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How to change the screenshot file format in OS X

May 18, 2009 by Ross McKillop 

This brief tutorial will show you how to change the default file format for screenshot (which is .png) to .jpg, .gif or even .pdf.

  1. As we outlined in the introduction to Apple Keyboard shortcuts tutorial, taking a screenshot in OS X is as easy as apple command key + apple shift key + 3 (Command+Shift+3, to take a screenshot of the entire screen) or apple command key + apple shift key + 4 (Command+Shift+4, to take a screenshot of a region of the screen). The resulting screenshots will appear on your Desktop as PNG files.

    2. a png file on the OS X desktop

  2. Open up a Terminal by selecting Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. Enter the following command:

    defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF

    3. OS X Terminal issuing the command to change the default screenshot type

  3. Now sign out (click the “Apple Button” from the Menu Bar and select Log Out Your Name…. Remember to save all open documents etc before you log out.
  4. When you sign back in again, take another screenshot. This time it will be a PDF.

    5. OS X desktop with a PDF file

  5. To change formats again replace PDF in the line “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF” to JPG, GIF or PNG to reset it back to the default.

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Filed Under: Making The Switch, OS X, Tutorials

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