Using Your Mac's Built-In Photo Filters

Hidden on your Mac is a set of image filters that you can use on your image files. You can access them in an Automator action, which means you can easily build a simple app that will allow you to apply them to an image quickly. Access filters like blur, comic book, pixelate, neon, and so many more. You can even use this to quickly resize images.

Comments: 14 Responses to “Using Your Mac's Built-In Photo Filters”

    Kay Fisher
    3 years ago

    But when I run this app it only shows the results of the built in test image not the image I dragged in.
    I can't see the results till I finish and open the result file. Is there a way to make it show the real input image?

    3 years ago

    Kay: Yes, that's right. The way it works is you only see the test image. Nothing you can do about that.

    Eric Kestler
    3 years ago

    When I duplicate according to your video, I too saved the result to my Desktop (I didn't Code Sign). When I drop a pic onto it (pic is a newer IMG_xxxx.heic), it kicks it away. I don't get an oppotuntity to try a different filter; my pic gets "thrown" to the side of the screen. Ideas?

    3 years ago

    Eric: Sorry, no idea where you could have gone wrong. Make sure you set it up to accept files, etc. Maybe start over.

    Eric Kestler
    3 years ago

    Problem resolved: in your video, you drop an image directly onto the automator app. Stupid_Eric OPENED THE AUTOMATOR APP FIRST, then (tried) dropping the image ONTO THE OPENED APP. That doesn't work.

    All is well now. Thank you!

    Eric
    3 years ago

    I tried following the example but got some nonsense message about a code signing error. As this is a local app why should it need to be code signed??? Any suggestions on how to get past this? (Please don't suggest enrolling in the app developer programme).

    Eric
    3 years ago

    Solved: I had to follow this piece of advice .... "sudo rm -r /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools" ... apparently some compatibility issue.

    Alex
    3 years ago

    When I followed the procedure described in the video, Automator gave me error messages about too little data. I elegantly solved the problem by adding "Ask for Finder Items" before "Copy Finder Items". Now the app works as it should without reporting errors.

    Otherwise thanks Gary for the advice and instructions for a great app. Best regards

    Tim A
    3 years ago

    Nice tutorial and great example of how to use this complex tool.
    Would welcome more like this in the future.
    Thanks

    Thim Fook, Law
    3 years ago

    Thanks for another great video/tip, Gary.

    Rgds.

    :-))

    D
    3 years ago

    I keep getting a "code run" error when I try to save it.. Any clue?

    3 years ago

    D: Just check to make sure you are setting it up exactly the same way I show.

    Paul D.
    2 years ago

    Hi Gary, I have created the automator app on desktop, as per your video. I drag a photo onto it and the automator opens, as yours does. I adjust or choose a filter, then click continue, but the file created on the desktop is just a white box icon, (with file name xxxxxcopy.jpg) and when clicked open is a black background. I have tried installing iit again, same result, rebooting, restarting, etc. Any ideas?

    2 years ago

    Paul: I don't know why you would get that. Maybe try different images and different filters and settings.

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