If you want to capture a funny chat conversation, show someone an error message on your computer, share instructions on how to complete a task, or even contribute to a wikiHow, screenshots are the ideal solution. With screenshots, you can show others what appears on your computer screen. Taking screenshots on Mac OS X is pretty easy. There are a variety of simple ways to take the picture you need.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Taking a Screenshot of Partial Screen
Step 1. Press Command+⇧ Shift+4
Your cursor will turn into a box framed by very thin lines.
Step 2. Click and drag your cursor to highlight the area you want to snap
A gray box will appear and follow the movement of your cursor. If you need to adjust your window, press Esc to return to the regular cursor without taking a picture.
Step 3. Release the mouse
If the sound on your computer is on, it should sound like a "click" like a camera snap. This is a sign that a screenshot has been taken.
Step 4. Find your screenshot on the desktop
The file will be saved in a-p.webp
Older versions of OS X will save it with the name "Picture [number umpteenth]"--for example, if it's the fifth screenshot you've taken, a file named "Picture 5" will appear on your desktop
Step 5. Use the screenshot
Once taken, the image is ready for you to use as needed. You can include it in an email, upload it to a site, or even drag it directly into an application such as a word processor.
Method 2 of 7: Taking a Screenshot of the Whole Screen
Step 1. Make sure the screen shows what you want to snap
Make sure all relevant windows are visible.
Step 2. Press Command+⇧ Shift+3
If your voice is turned on, your computer will produce a fast camera snapping sound.
Step 3. Find your screenshot on the desktop
The file will be saved in a-p.webp
Older versions of OS X will save it as "Picture [number umpteenth]"--for example, if it's the fifth screenshot you've taken, a file named "Picture 5" will appear on your desktop
Method 3 of 7: Saving Screenshot on Clipboard
Step 1. Press Command+Control+⇧ Shift+3
This method works exactly like the 2nd method, only that screenshot--once you take--doesn't create a file right away. Instead of the image file appearing on the desktop, the screenshot will be saved in the clipboard, a temporary storage area, where your computer remembers the text you've copied.
You can also take a screenshot of a portion of the screen this way. Press Command+Control+⇧ Shift+4 and drag the square over the part of the screen you want to snap, just like the first method
Step 2. Press Command+V or menu Edit > Paste to copy your image
The screenshots will overlap directly in any appropriate application, such as Word documents, image-editing applications, and various e-mail services.
Method 4 of 7: Taking Screenshots of Opened Windows
Step 1. Press Command+Shift+4 and hit Spacebar
The box framed by a thin line will turn into a small camera. You can press Spacebar again to return to the box.
Step 2. Move the cursor over the window you want to snap
The camera will highlight the window in blue when hovering over it. You can use keyboard commands such as Command+Tab to move to other windows while you are in this mode.
Step 3. Click the window you want to snap
The image of the window will be saved on the desktop in the same format and file name as other screenshots.
Method 5 of 7: How to Grab Utility
Step 1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Grab
The Grab app will open. You'll see a menu in the top-left corner of your screen, but no new windows will open.
Step 2. Click the Capture menu then choose between four different options
- To take a picture of your entire screen, click Screen (or use the Apple Key + Z keyboard command). A window will appear telling you where to click and telling you that it won't be included.
- To take a partial picture of your screen, click Selection. A window will appear instructing you to drag your mouse to the part of the screen you want to take a picture of.
- To take a picture of a specific window, select Window. Then, click on the window you want to take a picture of.
Step 3. When the new window opens, select Save
You can also select Save As to give it a different name and/or move it to a more suitable location, but be aware that it can only be saved as a.tiff file. This file will also not be saved automatically.
Method 6 of 7: Changing the Default Location for File Storage
Step 1. Create a new folder
Do so in the Finder by visiting the File > New Folder section.
Step 2. Name the folder
Do this by clicking once on the "untitled folder." Enter the name you want, such as "Screenshots".
Step 3. Open the terminal screen
This can be found in the Finder, under the Utilities menu.
Step 4. In the command section, copy defaults write com.apple.screencapture location, make sure you use a space after the word location
Don't click Return.
Step 5. Bring the folder you want to the terminal window
This will add the new screenshot destination to the command line.
Step 6. Click Return
A new command line will appear.
Step 7. Copy killall SystemUIServer into command line and press Return
This will reset the terminal, so your changes will take effect immediately.
Step 8. Be careful that you don't delete the folder
If not, you'll have to create it again or repeat this process to be able to set the new default location as a screenshot storage location.
Method 7 of 7: Additional Ways
Step 1. Use Skitch
Skitch lets you edit your screenshots and upload them to the internet.
Step 2. Monosnap is a great screenshot tool
Take a screenshot, add additional info, and upload it to the Cloud, save it or open it again with another r external editor.
Step 3. Use Jing
Similar to Skitch, Jing lets you take screenshots and upload them immediately to the internet. You can also use it to make video recordings from your computer screen.
Tips
- The files from the screen-capture tool are saved on the desktop in-p.webp" />Changing the Default Location for File Storage.
- Users more experienced with the Terminal app on Mac OS X Lion can also use the "screen-capture" command to take a screenshot via the command line.
- A longer alternative is available in the Mac OS X Lion Preview app. The screenshot option appears in the File menu, similar to the options available in keyboard shortcut commands.
Warning
- Uploading screenshots that include copyrighted information can have legal repercussions. Make sure you have the right to snap any information that appears on your computer screen.
- When taking screenshots that you will share with others or upload to the internet, make sure that no personal or confidential information is captured in the images.
