Readers’ Tips Tailor screenshots with Picpick
ANDROID
In Issue 499, one of your Workshops explained how to add text and graphics to a screenshot using the free program, Screeny (see page 42). My favourite screenshot program is Picpick ( www.picpick.org). While it has fewer annotation tools than Screeny, in my opinion it’s easier to use and a better program overall.
Open the program, click the File tab, Program Options, then ‘Hot keys’. Here, you can set keyboard shortcuts for creating different types of screenshots (full screen, single window and so on).
To annotate your screenshot with a graphic, select the shape you want in the Tools section. Next, click the 1px dropdown menu to select the line thickness for that shape (see screenshot), then select a colour on the right. When you’ve finished, click and drag on your screenshot to add that graphic to it. You can then click and drag the entire graphic to reposition it or just its corners to resize it.
To add text, click the Text option in the Tools section, then click and drag across the screenshot to create a text box with sample text you can type over. You’ll now see a dropdown menu with options to change your font style, size and colour. Once you’re happy, press Ctrl+s to rename the screenshot and save it on your PC.
Unlike on IOS devices, there are loads of ways you can customise your Android home screen. There are free apps that let you change your wallpaper, tweak the appearance of your icons and add widgets. There are also launcher apps that let you revamp the whole look and feel of your device. One great example is Nova Launcher, which we covered in our ‘Customise your phone and tablet’s home screen’ Workshop (Issue 498, page 40).
To make the whole customisation process easier, Google has devised a simple test to help you find the apps you need and the design you crave.
To try the test, open Chrome on your phone or tablet, then go to www.snipca. com/24095. Tap Take The Test, then Let’s Go. You’ll now see around 15 screens with two or three tiles that you need to select by tapping. For example, you’ll see a choice of options like Monochromatic or Multicolour; Vibrant or Muted; and Patterned or Random. The final few screens let you determine what you mainly use your device for (messaging, emailing, gaming or working) and whether you’re a beginner, advanced or intermediate Android user.
At the end of the test, you’ll see three home-screen images based on your selections (see screenshot above). Tap the right or left arrows to select the one you prefer.
Now scroll down to see five apps that you need to install if you want to make your device’s home screen look like the one you selected.
The apps appear under their relevant categories – Your Wallpaper, Your Icons, Your Launcher, Your Widgets and Your Keyboard. You can either install all five apps or only the ones you want.