Screen Capture Mac Os Terminal

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Screen Capture Mac Os Terminal

Capturing a screen, taking a screenshot, or in PC talk, printscreening are different terms for the same desired outcome. macOS and OS X both allow for at least 13 ways to take a screenshot. In the guide below, we'll cover the most common ways to do so on a Mac. Whether you have an iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, the process is essentially the same as long as you're running macOS or older OS X operating system.
Ever wish OS X's screenshots ended up somewhere other than your desktop? A one-line terminal command can change all that, allowing you to store them anywhere you like. Just enter the following. ⌘ + Shift + 3 The screen capture shortcut on the Mac is one of the most useful tools I know. It grabs the screen and neatly places a.png file onto your desktop. But is this the highest quality screen capture you can get?
Easiest Ways to Take Screenshots on Mac1) Full Screen Selection ScreenshotIf you want to capture the whole screen, the following command is the easiest way to do so.
Hold down Shift + Command and press 3.
In case you run two or more monitors, you need to be working on the screen you want to capture.
2) Window Selection ScreenshotIf you want to capture a certain window, the following command is the easiest way to do so.
Hold down Shift + Command and press 4 
Hit spacebar and select window you want to screenshot.
3) Custom Selection Screenshot with Variable DimensionsIf you want to capture a custom size square or rectangle, the following command is the easiest way to do so.

Hold down Shift + Command and press 4
Make a custom selection with your mouse or trackpad.

Overview
Take a Screenshot with GrabUsing Grab has advantages. Grab is a default application on macOS that allows for taking four different kinds of screenshots. All four types of screen grabs can be done without using your keyboard at all. Your mouse or trackpad is all you need. Furthermore, you'll be able to chose the format of the output file as well as it's location destination on your hard drive.
4) Capture Custom Selection

Open Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Selection' so a prompt appears
Make a custom selection by using your mouse or trackpad
Save the screenshot by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
5) Capture a Full ScreenOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Screen' so a prompt appears
Click outside the prompt to select screen you want to capture
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
6) Capture a Desired WindowOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Window' so a prompt appears
Click the 'Select Window' button
Click the window you want to screenshot
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
7) Capture Timed ScreenOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Screen' so a prompt appears
Click the 'Start Timer' button
Time will go by and after 10 seconds grab takes a screenshot
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
Take a Screenshot with PreviewUsing the native Preview application is yet another way to take screenshots on your Mac. Preview, just like Grab, comes with the basic installation of macOS or OS X.
8) Screenshot From Custom SelectionOpen Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Selection.
9) Screenshot From a Desired Window
Open Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Window.
Mac Os Screen10) Screenshot from the Entire Screen
Open Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Entire Screen.
Take a Screenshot of Your Touch BarThis will only apply to some Mac users, but it's still worth mentioning. If you have a newer MacBook model with a Touch Bar, you can take a screenshot of the actual 'Touch Bar' itself. You can also use the Touch Bar to easily take screenshots by customizing it.
11) Screenshot Your Touch BarPress Shift-Command-6
This will screenshot your Touch Bar in its current state
12) Set up a Screenshot Button on the Touch BarClick on View in the top menu bar.
Select Customize Touch Bar.
A new menu will appear. Simply drag the Screenshot button into the Touch Bar.
When you tap on this Touch Bar button, you will get a set of options for the type of screenshots and where they will be saved.
13) Save a Screenshot into the Clipboard Rather Than a File

