Taking Screenshots: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The purpose of publishing software screenshots is to introduce prospective customers to the look and feel and to give them an idea of what to expect from the product once they have got it running.  Therefore, screen shots should document common usage of the environment and applications, available to users with a standard hardware configuration.
 
The purpose of publishing software screenshots is to introduce prospective users to the look and feel and to give them an idea of what to expect from the product once they have got it running.  Therefore, screen shots should document common usage of the environment and applications, available to users with a standard hardware configuration.


== Guidelines ==
== Guidelines ==
* Set the language to English, unless it's a localized screenshot.
* Set the language to English, unless it's a localized screenshot.
* Save as a PNG image.
* Save as a PNG image.
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* Preferably, use font "Liberation Sans" at 9pt.
* Preferably, use font "Liberation Sans" at 9pt.
* If the screenshot shows parts of the desktop, preferably use the default background of plasma. Include a margin (around 20 pixels) if possible, to ensure that window shadows don't look cropped.
* If the screenshot shows parts of the desktop, preferably use the default background of plasma. Include a margin (around 20 pixels) if possible, to ensure that window shadows don't look cropped.
* If you are preparing a localized screenshot, use the same name as the original English one, with the language-code (the same as you will see on the page address) appended.
* If the screenshot is to update an existing one, use exactly the same name so that the update happens automatically.


== Workflow ==
== Workflow ==
In this example [[KSnapshot|'''KSnapshot''']] is used, but other screen capture applications work as well.
 
In this example [[Special:myLanguage/KSnapshot|'''KSnapshot''']] is used, but other screen capture applications work as well.


[[Image:Taking_Screenshots.png|center|Capturing a shot of '''[[KSnapshot]]''' using ''Region'']]
[[Image:Taking_Screenshots.png|center|Capturing a shot of '''[[KSnapshot]]''' using ''Region'']]


# Start '''[[KSnapshot]]'''
# Start '''[[Special:myLanguage/KSnapshot|KSnapshot]]'''
# Choose a '''Capture mode''' (1)
# Choose a '''Capture mode''' (1) from the following:
#;Current Screen
#;Current Screen
#: Everything on the screen is captured, usually used for ''desktop screenshots''. (Use ''Full Screen'' mode to capture all screens in a multiscreen environment.)
#: Everything on the screen is captured, usually used for ''desktop screenshots''. (Use ''Full Screen'' mode to capture all screens in a multiscreen environment.)
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#;Region
#;Region
#: Only a region to be defined later is captured.  
#: Only a region to be defined later is captured.  
# Click on '''New Snapshot''' (3).
# Click on <menuchoice>New Snapshot</menuchoice> (3).
#;Full Screen
#;Full Screen
#;Current Screen
#;Current Screen
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#;Region:  
#;Region:  
#:# Use the mouse to draw a rectangle around the region to be captured (for example around a window).  
#:# Use the mouse to draw a rectangle around the region to be captured (for example around a window).  
#:# Strike the <keycap>Enter</keycap> key or click on '''Enter''' or double click in the region to take the snapshot.
#:# Strike the <keycap>Enter</keycap> key or click on <menuchoice>Enter</menuchoice> or double click in the region to take the snapshot.
# Click on '''Save As...''' (4).
# Click on <menuchoice>Save As...</menuchoice> (4).
# Browse to the location you want to save the image, give it a name (<var >name</var >.png'') and click on '''Save'''
# Browse to the location you want to save the image, give it a name ('''''name.png''''') and click on <menuchoice>Save</menuchoice>


== Hints and Tips ==
== Hints and Tips ==
* The '''Snapshot delay''' option (5) makes '''[[KSnapshot]]''' wait a given amount of time (given in seconds) before taking the snapshot. This can be useful in many situations, for example when taking screenshots of drop-down menus
 
* The <menuchoice>Snapshot delay</menuchoice> option (5) makes '''[[KSnapshot|KSnapshot]]''' wait a given amount of time (given in seconds) before taking the snapshot. This can be useful in many situations, for example when taking screenshots of drop-down menus
* It's often useful to create a separate user for taking screenshots to ensure a standard look with the default settings.
* It's often useful to create a separate user for taking screenshots to ensure a standard look with the default settings.
* Use '''Type: Color''' in the wallpaper settings to get a white background.
* Use <menuchoice>Type: Color</menuchoice> in the wallpaper settings to get a white background.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[KSnapshot|'''KSnapshot''']]
 
* [[Special:myLanguage/KSnapshot|'''KSnapshot''']]


[[Category:Contributing]]
[[Category:Contributing]]
</translate>

Revision as of 19:59, 16 April 2011

Introduction

The purpose of publishing software screenshots is to introduce prospective users to the look and feel and to give them an idea of what to expect from the product once they have got it running. Therefore, screen shots should document common usage of the environment and applications, available to users with a standard hardware configuration.

Guidelines

  • Set the language to English, unless it's a localized screenshot.
  • Save as a PNG image.
  • Preferably, use the default settings (icons, color scheme, style, window decoration, application settings etc.).
  • Preferably, use compositing (Desktop Effects module in System Settings), but don't worry if your graphics card does not support compositing.
  • Preferably, use font "Liberation Sans" at 9pt.
  • If the screenshot shows parts of the desktop, preferably use the default background of plasma. Include a margin (around 20 pixels) if possible, to ensure that window shadows don't look cropped.
  • If you are preparing a localized screenshot, use the same name as the original English one, with the language-code (the same as you will see on the page address) appended.
  • If the screenshot is to update an existing one, use exactly the same name so that the update happens automatically.

Workflow

In this example KSnapshot is used, but other screen capture applications work as well.

Capturing a shot of KSnapshot using Region
Capturing a shot of KSnapshot using Region
  1. Start KSnapshot
  2. Choose a Capture mode (1) from the following:
    Current Screen
    Everything on the screen is captured, usually used for desktop screenshots. (Use Full Screen mode to capture all screens in a multiscreen environment.)
    Window Under Cursor
    The content of an applications or dialog window is captured. usually used for application screenshots. Preferably, check the Include window decorations option (2).
    Region
    Only a region to be defined later is captured.
  3. Click on New Snapshot (3).
    Full Screen
    Current Screen
    Window Under Cursor
    Click anywhere on the screen to take the snapshot.
    Region
    1. Use the mouse to draw a rectangle around the region to be captured (for example around a window).
    2. Strike the Enter key or click on Enter or double click in the region to take the snapshot.
  4. Click on Save As... (4).
  5. Browse to the location you want to save the image, give it a name (name.png) and click on Save

Hints and Tips

  • The Snapshot delay option (5) makes KSnapshot wait a given amount of time (given in seconds) before taking the snapshot. This can be useful in many situations, for example when taking screenshots of drop-down menus
  • It's often useful to create a separate user for taking screenshots to ensure a standard look with the default settings.
  • Use Type: Color in the wallpaper settings to get a white background.

See Also