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jeff k · May 12, 2012, 11:37 AM

My screenshots come out quite huge. Is there a way to tell the computer to do a small screenshot, like 500 pixels on one side?

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 12:02 PM

Resize them using either iPhoto's export function or Preview, or Automator, or any number of third-party apps.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 12:56 PM

Well I have PHotoshop, I was just wondering if there was way to screenshot without having to then open in another app.

andi*pandi · May 12, 2012, 01:16 PM

not that I know of. Perhaps Snapz Pro has a "set target size" option...

If you are doing a ton of them, you can also create an "action" in Photoshop that will automate the process nicely.

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 01:46 PM

Or Automator. WAAAAAY simple.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 01:49 PM

Never used Automator. Action is an idea... or if there is another way...

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 01:56 PM

Automator.

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 02:02 PM

Open Automator.

Select "Application" for type of document.

At left, click "Photos".

From right-hand column, drag "scale images" to the workflow area. You will be asked whether the workflow should edit the originals, or preserve them (in which case, a step "copy files" will automatically be added). Choose to add this step or not, as you wish.

Enter desired maximum size in pixels.

Save.

Any image you drag onto the newly created application will be copied and resized as per your setting.

I swear, Automator is OS X's best-kept secret.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 02:16 PM

S
ok, a few dialag boxes did not understand, but for now, it puts it in an iphoto folder? or album? I don't use iphoto. I just want it on the desktop. thanks!

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 03:09 PM

Where did I mention iPhoto?

Try it.

Just follow the steps I wrote up.

You save the application wherever, and any image you drag onto it from wherever will be (copied to the desktop and) resized. Takes all of thirty seconds to set up.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 03:39 PM

S
it seems to be working but, no it does not save the new version to the desktop, I have no idea where it's going. It definitively said something about going to iphoto....

Spheric Harlot · May 12, 2012, 03:51 PM

I just tried my steps on both 10.7 and 10.6.

Youre adding an extra step in there. Take a look at the automator action. It won't do anything with iPhoto unless you're specifically using a script to do so.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 05:20 PM

I'm on 10.6.8, but then where is the photo going? Nothing ends up on my desktop.

jeff k · May 12, 2012, 10:47 PM

S MY apologies, it does work. Just did not notice it was replacing old file, cool! Good point I always ignored automator after it was invented as too complicated and obtuse.

Spheric Harlot · May 13, 2012, 06:03 AM

Really?

I find it incredibly straightforward. It does take a few seconds of finding your way around, though.