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| Ever
tried to output a screenshot at 300dpi? It can sure be a challenge
to make a software product look appealing when the screenshot looks
so fuzzy. With the following technique, you can maintain the integrity
of your screenshot- enough for 300dpi brochures or even billboard
displays. Here's how... |
Example
of a screenshot successfully combined with layered artwork at 300dpi.
Before:
A typical screenshot enlargement. By scaling up, the image became fuzzy.
After:
A scaled up screenshot with crisp type - identical to the original screen
version.
| To
make a screenshot, hold CTRL and press the 'print screen' button on
your keyword (for PC users). To only capture the size of the active
window, press CTRL, ALT, and the 'print screen' button. |
|
In
Photoshop, press CTRL-N to make a new document, then click OK. Photoshop
will automatically size the document to the screen capture.
Press
CTRL-V to paste your screen capture.
|
|
From
the menu, choose Image > Mode > Indexed Color...
If
it asks to flatten layers, choose YES. Choose the default settings
by clicking OK on the dialog box. (Our screen reads Local (selective)
and 256 colors).
Notice
in the screenshot above we included an arrow. The 'print screen'
function does not include arrows. To get the arrow, you may either
purchase screen capture software that includes arrows, or you may
search your system files to find various system arrows and icons,
or you may download and use our already-layered Free
Arrow - Photoshop .pst file.
|
|
With
an index color mode you may scale in multiples without altering
the integrity of the screen capture.
Choose
Image > Image Size...
Have
Constrain Proportions checked, and Resample Image: Bicubic checked.
Change
the resolution from 72 to 144, 216, 288, or any multiple of 72.
If you choose 300dpi, for instance, it may skew the type. Now reenter
the Image Size dialog box and uncheck the Resample Image box. You
may now choose your output resolution, for example, 300dpi, or 600dpi,
while maintaining the integrity of the image.
|
|
Now
you may change the color mode back to RGB (or CMYK if printing),
by choosing Image > Mode > RGB Color. You may now merge your
higher resolution screenshot with a boxshot, or keep it as an independent
higher resolution file.
Always
remember to CTRL-S 'Save...' ...and save often!
|
|
Your
screenshot is now ready to print at high quality while maintaining
its crispness!
By
Trent Mueller, © 2005 Turbo Photo™
You may freely link to this page.
Reproductions, however, require permission.
www.turbophoto.com
|
Photoshop Trick 1: Create Electrifying Special FX Backgrounds
Photoshop Trick 2: Create Perfect & Sharp Screenshots at 300dpi
Photoshop Trick 3: Add Pizzazz to Dull Photos
©
2007 Turbo Photo®
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