Print screen button on a MacBook. Screenshot on a MacBook: do it quickly and correctly
Screenshot (aka screenshot) is a fairly popular feature among both Mac OS X and Windows users. Sometimes, instead of copying, it's easier to take a screenshot of an interesting, useful or necessary information, which will be saved as an image. The housewife takes a photo of the screen with the ingredients of the recipe, the reviewer creates a selection of screenshots depicting games and programs, and the speaker on stage uses screenshots during the presentation.
Today I'll show you how to take a screenshot in MacBook Air. Previously, what is described below was stored in Notes, now I decided to post it here, maybe someone will need it. The methods we will discuss are used not only in MacBook Air, but also in other MacBook models and iMac.
When I encountered the Mac OS operating system for the first time, I realized that Windows environment Screenshots can be taken faster by pressing one button Print Screen(PrtScr). On Macs, there are more buttons to press to take screenshots, but there are shooting options for every taste. Keep a list of hotkeys using Mac OS High Sierra as an example:
Screenshots with auto-saving to the MacBook Air desktop
If it’s more convenient for you to first take a bunch of screenshots and then edit them, then the following key combinations are just right:
- Cmd+Shift+3 – screenshot of everything MacBook screen Air
- Cmd+Shift+4 – screenshot of the required selected area
- Cmd+Shift+4+Space – screenshot of the selected window or menu
- Cmd+Shift+6 – combination only for MacBooks with touch panel Touch Bar
By applying this key combination, a file in PNG format, with the title "Screenshot-Date-Time". Moreover, the contents of the screenshot will differ from screenshots made in other ways (which we will consider below), since here, when taking a picture of a window or menu, the shadow will be saturated and there will be a full stroke.
If you just switched from Windows and are experiencing discomfort in Mac OS, then try running -, which will be more convenient to work with.
Screenshot to MacBook Air clipboard
MacBook Air, like any other Mac, allows you to take a screenshot, while saving it not to the desktop, but to the clipboard (i.e. temporary memory). This method of capturing screen content is convenient for those who immediately after the screen insert (cmd+v) an image from memory into the editor. The advantage of this method is that you do not need to delete stacks of screen files from the screen after the work is certified. If you find this method more attractive, then use the following hotkeys:
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+3 – snapshot of the entire screen
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4 – snapshot of the selected area
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4+Space – snapshot of the selected window or menu
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+6 – snapshot for MacBooks with Touch Bar
Here, when capturing windows using the clipboard, the shadows will be more transparent and the window's outline will be partial.
If your line of work requires you to take a lot (and often) of screenshots on a MacBook, then you can try out advanced secret settings that can help optimize the process even more. I didn’t repost from someone else’s blog, I’ll just share the link.
Standard program Screenshot
In the arsenal of any standard Mac OS package there is a program - Screenshot. Of course, if you decide to use it, you will need to make additional body movements. It can be used probably only in three cases:
- It's just more convenient than pressing a bunch of buttons
- If, when taking a screenshot of a window or menu, shadows and strokes are unnecessary.
- To take a delayed photo. This option helped to display a pressed button or the selection of a menu item, which could not be done with screenshots using hotkeys.
In the operating room Mac system OS program Screenshot is here:
- Click on Launchpad in the bottom dock (rocket icon)
- Select the folder - Others
- Click – Screenshot (scissors icon)
You can also find this program using the magnifying glass located in the upper right corner near the clock. Click on the magnifying glass, write in the line that appears: “Screenshot” and click on the program that appears in the search results.
Screenshot app on MacBook Air
How to use the program Screenshot is shown in the picture above: go to the Screenshot section and select required action in the context menu.
Similar context menu can be called by pressing right button, on this icon running program, in the lower dock. There are shortened hotkeys here, but they only work in active mode Screenshot. After taking a screenshot, you will be prompted to save the image, and you can select the location and image format.
Exist third party programs to take screenshots on a MacBook, but I didn’t use them, since the methods described above are quite satisfactory.
You can take a screenshot on Mac standard means systems. None additional applications no need to install. Now I will tell you how to take photos and video screenshots using an example macOS Mojave.
Basic keyboard shortcuts
Cmd Shift 3 - take a screenshot of the entire screen and save it to the Desktop;
Cmd Shift 4 - select an area of the screen, take a picture of it and save it to the Desktop;
Cmd Shift 4 then spacebar - makes it possible to select a specific window, take a picture of it and save it to the Desktop;
Cmd Shift 5 - will bring up a small menu where you can clearly see all the capabilities of the built-in screenshot. From here you can record a video demonstration of the screen;
All these combinations can also be used with Ctrl key. In this case, instead of saving to the Desktop, the picture will be immediately saved to the clipboard.
