Screengrab in SU

oldskoolflash

Hi all,

I am putting together some basic SU tutorials and I want to capture the screen (with application cursor) using OSX.

I thought this would be easy but it is proving to be a nightmare I can't find any way either with native OS tools or third party software.

I have a couple of questions:

Does anyone know if this is possible using a mac?
If not, does anyone have a link to the cursor icons used in SU and I will photoshop them back in (like hand for pan, pencil for shapes, magnifying glass etc.)

And I though this way going to be the easy bit!

Thanks in advance.

Ben.

Dave R

Sure it's possible. I do it frequently using SnagIt. Here's a quick example. No Photoshopping required.

It doesn't appear to be possible with the native screen grab options or the Grab app.

oldskoolflash

@dave r said:

Sure it's possible. I do it frequently using SnagIt. Here's a quick example. No Photoshopping required.
[attachment=0:216my2oy]2014-09-09_06-07-51.png[/attachment:216my2oy]
It doesn't appear to be possible with the native screen grab options or the Grab app.

Many thanks, that does seem to solve the problem and is a very sophisticated app.

Thanks again.

slbaumgartner

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion. I took a quick look at the Snagit site and it left me with the same question I had about the native tools. Namely, if the tool requires you to use a mouse action to designate the target to capture (click a window or drag out a rectangle) how do you cause the Mac to retain the original application's cursor in the screen capture? Normally it changes the cursor as soon as you activate another app, including a screen-capture app. The online documentation made it seem like Snagit has this same issue? I confess I didn't download Snagit to try it, just took a quick look at the online docs.

Thanks
Steve

Dave R

Basically you get a new cursor with the original one left where it was. I use a keyboard shortcut to activate the capture and then either select a window as I did in the above shot or drag out a capture window. I usually drag out the capture window so as to include toolbars and windows.

Box

I haven't used a mac for a long time, but from memory isn't there a timer option in the grab app so you can set up what you want and it will grab the cursor too. I've been known to be wrong.

Dave R

I guess there is. I'm not thrilled with the timer thingy, though. It does work, though.

Box

Much like my impression of the whole Mac thingy.

oldskoolflash

@slbaumgartner said:

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion. I took a quick look at the Snagit site and it left me with the same question I had about the native tools. Namely, if the tool requires you to use a mouse action to designate the target to capture (click a window or drag out a rectangle) how do you cause the Mac to retain the original application's cursor in the screen capture?
Steve

Yes, in my extensive (10 mins) experience the keyboard shortcut in Snagit it key to this as it freezes the screen in it's current state and, as Dave states, gives you a new cursor to perform the grab.

oldskoolflash

@box said:

I haven't used a mac for a long time, but from memory isn't there a timer option in the grab app so you can set up what you want and it will grab the cursor too. I've been known to be wrong.

I tried this but the cursor is still removed (presumably by the OS).

Dave R

After you start the timer you have to click back in the SketchUp window and then wait for the timer to run out.

oldskoolflash

@dave r said:

After you start the timer you have to click back in the SketchUp window and then wait for the timer to run out.
[attachment=1:1triv1io]GrabApp.png[/attachment:1triv1io]

The problem is (for me anyway) is that the cursor is either removed or substituted for a default one (see image below (Left is with grab, right is with Snagit).

Dave R

My error. The cursor isn't picked up. We'll stick to SnagIt and avoid the problem altogether. I tend to keep SnagIt open all the time. It puts a little tab over on the right side of the screen but it isn't in the way.

Box

Move along, nothing to see here.

D'oh I'm wrong yet again.

dtrarch

Take a look at Faststone Capture
http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm
Very slick and affordable.($19.00 US)
IMO the only one you will ever need.

dtr

slbaumgartner

@dtrarch said:

Take a look at Faststone Capture
http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm
Very slick and affordable.($19.00 US)
IMO the only one you will ever need.

dtr

Provided you are on Windows - I see no Mac version.

Steve

driven

The native Quicktime Player records the cursor changes...

I'll upload a demo to youtube as you can't post videos directly here... [or can you???]

john

with_cursor.mov

driven

Youtube Video

sketch3d.de

you may want try the free Lightshot for Mac OS too.

Norbert

driven

If you use applescript, [which every mac user should, IMHO]...

you can launch Quicktime from a plugin button or menu item, which saves a bit of time...
one I just made...

You still need to deselect, highlight cursor in QuickTime drop-down tad if you want 'only' SU cursors
you click the button to run, drag the area you want, stop using the normal QT top menu button [will be the first on right hand side]

Save and then share, you need to close any QT windows before it will run from start again...

here's one I just made...
try it if you dare...

john