To save a screenshot to your clipboard rather than as a file, you can simply add the Control key to any keyboard shortcut.
For example Shift + Command + 3 would become Control + Shift + Command + 3
How to Edit Your Screenshot OptionsNow that you know how to take screenshots, it's worth learning other ways to edit them.
For example, using the Terminal, you can change where screenshots are saved and the file format they're saved as.
On a related note, there's no way to change the default resolution or output for all screenshots (since they're in the highest quality they can be already).
You can also save a screenshot to your Clipboard, rather than as a file, for easy pasting.
Where Screenshots Go By DefaultBy default, screenshots will end up on your desktop.
You can find screenshots on your actual desktop, or by opening a Finder window and clicking on Desktop.
Change Location of ScreenshotsHit Command + N, which will open a new Finder window.
Create a new folder by hitting Command + Shift + N.
Hit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal. Hit Enter.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'location': defaults write com.apple.screencapture location
Drag the folder you previously created into the Terminal window, which will input its directory path.
Hit the Enter key.
Make sure you DO NOT delete this folder, because it will cause problems for you later on.
Restore Screenshot Locations to DefaultHit Command + N, which will open a new Finder window.
Create a new folder by hitting Command + Shift + N.
Hit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal. Hit Enter.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'location':defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop
This will restore the Desktop as the default location for screenshots
Change the Output File FormatHit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'type.' But do not hit enter yet: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type
After the word 'type' and a space, enter the image format you'd like to use. JPG, etc.
Hit the Enter key.
Paste a Screenshot from Clipboard
To paste a screenshot that is stored on your clipboard, simply use the keyboard command Command + V.
Alternatively, you can right-click when in a location (such as a Finder folder) and click on Paste.
Taking a screenshot on a Mac® is as easy as on a PC—when you know the keyboard shortcuts to do so.
There are plenty of key commands in macOS® you might want to use for screen capture. Today, we'll break down the six best shortcuts for screenshots that any Mac user NEEDS to know—plus the one useful application that accomplishes all that and more with just one click.
Capture a Screenshot of an AreaFigure 1 – Keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot of part of a Mac screen
Screen Capture On MacOne of the most common needs for that 'print screen' command on a Mac is when we need to capture a portion of the screen. It's like a snipping tool for Mac. Be it an Instagram story, Twitter update, or part of a webpage to share with a colleague, you can screenshot any of those with just a few key combos.
(1) To capture a portion of the screen, do the following:
Press Command-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Select the area of a screen you want to capture by moving and dragging the cursor.
After releasing the mouse button, the screenshot will be saved as a PNG image on your desktop.
Figure 2 – Apple Support tweets the solution for screen capturing on Mac.
(2) To copy a portion of the screen to the clipboard, do the following:
Press Command-Control-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Select the area of a screen you want to capture by moving and dragging the cursor.
After clicking on the mouse, the screenshot will be saved to the clipboard.
Select the application where you want to insert the captured image, such as Word, Skype, or Outlook.
Press Command-V to paste the screenshot.
Capture a Screenshot of an Active WindowFigure 3 – The process of taking screenshots of an active application