All screenshots are saved on the Desktop
Modifier keys
macOS provides a number of modifier keys that you can use when selecting a capture area. To use a modifier, you need to hold down the corresponding key.
- space - fixes the size of the selected area, and when moving;
the pointer moves the entire selected area instead of changing its size; - Shift - allows you to change only one of the sizes of the selected area;
- Option - the area will change size symmetrically to the selected center.
How to choose a screenshot format
By default macOS stores screenshots in PNG format. But you can change this format to any other.
To save screenshots as JPG, run the following commands in Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
killall SystemUIServer
In addition to JPG and PNG, macOS also supports: tiff, pdf, bmp and pict.
How to remove a shadow from a screenshot
By default, all screenshots are obtained with a small shadow along the entire outline. You can remove the shadow with the following commands:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true
killall SystemUIServer
Bring the shadow back:
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow
killall SystemUIServer
Screenshot taken with and without shadow Mac Screenshot Locations
By default, screenshots are saved to the Desktop, which quickly creates a mess and is not suitable for those who follow the principles.
It's best to create a separate folder for them:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures
killall SystemUIServer
Where ~/Pictures is the path to the new folder.
Return screenshots back to the desktop:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop
killall SystemUIServer
How to optimize screenshots
If you are going to publish screenshots somewhere on a blog or forum, then it is better to optimize their size before publishing. This way they will load faster.
For PNG optimization use . And for JPG - .
Users who have had a MacBook for several months now probably know how to take a photo of the screen, and various methods. But if you are not one of them, then this article is just for you. You can take a screenshot different methods, however, the simplest are hotkey combinations.
Hotkeys
To confirm the words, let’s take a closer look at the question of how to create a screenshot using this method. Hotkeys help you take a screen (print screen):
- Command + Shift + 3 – create photo full screen on a MacBook (the screenshot is saved to the “Desktop”);
- Command + Shift + 4 – with this combination you can take a photo of the screen in a certain area previously selected by you;
- Command + Shift + 4, followed by Space – makes it possible to take a photo of a specific window (the screen is still saved on the “Desktop”).
If you do these combinations while holding “Ctrl”, then the print screenshot will appear on the clipboard.
Screenshots of the display on a MacBook can be made even easier. Consider the case for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). By holding down the “Option” button, the area from which you will take a screenshot will be able to increase/decrease in accordance with the center point. Shift will help you change a certain size of the area of the screen that you are going to photograph. But the spacebar helps to fix the manually specified screen size. This method of taking a screenshot on a MacBook is the simplest and only requires memorizing combinations.
Screenshot Plus
Taking a screenshot is very easy, given the ability to instantly capture the screen. However, remembering all the keyboard shortcuts is difficult and not always necessary. The screen can also be photographed using various widgets. For example, “Screenshot Plus”. What is the advantage of this application?
Users have the opportunity to take a full-length screenshot with one finger movement. It is also possible to take a screenshot with a delay, which, of course, is not necessary for everyone, but is a convenient addition. You can shoot not only the entire screen, but also separate windows programs. These images are automatically cropped from the background and are rounded top corners programs remain the same.
You can also create a snapshot of the selected part of the display, as can be done using hot keys. The program allows you to take pictures of widgets and other things that please the user. It is universal and will make your work easier.
Bottom line
The ability to remove the screen or part of it is simply necessary, because screenshots are needed in various parts of the Internet. You may need to take a screenshot on your MacBook to restore the page to social network“VKontakte”, etc. And the ability to do this is useful for any user.
Improving skills and abilities to use a gadget is an important part contemporary development. After all modern world filled with new technologies. You just need to know such banal skills for intellectual development. By the way, this will not take much energy or peace from you.
It is worth recalling that similar application not unique, and there are many similar ones. On the Internet you can find widgets that are responsible for certain processes, and are aimed at the functions you need. Take the time to browse around and find the perfect app for you, or better yet, try several.
Many people get confused and don’t know how to take a screenshot on a MacBook because there is no classic Print Screen button. Although in reality everything is very simple.
There are several ways to do this, no matter what you are using: Mac Pro, MacBook or iMac. The main thing is that the device has an original Apple keyboard.
How to take a screenshot of the entire screen on a MacBook?
