Hi,
is there a simple free tool for OSX which ehances the built in snapshot (shift+strg+4) in that way that you can see a pixelinformation of how large current selected area is?
Thanks,
taumel
While it now has video capture function, Ambrosia’s SnapZ Pro (OS X only) might have this feature. Download is free to try.
Yup, that’s one i already know. I was more after a tiny free tool or a small tweak of the systems implementation because generally i’m very happy with the snapshot function provided out of the box in osx, just if it would offer you the pixelsize beside of the cross…but thanks anyway!
There is the builtin Grab.app in /Applications/Utilities/Grab.app that does that. But there is really a lacking of a good, free, screen/video capture utility on Mac OS X.
-Jon
What I usually do is use ctrl-shift-command-4 to copy the image to the clipboard rather than make a new file. Then I switch to preview and command-n a new file from the clipboard. Then you can crop (command-k) right away. It’s pretty fast, but it’s not quite what you want because I don’t think preview has an easy way to see the size of your selection before you crop.
Maybe if you have Graphic Converter? Doesn’t that show the pixel size of the selection? I can’t remember if it has an easy way to make a new file from an image in the clipboard, though.
Short version: no. :-/
Okay thanks, i’ll try out some more. Just tried out a combination with a mousecoordinate program. Normally i’m not stingy but 30 bucks just for two values…
Hah! This could gonna be a great weekend due to that i get a Kaos Pad lend out from a friend of mine.Boy oh boy i’m really curious about playing around with it. Hopefully i’ll find enough time too… :O)
Hey, my suggestion actually does do exactly what you’re after. Just launch Grab.app and choose Capture->Selection. You get coordinates for where your cursor is, and the size of your selection in pixels.
-Jon
Yep you’re right. Just came to testing it out, right now. In german it’s called “Bildschirmfoto”, thanks!
Oops, I didn’t realize Apple localized app names. What’s iTunes called? öMelodien? 
-Jon
Nope, iTunes as well. That’s a name which is important for their marketing to them so they don’t localise it but it would ne nice. :O)
Jing works like a breeze. Can capture image or video (.swf format), shows area size, super easy.
Only thing I don’t like is by default it’s always present in a corner of the screen (shows up as a sun), but you can change that (hide the sun, and launch Jing only when you need it). Handy though… when you’re in that screen-shotty, show-offy phase, which is 0.1% of the time.
It’s not even too bad on OSX, but in Windows the sun’s bulkier and it pumps a lot of memory. I probably don’t notice it too because my MacPro’s such a beast 8) 8) 8)
But contrary to John’s suggestion there is no size information, right?
Yep, my mistake, no size… which was the point of your post 
I must have confused it with another app, I tried a few, but can’t remember which…
No problem, thanks for the hint anyway…
You might want to try FlySketch.
This puts a simple application window on the screen with a transparent background (you can set the exact pixel dimensions of the transparent area). You can then paint on the window and also take a screenshot of the area it encloses and various other things. Very handy for anyone who writes tutorials!
It’s not free, though - $24.99.
Thanks but a) not free and b) it produces glitches on my system.
Hi Taumel,
sounds like you need PhotoDrop (http://www.dropping.at) - it’s a dashboard widget that’s a little gem … it shows the size of an area and you can grab the desktop below the dashboard … and it can do much more besides.
Paul
PS. It’s free as well as great.
Thanks again! :O) I’m really surprised that there still do come in answers after i already said that i’m okay with Jon’s tip. The Bildschirmfoto is kind of an ugly solution and i would prefer having the normal snapshot function just with the two values added but it kind of works.
What i didn’t like about PhotoDrop is that i wasn’t able to do precise shots with these heavy borders around and that as widget it stays in my memory all the time.
Here’s an article on a bunch of free screenshot apps for OS X:
http://macapper.com/2007/05/04/shootout-free-screenshot-apps-reviewed/
I use Snapz Pro myself – pricey but good. (And hey, it’s no more expensive, and a damn sight more useful, than FRAPS.)
I’m still kind of amazed by the cute icons a lot of the freeware and shareware developers for osx software are making…