Using Applescript to autosave Axure (or any app) on Mac

[Paul]

I've created a fairly basic script in Applescript that will save Axure every 2 minutes if it is the active window in front. The script runs on your dock like its own app while it's active.

Download the script at the bottom of this post.

Running the script

If you'd like, you can just open the file and it will run the script. You will see the icon on your dock, and while it's there it will always be running. Or! You can set the app/script to launch when your computer boots up (below).




Here are the instructions for launching the script when booting up

Download the attached file and save it somewhere to your Mac.

In spotlight (microscope search in the top right), search for "Accounts".

Add the application to the list of apps which runs on startup.




Editing the autosave frequency

Open the Applescript Editor, and then open the AutoSaveAxure to view it in editor mode. The number you will edit is the "return 120" where 120 is the amount of seconds. So you can make this 10 seconds or 10 minutes (as long as it's in seconds).



More info

This type of script can be used to auto-regen, or do any number of things - just sayin! I believe there is something for PC called AutoScript, but I work primarily on the Mac so I haven't explored it. I believe this should work for applications besides Axure as well. I did alot of searching and research and this solution so far, is the best with regards to applescripts for auto-save (so I hope this helps someone).

Any comments or feedback is welcome. I have been kicking around this idea for a while and just recently got this working so let me know what you think.

[zinkzone]

This is great!!! My Axure has been crashing out. this will surely help!! Thanks man

[Paul]

Great! Let me know if you have any feedback or how it works out for you. One thing I've found with it that's slightly annoying is that if you're entering text into a text panel or something similar, it will lose focus. Besides that I've been really enjoying it and it's non-obtrusive since it only autosaves if Axure is the front-most panel.

[Paul]

Per request I've created this script which prompts "Do you want to Save?" with Yes/No option. I increased the time on this to every 5 minutes (300 seconds).

[Chanelleh]

I keep receiving a nasty bug when I try to run the two scripts. I get an OSStatus error -67049. What does this mean and how can I correct it? I need this script to work because I CONSTANTLY get errors with Axure freezing or just quitting and losing a TON of work....

[Ian Gardner]

Hi Chanelleh,

Axure definitely shouldn't be freezing on you. What version are you running, 'Help -> About Axure RP...'? Could you send in a feedback and reference this thread, 'Help -> Submit Feedback...'?

Axure has a backup feature as well. 'File -> Backup Settings...' to adjust. You can set it down to 5 minutes. And 'File -> Recover File from Backup' to recover an saved out backup.

[Paul]

Sounds like there is a security setting you'll have to lift.

From https://github.com/hbons/SparkleShare/issues/1017
"you need to go to the security preferences and change the setting to allow running of non-AppStore apps. start it and after that you can revert the setting."