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What would be the quickest way to convert a bunch of pdf files to jpeg files? I know I can open Preview and Save As image, but that could take a long time.

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2 Answers

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Automator as a "Render PDF Pages to Images" action. Under Snow Leopard, there's a wizard that pops up when you run Automator asking you to choose a template. The second template is "Application":

Applications are self-running workflows. Any files or folders dropped onto an Application will be used as input to the workflow.

So:

  • Open Automator
  • Choose "Application"
  • Drag the "Render PDF Pages to Images" action onto the workflow
  • This action produces random filenames, so follow it with "Rename Finder Items" (choose "Make sequential" from the dropdown list
  • Then add a "Move Finder Items" to have the output files moved to the Desktop
  • Save your new application somewhere
  • Drag files onto it
  • Enjoy.
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Hmm...I tried it, but where does the output file go? I don't see anything. – RdSchull Dec 28 '09 at 5:19
The help text for the action (lower-left corner of Automator) has a note saying that the output files are randomly named - "this action is often followed by the Rename Finder Items -> Make Sequential" action. I did that, and added a "Move finder items" to move them to the Desktop as well. Sorry for being unclear - I've added these steps into the list of actions. – James Polley Dec 28 '09 at 5:56
This doesn't seem to work for me... I launch the app and it just hangs and does nothing. – Joe Nov 2 '11 at 12:45
@joe - That's correct. You're not meant to launch the workflow, you just drag-and-drop the files onto the icon – James Polley Dec 12 '11 at 0:00
How would you make it save the file in place, instead of to a specified folder such as the desktop? – Ryan Heneise May 25 '12 at 15:35
up vote 0 down vote

How about pdf2jpg?

PDF2JPG is a droplet based application for converting any number of files you drop on it into either JPG or PNG format, also allows you to select compression level when converting to JPG. This application requires that you have the ImageMagick libraries installed from Fink. Information on installing ImageMagick and, if needed, Fink as well.

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protected by Community♦ Jul 28 '11 at 1:54

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