[dvd::rip] automation code... can anyone help?

All,

I'm trying to automate a minimal sequence of predefined actions to take a DVD (or DVD HDD image/copy) from start to finish (ie do everything needed hands-off!)

I've so far got code to do the following (I can share it if you need to see it):

1 - look for the existance of an 'automation' file (i called it ~/.dvdripauto )

2 - load from that file a set of commands to execute within the application.

3 - schedule each of these commands to occur in-order during the Gtk->Idle handler, so the GUI is as responsive as possible, even when 'automation' tasks are happening

What I need help with is: what code that I should be executing to make a specific task occur (note: i'm not a Gtk or dvd::rip guru, by any stretch, but I do program perl for a living)

here's the automation tasks I've got working:

file->open project [projectname] => $self->open_project_file(filename => "/myproject/defaults.rip");
"Rip title"->"Read DVD table of Contents" => $self->get_context->get_object("toc_gui")->read_dvd_toc();

here's some of the others I think a minimal automated process requires - this is where I need help!
         clip_and_zoom -> "grab frame" [number]               => ??
          clip_and_zoom -> apply_preset_values                => ??
          transcode ->"transcode"                                    => ??

and some more that might be wanted later...????
rip_selected_title_chapter # assuming it's not already ripped

select_audio_chan_to_rip #defaults to first currently
select_title_chapter['2'] #auto selects largest as part of read_dvd_toc now!

select_video_codec['ffmpeg']

Can you help me?

Buzz.