SAMBUTAN:
Welcome Mac users! In this article, we will discuss an important and frequently-used feature of Macs – taking a screenshot. Whether you need to share information, highlight something or save an image, knowing how to take a screenshot is crucial. So let’s get started and learn how to get a screen shot on Mac.
STEPS:
Step 1: Capture the whole screen
To capture the entire screen, follow these steps:
Press the Command + Shift + 3 keys together. This will capture the entire screen and save the screenshot as a file on your desktop.
Step 2: Capture a particular window
To capture a specific window, follow these steps:
Press the Command + Shift + 4 keys together. This will change the cursor to a crosshair, use it to drag a rectangle around the window you want to capture. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot.
Step 3: Capture a specific portion
To capture a specific part of the screen, follow these steps:
Press the Command + Shift + 4 keys together to get the cursor and drag to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot.
Step 4: Capture the Touch Bar
To capture the touch bar, follow these steps:
Press the Command + Shift + 6 keys together to capture the Touch Bar and save it as a file on the desktop.
Step 5: Change the file format
To change your screenshot file format, follow these steps:
Open the Terminal app and type in “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type” followed by a space. Enter the desired format from the list of options (e.g. png, jpeg, pdf).
Step 6: Use Preview to edit the screenshot
To edit your screenshot using Preview, follow these steps:
Locate the screenshot on your desktop and double-click on it. Click on the markup tools in Preview to modify your screenshot.
Step 7: Use keyboard shortcuts for quick access
To quickly access the screenshot function using keyboard shortcuts:
Go to System Preferences and click on Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots. Tick the boxes next to the options you want to use and customize the keyboard shortcuts as desired.
Step 8: Use Grab for more options
To use Grab, follow these steps:
Open the Grab app via the Utilities folder or Spotlight. From the menu, select Capture > Screen, Window, or Selection mode.
Step 9: Use third-party apps
To use third-party apps, follow these steps:
Download and install a third-party screenshot app like Skitch, Lightshot, or Jing. Open the app and use the instructions provided to capture your desired screenshot.
Step 10: Sync your screenshots with iCloud
To sync your screenshots with iCloud, follow these steps:
Go to System Preferences and click on iCloud. Sign in and tick the box next to “Photos.” Your screenshots will sync automatically with iCloud and be available on all your devices.
Step 11: Use the Grab app for timed screenshots
To take timed screenshots using Grab, follow these steps:
Open Grab and click on Capture > Timed Screen. Set the countdown timer and select the desired capture area. The screenshot will be taken when the timer ends.
Step 12: Use Siri to take a screenshot
To use Siri to take a screenshot, follow these steps:
Activate Siri and say “Take a screenshot.” When prompted, choose the area you want to capture and Siri will take the screenshot for you and save it as a file on your desktop.
EXPLANATION:
Now that we’ve gone through the steps of taking screenshots on a Mac, let’s explore some of the main features and functions in greater detail.
Firstly, when you capture your screen or window, you’ll notice that a thumbnail preview appears in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Click on the preview to open it in Preview, where you can make edits, add text or arrows, or even crop the image.
Additionally, when saving a screenshot, you can choose to save it to a location other than your desktop by pressing Command + Shift + 5 instead of Command + Shift + 3 or 4. This will bring up a screenshot menu where you can choose your desired saving location.
Tips and Tricks:
Tip 1: Use the Option key to adjust size and alignment
Holding down the Option key while taking a screenshot allows you to adjust the size and alignment of your selected area or window.
Tip 2: Use QuickTime to record your screen
Open QuickTime and select File > New Screen Recording. Choose your desired recording options, and click Record when ready.
Tip 3: Use the Preview app to create GIFs
Open the Preview app, select File > New From Clipboard, and then File > Export as GIF to create an animated GIF from your selected screenshot area.
Tip 4: Use keyboard shortcuts for specific functions
Press Command + Control + Shift + 3 to capture the screen and copy it to the clipboard, or Command + Control + Shift + 4 to select a portion of the screen and copy it to the clipboard.
Tip 5: Use Screenshot Plus for even more options
Screenshot Plus is a third-party app that offers a wide range of additional functions, including delay timers, customizable capture regions, and various file format options.
Tip 6: Use the Preview app to combine screenshots
Drag and drop screenshots from your desktop into a Preview window, arrange them as desired, and save the combined image as a new file.
Tip 7: Use the Terminal app to disable the floating thumbnail
Type “defaults write com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail -bool false” into the Terminal app to prevent the screenshot preview thumbnail from appearing on your desktop.
Tip 8: Use the Grab app to take screenshots of menus
Open Grab and select Capture > Timed Screen. Set the timer for 10 seconds, open the menu, and let the timer run out. Grab will take a screenshot of the opened menu.
Tip 9: Use the Grab app to capture the cursor
Open Grab, select Capture > Selection, and choose “Cursor.” This will capture the selected area along with the cursor and highlight it in the captured screenshot.
Tip 10: Use Siri to take a timed screenshot
Activate Siri and say “Take a timed screenshot in 10 seconds.” When prompted, choose the area you want to capture, and Siri will take the screenshot for you and save it as a file on your desktop after the timer ends.
Advantages and Disadvantages of How to Get a Screen Shot on Mac
Knowing how to get a screen shot on your Mac can be highly useful for various reasons. However, there are also some downsides to consider. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of how to get a screen shot on Mac:
Advantages
- Easy and Quick: Getting a screen shot on a Mac is incredibly easy and quick to do. It’s just a matter of pressing a few buttons on your keyboard or using a basic screenshot tool.
- Useful for Demonstrations or Presentations: Screen shots provide an excellent way to visually demonstrate something on your Mac. This is especially useful if you’re giving a presentation or need to explain a process to someone else.
