Better way to take screen shots!!!

[Richard Ironskull]

Originally Posted by lostmymarbles

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

Hey I got A's and B's thank you very much!

[Richard Ironskull]

So I realized many would appreciate a little tutorial on how to set this up for pirates. I'm going to post it here to bump for repeat readers, and edit the original post for those reading for the first time.

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]

Thank you Rich.. I had to play with these settings abit when I set it up last week.

When I get home, I'll probably recheck my settings...compare them to your suggestions.

[Sarah]

Thanks Again Richard! I think I may move a copy of this thread to the screenshot section and slap a sticky on it.

EDIT: And I did

[MacIronhawk]

A few questions.

Will you still be able to use the F9 key to take pictures. Will the pictures be better with better quality than the regular pictures you take using the F9 key.

Will the pictures still go to the Pirates Online screenshot folder or will you need to paste pictures in paint?

[JM Ohara]

Yes, the F9 will still take pictures. You can set this program to dump the screenshots in the Pirates Online folder if you want, no problem. For me, I love this program, cause it can take as many screenies as you want as fast as you can take em. During the regatta in July I took over 400 with no increase in lag. Totally worth it mate.

[MacIronhawk]

Ok, I'd like to download it...

However, I'm not sure WHICH printscreen to download. There are a few different versions, and I found none at the bottom of the page until I clicked to another page and found what I THOUGHT it might be. I download that, and this notepad page opened up and told me nothing useful. So I found the program on my desktop, tried to open it up, and nothing happened.

So I uninstalled it.

Can anyone give me non-computer savvy help? Instructions on which one to download would be nice...(yes, I know it's something printscreen.)

I just downloaded it and a notepad came up. I have no idea what to do. I like things to be simple so if someone can explain, please do. Also, why don't you just say Gadwin? I don't even know if that's the program to download, considering there's no name. You just say go to the bottom, and download, when there's nothing to download.

I'm really confused is all. I downloaded it and when I try to open the program nothing happens.

I'd like to be able to take pictures like others have here on POF. My pictures always look horrible when others are big and crystal clear.

[JM Ohara]

Sent ya a PM with full instructions, and a few screenies to help. Will see if there is a way to put it here within the posting rules.

[MacIronhawk]

Thanks!

After taking the first shot I can tell I'll like this program.

[Graytopia669]

Thanks a heap Mate, I can use this for about a million things, I am a screenshot fiend.

[hannah shark wreaker]

sense i have a laptop how do i take screenshots!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chimera Doll]

A laptop really shouldn't be any different. Just depends on what type of computer you have and where the keys are located.

Thank you for sharing this program, I love it! Very simple and easy to use.

[rock]

If i need a HD pic for my guild website I hit the Prt Scr button and i open the program paint and hit CRTL+V and you can edit it ,but on my laptop i hit f9 and use it! hope this helped.

[Crestshot]

Alright, so I just finished downloading this onto my new computer, and this came up on my screens.



Anyone know since when you have to register for it? I'd really like my nice clear screens back, to be honest...