(Note, these instructions are written for internet novices.)
Most operating systems provide some kind of screenshot tool. Here's how on Windows.
In Windows 7 (and I guess Windows 10 too) go to Start > All Programs > Accessories. Right-click on Snipping Tool and choose either Send to Desktop (puts a shortcut button on your desktop) or Pin to Taskbar (puts the button on the taskbar) or Pin to Start Menu (puts the button on the Start menu).
Click on whichever one you decided to use, to open it.
The screen will get a little bit gray, and you'll see a very small window, and plus sign (or crosshair) where the mouse pointer is.
Put the plus sign/mouse pointer at one corner of the area you want to make a screenshot of.
Press the mouse button and hold it down while you drag the mouse.
You can see it's drawing a rectangle around the area.
When you stop dragging, you just finished making the screenshot.
If you messed up and you want to redo it, click the New button which is in that small window.
When you have the screenshot like you want, click the Save button.
Choose the place where you want to save the screenshot. Type the name you want for it, and click the Save button.
Here's how to make a screenshot on any kind of computer
Make sure that the contents which you want to make a screenshot of, are showing on the screen.
Press the PrtScr key. This puts a copy of the entire screen on your clipboard. (The clipboard is invisible.) (In Windows 10, Alt + PrtScr copies the active window only and saves it to OneDrive folder.) (Mac users don't have a PrtScr key, instead they can use Shift + Cmd + F5. Or more info here for Mac users.)
Open Inkscape or some other graphics program.
Edit menu > Paste, or if you can't find anything like that, try pressing Ctrl + v (which is the key shortcut for Paste).
If you know the program well enough, you can crop the image before you save it.
If you don't know how, just find File menu > Save As, or Export As. If you're using Inkscape, File menu > Export PNG Image.
Choose the place where you want to store the image, and give it a name.
Click the last button, which would be Save or Export, or maybe OK or Apply, to finish. Now the image is saved in your file manager.
The next messages tells you how to put the image in a message.
There are 3 ways you can show us the file or image.
1 - Attach it to your next message.
When you have the message editor open, look just below the message box for a small paper clip icon, and click it. Then you'll see a field (empty box where you can type something) with a blue Upload File button on the right end of it. Click the blue Upload File button, and you probably recognize what to do from there. If you don't know, here's what to do:
This is your file manager. You need to browse to the place where you just saved your new screenshot. Or if it's not a screenshot, but an SVG (or other type of) file that you need to attach, browse to that.
Click on the image or file which you want to attach, to highlight it.
At the bottom of the file manager page, often bottom-right, there will be a Save, or maybe Open or OK, or maybe Apply button. Click on that.
Now you will be back in the forum message editor. And you will see the file name of your image listed below the message box. To the right of the file name is a 2 sided button. The right side, a red trash can, is Delete.
The left side is a toggle, which switches between a black and white piece of paper icon and a blue icon that looks like a picture. If you want the image to show in your message, make sure the blue picture icon is showing.
The only time you probably want to use the piece of paper icon, is if you are attaching an SVG file for us to examine. But you're welcome to have the SVG image displayed as well, if you like. We can download it either way.
When everything is how you want it, click Submit Comment or Submit Topic button.
Once the page refreshes, you should see your image or file below the text of your message (if you typed any text).
2 - You can upload your image or file wherever you like. This message lists a few common and relatively reputable sites. After you have uploaded your image, that website will probably give you a link, which you can copy and paste into your message here. Then we can use that link to see your image.
3 - If you want to host the image or file somewhere else, but instead of a link to your image, you want the image to appear in your message, here's how:
After you upload your image on whichever site you choose, copy the link they give you.
Here in the forum, look just below the message box for a small paper clip icon, and click it.
Where you see "Search for Existing Resource or Video URL" paste in the link that you copied.
Click the small magnifying glass icon to the right of the link you pasted.
Now you should see the file name of your image listed just above where you pasted the link. To the right of the file name is a 2 sided button. The right side of it (red trash can icon) deletes it. The left side of it is a toggle, and it switches between an icon that looks like a chain link, and a blue picture icon. To have the image displayed in the message, make sure the blue picture icon is showing.
