I am wondering if there is a way, probably using Applescript, to Quicklook an object (file, graphic, sound, etc.) that is stored in a container field. It seems that would be a very desirable function.

I decided to try to solve my own problem and put together this rough prototype. It uses the terminal's qlmanage command to Quicklook any file, image, or Quicktime document in a container field (provided that only a reference is stored in the container).

If anybody wants to improve on this so that it also works with files, etc. that are stored internally (not as reference), that would be awesome. I'm thinking some routine that exports the file to a temporary directory and QLs it there.

quicklook_containers.fp7.zip

And yet another follow-up to my own post...

The sample I uploaded has a small error of terminology: a field (and label) that refers to the POSIX path of the file is not, in fact, a POSIX path at all. You can trace my steps here: originally I planned to have the database calculate the POSIX path and then pass that through to the Applescript; then I changed my mind and decided to have the Applescript calculate the POSIX path. But I forgot to change my field name and label.

So, it's sloppy and not very cosmetically nice. But it does work!

Wow, this is actually very cool! I can't believe nobody replied to your post... thanks!

I thought it was cool, too, and was similarly surprised that nobody ever seemed to notice my post. Thanks for confirming that I do, in fact, exist.

This is really awesome! Well done!

Very surprised about the lack of replies too, but thanks for sharing!

Very cool indeed!

Can anyone fix this example?

Solved it:

setVariable: $file; table::container



setVariable: $path; Get ( TemporaryPath )&$file



setVariable: $script;

   Let ( thepath = Middle ( $path  ; Position ( $path ; "/" ; 1 ; 2 )+1 ; Length ( $path) ) ;

   "set p to POSIX path of " &  Quote(thepath) & "¶

   do shell script \"qlmanage -p \" & quoted form of p")

ExportFieldContents [table:container; $path]

PerformAppleScript [$script]

FMP-OSX-Quicklook-Container_fmp12.zip

Thank you very much for this great work !

Do you know if it is possible to make it work with containers with external storage ?

Great work on the solution. It worked on my database magically. However, I am wondering how I should adapt that to a container with multiple repetitions? So far I have tried to define another variable $rep using get(ActiveRepetitionNumber) and inserted it into every occurrence where repetitions are involved. It, however, keeps giving me this message:

 

“” could not be created on this disk.  Use a different name, make more room on the disk, unlock it or use a different disk.

 

Would anyone shed some light on this?

 

Thanks.

Fantastic script!! I've never googled the solution to a problem, found the answer so simply and clear and implemented in 15 minutes!

 

Initially I got the “” could not be created on this disk.  Use a different name, make more room on the disk, unlock it or use a different disk. error but once I stripped off the document path info and just put the filename directly in the temporary path it works a treat!

 

Thanks so much!

Great script! I've been using this for our solution, but seems not working correctly on 10.9 Mavericks... It shows the path of the file instead of the contents now. Any ideas? Thank you!

I think I found the solution... wasn't the applescript on OS X 10.9, but actually the script to define "thepath"...

setVariable: $file; table::container

setVariable: $path; Get ( TemporaryPath )&$file

setVariable: $script;
   Let ( thepath = Middle ( $path  ; Position ( $path ; "/" ; 1 ; 2 )+1 ; Length ( $path) ) ;
   "set p to POSIX path of " &  Quote(thepath) & "¶
   do shell script "qlmanage -p " & quoted form of p")
ExportFieldContents [table:container; $path]
PerformAppleScript [$script]

I just took out the +1 from "Let ( thepath = Middle ( $path ; Position ( $path ; "/" ; 1 ; 2 )+1 ; Length ( $path) ) ;" and seems to preview the file correctly instead of returning the path text...

Thanks joshhawk! That fixed it for me!

 

Also, thanks to mwiess and your post from four years ago.  This quick look script has been invaluable for our solution.

This is an amazing trick. I upgraded to Yosemite and it broke. Any suggestions on what to fix...

Also, is there a way to trigger same effect in Windows? 

I too can't get this to work in Yosemite. Does anyone have any insights? joshhawk??