Why are screenshots in OSX always a bit blurry?

[thesheep]

I've noticed that using Apple's Grab, or any other screen capture application I've tried, I always end up with slightly blurred text.

It doesn't matter if the capture is saved as TIFF or PNG or other lossless format, or as 100% JPG. Here's an example from Grab. The text doesn't look the same as it does on the screen originally - I've put an example there using Photoshop to show how the text actually looks to me on screen. You can see that the text in the screenshot is blurred.



Is there any way to get around this? Any screen capture software that can get me sharp text?

[thegoldenmackid]

Which other ones have you used. If I recall correctly the Grab application only supports something like 72 DPI.

[Consultant]

It's called anti-alias.

Guess what, Windows gamers pay MORE for high end videos cards that can do MORE anti-alias.

[NC MacGuy]

I never really noticed?

[Infrared]

Originally Posted by thesheep

I've noticed that using Apple's Grab, or any other screen capture application I've tried, I always end up with slightly blurred text.

It doesn't matter if the capture is saved as TIFF or PNG or other lossless format, or as 100% JPG. Here's an example from Grab. The text doesn't look the same as it does on the screen originally - I've put an example there using Photoshop to show how the text actually looks to me on screen. You can see that the text in the screenshot is blurred.



Is there any way to get around this? Any screen capture software that can get me sharp text?

In my experience (up to 10.5) this shouldn't happen. What you should
get is exactly what you see on the screen. If you have more details to
share with us, that might help diagnose this. Btw: is it different if the
Window has focus?

[Infrared]

Originally Posted by Consultant

It's called anti-alias.

Guess what, Windows gamers pay MORE for high end videos cards that can do MORE anti-alias.

I'm presuming he's getting more anti-aliasing (or what looks like it)
in the screengrab than he sees in the original. If he wasn't, it'd be
a general font-rendering issue, not a screengrab issue.

[thesheep]

OK I found out the cause of it, and it's really odd.

Apparently the problem is caused by my using a Wacom graphics tablet.

This thread shows someone else encountering the problem: http://discussions.apple.com/thread....readID=1628905

If I don't use the Wacom pen on the tablet to drag the selection for the screenshot, then it's not blurry.

Strange, huh? Anyway, that's the solution.

[HBOC]

here is a screenshot of mine i just took.. command shift 4

[Ooz]

I am running Snow Leopard on 2009 24" iMac, and have the same issue. My default format is set to png.

I can post some screenshots later today if anyone wants to see!

There has got to be a way to fix this. Apple pandits - please help!!

[thesheep]

Originally Posted by Ooz

I am running Snow Leopard on 2009 24" iMac, and have the same issue. My default format is set to png.

I can post some screenshots later today if anyone wants to see!

There has got to be a way to fix this. Apple pandits - please help!!

Ooz - see my comment above! Are you using a Wacom tablet?