How to Screenshot on Mac and Crop: 13 Tips

How to Screenshot on Mac and Crop: 13 Tips

Blog (English) admin 0

How to Screenshot on Mac

How to take a screenshot on Mac? As a Mac user, taking a screenshot is a quick and easy way to capture an image of your screen. There are several methods available, and each one is suited to a particular use case. Here’s a rundown of the most common ways to take a screenshot on Mac.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

The easiest and fastest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is by using keyboard shortcuts. Here are the keyboard shortcuts that you can use:

  • To take a screenshot of the entire screen, press Command + Shift + 3.
  • To take a screenshot of a specific area, press Command + Shift + 4.
  • To take a screenshot of a specific window, press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar and click the window.

Using the Screenshot Tool

Another way to take a screenshot on a Mac is by using the built-in Screenshot tool. Here’s how you can use it:

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot tool.
  2. Choose the type of screenshot you want to take. You can select one of the following options:
    • Capture Entire Screen
    • Capture Selected Window
    • Capture Selected Portion
    • Record Entire Screen
    • Record Selected Portion
  3. If you want to adjust the settings, such as the save location or timer, click the Options button.
  4. Click the Capture button to take the screenshot.

Using Third-Party Apps

If you need more advanced features or want to annotate your screenshots, you can use third-party apps. Here are some popular apps that you can use:

  • Snagit
  • Skitch
  • Lightshot
  • Monosnap

Each app has its own unique features and benefits, so you’ll need to choose the one that best suits your needs.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac

Once you’ve taken a screenshot on your Mac, you may want to crop it to remove unwanted areas or focus on a specific part of the image. Here’s how you can crop a screenshot on Mac:

Using Preview

Preview is a built-in app on Mac that allows you to view and edit images. Here’s how you can crop a screenshot using Preview:

  1. Open the screenshot in Preview.
  2. Click the Crop button in the toolbar.
  3. Drag the handles of the crop box to select the area you want to keep.
  4. Click the Crop button again to crop the image.

Using Third-Party Apps

If you need more advanced cropping features, you can use third-party apps. Here are some popular apps that you can use:

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Pixelmator
  • GIMP

Each app has its own unique features and benefits, so you’ll need to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Tips for Taking Screenshots on Mac

Taking screenshots on Mac is easy, but there are a few tips that can help you get the best results. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts is the fastest and easiest way to take a screenshot on Mac. Make sure you memorize the keyboard shortcuts so that you can quickly take a screenshot when you need to.

2. Check Your File Type and Format

By default, screenshots are saved in PNG format. If you want to change the file type or format, you can do so in the Screenshot tool or in your Mac’s settings.

3. Use Third-Party Apps for Advanced Features

If you need more advanced features, such as annotation or image editing, you can use third-party apps to get the job done.

4. Consider Using a Timer

If you need to take a screenshot of a menu or a pop-up window, using a timer can help you capture the image without the menu or window disappearing. You can set the timer in the Screenshot tool or use a third-party app that has a timer feature.

5. Clean Up Your Desktop

Before taking a screenshot, make sure your desktop is clean and free of clutter. This will make it easier to focus on the area you want to capture and create a more professional-looking screenshot.

6. Adjust the Zoom Level

If you want to capture an image that’s too small to see clearly, you can adjust the zoom level in the Screenshot tool or using a third-party app. This will make the image larger and easier to see.

7. Use Multiple Screenshots

If you need to capture a long web page or document, consider taking multiple screenshots and stitching them together using a third-party app. This will ensure that you capture the entire image without losing any details.

8. Use Shortcut Keys to Open Preview

To quickly open a screenshot in Preview, you can use the shortcut keys Command + Shift + A. This will open the screenshot in Preview, where you can crop, resize, or annotate the image.

Tips for Cropping Screenshots on Mac

Cropping a screenshot is a simple process, but there are a few tips that can help you get the best results. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use Gridlines

In Preview, you can enable gridlines to help you align your crop box. This will ensure that your crop is straight and centered.

2. Consider Aspect Ratio

When cropping an image, consider the aspect ratio of the final image. If you want to maintain the aspect ratio, hold down the Shift key while dragging the crop box.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Preview has several keyboard shortcuts that can make cropping easier and faster. For example, you can use the Command + K shortcut to crop the image without opening the Crop tool.

4. Save a Copy

Before cropping an image, consider saving a copy of the original file. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally overwrite the original image.

5. Use Third-Party Apps for Advanced Features

If you need more advanced features, such as perspective correction or object removal, you can use third-party apps to get the job done.

Conclusion

Taking screenshots and cropping images on Mac is easy and straightforward. Whether you’re using keyboard shortcuts or third-party apps, there are several ways to get the job done. By following the tips and tricks outlined above, you can take professional-looking screenshots and crop images like a pro. So next time you need to capture an image on your Mac, use these techniques to get the best results.