A screenshot (also known as screen capture or screen grab) is a digital image that shows the contents of a computer display. A screenshot is created by the operating system or software running on the device powering the display.
The first screenshots were created with the first interactive computers around 1960.[1] Through the 1980s, computer operating systems did not universally have built-in functionality for capturing screenshots. Sometimes text-only screens could be dumped to a text file, but the result would only capture the content of the screen, not the appearance, nor were graphics screens preservable this way. Some systems had a BSAVE command that could be used to capture the area of memory where screen data was stored, but this required access to a BASIC prompt. Systems with composite video output could be connected to a VCR, and entire screencasts preserved this way.[2]
Most screenshots are raster images, but some vector-based GUI environments like Cairo are capable of generating vector screenshots.[3][4]
Photographic techniquesedit
Screenshot kits were available for standard (film) cameras that included a long antireflective hood to attach between the screen and camera lens, as well as a closeup lens for the camera. Polaroid film was popular for capturing screenshots, because of the instant results and close-focusing capability of Polaroid cameras. In 1988, Polaroid introduced Spectra film with a 9.2 × 7.3 image size more suited to the 4:3 aspect ratio of CRT screens.
Some web browsers, for example Firefox and Microsoft Edge, have a screenshot tool which can be used to capture a whole web page or part of it.
Common technical issuesedit
Hardware overlaysedit
On Windows systems, screenshots of games and media players sometimes fail, resulting in a blank rectangle. The reason for this is that the graphics are bypassing the normal screen and going to a high-speed graphics processor on the graphics card by using a method called hardware overlay. Generally, there is no way to extract a computed image back out of the graphics card,[citation needed] though software may exist for special cases or specific video cards.
One way these images can be captured is to turn off the hardware overlay. Because many computers have no hardware overlay, most programs are built to work without it, just a little slower. In Windows XP, this is disabled by opening the Display Properties menu, clicking on the "Settings" tab, clicking, "Advanced", "Troubleshoot", and moving the Hardware Acceleration Slider to "None."
Free software media players may also use the overlay but often have a setting to avoid it or have dedicated screenshot functions.
The screen recording capability of some screen capture programs is a time-saving way to create instructions and presentations, but the resulting files are often large.
A common problem with video recordings is the action jumps, instead of flowing smoothly, due to low frame rate. Though getting faster all the time, ordinary PCs are not yet fast enough to play videos and simultaneously capture them at professional frame rates, i.e. 30 frame/s. For many cases, high frame rates are needed for a pleasant experience.
Copyright issuesedit
Some companies believe the use of screenshots is an infringement of copyright on their program, as it is a derivative work of the widgets and other art created for the software.[5][6][7] Regardless of copyright, screenshots may still be legally used under the principle of fair use in the U.S. or fair dealing and similar laws in other countries.[8][9]
^Matthew Allen (November–December 2016). "Representing Computer-Aided Design: Screenshots and the Interactive Computer circa 1960". Perspectives on Science. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
^"Details of package gtk-vector-screenshot in stretch". Debian. GitHub
^"macos - Is it possible to take a screenshot in vector format?". Ask Different.