- Helpful for Technical Support: If you’re experiencing issues with your Mac, you can take a screen shot and send it to technical support. This will give them a better idea of what’s going on with your computer.
- Archival Purposes: Screen shots are perfect for archival purposes. You can capture images of websites, documents, or images that you may not be able to access later. This allows you to save important information that you may need later on.
- Convenient for Social Media: Screen shots are convenient for sharing on social media platforms. You can capture anything on your screen and quickly share it with your friends online.
- No Additional Software Required: You don’t need any additional software or apps to take a screen shot on your Mac. The necessary tools are already built into your computer.
- Versatile: There are different types of screen shots you can take on a Mac. You can capture the entire screen, part of the screen, or even a specific window.
- Customizable: You can also customize your screen shot preferences. For instance, you can change the default location where your screen shots are saved or change the file format of the screen shot.
- Saves Paper: If you need to print out something on your computer, you can use a screen shot to save paper. You don’t have to print out the entire webpage or document, just the part that you need.
- Saves Time: Screen shots save time as you don’t have to type out or copy and paste information you need. You can just capture the image and use it later on.
Disadvantages
- Less Interactive: Screen shots are not interactive, which means that they don’t depict the dynamic nature of a website or application. For instance, you can’t capture a video or audio clip using a screen shot.
- Limited Information: Depending on the type of screen shot you take, you may not capture all the information you need. For instance, you may need to scroll down a webpage to see all the details.
- Editing Takes Time: To edit a screen shot, you need to use a photo editing software or tool. This can take time and may not be as convenient as simply copying and pasting text.
- Confidential Information: Screen shots can capture confidential information, which may fall into the wrong hands. For instance, if you’re taking a screen shot of a message containing sensitive information, someone else may see it if you forget to delete the file.
- Storage Space: Screen shots can take up a lot of storage space on your computer. This may become an issue if you take a lot of screen shots or have limited storage space.
- May Not Look Professional: Depending on how you use a screen shot, it may not look as professional as other materials. This may be an issue if you’re giving a presentation or using it in a business setting.
- May Not Capture Dynamic Elements: Screen shots may not capture dynamic elements such as animations or videos on a webpage. This is important to consider if you need to capture those elements for a specific purpose.
- May Not Work on Older Macs: Some older Macs may not have the necessary features to take a screen shot, which may limit your ability to use this function.
- Capturing Difficult Images: It can be challenging to capture certain types of images, such as those in low-light environments or fast-moving videos. This may result in blurry images or poor quality screen shots.
- May Not be Suitable for All Purposes: Screen shots are not suitable for all purposes. For instance, if you need to capture a lot of text, it may be more convenient to simply copy and paste that text instead of taking a screen shot.
Overall, how to get a screen shot on a Mac is a useful feature with both advantages and disadvantages. It’s essential to consider these pros and cons when using screen shots to ensure that they are appropriate for your needs.
FAQ
1. How can I take a screenshot on a Mac?
You can take a screenshot on a Mac by pressing the “Command+Shift+3” keys all at the same time. This will take a screenshot of the entire screen.
2. Can I take a screenshot of only a specific part of my Mac screen?
Yes, you can. Press the “Command+Shift+4” keys, then click and drag the cursor to select the part of the screen you want to capture.
3. Where are my screenshots on a Mac saved?
By default, your screenshots are saved on your desktop. However, you can change the save location by using the “Terminal” app and entering a specific command.
4. How can I take a screenshot of a specific window?
Press the “Command+Shift+4” keys and then press the “Spacebar”. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon and you can click on the window that you want to capture.
5. Is there a way to take a screenshot of a specific menu on my Mac?
Yes, press the “Command+Shift+4” keys and then press the “Control” key. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair and you can click to capture the menu.
6. Can I take a screenshot using a third-party app?
Yes, there are several third-party apps such as Snagit or Lightshot that can help you take screenshots more easily.
7. How can I take a screenshot on a Mac without the sound?
You can mute the sound on your Mac or hold down the “Shift” key while pressing the screenshot shortcut keys.
8. What do I do if my screenshot shortcut keys don’t work?
Try restarting your Mac or checking your keyboard preferences to make sure the shortcut keys are correctly assigned.
9. Can I edit my screenshots on a Mac?
Yes, you can use the “Preview” app to crop, resize, annotate, or add text to your screenshots.
10. How do I take a screenshot of a video playing on my Mac?
You can use third-party apps such as Snagit or Lightshot to take a screenshot of a video while it’s playing.
11. How can I take a screenshot of my entire web page on a Mac?
You can use third-party apps such as Paparazzi or Webpage Screenshot to capture full-length screenshots of web pages.
12. What format are my screenshots saved in by default?
By default, your screenshots are saved in the PNG format. However, you can change the format by using the “Terminal” app and entering a specific command.
13. How do I take a screenshot of the touch bar on my MacBook Pro?
Press the “Command+Shift+6” keys to take a screenshot of the touch bar on your MacBook Pro.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking a screenshot on a Mac is a simple and straightforward process. Whether you want to capture an entire screen or a specific area, there are several methods available to make this possible. You can use the built-in screenshot tools provided by macOS or choose to install a third-party app for more advanced features.
Remember that taking screenshots is not limited to Macs; you can use this feature on other devices as well. This is especially useful for sharing information or troubleshooting issues with others. With the tips and tricks shared above, you can easily take screenshots on your Mac device and use them for various purposes.
Closing
Thank you for reading our article on how to take a screenshot on a Mac. We hope that you found this guide helpful and informative. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would be happy to help you with any further assistance that you may need.
Until next time, happy screenshotting!