You will find there are times you want to capture what’s displayed on your computer’s screen. Doing so can be useful in showing the steps to perform a procedure, capture an image you are unable to ‘save as’ or ‘save as target’ or just capturing something that you like.
Side note: Individual images can be saved by clicking the right mouse button one time while over an image. This will open a box allowing you to save that image to your computer by selecting either ‘save picture as’ – allowing you to rename it if you so choose – or ‘save target as’ – keeping the same name . You can then save that image to a folder in your computer or to an external drive.
While screen captures allow you to work with the captured screen as an image in a graphics program, this does not mean all screen captures must be images. Performing this function will include everything visible on the screen including all images and text – even though the text is not an image – or it can be a selected area that may be nothing but text with no images. Whatever is on the screen and designated to be captured will be captured and displayed as an image in the graphics program.
Paint Shop Pro (PSP) 7 was used to show this procedure as outlined in the steps below. But if you don’t have PSP (both versions 7 and 8 work the same) – then any good graphics program you may be using should work pretty much along the same lines . . . as long as there is a function allowing you to ‘import’. (Click on the images below to enlarge.)
Step 1
 Open the graphics program. From the ‘File’ icon select ‘Import’. This will offer options for importing, i.e. digital camera, digital input, screen capture, etc. Select Screen Capture. You will then have a choice of ‘Set Up’ or ‘Start’. If you have not performed a screen capture before, select ‘Set Up’. |
Step 2
 In ‘Set Up’ you decide how you want to perform the capture. You designate the area to be captured (part or all), how you want to activate the capture (Hot Key or right mouse click), and the time delay in seconds (if applicable). You will also have the option to include the cursor in the capture and/or to perform multiple captures. Once the set-up has been completed you can hit OK to save these settings to use later or ‘capture now’ to perform the action immediately. |
Step 3
| Before you start the capture process, what you want to capture should be visible on the screen. Next you will minimize that page to the lower tray (those icons and programs that are displayed at the very bottom of your monitor ). You should now have the screen to be captured minimized and the graphics program open. |
Step 4
 From the graphics program, go to ‘Import’ and select ‘Start’. The page to be captured will automatically appear on the screen and depending on how you have set up the program to activate the capture (timed or right mouse click) – the action will be performed.
Note: If you have more than one screen open and residing in the tray, you will need to restore the screen to be captured once you have started the capture process. |
Step 5
| On completion of the process, you should see an image of the screen capture in your graphic program ready for you to work with and save. |
Paint Shop Pro by Jasc is an excellent program that allows you to perform all the basics you would ever need. And, while their latest is Version PSPX2, in my opinion, the Paint Shop Pro 7 (which I’ve had and enjoyed for several years) is the easiest one to use and the best value for my money.
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