If you are running the Windows 10 October 2018 update or higher, the chances are you must have come across the new snipping tool that is found on Microsoft Windows. It is called Snip & Sketch, and it’s meant to replace two screenshot tools – Screen Sketch and Snipping Tool.
It has been used to replace Screen Sketch even though the Snipping Tool is alive for a while before Microsoft decides to cut its cord.
So if you are still using the Snipping Tool, its best to switch to Snip and Sketch, the App is a combination of Snipping Tool and Screen Sketch. It offers a lot of exciting features for taking and making screenshots.
Whether you are a newbie or just recently moved to Snip & Sketch, this article will help you on the most helpful tips, tricks and hidden features to use it like a pro.
1. Launch the App in different ways
Typically you would want to search for the Snip & Sketch App and launch it to take a screenshot. This method is a bit longer for those set of people that take screenshots on a regular.
Thankfully, Microsoft offers an alternative, other ways to launch the App. First, you will have to locate its button in the Action Center. Then click on it whenever you need to take a screenshot. Another method you can try is to use shortcut keys Windows key + Shift + S to activate the screenshot tool.
Assign to PrtScn Key (Print Screen)
The former way of capturing a screenshot is to use the help of the PrtScn key. You can also launch the Snip & Sketch tool form the PrtScn key too. To do this, you will need to assign the App to the key first.
For that, follow these steps:
- Head to the Settings on your PC and then click on Ease of Access
- Click on the Keyboard form the left sidebar. Scroll down and then turn on the toggle present under Print Screen shortcut
When you use the above methods to launch these tools, the screen brightness will reduce for a bit, and you will be able to see different screenshot modes.
2. Using Screenshot Modes
Sometimes, we don’t always want to capture a full-screen screenshot. We only wish to have some area of the screen. For that, you can use the different modes offered by this App. Currently, the App provides freedom, rectangular and full-screen modes.
To use these modes, open the tool by using any of the methods that were mentioned above and then click on one of them to activate it.
3. Navigate between Screenshot Modes
If you prefer using your keyboards shortcuts instead of interacting with a mouse, then you can use the ‘Tab key’ on your keyboard to navigate between the various screenshot modes that are available at the top. Then hit Enter to select a mode.
4. Delaying the Screenshot
Most times, when we want to capture context menus, screenshotting them is not easy to come by. However, situations like those, you can take the help of delay mode.
In Snip & Sketch, you would need to open the full App to use it. Once you open the App, click on the small down arrow that is next to New and then chooses the delay time. After the set time, you will be presented with the screenshot modes at the top.
Then go ahead to select and capture the screenshot. Some apps will even allow you to take screenshots automatically at regular intervals.
5. Change the Pen Size and Color
Annotation tools are pointless without the colour and size options. To change the colour and size of different marking tools in Snip & Sketch, tap the small arrow that is present under the pen. Alternatively, double-click on the pen to open the customization options.
6. Erasing all Markings
With the help of the eraser, you can remove annotations that are based on strokes. If you have made different markings and you want to clear all of them, you don’t have to erase each stroke individually. All you have to do is double-click on the eraser icon and then select Erase all ink.
7. View Dismissed Screenshot
The disadvantage of using Snip & Sketch app is that it doesn’t launch the screenshot within the App. You need to click on the notification at the bottom right corner to open it in the App or paste it in another image editing app.
However, you can miss the notification. You don’t have to retake the screenshot. All you have to do is to open the Action Center, and you will find your screenshot notification there waiting for you. Click on it to open it in the App.
Note: You can use the Windows Key + A shortcut keys to launch the Action Center.
8. Enable Touch Support
If your laptop is a touch screen, you will be happy to know that Snip & Sketch supports touch input. For that, you will have to activate the touch mode in the App. To do this, click on the hand icon at the top. When this is done, you can use your fingers, digital pen or mouse to annotate on images.
9. Rotate the Ruler and Protractor
Despite my disappointment with Microsoft for not providing proper annotation tools like text, shapes, arrows; they offer a ruler and protractor, which can be used to draw circles and straight lines. You can even use them to measure.
The tools support touch usage, and it can also be used as a protractor. But, if you don’t have a touchscreen laptop that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use them.
To rotate the protractor or scale, keep the mouse pointer over it and then use the middle button on your mouse to change its angle. However, for touchpad users, rest the mouse pointer over it, and then you can use two fingers to scroll up and down.
10. Hide Ruler and Protractor
After using the two elements, to hide them, you will notice that there’s no delete button provided for them. So to take them from your screenshot, double-click on the ruler icon at the top and then click on the element that you have added from the menu.
11. Cancel the Screenshot Action
Frequently we realized that when the tool is ready to take a screenshot, the screenshot becomes irrelevant. So to deactivate the screenshot section, press the ESC key.
12. Edit old images
One of the fantastic thing about this App is that you can annotate old screenshots and images. To open an existing photo, open the App and then click on the open icon. Then you can select the picture.
13. Open screenshot in another app
Once you’ve taken a screenshot and used the native marking tools; to edit your image further, you can directly open it in another app. to do this, click on the three-dot menu located at the top-right corner and then select Open with. Select the App in which you want to edit the screenshot.
Bonus Shortcuts
Using keyboard shortcuts makes life easier. Thanks to Snip & Sketch App supports a lot of alternatives. Below are some of them:
Image Shortcuts
Alt + O or Ctrl + O (Open file)
Alt + N (Capture new screenshot)
Annotation Shortcuts
Alt + B – Select pen
Alt + I – Select pencil
Alt + H – Select highlighter
Alt + E – Select eraser
Editing Shortcuts
Ctrl + Z – Undo
Ctrl + Y – Redo
Ctrl + C or Alt + C – Copy
Alt + R – Crop
Other Shortcuts are:
Alt + M – Open Menu
Ctrl + P – Print image
Alt + A – Share
Alt + T (Enable/disable touch writing)
Alt + S or Ctrl + S (Save image as)
Conclusion
You have seen on this article how you can make the most of the new Snip & Sketch App on your Windows 10 PC. The App also supports multi-window modes. That is, you can open different screenshots in different windows and work with them at the same time.
Share with us other tips that were not mentioned in this article. Tell us by using the comments section below.
