How to Take Screenshots with Preview and Other Tools
If you want to capture your screen on a Mac, there are several useful tools available, including Preview and built-in shortcuts. This section explains how to use Preview for screenshots, along with other popular methods to make capturing your screen quick and easy. Whether you need a full screen, a selected area, or a specific window, you’ll find step-by-step instructions below.
- Using Preview to Take Screenshots: Preview is primarily a PDF and image viewer, but it also has screen capture capabilities. To capture a screenshot with Preview, follow these steps:
- Open Preview from your Applications folder or Launchpad.
- Click on File in the menu bar.
- Select Take Screenshot and choose one of these options:
- From Selection: Drag to select a specific area of your screen.
- From Window: Click on a window to capture it.
- From Entire Screen: Capture the whole display.
- After capturing, Preview will open the screenshot, allowing you to edit or save it by clicking File > Save.
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts: For faster screenshots, use built-in shortcuts:
- Shift + Command + 3: Capture the entire screen. The image saves automatically to your desktop.
- Shift + Command + 4: Capture a selected area. Drag to choose the part of the screen, then release.
- Shift + Command + 4, then Spacebar: Capture a specific window. Hover over the window and click.
- Using the Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and later): For more options, press Command + Shift + 5. This opens a toolbar with options to:
- Capture the entire screen, selected window, or selected portion.
- Record your screen as a video.
- Choose where to save your screenshots.
There are also options to set a timer or show/hide mouse clicks. This toolbar makes it easy to customize your captures without opening any applications.
- Alternative Tools: If you need advanced features, consider third-party apps:
- Snagit: Powerful tool for capturing, editing, and sharing screenshots and videos.
- Skitch: Simple, free app for quick annotations and screenshots.
- Lightshot or Monosnap: Lightweight options for easy screenshot editing.
With these tools and techniques, capturing your screen on Mac becomes straightforward. Remember, keyboard shortcuts are the fastest method, but Preview and toolbar options give you more control. Experiment with different methods to find what best fits your workflow.
Cropping and Editing Screenshots on Mac
If you often take screenshots on your Mac, you might want to crop or edit them to improve clarity or highlight specific details. Luckily, macOS offers handy built-in tools that let you quickly edit your images right after capturing. This allows you to enhance your screenshots without needing third-party apps or extra steps.
Here’s how you can crop and edit your screenshots directly on Mac using the built-in Markup tools:
- Take a screenshot using the keyboard shortcuts: Command + Shift + 3 (full screen) or Command + Shift + 4 (selection). A thumbnail will appear in the bottom-right corner of your screen shortly after the capture.
- Click on the thumbnail before it disappears to open the editing window. If you miss the thumbnail, your screenshot will be saved automatically to your desktop or chosen location.
- In the editing window, you’ll see several options. To crop your screenshot, click the crop button (it looks like two intersecting right angles or a square with lines). Drag the corners or edges to select the area you want to keep.
- Once you’re satisfied with the crop, press Enter or click Done to apply the change.
Beyond cropping, macOS provides essential editing features to enhance your screenshot:
- Annotate: Use the markup tools to add text, arrows, shapes, or highlight areas.
- Adjust Color and Brightness: Modify contrast, make your image more vibrant, or darken shadows.
- Magnify: Enlarge specific parts of your screenshot to draw attention.
To access these options, use the toolbar icons within the editing window:
- Click the Markup icon (a toolbox or pencil) to reveal editing tools.
- Select the tool you need—such as text, shapes, or a highlighter—and place it on your image.
- Adjust sizes, colors, or positions as needed, then click Done to save your edits.
If you prefer advanced editing, you can also copy the screenshot from the Markup window and open it in Preview or other image editing software. This is useful for detailed modifications like cropping multiple images or applying filters.
Remember, obtaining clean, well-cropped screenshots can help your tutorials, reports, or presentations look more professional. Practice using these built-in tools to become faster and more efficient in editing your Mac screenshots, making your visual content clearer and more impactful.
Best Screenshot Apps for Better Results
If you often take screenshots on your Mac, you want tools that make the process easier and produce high-quality results. While the built-in screenshot features on Mac are useful, third-party apps can offer advanced options like editing, annotating, and capturing specific areas with precision. In this section, we’ll review some of the top screenshot apps designed to improve your screenshot experience with enhanced functionality and better results.
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Snagit
Snagit is a popular screenshot app known for its powerful editing tools and versatility. It allows you to capture full screens, windows, menus, or scrolling areas like lengthy web pages. After capturing, you can instantly edit images within the app, adding annotations, highlights, and callouts. Snagit also offers easy sharing options to cloud services or directly to applications like email or Slack. This makes it ideal for professional users who need high-quality, polished screenshots quickly.
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Lightshot
Lightshot is a free, lightweight app that offers simple yet effective screenshot capabilities. It lets you select any part of your screen to capture and then quickly edit with tools like text, arrows, or shapes. Its intuitive interface is perfect for users who want quick results without extra fuss. Lightshot also enables easy sharing via a link, making it a great choice for quick communication or social media sharing.
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Skitch
Skitch, part of the Evernote family, is user-friendly and ideal for quick annotations. It allows you to capture specific screen areas and then add text, stamps, and arrows. Skitch is especially useful for marking up images for tutorials or feedback. It integrates smoothly with Evernote, making organizing and storing screenshots simple. If you need clean and annotated images for presentations or reports, Skitch offers a straightforward solution.
