LLfan Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Who uses pdf files for images? I tried doing screen captures the only way I know how (command+shift+3 and command+shift+4) and they both are saved as pdf files. I then tried to open them in the GIMP and it couldn't read it.Any ideas? I have a small HD here (40 gigs) so I don't feel like downloading an app for something that should be done properly natively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebkens Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I post all of my printable forms on the web in pdf format. A free Adobe Acrobat reader will open them: available at adobe.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Humm... what error message did the gimp give you when you tried to open the pdf. I just downloaded the newest GTK and GIMP for windows, and it almost opened it, but then gave me an error about some plugin that i needed. I think i found that plugin so there might be hope yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I couldn't get it to work, but i found a better solution! Thanks to a tip from HD, you can open your pdf file in Preview, pull down File, Export... from the program menu, select jpg, and Bob's your uncle! This works for any file, not just screenshots. If you need to embed a smaller photo of a scanned document into your web page, then Preview will do the job handily. You can even scale the original by using Preview's print-to-file feature with scaling set to 25%, say, in Page Setup, then export the scaled file to jpg. Voila! The power of Preview is easy to underestimate. Source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arena2045 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I am the variety that uses a bit more advanced software to edit images... So I can understand why Mike wanted to use the GIMP.Side note, I also tried opening a screen shot PDF via GIMP and it wont open saying there is a plug in missing.As Sonic has pointed out, you can use Preview (the default PDF viewer) for OS X to crop etc then export... That IS a good suggestion, and its quick for cropping etc...But here is a simple solution instead of having to tinker with Preview then edit in GIMP. Its a little application thats been waiting to be added to my Fav list (along with some others... I'll update my fav list today...)It's called ImageWell, its freeware, and you can convert image formats and also manipulate images too...Very easy to do:0) Take the screen shot1) Take PDF screen shot image from desktop (or where ever), DRAG it over the ImageWell application icon.2) ImageWell opens, the image, you can tinker with settings or leave at 100% jpeg, then click SAVE, pick a location, thats it.3) Now open your image in the GIMP, and you are on your way to easily editing your images using your fav image editor. XtraLean Software : ImageWell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arena2045 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Just for fun. : .mov (900 KB)* Yes it's slow and can appear to be jerky, but I slowed down the frame rate to get a smaller movie... my computer isn't that slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLfan Posted June 13, 2004 Author Share Posted June 13, 2004 siebkens--I know what a pdf is and it's intended uses. My question is why would a screenshot of your desktop be defaulted to a non-standardized image extension. Jpeg or ideally PNG are both fantastic options.Sonic--You da man--or woman--or WoMAN. Either way I think this is what I want. Thanks. Still seems silly though.Arena--Will give it a whirl probably tomorrow.Thanks all,Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 You da man--or woman--or WoMAN. Either way I think this is what I want. Thanks.haha , it's man . Glad to help.Arena, that looks like a nice program. I searched quickly for a snapshot program, but i didn't turn up anything free. Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arena2045 Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Yeah ImageWell is a very handy and quick app. I've been using it for a while.The leader in screen shots and making tutorial movies (like the one I posted) is Snapz Pro X. It is NOT free and is expensive if you get the version with video capabilities.Why it saves the images as PDF? I have no clue, but I remember reading somewhere how much PDF functionality is built into OS X. It's realy nice that you can save web pages and text as PDF from the print dialog... but a bit strange I agree. What's even stranger is that while big name graphics apps can open PDF images (Photoshop/Fireworks) Apple's own iPhoto doesn't allow you to import them. A search of the Knowledge base shows the same steps that Sonic posted.Free screenshot utilities? I've never tried any of these except for Snapz Pro X:VersionTracker Search Results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Nice link! I must admit, i didn't even think to search there. I just searched the download section of apple.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celebrity Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Everything depends on the purpose of your capturing. If you are going to create a tutorial for your friend in order to explain him how to use a program it's much more convenient to execute screen video capture... And then give final video to your friend.There is a program called Screen VidShot 1.2... It's quite good in screen video capturing! Very handy tool...Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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