Hold down Shift + Command and press 4
Make a custom selection with your mouse or trackpad.
Overview
Take a Screenshot with GrabUsing Grab has advantages. Grab is a default application on macOS that allows for taking four different kinds of screenshots. All four types of screen grabs can be done without using your keyboard at all. Your mouse or trackpad is all you need. Furthermore, you'll be able to chose the format of the output file as well as it's location destination on your hard drive.
4) Capture Custom SelectionOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Selection' so a prompt appears
Make a custom selection by using your mouse or trackpad
Save the screenshot by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
5) Capture a Full ScreenOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Screen' so a prompt appears
Click outside the prompt to select screen you want to capture
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
6) Capture a Desired WindowOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Window' so a prompt appears
Click the 'Select Window' button
Click the window you want to screenshot
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
7) Capture Timed ScreenOpen Grab by locating the application on your Mac or by hitting command + space bar and typing 'grab'
Navigate to a screen you want to screenshot
Right-click on the Grab icon in your dock and select 'Capture Screen' so a prompt appears
Click the 'Start Timer' button
Time will go by and after 10 seconds grab takes a screenshot
Click 'X' to close the screenshot window
Chose to delete or save by selecting the format, destination, and name of the file
Take a Screenshot with PreviewUsing the native Preview application is yet another way to take screenshots on your Mac. Preview, just like Grab, comes with the basic installation of macOS or OS X.
8) Screenshot From Custom SelectionOpen Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Selection.
9) Screenshot From a Desired Window
Open Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Window.
Mac Os Screen10) Screenshot from the Entire Screen
Open Preview by locating it on your Mac. Alternatively, hit Command + Space Bar and type in 'Preview.'
While in Preview, click on File in the upper-left of the top menu bar.
In the drop-down menu, select Take Screenshot.
Click on From Entire Screen.
Take a Screenshot of Your Touch BarThis will only apply to some Mac users, but it's still worth mentioning. If you have a newer MacBook model with a Touch Bar, you can take a screenshot of the actual 'Touch Bar' itself. You can also use the Touch Bar to easily take screenshots by customizing it.
11) Screenshot Your Touch BarPress Shift-Command-6
This will screenshot your Touch Bar in its current state
12) Set up a Screenshot Button on the Touch BarClick on View in the top menu bar.
Select Customize Touch Bar.
A new menu will appear. Simply drag the Screenshot button into the Touch Bar.
When you tap on this Touch Bar button, you will get a set of options for the type of screenshots and where they will be saved.
13) Save a Screenshot into the Clipboard Rather Than a File
To save a screenshot to your clipboard rather than as a file, you can simply add the Control key to any keyboard shortcut.
For example Shift + Command + 3 would become Control + Shift + Command + 3
How to Edit Your Screenshot OptionsNow that you know how to take screenshots, it's worth learning other ways to edit them.
For example, using the Terminal, you can change where screenshots are saved and the file format they're saved as.
On a related note, there's no way to change the default resolution or output for all screenshots (since they're in the highest quality they can be already).
You can also save a screenshot to your Clipboard, rather than as a file, for easy pasting.
Where Screenshots Go By DefaultBy default, screenshots will end up on your desktop.
You can find screenshots on your actual desktop, or by opening a Finder window and clicking on Desktop.
Change Location of ScreenshotsHit Command + N, which will open a new Finder window.
Create a new folder by hitting Command + Shift + N.
Hit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal. Hit Enter.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'location': defaults write com.apple.screencapture location
Drag the folder you previously created into the Terminal window, which will input its directory path.
Hit the Enter key.
Make sure you DO NOT delete this folder, because it will cause problems for you later on.
Restore Screenshot Locations to DefaultHit Command + N, which will open a new Finder window.
Create a new folder by hitting Command + Shift + N.
Hit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal. Hit Enter.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'location':defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop
This will restore the Desktop as the default location for screenshots
Change the Output File FormatHit Command + Space to open Spotlight and type in Terminal.
Type in the following phrase into the terminal, making sure there is a single space after the word 'type.' But do not hit enter yet: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type
After the word 'type' and a space, enter the image format you'd like to use. JPG, etc.
Hit the Enter key.
Paste a Screenshot from Clipboard
To paste a screenshot that is stored on your clipboard, simply use the keyboard command Command + V.
Alternatively, you can right-click when in a location (such as a Finder folder) and click on Paste.
Taking a screenshot on a Mac® is as easy as on a PC—when you know the keyboard shortcuts to do so.
