=============================================================================== WinSnip Desktop Clipping Utility =============================================================================== --- 0. General Description --- WinSnip is a utility for copying portions of the desktop to the clipboard and saving the graphical contents of the clipboard to a PNG file. This utility is activated by pressing hot keys, and provides for conveniently selecting a region of the desktop to copy. The WinSnip utility can be also used for saving the copied desktop region to an auto-generated PNG file in the current user's temporary folder, in which case the full path to the file is placed to the clipboard instead of the actual graphical contents. This utility may become handy when preparing slides on computer interfaces, composing software documentation, or uploading pieces of graphics to the web, as it saves quite a bit of mouse clicks spent on screen copying, clipping and file conversion. Copyright HOOPOE ProGroup, 2012-2013. All rights reserved --- 1. Package Structure and Installation --- . \ winsnip.exe WinSnip binary file license.txt WinSnip End User License Agreement readme.txt This file This utility is compatible (subject to the accompanying disclaimer) with Microsoft* Windows* operating systems (XP and higher versions) and supports IA32 and Intel 64/AMD64 processor architectures. The WinSnip utility does not require installation and can be started by running the winsnip.exe file. You may want to place the winsnip.exe file in the Programs/Startup folder to ensure the WinSnip utility is on after each system reboot. --- 2. Usage Guidelines --- 1-a. Specify Hotkey 1 and Hotkey 2 in the command line as follows: "winsnip.exe (WIN+CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+key) (WIN+CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+key)" wherein the hotkeys are specified in parentheses as any combination of control keys (WIN+CTRL+ALT+SHIFT) and an action key delimited with '+' signs. The action key can be any upper-register alphanumeric key or any of the INS, DEL, SPACE, ESC, ENTER, TAB, UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, HOME, END keys. 1-b. Alternatively, run winsnip.exe without arguments and select hot keys from a dialog box, then press Set button. If the keys are set up successfully, a shortcut to the WinSnip will be created next to the program's binary. You may copy the shortcut to any place (e.g., the Desktop or Quick Launch bar) you feel convenient for a quick start. Note that the hot keys are also stored in the shortcut and will be used automatically. 2. Press Hotkey 1 to enter the screen copying mode. 3. Use the mouse with the left button pressed to select a screen region. 4. The selected region will be copied to the clipboard automatically after you release the mouse button. 5. You may always cancel the screen copying mode by pressing ESCAPE. 6-a. In case your work requires precision and you're not sure you can make the right selection from the first try, switch to the confirmation-based screen copying mode by pressing SPACE or double-clicking the right mouse button. 6-b. While in this mode, you can keep selecting other screen regions until you're satisfied and press ENTER to accept and copy the region to the clipboard, and then exit the screen copying mode. 6-c. Press the middle mouse button to mark the currently selected region red. 6-d. Press SPACE or double-click the right mouse button to switch between the screen copying modes. 7. Press Hotkey 2 to save the bitmap contents of the clipboard (typically, your selected region, but you may use this utility to convert any bitmap in the clipboard) to a .PNG file in your temporary directory. The full path to the saved file is placed in the clipboard. 8. To unload this utility, press Hotkey 1 and then ALT+F4. Experimental Functionality: 1. Clicking the right mouse button switches between the screen region selection and a background removal mode. 2. When in the background removal mode (as indicated by a 16x16 rectangle cursor): 2-a. Place the mouse cursor over a portion of the background closest to your foreground objects and press the left button. 2-b. With the left button still pressed, move the cursor along the edges of your foreground objects. 2-c. The background is painted white, while the foreground should remain unchanged. NOTE: In this mode, the WinSnip utility tries to whiten all pixels (in the region pointed at by the cursor) that look similar to pixels of the selected background region. NOTE: You may change the background replacement color from white to yellow (and back) by pressing SPACE, which will effectively convert this tool into a highlighter. 2-d. Press the middle button (or SHIFT) to restore accidentally whitened pixels (in the region pointed at by the cursor). 3. Switch back to the selection mode to select and copy the results. Note that the background removal mode is intended primarily for removing the background along the edges of the foreground objects, so that the rest of the background could be easily removed (filled in or painted over) using a typical graphics editor. --- 3. Troubleshooting --- Some key combinations may be already reserved by other programs, in which case the WinSnip utility will report an error. Please try specifying a different hot key combination. Specifying a lower-case alphanumeric or a non-alphanumeric (not specifically listed in this document) key, may lead to the inability to activate the WinSnip utility. Please terminate the winsnip.exe process in the Windows Task Manager and try specifying a correct hot key combination. --- 4. Terms of Use --- Terms and conditions of use are set forth in the accompanying end-user license agreement (license.txt file), please study carefully --- 5. Links and Contacts --- Latest information about WinSnip can be found at: www.hoopoesnest.com Please address your questions related to sales and licensing to: sales@hoopoesnest.com Please send your questions regarding maintenance and support to: support@hoopoesnest.com --- 6. Notes --- * All names and brands are the property of their respective owners