Introduction
Ah, taking screenshots on your Mac – one of the best ways to capture important information or moments on your screen. Whether it is a chat conversation, an error message, or a funny meme, screenshots make it easy to share and save things that matter to you. However, not everyone knows how to do it or does it efficiently.
In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about taking screenshots on your Mac, including the different types of screenshots available, keyboard shortcuts, third-party tools, and much more. So, if you are a newbie or someone looking to level up your screenshot game, read on!
Why You Should Learn How to Take Screenshot on Mac
Before we dive into the details, you might be wondering why you should bother learning how to take screenshots on your Mac. Here are some reasons:
- Save important information for later reference.
- Share information with others easily.
- Capture moments that can’t be recorded (e.g., error messages).
- Create content for presentations, blog posts, and social media.
Overall, taking screenshots on your Mac is a valuable skill that can save you time and help you communicate more effectively.
Types of Screenshots on Mac
Before we get into the details of how to take screenshots, it is essential to know the different types of screenshots you can take on your Mac. They are:
| Type of Screenshot | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Screen | Captures your entire screen. |
| Selected Area | Captures a portion of your screen that you select. |
| Window | Captures the active window on your screen. |
| Menu | Captures a drop-down menu. |
| Touch Bar | Captures your Touch Bar on MacBook Pro models. |
Now that you know the types of screenshots let’s find out how to take them.
How to Take Screenshot on Mac
Full Screen Screenshot
The full screen screenshot is the easiest to take. Follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 3.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Simple, right? Let’s move on to the next type of screenshot.
Selected Area Screenshot
If you want to capture a specific portion of your screen, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 4.
- You will see a crosshair cursor.
- Click and drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.
- Release the mouse button.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Now you know how to take a selected area screenshot. Let’s move on to the next type.
Window Screenshot
Want to capture a specific window on your screen? Follow these steps:
- Click on the window you want to capture.
- Press Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar.
- You will see a camera icon.
- Click on the window you want to capture.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
That’s how you take a window screenshot. Let’s move on to the next type.
Menu Screenshot
If you want to capture a drop-down menu, follow these steps:
- Click on the menu you want to capture.
- Press Command + Shift + 4.
- You will see a crosshair cursor.
- Press the Spacebar.
- You will see a camera icon.
- Click on the menu you want to capture.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Now you know how to take a menu screenshot. Let’s move on to the last type of screenshot.
Touch Bar Screenshot
If you own a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, you can also take screenshots of it. Follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 6.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
That’s how you take a Touch Bar screenshot. Congratulations, you now know how to take screenshots on your Mac. However, if you want to level up your screenshot game, keep reading.
Advanced Screenshot Techniques
Change Screenshot Format
By default, screenshots are saved in PNG format. However, you can change it to JPEG, TIFF, or PDF. Here’s how:
- Open Terminal.
- Type “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type [format]” (without the quotes).
- Replace “[format]” with “jpg,” “tiff,” or “pdf.”
- Press Enter.
- Type “killall SystemUIServer” (without the quotes).
- Press Enter.
Now your screenshots will be saved in the format you chose.
Add Shadows to Window Screenshot
If you want to add a shadow effect to your window screenshots, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar.
- Hold down the Option key.
- You will see a camera icon with a shadow effect.
- Click on the window you want to capture.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Now your window screenshots will have a cool shadow effect.
Use Third-Party Tools
If you want more advanced screenshot features, such as annotations, cropping, and cloud sharing, you can use third-party tools like Snagit, Skitch, and CloudApp. These tools offer more flexibility and customization than the default Mac screenshot tool.
FAQs
Q1. How do I take a screenshot of a specific size?
To take a screenshot of a specific size, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 4.
- You will see a crosshair cursor.
- Hold down the Shift key.
- Drag the cursor to the size you want.
- Release the mouse button.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Q2. How do I take a screenshot without the shadow effect?
To take a screenshot without the shadow effect, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar.
- Hold down the Option key.
- You will see a camera icon without the shadow effect.
- Click on the window you want to capture.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Q3. How do I take a screenshot of the Touch Bar and the screen?
To take a screenshot of the Touch Bar and the screen, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 6 + Control.
- You will hear a camera shutter sound, indicating the screenshot was taken.
- The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Q4. Where are my screenshots saved?
By default, screenshots are saved on your desktop. However, you can change the location by using the Terminal command “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location [path]”. Replace “[path]” with the desired folder location.
Q5. How do I take a screenshot of a website?
You can take a screenshot of a website by using third-party tools like Chrome’s DevTools, Safari’s Web Inspector, or a website screenshot service like url2png or Page2Images.
Q6. How do I take a screenshot of a video?
You cannot take a screenshot of a video while it is playing. However, you can pause the video and take a screenshot using the Mac screenshot tool or a third-party tool.
Q7. How do I edit my screenshots?
You can edit your screenshots using the default Mac Preview app or third-party tools like Pixelmator, Skitch, and Affinity Photo. These tools offer various editing options, including cropping, resizing, and adding annotations.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned everything you need to know about taking screenshots on your Mac, from the different types of screenshots to advanced techniques and third-party tools. By mastering this skill, you can save time, communicate more effectively, and create engaging content.
If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who might find it useful.
Take Action Now
Start practicing the different types of screenshots on your Mac and see how they can improve your productivity and creativity. Experiment with advanced techniques and third-party tools to take your screenshots to the next level. You never know what you might discover!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The author and publisher are not responsible for any misuse of the information presented herein. Always use caution and seek professional advice when necessary.