How to Capture a Screen Shot with Mac OS X

The Mac OS X has several options for Screen capture. The capture process will allow for saving (capturing) the whole desktop or individual items on the screen.

To capture the entire desktop:

• Press the keys: Command + Shift + 3. This will save the capture in a PNG File on the desktop. This file can be opened using the application called
  Preview.

To capture the entire desktop without saving the PNG file to the desktop:

• Press the keys Command + Control + Shift + 3. This will save the screen shot to your clipboard so you can paste it in to another program.

To capture a portion of the desktop or a single item on the desktop:

• Press the keys Command + Shift + 4. This will change the curser to a cross shaped item and will allow you to draw around the item you want to capture. After selecting the area you want, release the mouse button and the item will be saved to the Desktop in a PNG file. (If you are using Mac OS X 10.3 or earlier the item is saved as a PDF file.

To capture a specific application window:

• Press the Command + Shift + 4, then press the Space Bar.
  This will change the cursor to a camera. As you move around the desktop, stop on an application. This will cause the application to become highlighted. With the window highlighted that you want to capture, press the mouse button. This will capture this application window only. The entire desktop does not need to be seen to do this.
  You will find this captured item on the desktop as a PNG File. (If you are using Mac OS X 10.3 or earlier the item is saved as a PDF file.)

Note: you can capture to the Clipboard instead of saving to the desktop by pressing the Control key during the last two commands described above.