Print Screen is a very handy tool available in every
operating system. It allows users to obtain an
image of the screen as they see it. In order to achieve this, the various operating systems (such as Windows, Mac and Linux) use have specific keys, or a combination of keys.
Screen capturing software can be downloaded from the internet too. The images can then be used for a variety of purposes. One of the most common uses of the
Print Screen function is to share error messages in order to diagnose errors. They can also be used for
printing or for editing, using the appropriate
image editing software.
Print Screen/Screen Capture (Windows, Mac OS X and Unix/Linux)
The article describes the use of the Print Screen or Screen Capture function on various platforms.
It describes the Print Screen function, which is used to capture the display currently on the monitor. It shows this function for Windows, Mac OS X and UNIX and Linux, and describes how a screenshot can be copied to a clipboard or printed directly. There are certain requirements for making changes to the screenshot which are described here. Though the Windows Paint application is often used for this, you can also opt for the Adobe Photoshop for further enhancement and modifications.
What is Print Screen?
The Print Screen/Screenshot/Screen Capture function is used to capture the current display on your
monitor/screen and either copy it to your computer clipboard or send it directly to the
printer.
Requirements: To make changes to the screenshot, you will need a graphic editing program that is able to display the screen capture. Windows Paint is commonly used for this, but if you want a more advanced programme which can make further modifications, you can also try Adobe's Photoshop or similar software. You should have sufficient RAM memory to be able to send the screen print to the clipboard.
How to use Print Screen (Windows)
The command key is usually found on the keyboard and labelled as Print Screen, Prt Scr, Print Scrn, Prt Snc, Prt Sc or Prnt Scrn. By default, this key is found in the upper right corner of the keyboard, next to the Scroll Lock and Pause Break keys.
- 1. Once the screen you want to capture is displayed, press the "Print Screen" key once.
- 2. Open your graphic editing programme.
- 3. Either use the command Ctrl+V to paste the screen capture, or use the programmes options to paste it in the provided space.
Depending on the screenshot that you have taken, a screen print of your desktop could look like this:
How to use Print Screen (Mac OS X)
Make a screen capture with a Mac OS X is different from Windows because the keyboard is different. On Mac OS X, you can take a screenshot of an entire screen by pressing Command Shift 3 or Command Shift 4. On Microsoft Windows, pressing "Print Screen" captures a screenshot of the entire desktop.
- 1. Press and hold the Apple key+Shift+4.
- 2. Once you release the keys, your mouse cursor should have changed to a + symbol
- 3. If this is the case, press the space bar once to turn the + symbol to a camera icon.
- 4. You can now use this camera to choose what you want to capture by mouse clicking once on the desired section of the screen.
- 5. The picture file will automatically save on your desktop.
- 6. You can now make all the desired changes in your graphic editing programme (crop, change the size, colour, add text and graphics etc).
Depending on the screenshot that you have taken, a screen print of your desktop could look like this:
How to use Print Screen (Unix/Linux)
For Linux/Unix, choosing the Print Screen option will capture the whole screen, while pressing Print Screen+Alt will capture the section of the screen where the mouse is pointing. If you press the Print Screen key, the Save Screenshot dialogue will appear.
- 1. From the Menu bar, select Applications, then Accessories, then Take Screenshot.
- 2. The Save Screenshot dialogue will then appear. You can now choose which section of the screen you want to capture.
Depending on the screenshot that you have taken, a screen print of your desktop could look like this:
Screen capture software
There are some quick and effective programmes that allow you to capture and edit your print screens. They have the major advantage of facilitating screen capture that requires scrolling down. Some of these programmes are available through the following links:
- Quick Screen Capture
- Screen Hunter
- Hyperionics
- Please check Kioskea's download section for more software:
Published by
jak58 -
Last update on February 28, 2012 02:49 PM by EloiseHorsfield