^"Screen Shots (Excluding Xbox)". Use of Microsoft Copyrighted Content. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
^"Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots". Microsoft. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
^"Question: What are screenshots, and is using them copyright infringement?". FAQ about Copyright -- Chilling Effects Clearinghouse. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
^"Copyright in screenshots? Who owns it?". MetaFilter. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
^"Ask the Law Geek: Is publishing screenshots Fair Use?". Lifehacker. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
External linksedit
Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots at Microsoft
February 15, 2024
screenshot, this, article, possibly, contains, original, research, please, improve, verifying, claims, made, adding, inline, citations, statements, consisting, only, original, research, should, removed, november, 2023, learn, when, remove, this, template, mess. This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed November 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message A screenshot also known as screen capture or screen grab is a digital image that shows the contents of a computer display A screenshot is created by the operating system or software running on the device powering the display A screenshot of a computer display Contents 1 Screenshot techniques 1 1 Digital techniques 1 2 Photographic techniques 2 Screenshot tools 3 Common technical issues 3 1 Hardware overlays 3 2 Screen recording 4 Copyright issues 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksScreenshot techniques editDigital techniques edit The first screenshots were created with the first interactive computers around 1960 1 Through the 1980s computer operating systems did not universally have built in functionality for capturing screenshots Sometimes text only screens could be dumped to a text file but the result would only capture the content of the screen not the appearance nor were graphics screens preservable this way Some systems had a BSAVE command that could be used to capture the area of memory where screen data was stored but this required access to a BASIC prompt Systems with composite video output could be connected to a VCR and entire screencasts preserved this way 2 Most screenshots are raster images but some vector based GUI environments like Cairo are capable of generating vector screenshots 3 4 Photographic techniques edit Screenshot kits were available for standard film cameras that included a long antireflective hood to attach between the screen and camera lens as well as a closeup lens for the camera Polaroid film was popular for capturing screenshots because of the instant results and close focusing capability of Polaroid cameras In 1988 Polaroid introduced Spectra film with a 9 2 7 3 image size more suited to the 4 3 aspect ratio of CRT screens Screenshot tools editSee also Category Screenshot software Notable software for capturing screenshots include Bandicam Camtasia CamStudio CloudApp Greenshot Gyazo IrfanView Jing KSnapshot Lightscreen Microsoft Snipping Tool Snip and Sketch Monosnap PrintKey 2000 scrot ShareX Shotty Snagit Snapz Pro X VVCap Window Clippings Xfire XnView Xwd PicPickSome web browsers for example Firefox and Microsoft Edge have a screenshot tool which can be used to capture a whole web page or part of it Common technical issues editHardware overlays edit On Windows systems screenshots of games and media players sometimes fail resulting in a blank rectangle The reason for this is that the graphics are bypassing the normal screen and going to a high speed graphics processor on the graphics card by using a method called hardware overlay Generally there is no way to extract a computed image back out of the graphics card citation needed though software may exist for special cases or specific video cards One way these images can be captured is to turn off the hardware overlay Because many computers have no hardware overlay most programs are built to work without it just a little slower In Windows XP this is disabled by opening the Display Properties menu clicking on the Settings tab clicking Advanced Troubleshoot and moving the Hardware Acceleration Slider to None Free software media players may also use the overlay but often have a setting to avoid it or have dedicated screenshot functions Screen recording edit Main article Screencast The screen recording capability of some screen capture programs is a time saving way to create instructions and presentations but the resulting files are often large A common problem with video recordings is the action jumps instead of flowing smoothly due to low frame rate Though getting faster all the time ordinary PCs are not yet fast enough to play videos and simultaneously capture them at professional frame rates i e 30 frame s For many cases high frame rates are needed for a pleasant experience Copyright issues editSome companies believe the use of screenshots is an infringement of copyright on their program as it is a derivative work of the widgets and other art created for the software 5 6 7 Regardless of copyright screenshots may still be legally used under the principle of fair use in the U S or fair dealing and similar laws in other countries 8 9 See also edit nbsp Free and open source software portalComparison of screencasting software Codeless test automation Print screen Screencast Thumbshot Video captureReferences edit Matthew Allen November December 2016 Representing Computer Aided Design Screenshots and the Interactive Computer circa 1960 Perspectives on Science Retrieved 8 January 2017 RUN Magazine issue 25 January 1986 Details of package gtk vector screenshot in stretch Debian GitHub macos Is it possible to take a screenshot in vector format Ask Different Screen Shots Excluding Xbox Use of Microsoft Copyrighted Content Retrieved 2007 08 22 Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots Microsoft Retrieved 1 September 2021 Question What are screenshots and is using them copyright infringement FAQ about Copyright Chilling Effects Clearinghouse Retrieved 2007 08 22 Copyright in screenshots Who owns it MetaFilter Retrieved 2007 08 22 Ask the Law Geek Is publishing screenshots Fair Use Lifehacker 10 August 2006 Retrieved 2007 08 22 External links editUse Snipping Tool to capture screenshots at Microsoft Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Screenshot amp oldid 1197116165, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
