[MacPerl] floating point params with Mac::AppleEvents::Simple

[Bill Birkett <wbirkett@pcolor.com>]

I'm trying to script Photoshop with MacPerl, via Mac::AppleEvents::Simple. (I'm using the PhotoScripter plug-in to make Photoshop scriptable).

I need to send parameters which are 'doub' and 'long' types.

Here is what I tried:

> # apply Photoshop unsharp masking filter
> # usage: applyPSusm($dobj, $radius, $amount, $threshold);
> sub applyPSusm {
> # get the parameters
> my ($dobj, $radius, $amount, $threshold) = @_;
> # build the parameter string
> my $param = "'----':$dobj, " .
> "'^Typ':type(fUnM), prdt:{Rds :doub(@\), Amnt:long(\@), Thsh:long(\@)}";
> # send the Apple Event
> do_event(qw/Indy kFlt 8BIM/, $param, $radius, $amount, $threshold);
> }
This almost works, but puts wacky values in the AppleEvent (when viewed with CaptureAE).

For example, with $radius=2, $amount=100, $threshold=10, here is the AppleEvent:

> Process("Adobe® Photoshop® 5.5").SendAE "Indy,kFlt,'----':obj {want:type(docu), from:'null'(), form:ID  , seld:1045}, '^Typ':type(fUnM), prdt:{Rds :0, Amnt:3, Thsh:46922336}}4"
The following works fine when the parameters are integer values:

> # apply Photoshop unsharp masking filter
> # usage: applyPSusm($dobj, $radius, $amount, $threshold);
> sub applyPSusm {
> # get the parameters
> my ($dobj, $radius, $amount, $threshold) = @_;
> # build the parameter string
> my $param = "'----':$dobj, " .
> "'^Typ':type(fUnM), prdt:{Rds :$radius, Amnt:$amount, Thsh:$threshold}";
> # send the Apple Event
> do_event(qw/Indy kFlt 8BIM/, $param);
> }
However, I need $radius to be floating point, which causes the above routine to fail.

Any suggestions on how to do this properly?

-Bill

---------- 
William B. Birkett
Precision Color, Inc.
9200 General Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170 (USA)

Phone:  (734) 459-5640     Direct: (734) 414-3608
Cell:   (734) 516-4790     FAX:    (734) 459-4210