Naming an Export Container Field file

[sgrey]

06-01-10 04:41 PM - Post#40777

First of all, my apologies for being dense about this, but I am just not getting it right. I’m pretty sure the answer is easy and obvious (just not to me).

I have a layout with:

1. A container field with a picture of a school (School address::School Picture)

2. A text field with the name of the school (School address::School Name)

I want to export the picture into a folder on my desktop and name it with the corresponding name.

I have a Set Variable script to create a variable called “$schoolName”

Set Variable: [$schoolName; Value: School address::School Name & “.jpg”]

(I created a test field and a Set Field script to make sure that the variable is working. When I run the script, it correctly populates the test field with the results of the Set Variable script—the name of the school followed by “.jpg”.)

The problem comes when I export the photo.

I’ve used the Export Field Contents command to save the photo into a folder on my desktop.

Export Field Contents [school address::School Picture; $schoolName]

The photograph exports into the folder as expected, but does not pick up the name from the variable. Instead, it gives the photo the name of the variable—$schoolName

I’ve tried putting quotes around the variable and the resulting name is—“$schoolName”

I’ve tried adding a ‘’ before the variable and the resulting name is—$schoolName

Obviously, the Export command is not seeing $schoolName as a variable, but as straight text.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[bruceR]

See Help for "Creating File Paths".

You have dealt with the name of the file; but not the full path.

Set variable $path; "file:" & get( desktopPath) & $schoolname

Export field contents [ $path ]

[sgrey]

Thanks, BruceR.

I want to make sure I understand the logic here.

In essence, within the Set Variable script, I need to not only define the variable, but also specify where the target file will be end up on my computer?

Is that correct?

[sgrey]

Got it!

Thanks for your input. It put me on the right path (no pun intended) and I was able to find just what I needed.

[bruceR]

Thanks, BruceR.

I want to make sure I understand the logic here.

In essence, within the Set Variable script, I need to not only define the variable, but also specify where the target file will be end up on my computer?

Is that correct?

That's a confusing way of putting it.

You can put whatever you want in a variable.

But if your purpose is to script the export of a file, then the variable used by the export action must be a complete and valid file path. How else is it going to go where you tell it to?

[sgrey]

This clarifies things.

How else is it going to go where you tell it to?

My export script put the photo where I wanted it to go (and gave it a name). I'd assumed it could just pick up the name from the variable. Admittedly, my logic was wrong.

Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.