Resizing images is something you need to do at some stage during a day at the computer, no matter what working field you’re in. There are many different applications you can use to resize images, but nothing beats using Automator, an application bundled with OSX.

Why is Automator so great? Because it allows you to install a plugin, meaning when you right click on a file in the Finder, you are presented with a contextual menu, leaving you one click away from resizing an image.

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The first step is to open Automator. Once it’s open, click on “Preview”, and drag the “Scale Images” action to the main window.

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When you drag the workflow into Automator it will create two actions. You only want the first action in your workflow, so click the little close button in the top right hand corner of the first action to remove it.

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Now click File, Save As Plug In.

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Type in a name for your plugin. It’s important you use something that is descriptive for what you will be using it for, as this is what appears in the Finders Automator menu.

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Time to resize your image/s. Click on a single image or highlight a bunch, right click, then move the mouse down to Automator, and click on the plugin you just made. Automator will automatically run in the background, and resize your images for you.

Creating an installing plug-ins for various websites and blogs I write for has been a huge time saver, now when I was to resize a bunch of images I’m one click away.