FastStone.org offers a pretty cool little tool called FastStone Capture which currently has version 6.3 available for the screen capture software. The cost is $19.95 and is a one-time fee.
The tool is a screen capture software that is light weight but still very powerful! The reason I am writing about this tool, is because I have used it now for nearly a year and still use it nearly each and every day and is a useful tool for any website owner or entity that needs something to help with explaining a process and provides a professional look in the process.
This tool is perfect for a Blogger or any website owner!
So what does the tool do? It basically allows you to "capture" anything you wish on a website and allows you to edit the "picture" you captured and add effects like arrows, circles, highlight, blur, resize, watermarks and so much more!
With any blog posting, I always think it’s better if you can show your readers with a picture of what you mean. It sure can help you as a writer to explain something much easier. The tool can also be used for showing an interested party domain parking stats.
Now FastStone does not just offer a picture screen capture. With the 6.3 version which I updated to this morning, now offers a video screen capture as well, but I have not played around with this feature yet.
I mainly use the Capture Rectangular Region function (little square with dashed lines) which allows you to select what you want on screen. Once you capture the image, you can add Text, Arrows, Highlighted squares, drop shadows etc via the Draw button.
This not only helps you explain what you want with pictures, it also allows you to make it look very professional as well. Here is a wide range of examples you do with the tool while in the draw mode after you have captured your image:
Once you are happy with your image, simply select from a wide range of picture formats to save in. PNG, JPEG etc.
The scrolling window feature is pretty cool also! This allows you to capture a full page on a website, which allows your readers to see a picture and scroll to see the full page. Again, you can add image effects as well like arrows, highlights etc.
FastStone Capture gives you a great deal of options as well. From colors, text size and simple resizing options!
Check out http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm for more details and I think you will like this little tool.
Troy
Cant a screen shot and MS paint do this?
Jamie Zoch
I’m sure you could use a lot of things Troy really. This is just what I use, I like it and it’s quick and easy.
charley
Does that feature work on the trial version ?
Thanks