Finally, click Submit Comment button.
4. If the image is hosted in our own gallery, follow the steps in #3 above. But instead of pasting the whole link to your image in the gallery, paste only the last part of the URL, the part to the right of the star.
(When you look at the address in the browser, it shows a star in the address. But if you copy that and paste it somewhere, the star itself won't show up, but instead some codes with a lot of % in it. Here's an example. The attached image shows an address in my browser (old version of Firefox). But when I copy that address and paste it here, see what it looks like: https://inkscape.org/~brynn/%E2%98%85holiday-light-samples )
So the part you need to paste in is "holiday-light-samples" but without the quotes.
If anyone has any problems or questions learning how to make screenshots or share images, please feel free to post below 🙂
Using Windows for a long time, I always use ALT+PrtScn (sometimes spelled differently) to take screenshots of the active window (not the whole desktop). It saves the image in memory so you can paste in into most applications, including these message boxes.
In Windows 10, ALT+PrtScn also saves the screenshot to a OneDrive folder if it's set up correctly. They are usually stored in C:\users\your_user_name\OneDrive\Pictures\Screenshots and are date stamped so you can retrieve them later.
Hi @brynn I am using hp laptop core i5 with windows 10 and I have tried the second method of taking a screen shot as you mention in your post but it doesn't work for me Do I need to download any software to complete this process or is it already in Windows 10 and needs to be activated?. Please help thanks in advance.
OMG, Never, Ever, Ever use Print Screen on a Windows System!
All you will do is create a massive image - depending on on screen res, at 72 dpi.
The snipping tool referred to by Bryn exists or has been available on all versions of Win, post xP - but hidden.
Win 10 has a different name for the exe, so one has to use Win search for the new name - search 'snipping tool'. Once found, stick the exe link on desktop.
If one needs to capture something on screen, seriously, never ever use print screen, Use the snipping tool.
True enough, resolution is only 96 dpi, but you can limit screen area and not dump a massive file on someone.
1. command+shift+3 = This will take the whole screen as a screenshot.
2. command+shift+4 = we can select the area to take a screenshot."
I am using a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.15.7 and i get no response from either command+shift+3 or command+shift+4. I am new to the application and find it to be terrific and reasonably easy to learn, but can't see how to export print or print screen. The .svg file doesn't very user friendly.
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, however, I have a different query. I want to submit a lot of photographs to the website, but they need to be smaller first. I'm performing this process, but afterward, image pixels must be reduced. Tell me what the answer is.
Beginners' Questions How to Make a Screenshot and Put it in a Message
Inkscape.org
2 Ways to Make a Screenshot
(Note, these instructions are written for internet novices.)
Most operating systems provide some kind of screenshot tool. Here's how on Windows.
Here's how to make a screenshot on any kind of computer
The next messages tells you how to put the image in a message.
There are 3 ways you can show us the file or image.
1 - Attach it to your next message.
When you have the message editor open, look just below the message box for a small paper clip icon, and click it. Then you'll see a field (empty box where you can type something) with a blue Upload File button on the right end of it. Click the blue Upload File button, and you probably recognize what to do from there. If you don't know, here's what to do:
Now you will be back in the forum message editor. And you will see the file name of your image listed below the message box. To the right of the file name is a 2 sided button. The right side, a red trash can, is Delete.
The left side is a toggle, which switches between a black and white piece of paper icon and a blue icon that looks like a picture. If you want the image to show in your message, make sure the blue picture icon is showing.
The only time you probably want to use the piece of paper icon, is if you are attaching an SVG file for us to examine. But you're welcome to have the SVG image displayed as well, if you like. We can download it either way.
2 - You can upload your image or file wherever you like. This message lists a few common and relatively reputable sites. After you have uploaded your image, that website will probably give you a link, which you can copy and paste into your message here. Then we can use that link to see your image.
3 - If you want to host the image or file somewhere else, but instead of a link to your image, you want the image to appear in your message, here's how:
4. If the image is hosted in our own gallery, follow the steps in #3 above. But instead of pasting the whole link to your image in the gallery, paste only the last part of the URL, the part to the right of the star.