There are plenty of key commands in macOS® you might want to use for screen capture. Today, we'll break down the six best shortcuts for screenshots that any Mac user NEEDS to know—plus the one useful application that accomplishes all that and more with just one click.
Capture a Screenshot of an AreaFigure 1 – Keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot of part of a Mac screen
Screen Capture On MacOne of the most common needs for that 'print screen' command on a Mac is when we need to capture a portion of the screen. It's like a snipping tool for Mac. Be it an Instagram story, Twitter update, or part of a webpage to share with a colleague, you can screenshot any of those with just a few key combos.
(1) To capture a portion of the screen, do the following:
Press Command-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Select the area of a screen you want to capture by moving and dragging the cursor.
After releasing the mouse button, the screenshot will be saved as a PNG image on your desktop.
Figure 2 – Apple Support tweets the solution for screen capturing on Mac.
(2) To copy a portion of the screen to the clipboard, do the following:
Press Command-Control-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Select the area of a screen you want to capture by moving and dragging the cursor.
After clicking on the mouse, the screenshot will be saved to the clipboard.
Select the application where you want to insert the captured image, such as Word, Skype, or Outlook.
Press Command-V to paste the screenshot.
Capture a Screenshot of an Active WindowFigure 3 – The process of taking screenshots of an active application
If you need a screenshot of a specific application that you're currently using, use this method. You can easily print screen an active window of any program, be it Safari, Chrome, Photoshop, or Microsoft Excel.
 (3) To capture a screenshot of an active window, do the following:
Press Command-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Tap on the spacebar on your keyboard. The cursor will change to a camera.
Select the active application window you want to capture by moving your cursor.
When you move the cursor over an application, the window will be highlighted.
Click the mouse button on the window you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG image on your desktop.
(4) To copy a screenshot of an active window to the clipboard, do the following:
Press Command-Control-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
Tap on the spacebar on your keyboard. The cursor will change to a camera.
Select the active application window you want to capture by moving your cursor.
When you move the cursor over an application, the window will be highlighted.
Click the mouse button on the window you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to the clipboard.
Select the application where you want to insert the captured image, like Word, Skype, or Outlook
Press Command-V to paste the screenshot.
Capture the Entire ScreenFigure 4 – Keyboard shortcut for capturing the entire screen on a Mac
(5) To capture a screenshot of a whole page, do the following:
Press Command-Shift-3 to take a screenshot of the whole screen.
The screenshot will be saved as a PNG image on your desktop.
(6) To copy a screenshot of a whole page to the clipboard, do the following:
Press Command-Control-Shift-3 to copy the whole screen.
The screenshot will be automatically saved to the clipboard.
Select the application where you want to insert the captured image, like Word, Skype, or Outlook
Press Command-V to paste the screenshot.
Mac App for Taking ScreenshotsFigure 5 – Parallels Toolbox: The ultimate Mac application for screen and video capturing
Sometimes, remembering all the dozens of shortcuts to take a Mac screenshot is not our main priority. All we need is a simple application that has everything ready for us with just one click.
Parallels® Toolbox Screen and Video Pack is the best Designed to help optimize your workday, it has all the important tools for everyday needs, such as screen and video capturing, video converter, YouTube video downloader, and more.
You can try Parallels Toolbox without any obligations and decide for yourself whether a small introductory price is a fair cost for all the time saved.
Where to Find Screenshots on a MacMac Os Screen CaptureFigure 6 – The primary location for all screenshots on a Mac is the desktop
Once you're done taking them, where do screenshots on a Mac go?
Normally, screenshots are saved as PNG images (titled with the current date and time stamp) right on the desktop. The format looks as follows: 'Screen Shot 2018-07-04 at 12.25.36.png'. Alternatively, a user can copy Mac screenshots to the clipboard by adding Control to the key combination and then pasting it right in the needed document. Here at Parallels, we practice this often—we love taking a MacBook® screenshot and sharing it with coworkers. It's an easy and quick way to effectively communicate what we see on our end.
What to Do if Screen Capture on Mac Is Not WorkingThe shortcuts for screen capturing may not work for a few reasons. One of the most common ones: they are simply disabled.
To fix that, do the following:
From the Apple menu in the top left corner, open System Preferences and click on the Keyboard.
In the new window, click on Shortcuts.
Find Screen Shots in the left menu.
Check if the shortcuts are active and have the same key combos you type.
To change a shortcut, select it and click the new key combination.
Mac Os X TerminalIf the shortcut is working but screenshots turn out blank, the reason is often copyright issues with the third-party application on the screen. To solve that, use the Parallels Toolbox application for screen capturing.