Tools - Desktop snapshot...


Under the menu item "Tools → Desktop snapshot..." or the shortcut "Shift+Ctrl+F11" settings for desktop snapshots can be defined.

A desktop snapshot (according to the settings under this menu item) can be started as follows:

  • by activating the button "Snapshot" in these settings.
  • directly from the FreeCommander with the shortcut "Shift+Ctrl+F12".
  • If the setting "Hotkey global" is checked, desktop snapshots can be started with the shortcut "Shift+Ctrl+F12" in other active programs (as long as FreeCommander is running in the background).



Capture area

Area selection

To define which part of the desktop should be captured, on of the following options can be selected:

  • Full desktop - all monitors
    A snapshot containing the contents of all connected monitors is captured.
  • Desktop - current monitor (mouse)
    The contents of the current monitor (where the cursor is positioned) is captured.
  • Foreground window
    The content of the active window is captured.
  • Foreground window  - client area
    The content of the active window is captured, without frame and title bar.
  • Selected rectangle - current monitor (mouse)
    If this option is selected and the snapshot is activated (with the button "Snapshot" or the shortcut "Shift+Ctrl+F12"), a black cross is shown (after a short delay) on the current monitor, that allows to define the snapshot area. The selection area can be defined by dragging a rectangle with the mouse as follows:
    • Position the cross at the corner of the rectangle to be drawn.
    • Keep the left mouse button pressed and move the cursor to the opposite corner (for example, from top left to bottom right). The area to be selected is shown with a dashed outline.
    • After releasing the left mouse button the snapshot is started and is available as defined under "Saving method".

Include mouse cursor

If this setting is checked, the cursor is shown in the snapshot.

This setting is active only, if one of the following options is selected:

  • Desktop - current monitor (mouse)
  • Foreground window
  • Foreground window  - client area

Format

Under "Format" a output format for the snapshot can be selected:

  • BMP
  • PNG
  • GIF
  • JPG

Saving method

Under the setting "Saving method" at least one of the following saving methods has to be selected (any combination of methods can be selected).

Store in clipboard

If this saving method is checked, the snapshot is copied to the clipboard and can be pasted in an other program afterwards (e.g. with the shortcut "Ctrl+V" in Winword).

Open in image editor

If this saving method is checked, the snapshot is opened immediately in the image editor (specified in the input field "Image editor).

Input field image editor

In the input field "Image editor" the desired editor can be entered (with path). After clicking the button the following entry helpers are offered:

  • Seek program
    Opens the standard dialog "Open". The selected program is inserted at the cursor position into the input field.
  • Start drive (%FcSrcDrive%)
    Inserts the drive FreeCommander was started from at the cursor position into the input field.
  • Start folder (%FcSrcPath%)
    Inserts the folder FreeCommander was started from at the cursor position into the input field.

Example: %windir%\system32\mspaint.exe

Save as file

If this saving method is checked, the snapshot is saved to a file with the file format selected under "Format".

File name

The desired file name can be entered in the input field "File name". Clicking the button and selecting "Current time stamp: [d]" inserts date and time when the snapshot was taken at the cursor position into the name string.

Destination folder

The folder where the file shall be saved can be entered in the input field "Destination folder". After clicking the button the following entry helpers are offered:

  • Seek folder
    Opens the standard dialog "Browse for folder".
  • Start drive (%FcSrcDrive%)
    Inserts the drive FreeCommander was started from at the cursor position into the input field.
  • Start folder (%FcSrcPath%)
    Inserts the folder FreeCommander was started from at the cursor position into the input field.

Create sub folder for current date

If this option is checked, a sub folder of the "Destination folder" with the snapshot date as name is created (if it does not already exist). The file is saved to this sub folder with the snapshot date contained in the file name.

Hide FreeCommander window while creating snapshot

If this option is checked, the FreeCommander window is minimized before the snapshot is taken.

Hotkey global

If this option is checked, desktop snapshots can be started with the shortcut "Shift+Ctrl+F12" in other active programs (as long as FreeCommander is running in the background). This shortcut can changed under the main menu item "Tools → Define keyboard shortcuts...".

Button Snapshot

Activating the button "Snapshot" closes the window "Desktop snapshot" and starts taking the snapshot according to the settings in this window.