Advertisement

How To

How to create and send customized screen captures with LightShot

How to create and send customized screen captures with LightShot
Gabriel Paul Gomez

Gabriel Paul Gomez

  • Updated:

UpdatedRefreshed the article with new tips and images

LightShot is a free screenshot tool for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu users. The program lets you create, customize, and quickly deliver your screenshot files to users in a swift and fluid series of steps. After just one click, LightShot will upload your screenshot to the cloud before returning an original, sharable URL.

LightShot Download

Over the past few decades, virtually every new operating system arrives equipped with at least one built-in screenshot tool. However, the primary upside of LightShot is that the application lets you share photos, images, portions of a webpage, and any other visible content on your screen with a unique URL. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how simple it is to create and send screenshots with this free software application from LightShot.

  1. Download the LightShot program

    Start by downloading a version of the LightShot application that works with your preferred browser

    LightShot is a fantastic, no-cost screenshot tool that helps users create screen captures and deliver them to the cloud. This streamlined access to the cloud simplifies the process of sharing your screen grabs with friends and colleagues online. This solution is ideal for students and professionals who need to record a lot of valuable information quickly from their desktop screens.

    To get started, download the program that enables LightShot on your preferred browser. For example, you can add LightShot as an extension on Chrome. The app also works with macOS, IE, Firefox, and Opera. And, after a prolonged and much-anticipated release date, you can finally enjoy LightShot on your Android devices now, as well. After installing LightShot, start using the Print Screen feature on your keyboard to launch and use the application on your Windows device. If you’ve downloaded LightShot on a Mac and the computer lacks the Print Screen keyboard button, press Command, Shift, and 3 simultaneously to perform the same function.

  2. Start taking screenshots

    Lightshot is easy-to-use and lets you begin taking and sharing your screenshots immediately after installing the software

    Once you’ve installed the specific version of LightShot required by your operating system, clicked through the setup file, and chosen your preferred language, you’re ready to start taking screenshots. To launch the LightShot program, press the Function button and PrntScr/PrtSC, or press Command, Shift, and 3 all at once on macOS.

    You’ll notice the screen turn dark, whereby the LightShot application prompts your mouse to select a portion of the screen you wish to capture. When you drag your mouse to choose the screen section you want to capture, these areas brighten and preview your final screenshot. You’ll also find a sizable list of menu options along the bottom and right-hand sides of your frame. These icons represent LightShot’s various tools and features, each giving you several useful options, including saving your file, printing the screenshot image, and uploading it to the cloud.

    LightShot offers several free tools that allow you to highlight specific text or mark up other elements within a screen. Here are the basic editing tools and features you’ll discover in LightShot:

    • Pen
    • Text
    • Marker
    • Arrow
    • Rectangle
    • Line

    After you’ve made your screenshot selection, a floating menu appears. This prompt invites you to perform additional actions like inserting an arrow, drawing a straight line, and overlaying texts to highlight specific areas of the screen capture. When you’re ready to save, click the floppy disk icon at the bottom of your frame.

    JPG is the default file format for saving LightShot screen captures. Desktop users can copy and paste it into another platform like Microsoft Paint to continue editing the file and then print it directly from the same secondary application. You can also print from LightShot itself by clicking the Printer icon. Alternately, try locating the saved JPG, usually found under My Documents by default, and right-click on Print to open your printer settings and print the JPG file.

  3. Upload your LightShot screen grabs

    To upload your images to the cloud and generate a clickable URL, press the cloud icon. Share your images to popular sharing sites by choosing the share symbol to the right of of the cloud icon

    Every screenshot you take with the LightShot app can be uploaded online or to the cloud. If you want to share your screenshots instantly, ensure that you’re logged in to the appropriate app. LightShot lets you sign in via your Facebook or Google accounts. When you select the Upload icon from the menu, you’ll be presented with a few screenshot sharing options like Facebook, Twitter, VK, and Pinterest.

    The LightShot screen capture tool offers seamless integration with the major social sharing platforms and can even give you samples of similar-looking images found across Google. Once you upload your screenshots to the cloud, the program provides a shareable link. However, from a security perspective, remember that every image is public. The application does not require authentication or a LightShot account to view your uploads. While the app is a fast and convenient solution suitable for most purposes, exercise the appropriate caution when using LightShot to handle confidential materials.

LightShot makes screen capture sharing easy

LightShot is a simple, easy-to-use screenshot tool that makes sharing your images as simple as pressing a hotkey. LightShot gives you a few different options for image-sharing, either through a clickable link or a direct channel to your preferred social sharing platforms. The application is free and intuitive enough for anyone to start using it right away. For a comprehensive review of Snagit, another free screenshot tool, have a look at this recent article.

Gabriel Paul Gomez

Gabriel Paul Gomez

Trained as a civilian airline pilot, Gabriel Gomez has a passion for anything tech-related. He also loves writing about technology. When he's not crafting his next article, Gabriel is enjoying his hobbies as a photographer and videographer.

Latest from Gabriel Paul Gomez

Editorial Guidelines