine for converting PICTs to BMPs
   

         -- Get a file of type "PICT" to convert
         set theFile to choose file of type {"PICT"} ;
            with prompt "Choose PICT to convert:"
         -- Call the conversion handler
         Convert(theFile)
   
         -- Conversion handler
         on Convert(fToConvert)
           -- Tell Pict To Bmp to convert the file
           -- and terminate.
           tell application "Pict To Bmp"
             open fToConvert
             quit
           end tell
         end Convert
   
   

3. Save the script. If the script will not save in its compiled format, make sure the script was typed exactly as it appears above, with the exception of the line-continuation characters. The Script Editor should help you focus in on the source of the error by highlighting the offending command.

4. To run the script from the FoxPro for Macintosh Command window, issue the following command

         RUNSCRIPT <pict2bmp>
   

   where <pict2bmp> is the name of the file to which the script was saved.

   tell application "HD:FoxPro:Goodies:Misc"

   Script error: User canceled.

For more information about creating scripts with AppleScript, see the "AppleScript Language Guide" or contact the Apple Programmer's and Developer's Association (APDA).