How to Capture a Screen Shot in Mac OS X

Sometimes you need to capture the image of your Mac's desktop. If you're using Mac OS X on an Apple computer, the process couldn't be easier. Follow these steps to complete this task.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An Apple computer running Macintosh OS X

Saving Screen Shots

1. 
    
   Control, Option and Command keys

   Locate the necessary keys on your keyboard. They are located just to the left of the space bar. From left to right you have "Control," "Option" and "Command."

2. 
    

   To capture the entire screen, also referred to as the desktop, press "Command + Shift + 3." You will hear a camera sound effect and a .png file will be saved to the desktop. To open it, just double-click the file and it will open in "Preview."

3. 
    

   To save only part of the screen image, press "Command + Shift + 4." A cursor with cross hairs will appear allowing you to select just the portion of the screen that you would like to save. Simply hold down the mouse or track pad button to select your desired portion. The image will save to your desktop once you let go of the button.

4. 
    

   To capture a specific window or frame, repeat the keystrokes from Step 3. Press "Command + Shift + 4," but then press the space bar. The cross hairs will change to a camera icon. You'll see that as you point the camera at different items on the desktop some appear highlighted. Select the window or frame, and then click the mouse or trackpad button. The .png file will save to the desktop.

Copying Screen Shots to the Clipboard

5. Copying a screen shot is just as easy as saving the file. Copying the image allows you to paste it somewhere else without having to actually download the file.

6. To capture the entire screen, also referred to as the desktop, press "Command + Control + Shift + 3." You'll hear a click sound effect so you'll know that you have copied the image. To paste it, press "Command + V."

7. To save part of the screen image, press "Command + Control + Shift + 4." The cursor with cross hairs will appear. Select your desired portion and let go of the mouse or trackpad button. The image will be copied to the clipboard. Press "Command + V" to paste.

8. To copy a specific window or frame, "Command + Control + Shift + 4" and press the space bar. The camera icon will appear. Select the window or frame, and then click the mouse or trackpad button to copy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide that you don't want to save or copy the screen shot, just press "ESC" in the upper left corner of your keyboard.

[bront3]

on 7/26/2009 I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you may want to add that the picture appears on your desktop s picture one. Other articles mention pressing 4... it worked for me with 3 and the crosshairs appeared with 4. :)