Set desktop picture without the Finder

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
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#1

I’m looking for a way to set the desktop picture without having the Finder running. Is there a UNIX command that can be used to directly do this - bypassing the Finder?

TIA
Jeff

#2

Well, if you don’t mind System Events for this, Jeff, there’s always something like:


set p to POSIX path of (choose file of type "public.image" without invisibles) (* or hard-code a POSIX path *)

tell application "System Events" to set value of property list item "ImageFilePath" of property list items of property list item "Background" of property list file ((path to preferences as Unicode text) & "com.apple.desktop.plist") to p
#3

Thanks Kai, however I think that snippet might apply only to Tiger. Might there be a similar way to do this in Panther? As well, can I update the image without the Finder being involved?

Jeff