Use CopyPaths to quickly copy the full pathnames of selected files in the Finder to the clipboard. CopyPaths allows you to copy complete paths formatted for almost any use, including MPW, HTML, C String, Pascal String, and any format that you can specify in its specially designed preference resource.
I initially wrote CopyPaths because I couldn't find a small and simple public utility that does what it does. And now it's more advanced than some, and more bug free than others.
Enjoy!
How do I register it?
CopyPaths is Shareware! If you use it, you have to pay. Below are the two ways to register:
(1) Double click the "Register Here!" icon contained in the original archive, fill out the appropriate information, and follow the instructions on screen.
(2) Visit our web site at <http://www.selznick.com> for information about registering on-line.
CopyPaths costs US$12, US$96 for a site license, and US$240 for a world-wide license.
Thank you for supporting our efforts!
Thanks!
Sanford H. Selznick
s3support@selznick.com
How do I use it?
1. Install CopyPaths in the "Contextual Menu Items" folder in your System Folder. If this folder does not exist, create it. Alternatively, you can drop it onto your System Folder icon, and let the Finder do the work for you. The system can handle more than one installed contextual menu plugin at a time.
2. Restart
3. The "Copy Paths" menu item will appear at the bottom of the menu which appears when you Control-Click on a selection in the Finder. Select the hierarchical menu which best corresponds to the format to be used when copying the item's path to the clipboard.
Copy Formats
CopyPaths supports a number of formats for copying complete paths to the clipboard. These are:
1. Copy Straight: Copies the paths as they are seen with only a carriage return between paths.
2. Copy for HTML: Preferences for Copy as HTML can be found in the resource fork of CopyPaths in 'Pref' resource #128. This menu item performs the following operations on each path:
a. Trims the prefix through a specified string. No trimming occurs if the string cannot be found.
b. Prepends a typical HTML "A-TAG" prefix.
c. Appends a typical HTML "A-TAG" suffix.
d. Multiple paths are separated by a carriage return.
3. Copy for MPW: Copies the paths as required for MPW Shell. Any path with a space in it will be surrounded by single quotes. Paths without a space are not quoted.
4. Copy for C String: Copies the paths for a program written in C.
5. Copy for Pascal String: Copies the paths for a program written in Pascal.
6. Copy for Special: Copies the path as prescribed by preferences in the 'Pref' ID 128 resource in CopyPaths.
How do I configure CopyPaths?
1. Open the CopyPaths extension in ResEdit
2. Open 'Pref' resource id 128
3. Modify the commands as follows:
- The first nine items determine whether the menus for the aforementioned items are to be enabled or disabled (on or off). 1 is on. 0 is off. The last 7 items are reserved and should be 0 (off).
- The next items are for internationalization and define what strings should appear in the menu.
- Main Singular: The menu item name for the parent menu if there is one path selected.
- Main Plural: The menu item name for the parent menu if there are two paths selected.
- Menu Straight: The menu item name for the Straight menu.
- Menu HTML (See Below o): The menu item name for the HTML menu.
- Menu MPW: The menu item name for MPW Shell.
- Menu C String: The menu item name for the C String menu.
- Menu AppleScript: The menu item name for the AppleScript menu.
- Menu Pascal String: The menu item name for the Pascal String menu.
- Menu Unix/Java: The menu item name for the Unix/Java menu.
- Menu Special (See Below *): The menu item for items formatted Special.
- The items beginning with a bullet ("o") are preferences that are used when copying for HTML.
- oStart After: Trim the prefix of a given path through this string, if found.
- oPrefix: Prepend this prefix.
- oSuffix: Prepend this suffix.
- The items beginning with a star ("*") are preferences that are used when formatting for Special.
- *Modify if in Orig: If this text is in the original path, the path will be modified with the next four modifications. If this text is empty, the path is modified by default.
- *Start After: Trim the prefix of a given path through this string, if found.
- *Prefix: Prepend this prefix.
- *Suffix: Append this suffix.
- *Out Dir Delim: The standard delimiter is ":". The ":" will be replaced with this single character.
4. Save your changes. There is no need to restart after editing the resource.
Notice:
Are you a programmer? Yes? Then shame on you for using this plugin! Remember that on a Macintosh all you need is a volume ID, a parent directory ID, and a file name to get at a file! You should never use a pathname explicitly. (Remember that two inserted disks can have the same name.) Then why use CopyPaths? Well, sometimes for quick and dirty work in HyperCard or its like you need a path to a file. CopyPaths is a really easy way to paste it somewhere without having to use an application or write a script.
Future Enhancements:
What else could you want? :-)
History:
v1.5 - Recompiled with CodeWarrior Pro 5, added AppleScript selection. Updated 'TMPL' resource. Added Unix/Java settings.
v1.4 - Recompiled with CodeWarrior Pro 3.
v 1.3 - Added submenus and made menu items for each preference.
v 1.2 - Added 'special' preferences.
v 1.1 - I added the number of selected files to the menu item text. I did this on a dare and probably shouldn't have. I also rewrote the whole thing in C++. And added a 'Pref' and 'TMPL' resource.
v 1.0 - I spent only 3 hours on this version. (Not including this readme :-) There isn't too much History.
Special thanks to Jim Luther for MoreFiles and Nevin :-) Liber!
The Fine Print:
CopyPaths (SOFTWARE) is ⌐ 1998-1999 Selznick Scientific Software, LLC (AUTHOR); all rights reserved.
This is a legal agreement between you and AUTHOR covering your use of SOFTWARE. Be sure to read the following agreement before using the software. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE AND DESTROY ALL COPIES OF IT.
The software is owned by AUTHOR and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Therefore, you must treat the software like any other copyrighted material (e.g. a book or musical recording).
Commercial distribution of the software is restricted without permission of AUTHOR. AUTHOR is more than happy to allow distribution of SOFTWARE, but you must first have a license to do so. Contact AUTHOR for details on obtaining a license.
You may not rent or lease the software, nor may you modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software. If you violate any part of this agreement, your right to use this software terminates automatically and you are then required to destroy all copies of this software in your possession.
The software and related documentation are provided "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind and AUTHOR expressly disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Under no circumstances shall AUTHOR be liable for any incidental, special or consequential damages that result from the use or inability to use the software or related documentation, even if AUTHOR has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
All trademarks are held by their respective owners.
This software is not designed or intended for use or resale as on-line control equipment in hazardous environments requiring fail-safe performance, such as in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication systems, air traffic control, direct life support machines or weapons systems in which the failure of the software could lead directly to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage ("high risk activities"). AUTHOR specifically disclaims any express or implied warranty or fitness for high risk activities.
