Solve : Print Screen batch?

1.	Solve : Print Screen batch?
Answer» I am looking for a way to use a batch program for easier screen shots. I have the basic format, but need help with the specific commands. Currently, to take a screen print, I press print screen, open paint, load image, save file, then close paint. I would like to know if there is a way to have a batch program do this, along with saving the file as a unique name such as mm/dd/yyyy; mm:ss Ideally, I would like to have the batch program on my desktop, and give it a special shorcut to launch, so that I can see full screen applications in more detail as needed. Any assistance is appreciated in advance.To me, this doesn't sound like a job for batch files. Sounds more like you need a utility type program designed for grabbing screen shots. Have you looked around for anything like this? Also, Quote I have the basic format, can you elaborate on this? It would help to understand what you are doing so far. I have seen the paid and shareware versions of screen shot programs. I was hoping that there would be something already in the OS, so that a third-party would not be involved. The Basic premise is: Command to take screen shot Ability to open Paint program. Paste the screen shot from the clipboard to Paint. Save the file a unique name (based either on random letters, or sequential with compare to others existing). Close Paint program. I was hoping for a way to program, so that I can be playing a game, and at anytime the screen is captured (via hotkey), and saved somewhere. Having the ability to make sure that FILENAMES are not duplicated, I can be on the game and take multiple shots without having to manually save them.Interesting chore that you wish to accomplish. I don't know how to do it, as you've described though. Let's see if somebody else comes along with a different idea. Back in the days of 'Good Old DOS", There were some neat little jewels laying around that were called "KEYBOARD stuffers." They were small, simple, and adequate. (And limited). I don't know if they will work with modern OS's, but a little poking around might find something that will fit the bill. You've nothing to lose, so why not do a little research and see what pops. Tony McNamara's "Keypress" might be a good place to start.yes but there is also a problem with this... when you open the batch to take the shot, it will be opened on your screen, therefore taking a shot of itself. and as of a full screen game, when you open it it should automatically minimize the game you have running to take the screenshot, taking a shot of your desktop and the batch.Thanks for the heads up 2k_dummy. I will look more into that. Very nice obversation, gamerx365. Having DOS pop up at anytime will take an application out of full screen. It may not be able to be done full, but having the ability for the app in Windowed Mode, would be an option I would be willing to live with, if it works.Years ago I wrote a little TSR that intercepted the PrtSc interrupt, snatched the screen, and wrote it to a file instead of sending it to the printer. This was strictly for TEXT-based DOS 6.22 and probably any version back to 3.10. It would not work with a screen in graphics mode, which is what you seem to be describing. And it is a batch solution only insofar as it is loaded from the command line or in autoexec. Quote from: NewbieOldSchool on November 21, 2007, 07:55:56 PM Thanks for the heads up 2k_dummy. I will look more into that. ? I thought you were not interested in third party utils. What I had in mind was something exactly like what JosephMansfield has mentioned - a TSR. I'd have to look around... it has been a while... but I remember there were some out there. But, like JM said, they too might have problems with a windowed session. JM: Was yours freeware? is it available anywhere for d/l, if someone reading along here would like to experiment with it? Can it also be unloaded from the command line? WillyW : I wrote commercial programs which used a text-only interface. My TSR allowed me to snap pictures of the program screens, then include those screen shots in manuals and help screens. It appended all screen shots to a single file so there was no need of multiple catch files. There was no provision for unloading, once it was loaded. If you would like a copy to play with, I'd be glad to send you both source code and .COM code, just give me an address and I will email it or send it via transferbigfiles. I think there is a way on this forum to respond directly to me without broadcasting your address. WillyW, I would prefer that it is not from a third party, but if the coding for that particular one was available, it could give me a direction on how to code it myself. Joseph, if you could help me understand the relation between DOS and graphic programs, it would be much appreciated. You mentioned that it would not work with a screen in a graphics mode, but it could be the first piece of the puzzle.Graphics can show you pictures on the screen, smiley faces, fancy lettering, etc. Text-only is just that -- you see letters, and maybe a few lines, but that is all. When you have your paint program up, that is graphics. If you open a DOS box (run CMD.EXE or COMMAND.EXE), that box is text only. I know DOS and text video down to the bare metal, but I quit reading when Windows came out, so I really can't tell you any more than I just did. My TSR won't help you. But after I close this, I'll see if I can send email to you and if so send you the code for the TSR so you can see for yourself. I think the bottom line is that the way you are doing the job now is as good as it GETS. Windows does not lend itself to automation of repetitive tasks the way DOS does.

