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.
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You asked if there was a Windows way to do this? Well as far as I know you can press the “Print Screen” button on the top right of the keyboard, this takes a snapshot of your entire screen. Then you can just go to Edit>Paste if you are in Photoshop, if you don’t have Photoshop you can also use the generic Paint program and Edit>Paste it there. If you want to do a screen grab of just the highlighted window, you can use “alt” along with “print screen” to just get a picture of the highlighted window.
Hope this helps,
How long have you been using a Mac? Those screen shot keys have been around as long as I can remember, predating OS X, OS 9… way back in the days on MacOS 6.0.x (and earlier). And Windows has had their equivalent almost as long, too.
But thanks for posting it, though… I needed a reminder after being away from a Mac for so long…
Thanks for sharing. I normally use windows and screenshots are easy.
I too have been spoiled by these shortcuts, but I use both platforms at work. So, I went on a desperate search for something FREE that would do a similar job on Windows. Once the program is running, I’m sure you could set up shortcuts, but it’s not nearly as simple as the mac version.
Check it out at: http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html
Again, FREE was my goal. I’m sure you could buy some fancy screen capture software, but this one’s simple and free.
The screen shot image tip is awesome. Thanks!
I use windows mostly instead of a mac but for screenshots within the browser fireshot is my favorite addon. It has so many additional features besides the capture. Love firefox.
Thanks for sharing this - I am terrible when it comes to remembering keyboard short cuts! My brother jokingly tells me I’m stupid becuase of this. Perhaps he’s right - someone who works on the computer all day should know to use one!
looks the same as windows command. the difference being that it has the “+Command(Apple)” . therefore on windows it would be Shift+3 .. which is cool
i haven’t used appl by no but i’m thinking to buy one so i’m also curios about the applications differences between mac and windows
screenshots are easy To capture in Windows I am using Vista Home Edition.
Thank you for your effort ..
Then you can just go to Edit>Paste if you are in Photoshop, if you don’t have Photoshop you can also use the generic Paint program and Edit>Paste it there. If you want to do a screen grab of just the highlighted window
hurray i got it.i was looking for this.now i can take a deep breath.
wow wow wow what a informative site!
thanks for sharing a tremendous information with me.i will bookmark the site.
good job.keep it up.
Mac is the most difficult thing to run I bought a MAc few day’s ago looking for some important tips.And just by googling I got this and it’s really a great article for the starter
I am terrible when it comes to remembering keyboard short cuts! My brother jokingly tells me I’m stupid becuase of this.
Hey Nate,
You’d be pleasantly surprised that Preview.app has built in annotation tools too, if you haven’t found out, check out how you can annotate your screenshots in Leopard’s Preview.app:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtiEyJ4Hc0
On a side note, if you use project management tools like Basecamp or issue trackers like Lighthouse, Unfuddle, Assembla, Fixx, or Fogbugz, check out Freshlog, a screen capture tool that creates messages or tickets with attached screenshots in these web applications.
ELC Tech wrote a nice review on Freshlog:
Wishing you a productive week ahead! 
I have thinkt hird party applications often get this job, but if you are a Mac user 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…Transfer Test Northern Ireland
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Whoa! Great Tip - Copy & Paste to PS/AI, Awesome!