ShowPaths

Intro

ShowPaths is a simple tool for Mac OS X. Its sole function is to give you quick access to the full path of one or more files or folders in a number of formats.

In typical use, you’ll drag/drop a folder or file icon onto the ShowPaths icon, then hit Command-C (Copy), Command-Q (Quit), switch to the app where you need the path, and hit Command-V (Paste).

If you drag/drop multiple icons onto the ShowPaths icon, it will try to minimize mouse movements and/or keystrokes by automatically selecting the path of the very first dropped file.

It will auto-select the next path in the list each time you switch back and forth to the target application; in most cases all you need to do while ShowPaths is in the foreground is hit Command-C as the desired text will already be pre-selected for you.

Installation

Before you start installing, exit out of InDesign.

Please make sure you have a copy of the APID ToolAssistant plug-in installed. Make sure you install the proper plug-in for your version of InDesign since the plug-ins are mutually incompatible. The Windows CS5.x plug-ins also come with an additional folder with a parenthesised name which needs to be copied along.

If you already have an APID ToolAssistant plug-in installed (e.g. because you use one of our other plug-ins), make sure it is up-to-date.

You will be installing two separate, but related software products: ShowPaths and APID ToolAssistant. ShowPaths will continue to work when the APID ToolAssistant demo expires.

i.e You do NOT need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant.

Copy the ShowPaths.spln into the same folder as the APID ToolAssistant plug-in (typically that will be the InDesign Plug-Ins folder). Don’t worry about the icon of the .spln file: it might not be a ‘regular’ icon, and that’s OK.

Usage

Maybe you’re a software developer, or a scripter, or you’re configuring some complex app that needs explicit file paths typed in.

Simply drag/drop the folder or file onto the ShowPaths icon to get copy/paste access to a number of different paths that all lead to this file or folder.

Use the radio buttons to select the desired path format, then copy the path and paste it where you need it.

Which of the radio buttons to select? That will vary depending on what you’re doing – if you’re configuring some software through a dialog that needs an explicit file path, it’ll probably be the Mac OS X Unix path or the Mac OS 9 path.

If you’re scripting or programming in C, C++, Java, JavaScript… then one of the two quoted versions will probably be most useful.

And if you’re writing a shell script, the Escaped Shell format will come in handy.

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So why not become someone special – a member of that select group of people that actually donates? To donate, go to https://www.paypal.com and send your donation, any amount, to sales@rorohiko.com – thanks!