Answer»

I am looking for a way to use a batch program for easier screen shots. I have the basic format, but need help with the specific commands.

Currently, to take a screen print, I press print screen, open paint, load image, save file, then close paint. I would like to know if there is a way to have a batch program do this, along with saving the file as a unique name such as mm/dd/yyyy; mm:ss

Ideally, I would like to have the batch program on my desktop, and give it a special shorcut to launch, so that I can see full screen applications in more detail as needed.

Any assistance is appreciated in advance.To me, this doesn't sound like a job for batch files.

Sounds more like you need a utility type program designed for grabbing screen shots.
Have you looked around for anything like this?

Also,
Quote

I have the basic format,

can you elaborate on this? It would help to understand what you are doing so far.

I have seen the paid and shareware versions of screen shot programs. I was hoping that there would be something already in the OS, so that a third-party would not be involved.

The Basic premise is:

Command to take screen shot
Ability to open Paint program.
Paste the screen shot from the clipboard to Paint.
Save the file a unique name (based either on random letters, or sequential with compare to others existing).
Close Paint program.

I was hoping for a way to program, so that I can be playing a game, and at anytime the screen is captured (via hotkey), and saved somewhere. Having the ability to make sure that FILENAMES are not duplicated, I can be on the game and take multiple shots without having to manually save them.Interesting chore that you wish to accomplish.

I don't know how to do it, as you've described though. Let's see if somebody else comes along with a different idea.

Back in the days of 'Good Old DOS", There were some neat little jewels laying around that were called "KEYBOARD stuffers." They were small, simple, and adequate. (And limited). I don't know if they will work with modern OS's, but a little poking around might find something that will fit the bill. You've nothing to lose, so why not do a little research and see what pops. Tony McNamara's "Keypress" might be a good place to start.yes but there is also a problem with this...

when you open the batch to take the shot, it will be opened on your screen, therefore taking a shot of itself. and as of a full screen game, when you open it it should automatically minimize the game you have running to take the screenshot, taking a shot of your desktop and the batch.Thanks for the heads up 2k_dummy. I will look more into that.

Very nice obversation, gamerx365. Having DOS pop up at anytime will take an application out of full screen. It may not be able to be done full, but having the ability for the app in Windowed Mode, would be an option I would be willing to live with, if it works.Years ago I wrote a little TSR that intercepted the PrtSc interrupt, snatched the screen, and wrote it to a file instead of sending it to the printer. This was strictly for TEXT-based DOS 6.22 and probably any version back to 3.10. It would not work with a screen in graphics mode, which is what you seem to be describing. And it is a batch solution only insofar as it is loaded from the command line or in autoexec.
Quote from: NewbieOldSchool on November 21, 2007, 07:55:56 PM

Thanks for the heads up 2k_dummy. I will look more into that.

?
I thought you were not interested in third party utils. What I had in mind was something exactly like what JosephMansfield has mentioned - a TSR.
I'd have to look around... it has been a while... but I remember there were some out there.
But, like JM said, they too might have problems with a windowed session.

JM: Was yours freeware? is it available anywhere for d/l, if someone reading along here would like to experiment with it?
Can it also be unloaded from the command line? WillyW : I wrote commercial programs which used a text-only interface. My TSR allowed me to snap pictures of the program screens, then include those screen shots in manuals and help screens. It appended all screen shots to a single file so there was no need of multiple catch files. There was no provision for unloading, once it was loaded.

If you would like a copy to play with, I'd be glad to send you both source code and .COM code, just give me an address and I will email it or send it via transferbigfiles. I think there is a way on this forum to respond directly to me without broadcasting your address.
WillyW, I would prefer that it is not from a third party, but if the coding for that particular one was available, it could give me a direction on how to code it myself.

Joseph, if you could help me understand the relation between DOS and graphic programs, it would be much appreciated. You mentioned that it would not work with a screen in a graphics mode, but it could be the first piece of the puzzle.Graphics can show you pictures on the screen, smiley faces, fancy lettering, etc. Text-only is just that -- you see letters, and maybe a few lines, but that is all. When you have your paint program up, that is graphics. If you open a DOS box (run CMD.EXE or COMMAND.EXE), that box is text only. I know DOS and text video down to the bare metal, but I quit reading when Windows came out, so I really can't tell you any more than I just did. My TSR won't help you. But after I close this, I'll see if I can send email to you and if so send you the code for the TSR so you can see for yourself.

I think the bottom line is that the way you are doing the job now is as good as it GETS. Windows does not lend itself to automation of repetitive tasks the way DOS does.

Solve : Print Screen batch?

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

Reply to Comment