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DropIt
DropIt is designed for users wanting to automate screenshot tasks. You can set preset areas to capture or trigger specific functions with hotkeys. It’s perfect for repetitive captures, like monitoring changes on a webpage or capturing data regularly. DropIt helps improve workflow efficiency, especially if you handle a high volume of screenshots daily.
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Capto
Capto specializes in capturing and editing screen recordings and screenshots. Its tools support detailed annotations, cropping, and resizing. You can also record your screen with audio at the same time, ideal for creating tutorials or walkthroughs. Capto’s emphasis on editing makes it a strong choice for users who want to produce visually appealing results immediately after capturing.
Overall, these top third-party screenshot apps on Mac provide advanced features that go beyond native options. Whether you need quick and simple captures or detailed editing and annotations, these tools help you achieve professional-quality results efficiently. Choosing the right app depends on your specific requirements, such as automation, editing, or sharing needs. Experiment with these options to find the best fit for your workflow and enjoy improved screenshot results every time.
Tips to Enhance Your Screenshot Workflow
Knowing how to efficiently take screenshots on your Mac can save you time and improve your productivity. Whether you’re capturing just a small part of your screen or a full webpage, optimizing your screenshot workflow makes the process smoother and faster. Here are some expert tips to help you streamline this common task.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Access
Mac offers built-in keyboard shortcuts to capture different types of screenshots instantly. For example, pressing Shift + Command + 3 saves a full-screen screenshot. For capturing a selected portion, press Shift + Command + 4. To capture a window, press Shift + Command + 4, then hit the Spacebar and click the window. These shortcuts speed up the process by eliminating the need for extra clicks or menu navigation.
- Customize Your Screenshot Settings
macOS allows you to change default save locations, add timers, or include the mouse pointer. To access these options, press Shift + Command + 5. A toolbar appears with options for capturing screen, window, or recording video. You can also select where to save your screenshots, which helps organize your files better and avoids clutter.
- Use the Screenshot Toolbar for Flexibility
The built-in screenshot toolbar is a powerful tool. It provides options for capturing specific areas, fullscreen, or recording your screen. It also allows you to set a timer, which is useful if you need time to prepare the screen before capturing. Practice using this toolbar to quickly adapt to different screenshot needs without disrupting your flow.
- Leverage Clipboard for Instant Editing
Hold down Control while taking a screenshot to copy it directly to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file. This is handy if you want to paste the screenshot into an email, document, or image editor immediately. Combine this tip with keyboard shortcuts for maximum efficiency.
- Utilize Third-Party Apps for Advanced Features
If you need more control, consider tools like Snagit or CleanShot X. They offer extra features such as annotations, delay timers, scrolling captures, and cloud integration. These apps are especially useful for professionals who need high-quality, customizable screenshots regularly.
- Organize and Manage Your Screenshots
Keep your workflow tidy by creating designated folders for screenshots. Use predictive naming conventions to find files easily later. Automate parts of your process with tools like Automator or Quick Actions in macOS to rename and move screenshots automatically.
Mastering these tips makes your screenshot process faster and more efficient. By customizing shortcuts, leveraging the toolbar, and choosing the right tools, you can capture exactly what you need with minimal effort. Experiment with these techniques to find what works best for your workflow and productivity objectives.
Troubleshooting Common Screenshot Issues on Mac
If you’re experiencing problems when trying to take or edit screenshots on your Mac, you’re not alone. Sometimes, unexpected issues can prevent capturing the screen or cause screenshot files to malfunction. This guide will walk you through some common difficulties and how to fix them quickly, so you can continue capturing important moments or information without hassle.
- Check Your Keyboard Shortcuts
The most common way to take a screenshot on Mac is using keyboard shortcuts. If these don’t work, ensure you are using the correct ones. For full screen capture, press Command + Shift + 3. To select a specific area, press Command + Shift + 4. And for a window or menu, press Command + Shift + 4 then hit the Spacebar. If these shortcuts aren’t working, try restarting your Mac or testing in Safe Mode to see if another app is conflicting.
- Check Your Save Location
By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop with names like “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.” If your screenshots aren’t appearing, verify your save location. Press Command + Shift + 5 to bring up the screenshot toolbar, then select “Options” to confirm or change the save destination. Sometimes, screenshots go to another folder due to system changes or third-party apps.
- Ensure Screen Recording Permissions
Some screenshot tools or editing apps need permission to record or access your screen. To check this, go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Screen Recording. Make sure the checkbox next to the app you’re using is selected. You may need to restart the app or your Mac after changing permissions.
- Update macOS and Apps
Outdated software can cause bugs relating to screenshots. Check for system updates by going to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Software Update. Install any available updates. Also, update any third-party apps involved in screenshot editing or management.
- Fix Screenshot Editing Problems
If your screenshots appear but you can’t edit them, the issue might be with the default Preview app or other editing tools. Try opening your screenshot with a different app like Photos or Quick Look. Reset the Preview app by deleting its preferences or reinstalling it if necessary.
- Common Troubleshooting Tips
- Restart your Mac after making configuration changes.
- Check for third-party apps that might block or interfere with screenshot functions, such as screen recorders or security software.
- Try taking a screenshot in a different user account to see if the issue is account-specific.
If all else fails, resetting your NVRAM or contacting Apple Support can resolve underlying system issues. By following these steps, most users can fix typical screenshot problems on their Mac and continue capturing their screens effectively.
