Better way to take screen shots!!!

[Richard Ironskull]

I don't know what I have been thinking...

It just occurred to me that taking screen shots in this game can be irritating at times. You either miss things, or your pics have the description of where the game put the picture.

So Richard comes to the rescue with a sweet piece of software that is completely free to use.

With that program you can put the files anywhere you want, for instance, the desktop or My Pictures, and you can take a series of them in a row without any game lag at all.





Update: Some essential setup

Download the Print Screen version of the program, it's towards the bottom of the page of programs available.

When you first download and install this program is not ready to be used on pirates. The default settings can be a little annoying. Here is what to do:

First the short version cause I am about to release a torrent of instructions at you folks:

1. Under Preferences
   
   • Uncheck everything except Run at Windows startup
   • Set your Hot key to something convenient like PrintScreen
   
   
2. Under Destination
   
   • Uncheck the first three
   • Check Copy captured area to File
   • Check Automatic naming and find the Capture directory you want the files in.
   
   

Now the long detailed version:

1. Open the settings window. That can be done by first starting the program, then finding and clicking the icon for it on the task list at the bottom right of the window.
2. On the first tab, Preferences, set the following preferences:
   
   • Change your Hot key to whatever you want it to be. I have mine as PrintScreen, but the biggest worry is to make sure this hot key is not a critical part of the game or another program running at the time. PrintScreen is a pretty safe option as it does not conflict with the computers own PrintScreen function.
   • Uncheck Initial delay before capture.
   • Uncheck Hide icon when capturing.
   • Uncheck Show notification messages.
   • Uncheck Preview the captured image.
   • Show splash on startup is up to your preference.
   • Run at Windows startup is up to your preference, but I have it checked so I don't forget to start it when I start pirates.
   
   
3. On the second tab, Source, set the following preferences:
   
   • Captured area is up to preference. I have mine on Full Screen, but the Current Window option is nice if you make sure pirates is selected at the time. It will give only the window, and none of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
   • Capture Mouse Cursor is up to preference.
   
   
4. On the third tab, Destination, set the following preferences:
   
   • Copy captured area to Clipboard is not necessary, but keeping it enabled also does not harm anything.
   • Uncheck Copy captured area to Printer.
   • Uncheck Send captured area via E-Mail.
   • Check Copy captured area to File.
   • Check Automatic naming. For file name the default is fine, but if you want the pics to be named Pirates Screenshot then some number, change that here. Finally for Capture Directory just put the files wherever you want it, My Pictures, Desktop, wherever is easiest for you to find them.
   
   
5. On the fourth tab, Image, set the following preferences:
   
   • Under Type of Image, I recommend leaving this in Windows Bitmap as it is a great quality format. However if you are low on HD space, then switch it to JPEG Bitmap. Still good quality, but much much smaller files.
   • Under Resizing, I recommend leaving Resize captured image unchecked. However, if you prefer smaller pictures for POF then resizing them here would be the easiest way, but keep Maintain aspect ratio checked.
   • Under Options, these are all personal preference.
   • Under Stamp, again all personal preference, but adding the time, date, or even your pirates name to each picture could be really nice. I recommend playing around with this one.
   
   

[lostmymarbles]

Please tell me it won't overwrite the screenies like F9 does. I can't wait to get home Monday and check it out .

[Basil Dreadflint]

Just in time for the Scav hunt!!! Which is a screenie intensive activity.

I haven't tried it yet, Rich, but will do so today or tomorrow.

[ThunderKiss]

Woot! Good deal Richard! I downloaded and tried this, it works great. I tweaked the settings a little and found that if i dont preview first the pics go right to my "pirate pic" folder on my desktop. And I am able to take several pics in a row. I also changed the hot key to F11, but that is only because the default key wasn't working for me.

[Nelly Darkpaine]

Sweet find! Thanks for posting this - much appreciated!

[Dr. Zeppers]

Originally Posted by lostmymarbles

Please tell me it won't overwrite the screenies like F9 does. I can't wait to get home Monday and check it out .

That is an issue with DirectX graphics engine.
If you use OpenGL that doesnt happen! (with the F9 inside the game that is)

[Eliza Creststeel]

I used to just use (Alt-PrtScn) to capture, then paste into Microsoft's Paint.

[lostmymarbles]

Zep ...I think we were both ingame when I was checking out my graphics card/driver one night ... I said something about not realizing that I hadn't installed some program associated with it . My point being that I am pretty sure that I have OpenGL (per what I can recall from the properties). I will be double checking this on Monday.

In order for me to use F9 at all I also have to press an "Fn" key because on my keyboard the f9-f12 keys are duel function, with the screenshot property being the secondary function . Needless to say, I can't do repeated f9 without overwriting.

[Richard Ironskull]

I hope this helps everyone out!

Special thanks to Zep and the mod team for checking out the link and restoring the thread. Figured that is where it went.

This thing is great, believe me.

Funny thing, I first found out about it by using it in a physics lab experiment I was doing where I needed to take data of tiny oil drops dropping through the air through a camera. I used this program to take a series of screen shots so I could analyze the data and find the charge of an electron. For the inquisitive among you it is called the Millikan Oil Drop Experiment.

Originally Posted by lostmymarbles

Please tell me it won't overwrite the screenies like F9 does. I can't wait to get home Monday and check it out .

It will not override the screenies unless you tell it to.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Richard,

Very sweet screenshot capture software. I took a rapid fire series, and didn't miss a beat.

Thanks!

[lostmymarbles]

lol... Thank you .. Thank you... Thank you!!!!

Don't be surprised if you get some *Mmmmmm's next time you log on!

Works great!

And here I thought you were really studying when you were just checking out awesome software.

[chelle_p]

do you download the snapshot or printscreen program?

[ThunderKiss]

the print screen download that

[chelle_p]

oh okaii, thank you so much ^_^

[Sarah]

Just had a chance to play with it. AWESOME find Richard! Thanks!