Quick Screenshot Key Commands in Mac OS X

Every designer knows that at some point during a project there will screenshots, and lots of them. Third party applications often get this job, but if you are a Mac user (10.3 and later), you have another option built right into the OS. That option comes in the form of key commands, and the key commands come in three flavors:

1. If you want a file saved to the desktop for later editing use Shift+Command(Apple)+3 for the whole screen and Shift+Command(Apple)+4 for a selection.

2. If you want a screenshot that can be pasted directly into Photoshop/Illustrator/Etc. use Shift+Control+Command(Apple)+3 for the whole screen and Shift+Control+Command(Apple)+4 for a selection. Then go back to your application and paste it right in!

3. If your want just a window and need to be precise press Shift+Command+4 just like you would for a selection, then hit the space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera. From there just click on the window you want. It can even be covered by another window and it will only include the window you picked. This also works with the control key added if you want to past it directly into an application.

I don’t know when I ran across these, but they are such a time saver.

For all the Windows users out there, is there anything like this for Windows? We’d love to know. Leave us a comment with your tips and tricks.