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Kalman Tarr

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Mar 24, 2026, 4:28:39 AMMar 24
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Hi pros,

I'd like to solve the following problem.
I write a script which do something.(It doesn't matter what it actually does.) But at the start of the script have to set the Group cue mode paramerter in the Settings window of Qlab app.

A scripit make new group cues at run. But the default group mode in Settings is 'timeline'. It isn't right for me.

I know there are two way to set group mode at Templates.
The first one: open the window manuallly and set the desired  mode.
The second one: you need to write a script.

I wrote a script. It is working good  but I can't avoide to call Settings window. (I do not wanna attach the whole script.)
Well, my question is the next: there is a way to set group mode without having to open Settings window?
Hopefully my question is relevant.
Thanks  in advance to your reply.

Best,
Kalman

Sam Kusnetz

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Mar 24, 2026, 8:25:38 AMMar 24
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It's easier to set the mode of the Group cue after creating it?

make front workspace type "Group"
set newCue to last item of (selected of front workspace as list)
set mode of newCue to start_first


Best
Sam

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Kalman Tarr

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Mar 24, 2026, 11:16:50 AMMar 24
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Thank you Sam! This is an unbelievable never seen for me solution!
What a great job! 
Thanks again!

Sincerely,
Kalman

Kalman Tarr

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Mar 24, 2026, 12:11:39 PMMar 24
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Sam I found a little problem.
 When I choose 'playlist' group mode and want to change the crossfade duration parameter, does not allow setting to less than 3.0 second using script. (3 secs the default value) Manually I can do. In script to set the param  over 3 seconds, it is allowed.
You know, I put video cues in it. Set the duration to 7 secs. The problem stil persist.
Any idea?

Best,
Kalman

Rich Walsh

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Mar 24, 2026, 12:31:10 PMMar 24
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Bug? You can not set the value to below 3 with AppleScript:

tell application id "com.figure53.QLab.5"

tell front workspace

repeat with i from 0 to 50

make type "Group"

set newCue to last item of (selected as list)

set mode of newCue to playlist

set playlist crossfade duration of newCue to i / 10

set actualValue to playlist crossfade duration of newCue

log i / 10 & " > " & actualValue

end repeat

end tell

end tell


Example results:

(*2.8,  > , 3.0*)

(*2.9,  > , 3.0*)

(*3.0,  > , 3.0*)

(*3.1,  > , 3.1*)

(*3.2,  > , 3.2*)


Rich

micpool

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Mar 24, 2026, 1:15:50 PMMar 24
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Unless it's been changed to something else, 

and when you reset it to the default it won't go below 3 again,

and you can't set anything below 1s ever using a script


Mic

Brent Lord

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Mar 24, 2026, 1:38:02 PMMar 24
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Thanks for the exploration on this everyone. The 3.0 minimum duration appears to be related to the internal fades that perform the crossfade out and in fades. Their default duration in a new group is each 3.0, which causes the minimum crossfade duration of the new group to be 3.0.

The Group "Playlist" inspector tab does some additional work when you set the crossfade duration that also updates the fade durations. That logic is missing in the AppleScript handler. I've filed an issue to look at fixing up the `playlist crossfade duration` setter to match the inspector behavior.

Thanks!
Brent

sftechguy

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Mar 25, 2026, 11:32:52 AMMar 25
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A quick bashing at it via OSC seems to have the same issue.

-s

Kalman Tarr

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Mar 26, 2026, 5:01:06 AMMar 26
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Hi All,

Let's leave the 'playlist' group time issue and go back to the basic question. I worked on the solution. I see the following problem. You create some cues (eg: Start cue) using script, set the continue mode to 'start_first'. Select them all and create the 'group' cue. it will include the selected cues. What happens is that it includes the cues but switches the 'contMode' to 'timeline'. This is because the setting in Settings is still 'timeline'. Obviously there is another way, I found it, you have to create the 'group' cue in advance, then move the affected cues to the group.
My question remains, is it possible to change the Templates Group Mode parameter without opening the Settings window? I do not wanna see a flash, when opens and close the Settings Win.
If not, then no.
Don't be offended if I'm being aggressive, but I'm interested in the solution, if there is one.
??? I was thinking have to make 'do shell script'???

Thanks in advance.
Best,
Kalman

Sam Kusnetz

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Mar 26, 2026, 8:27:11 AMMar 26
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Hi Kalman

No. Cue templates are not scriptable. You should create a workspace with cue templates set the way you like before using your script.

You’ve said many times that you are simply using QLab to learn AppleScript, but please remember that nearly all other people who use QLab are using it for what it can do, not for what AppleScript can do to it.

You will always get better help and better advice if you explain your end goal when you ask for help.

Best
Sam

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Kalman Tarr

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Mar 26, 2026, 8:52:53 AMMar 26
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Thank you Sam,

You are great. Many times helped me. 
This is the correct answer. NO. 
I have done the script and I use it. Just a flash from Settings window when I open it do the thing and close it.
I like this way too. 
You know, I'm not familiar with shell script. But I try to learn it in the nearly future.
Best,
Kalman

Sam Kusnetz

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Mar 26, 2026, 9:10:12 AMMar 26
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On Mar 26, 2026 at 8:52:52 AM, Kalman Tarr <tarr....@gmail.com> wrote:
You know, I'm not familiar with shell script. But I try to learn it in the nearly future.

That’s fine, but it has nothing to do with this topic. You cannot use a shell script to adjust cue templates.

Kalman Tarr

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Mar 26, 2026, 9:35:09 AMMar 26
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Sam,
I would like to show you the script I wrote:
This is all. 

# when you are working in a workspace that loaded first after running the app


property theGroupMode : "timeline"

--——————————————————————-

# open Settings Window

tell application "QLab" to activate

tell application "System Events" to if not (exists (1st window whose title contains "Settings")) then keystroke "," using command down


# select 'Templates' row and 'mode' tab and select desired MODE

tell application "System Events" to tell (first application process whose bundle identifier is "com.figure53.QLab.5")

tell (first window whose description contains "settings")

try

tell (first row of table 1 of scroll area 1 whose accessibility description of UI element 1 is "Templates") to select

end try

tell (first button of group 1 of splitter group 1 whose description contains "mode") to click

tell application "System Events" to tell application process "QLab" to tell (first checkbox of group 1 of splitter group 1 of window 1 whose name = space & theGroupMode) to click

end tell

tell button "Done" of window 1 to click

end tell


That is it. Thank you for watching.
Best,
Kalman

Sam Kusnetz

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Mar 26, 2026, 10:37:50 AMMar 26
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Hi Kalman

I’m not sure I understand. This is not shell scripting. Do you have a question, or are you just sharing?

Best
Sam

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Kalman Tarr

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Mar 27, 2026, 2:17:43 AMMar 27
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Hi Sam,

I know it is not a shell script.
I told you, I do not understand shell scripts.
I try to learn and understand them.
Sorry if I wasn't clear.

Best,
Kalman

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