Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
So you want to capture your screen on a Mac. Apple computers don't have a print screen
key, like PCs, but I'll show you the simple keyboard command for a taking a screenshot.
I'll share some advanced features too.
When you're on the screen you want to capture an image of, there are three keys to hold
down at the same time: command, shift and 3. An image of your screen will be saved as
a file on your desktop.
Again, that's command-shift-3. But what if you don't want a file on your desktop—you
just want to copy the image to paste into another application? Just add the control
key to that same keystroke. So now it's command-control-shift-3. Now you've copied the screen to your clipboard,
and you can paste it into Photoshop, for example. Again, that's command-control-shift-3. I'm
taking control of my image, so I can paste it wherever I want.
Those last two commands capture your entire screen, but what if you just want a section?
Same modifier keys—command and shift, but 4, instead of 3. Command-shift-4 brings up
a handy selection tool. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, and when
you let go, it's saved on your desktop. Likewise, you can add control: so command-control-shift-4
copies that selection to your clipboard, so you can paste it somewhere else.
If we have command-shift-3 and command-shift-4, what's the story with 1 and 2?
Legend warns it is he who keystrokith command-shift-1 be…
Huh, nothing. None of these numbers do anything.
You can also screen capture just one window, by hitting command-shift-4, let go, then hit
spacebar. This camera cursor lets you click on a window to capture it.
Also, when using command-shift-4, while dragging the cursor, hold down space to drag the area
somewhere else, hold down shift to only drag one edge at a time, or hold down option to
lock the center of the area.
So, let's review! Command-shift-3 for the whole screen saved to your desktop. Command-shift-4
to select an area, and command-shift-4, then space to capture a window. Add control to
any of these, to copy your image—take control of it—and paste it somewhere else.
That's it for today's lesson, but wait, bonus tip! iPhone. Hold the lock button and the
home button at the same time. Boom. Screenshot. You're welcome.