Launch straight to 'selected region' capture from command-line

[skuffle]

I'm using the portable version of Captor, and would rather not run it constantly in the background. Would it be possible to use a command-line switch to launch captor straight into 'selected region' mode?

I use another portable app called Quick Cliq, and this shows a fast-launch menu when I press a particular mouse button. I was hoping to put a shortcut to Captor on this menu, so if I want to capture something I can just launch this link - straight to drawing the region for capture - then close it again when I have printed or saved the screengrab.

Would this be possible? Any help would be appreciated

[mouser]

Give this a try and let me know how it works for you:

you can specify some commandline options for Screenshot Captor:
-maximize  -- maximizes window
-minimize  -- minimized window
-show  -- shows window if minimized
-scan -- initiates a scan
-capture CAPTURETYPE  -- initiates a screen capture (CAPTURETYPE = workspace|screen|activewindow|region|object|scanner)
-dir "FULLPATH"  -- switches screenshot directory to this page
-file "FULLPATH" -- switches to containing directory and opens specified file
-printnext  -- says to print the next capture/scan

ps.
If you don't want to leave Screenshot Captor running in the background you might try using its little brother, MiniCap instead of Screenshot Captor; MiniCap is all about commandline invocation.

[skuffle]

Thank you for the reply and info!

This *almost* works perfectly - the only thing missing is I would prefer the application to cleanly Exit when I have printed (or saved) the screencap, rather than minimising to tray. Although subsequent command-line calls appear to work - even when the app minimises itself - I would prefer a full exit as I would only use this once every few weeks.

Is there another option I am missing? Or can I request it?

[mouser]

Sounds like you want MiniCap.
It's much more focused on starting quickly then exiting and not remaining running.

[skuffle]

I've just given Minicap a go. There were a few things I noticed:

1) There's no portable version I could see available for download. So I installed it, copied the directory and uninstalled it - and it worked - but it would be nice to have a native portable download for such a tiny useful app

2) The default savefile format is GIF. Really?! It seems to remember JPG when changed, but this is a strange choice for default, I thought!

3) I don't think I can live without the advanced print layout options in Captor - the full-page screendump you get is a bit much, and a waste of ink for me. Unless I'm missing the option somewhere?

Otherwise, it almost works great - and I can see this would be the better app to launch 'on demand' - it's just a bit *too* cut back at present in terms of printing.

[mouser]

ok all 3 points above should be considered bugs.. i'll try to fix; MiniCap is due for an update.

#2: note that normally you would tell MiniCap to save the file name on the commandline and not have it prompt you for one, so #2 shouldn't really come up.
#3: did you try the -printpreview option?

[skuffle]

That would be absolutely amazing - thank you! If those 3 things were addressed it would be ideal for what I want to do with it

The reason I wouldn't specify a filename at the commandline is I sometimes print, and sometimes save, and would like to retain control over that - I also change where I save the files according to what I'm doing.

If you need any help beta testing it, let me know - I'd be happy to

[skuffle]

I tried 'minicap -captureregselect -printpreview' but it didn't appear to operate any differently?

[mouser]

I'll check it, frankly i don't remember but i thought -printpreview should show the same printing options as Screenshot Captor.