SOLVED: Taking Screenshot (via PrtScn) & MS Paint

[Nzyme]

I believe most users take screenshots by directly pressing the "PrtScn" button (entire screen) or "Alt + PrtScn" (for the active window). After this, they use the MS Paint program in this sequence:

1. Click on the "Start" logo or press the "Start" button on the keyboard (if available)
2. Type in Paint and click on "Paint" from the results or navigate to All Programs > Accessories > Paint
3. Open Paint and paste the image (Ctrl + V) or by the menu option.

I was wondering if it is possible to eliminate all the above 3 steps so that when the user presses either the "PrtScn" button or "Alt + PrtScn", MS Paint should open automatically with the copied image.

[skwire]

If you're serious about taking screenshots, I'd recommend a dedicated screenshot tool like mouser's own Screenshot Captor.  However, to answer your original request, here's an AutoHotkey snippet that will do the job:

Code: Autohotkey [Select]

1. $PrintScreen::
2. $!PrintScreen::
3. {
4.     If ( A_ThisHotkey = "$PrintScreen" )
5.     {
6.         SendInput, {PrintScreen}
7.     }
8.     Else If ( A_ThisHotkey = "$!PrintScreen" )
9.     {
10.         SendInput, !{PrintScreen}
11.     }
12.     ClipWait, 5, 1
13.     Run, mspaint.exe, , , myPID
14.     WinWait, % "ahk_pid " . myPID
15.     WinActivate, % "ahk_pid " . myPID
16.     WinWaitActive, % "ahk_pid " . myPID
17.     SendInput, ^v
18. }
19. Return

[mouser]

Note that you can ask Screenshot Captor to auto open new screen captures in MS Paint or any other program, assuming the built-in editing tools of the program are insufficient.

[Shades]

+1 with ScreenshotCaptor from Mouser. Besides that it does by default almost exactly what you ask by default, you can also set it up to name and store each screenshot without any further interaction at all.

Although MSPaint is not opened by default, a different but more functional editor is. This piece of software is really the "icing on the cake" and can stand against any commercially available solution that is available out there.  

[kunkel321]

Yepper doodle.  ScreenshotCaptor is what you need.

[Nzyme]

@skwire: Thanks for providing the script. I am totally new at this (AutoHotkey and stuff). I tried to run the script and got the attached error.

[skwire]

Do you have the entire code on one line or something?

[Nzyme]

It spans a few lines - 3 to 4 lines I think. (I have copied the code after clicking on "copy or print" link in the code box above and pasted it in Notepad) and then ran the script. Do I have it on the Notepad "just as" it appears in the code box above without the line numbers?

[skwire]

It needs to be in Notepad just like you see it in the above code box (19 lines).

[pspin]

I use Gadwin´s PrintScreen for this kind of matter. It is freeware, and you can put the saves directly into a chosen folder (it autosaves the files).
If you want to edit with MS-paint just make sure that it will become the standard utility when you double-click the saved picture.
http://www.gadwin.com/download/

I think that chosing a standard program for your saved files (starts with a right click over a jpg-file) would do the most of the work. I hope to have been of some support.

EDIT: I just saw mouser screenshot captor, it also is a really cool program. I am in for a try!

[Nzyme]

I just happened to use "FastStone Capture" and I have to say "Awesome!!!". Very light program and does exactly what I wanted.

[justabeginner]

As promised at.

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=30196.0

and another (not as good)

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=30197.0