Before taking a screenshot on a MacBook , you need to find the “Command” key, since all manipulations will go through it. Now we clamp command key, and with it Shift and the number 3.
Will sound characteristic sound signal, after which the screen will be saved on the desktop.
Only one active desktop is recorded.
How to take a screenshot of part of the screen on a MacBook?
You can take a snapshot of not the entire screen, but only part of it. See how to take a screenshot of a separate part of the screen on a MacBook. To do this, you need to hold down the “Command” key, simultaneously with Shift and the number 4. At this moment, instead of the cursor, a cross and coordinates will appear.
Now, using the touchpad or mouse, you need to mark the area that needs to be photographed.
As soon as the mouse button is released, the image will be saved on the desktop.
Screenshot of a specific window
You can take a snapshot of a specific window without necessarily selecting it. To find out how to make a print screen of a specific window on a MacBook, you need to hold down the same key combination as in previous method, but after that press “Space”.
An image of the camera will appear, after which you just need to select the required window and click left button mice.
Among other things, you can send a picture not just to the desktop, but to the “Clipboard”; to do this, you need to add the “Control” key to all of the above combinations. This is suitable for both a screenshot of the entire screen and a specific part.
In addition to the methods of how to take a screenshot on a MacBook using the built-in function, this can be done using the Grab Utility program.
In order to take a screenshot, you need to select the “Snapshot” menu, and then click on the required item based on what kind of snapshot you need. After the screen is taken, you will receive a notification, after which you can open it, view it and save it to the desired location.
1,889 Tags:Often, while working at the computer, moments arise that you would like to capture, that is, photograph the screen. Some people take this phrase seriously and simply take a photo of the desired fragment on their phone. This is not a solution, because the result is a low-quality image. In addition, the situation is significantly complicated by the absence of a Print Screen button on Mac computers. Then how to take a screenshot on a MacBook?
In fact, there are many in various ways create an image of the selected fragment on the computer. In addition, you can take a photo of the entire screen or a specific part of it.
Standard MacBook features (Key combination)
This method is the simplest. After all, in order to create a photo of the entire desktop, just press Shift + Command + 3.
And if you need some fragment, then you should press Shift + Command + 4.
Then drag the mouse cursor over the desired area and select it. Release the mouse, thereby saving a snapshot of the selected object on your desktop, again in PNG format.
Photo of a window on a MacBook.
You need to hold down the combination Shift keys+ Command + 4. And then – the Space key.
Your mouse cursor will change to a camera. Drag to desired window. It will automatically highlight, so you don't need any additional actions. Just click on the window with your mouse.
Thus, a photo of the selected window will appear on the desktop.
Programs for taking screenshots mac os
If you don't feel like remembering key combinations, that is special utility. By the way, it is installed on your computer.
Go to the "Programs" folder and then " System programs" Find this product and run it. In the panel, find the "Snapshot" menu.
ScreenShoot Plus Widget
A simple application that allows you to create a photo without much effort the desired fragment. You can download it for free at this address: https://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/business/screenshotplus.html.
After installation you will have such a widget. There are buttons on it that allow you to:
Choose the desired function and take a photo. After this, select a save location for the object.
Monosnap program
Download a convenient utility from the official website https://monosnap.com/welcome. Open a store. Click on the “Install” button. Enter your details.
Once it is installed, open it. The following icon will appear at the top.
In order to capture the screen, click on the icon and then “Take a screenshot of a selected part” or “Take a screenshot of the entire screen”. It all depends on what you need at a particular moment.
The photo is ready. And again in PNG format.
Skitch program
This universal utility, which allows you not only to create a screenshot, but also to edit it a little. You can download it from this site: https://itunes.apple.com/ua/app/skitch-snap.-mark-up.-share./id425955336?mt=12.
Install the utility and open it. Enter your details to register. An icon for this program will appear at the top. But you can create an image using the following keys:
Then you go to the editor of this utility. Here you can do whatever you want: draw something, add a shadow, edit color correction, add text, and so on.
After all changes made just save the image. In addition, you can send it to the Internet directly from this utility.
LittleSnapper
This utility is paid, but you can install a demo version. You can download it here: http://freesoft.ru/littlesnapper. Install it and open it. It has many various functions, which allows you to improve the image.
This utility makes it very easy to take a screenshot. Again, the key combinations are used:
After this, the photo will be uploaded to this utility. There you can edit it as you wish. In addition, it is possible to save images in various formats.