How to Screenshot on Mac – 3 Simple Step by Step Guides
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Let’s face it: the Mac operating system isn’t as popular or user-friendly as Windows. If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re either new to the Mac world or perhaps someone who just prefers their OS that way. As a result, Mac users aren’t as accustomed as their Windows-using counterparts on how to take screenshots and operate basic functions of their machines. In fact, when it comes to taking screenshots, most Mac users aren’t even aware that such a feature exists in their computers! If you too are one such user, worry not. This article will help you get up to speed with all things screenshot on your Mac. Here, you’ll learn how to screenshot on a Mac efficiently and without much fuss.
What is screenshot?
A screenshot is a picture, or rather, a representation of your screen. Screenshots are often used for documentation purposes, such as writing guides, creating tutorials, or saving reference images. They’re also a popular means by which people share their experience on a particular platform or playing a game. Let’s say, for example, you’ve been playing a game on your Mac and you want to share it with your friends. You could simply send them the name of the game and the link to download it. However, that’s not enough. What if they don’t have the same OS as yours? What if they don’t have the game installed in the first place? A screenshot is a much better option since it’s something your friends/co-players/followers can see, even if they don’t have the same computer or OS as you.
How to screenshot on a Mac – Step by step
There are several methods you can use to screenshot on a Mac, but first, make sure that the images or visuals you want to capture are on your screen. You can then use one of the following methods to screenshot:
– Use the keyboard shortcuts: You can use the keyboard shortcuts to screenshot your screen on a Mac. The screenshot key combination for Mac computers is: Command + Shift + 4. Once you press this combination, a crosshair will appear on your screen. You can then move the crosshair to select the area you want to screenshot. Once you’re happy with the selection, click the mouse button to take the screenshot.
– Use the Preview app: To screenshot using the Preview app, you’ll first have to go to the finder and search for “Preview”. Once you’ve found the app, open it and click the “File” option on the menu bar. Select “Take Screenshot” from the drop-down menu and click “Save”. You can also choose to change the screenshot format, add a description, and add tags.
– Use the built-in Mac tools: You can also screenshot using the built-in Mac tools. To do so, go to “Apple” > “System Preferences”. Under “Hardware”, click “Keyboard”. On the “Keyboard Shortcuts” tab, click “Use New Shortcuts” and select the type of screenshot you want to take. Once you’re done, click “Customize”. From here, you can select the area of the screen you want to screenshot and more.
Screenshot using Preview App
As mentioned above, the Preview app is a useful tool to capture and edit your screenshots. Once you’ve chosen to take a screenshot, you can crop, add text, or mark it up with shapes and other graphics. What’s more, you can save your screenshot in various file formats such as JPG, PNG, or PDF. To do this, follow these steps:
– Open the Preview app and click File. – Select Take Screenshot from the drop-down menu.
– You can choose from either the entire screen or a selected area.
Screenshot using the built-in Mac tools
As mentioned above, you can also screenshot using the built-in Mac tools. To do so, follow these steps:
– Go to Apple > System Preferences. – Under “Hardware”, click “Keyboard”.
– On the “Keyboard Shortcuts” tab, click “Use New Shortcuts” and select the type of screenshot you want to take.
– Once you’re done, click “Customize”. From here, you can select the area of the screen you want to screenshot and more.
Tips for better screenshots
When it comes to taking a screenshot, it’s important that you follow a few basic rules to get the best results. Here are some tips for taking better screenshots:
– Make sure that what/who you want to screenshot is on the screen.
– Choose the right screenshot format to ensure that your image is legible and readable.
– Take a screenshot at the right time and moment. This could be anytime, but if you’re writing a blog post, for example, screenshots of the website you’re featuring in the article would be helpful.
– Edit your screenshot. You can use image editing tools to help you make the most of your screenshot.
Conclusion
Regardless of your operating system, taking screenshots is a useful skill to have. Whether you want to document something, share your experience on a platform, or just want to save a good image that you saw online, screenshots are a quick and easy way to do so. With the help of this article, you now know how to screenshot on a Mac computer, using both built-in tools and third-party apps.