(When you look at the address in the browser, it shows a star in the address. But if you copy that and paste it somewhere, the star itself won't show up, but instead some codes with a lot of % in it. Here's an example. The attached image shows an address in my browser (old version of Firefox). But when I copy that address and paste it here, see what it looks like: https://inkscape.org/~brynn/%E2%98%85holiday-light-samples )
So the part you need to paste in is "holiday-light-samples" but without the quotes.
If anyone has any problems or questions learning how to make screenshots or share images, please feel free to post below 🙂
Using Windows for a long time, I always use ALT+PrtScn (sometimes spelled differently) to take screenshots of the active window (not the whole desktop). It saves the image in memory so you can paste in into most applications, including these message boxes.
In Windows 10, ALT+PrtScn also saves the screenshot to a OneDrive folder if it's set up correctly. They are usually stored in C:\users\your_user_name\OneDrive\Pictures\Screenshots and are date stamped so you can retrieve them later.
For Mac users.... they don't have PrtScn keys 😏. You can use SHIFT+CMD+F5 or follow these instructions for other methods: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201361.
Cheers
(sorry, long-time computer instructor).
Thanks for your comments. I'll try to edit the instructions when I have a chance. Thanks again.
If you want a clean screenshot, without being hassled with button combos, I'd suggest using one of two Screenshot apps. Gyazo OR Lightshot.
Both are AD-FREE & highly trustworthy around the internet. Keep in mind, Gyazo Guests are limited to screenshots & will need to register.
Lightshot users are NOT limited to screenshots & registration is unnecessary.
Gyazo: https://gyazo.com/download [Gyazo GIF Available] (Windows & Mac.)
Lightshot: https://app.prntscr.com/en/download.html ( Windows & Mac.)
~Beta
[I See Everything. Trust Me.]
🐧 For Linux:
Screenshots on most Linux systems: press the 'Print' key to open default screenshot tool. Make your settings. Save your screenshot.
Alternative with drawing abilities on the image (e.g. to add arrows and highlight things): Flameshot (https://github.com/lupoDharkael/flameshot)
Alternative for making animated gifs and videos: peek (https://github.com/phw/peek/releases)
thank you
For Macbook user...
1. command+shift+3 = This will take the whole screen as a screenshot.
2. command+shift+4 = we can select the area to take a screenshot.
Both will be saved in the desktop.
My first, and very easy to use tool is 'Paint 3D'. Paint is installed in Windows so you do not have to download or install Paint 3D.
Hi @brynn I am using hp laptop core i5 with windows 10 and I have tried the second method of taking a screen shot as you mention in your post but it doesn't work for me Do I need to download any software to complete this process or is it already in Windows 10 and needs to be activated?. Please help thanks in advance.
OMG, Never, Ever, Ever use Print Screen on a Windows System!
All you will do is create a massive image - depending on on screen res, at 72 dpi.
The snipping tool referred to by Bryn exists or has been available on all versions of Win, post xP - but hidden.
Win 10 has a different name for the exe, so one has to use Win search for the new name - search 'snipping tool'. Once found, stick the exe link on desktop.
If one needs to capture something on screen, seriously, never ever use print screen, Use the snipping tool.
True enough, resolution is only 96 dpi, but you can limit screen area and not dump a massive file on someone.
just fyi,
rockmo
Safeway S says "For Macbook user...
1. command+shift+3 = This will take the whole screen as a screenshot.
2. command+shift+4 = we can select the area to take a screenshot."
I am using a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.15.7 and i get no response from either command+shift+3 or command+shift+4. I am new to the application and find it to be terrific and reasonably easy to learn, but can't see how to export print or print screen. The .svg file doesn't very user friendly.
I agree with RockMo, you shouldn't be using Print Screen.
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, however, I have a different query. I want to submit a lot of photographs to the website, but they need to be smaller first. I'm performing this process, but afterward, image pixels must be reduced. Tell me what the answer is.
Sounds like a batch process for Gimp.
man, this would've been useful, but I already know how to do this.
On PC I like taking screenshots with snipping tool. With Mac, CTRL + ALT + 4.
@deltatangomike Are you sure about the shortcut on macOS? https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646
Maybe I should’ve checked my keyboard first!
You’re right!