If you’re running the Windows 10 October 2018 update (version 1809) or higher, you may have come across Microsoft’s new citation tool. It is called Snip & Sketch and is made to replace two screenshot tools – Snipping Tool and Screen Sketch.
It has already replaced Screen Sketch. However, the Snipping Tool has been around for a while before Microsoft decided to cut its cord too.
Therefore, if you are using the Snipping tool, it is better to switch to Snip & Sketch. The app combines Snipping Tool and Screen Sketch in one. It offers several exciting features to take screenshots and markup.
Whether you’re a newbie or just moved to Snip & Sketch, here you’ll find 13 useful tips, tricks and hidden features to use it like a pro.
1. Launch the App in Different Ways
Typically, you search for the Snip & Sketch app and launch it to take a screenshot. The method is a bit long for anyone who takes screenshots regularly.
Fortunately, Microsoft provides alternative and quick ways to launch the application. First, you will find its button in the Action Center. Click on it when you need to take a screenshot. Another method is to use the shortcut WinKey + Shift + S to activate the screenshot tool.
Assign to PrtScn Key
The oldest way to take a screenshot is to take the help of the PrtScn key. Guess what? You can also launch the Snip & Sketch tool from the PrtScn key. To do this, you must first assign the application to the key.
For this, follow these steps:
Stage 1: Go to Settings on your computer and click on Ease of Access.
step 2: Click Keyboard from the left sidebar. Scroll down and flip the toggle under the Print Screen shortcut.
When you use the above three methods to start this tool, the screen brightness will decrease slightly and you will see different screenshot modes.
2. Use Screenshot Mods
We don’t always want to capture full screen screenshots. Sometimes we just want to have one space. For this you can use the various modes offered by this application. Currently, the app provides rectangular, freeform and fullscreen modes.
To use them, start the tool using any of the methods mentioned above and click on one of them to activate it.
3. Cycle Through Screenshot Modes
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts rather than interacting with the mouse, press the Tab key on your keyboard to cycle through the screenshot modes at the top. Then press Enter to select a mode.
4. Delay Screenshot
Most of the time, when we want to capture context menus, taking screenshots of them is not a piece of cake. For such cases, you can get help from the delay mode.
You need to open the full app to use it in Snip & Sketch. When you launch the app, click the little down arrow next to New and select the delay time. After the set time, screenshot modes will be presented at the top. Select and capture the screenshot. Some apps even let you take screenshots automatically at regular intervals.
5. Change Pen Size and Color
Annotation tools are meaningless without size and color options. Tap the small down arrow located at the bottom of the pen to change the size and color of the various markup tools available in Snip & Sketch. Alternatively, double-click the pen to open the customization options.
6. Erase All Markers
With the eraser, you can remove annotations based on strokes. If you have made several markups and want to delete them all, you do not need to delete each stroke individually. Double-click the eraser icon and select Erase all ink.
7. View Closed Screenshot
The downside to using the Snip & Sketch app is that it doesn’t open the screenshot directly in the app. You have to click on the notification in the lower right corner to open it in the app or paste it into another image editing app.
But sometimes you may miss the notification. But don’t worry. You don’t have to take the screenshot again. Just open the Action Center and you will find your screenshot notification there. Click on it to launch it in the app.
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8. Enable Touch Support
If you have a touchscreen laptop, you’ll be pleased to know that Snip & Sketch supports touch input. For this you will need to enable touch mode in the app. To do this, click on the hand icon at the top. When enabled, you can use your fingers, stylus or mouse to annotate images.
9. Rotation Ruler and Protractor
Arrows, texts, shapes, etc. They offer a ruler and protractor, although I’m disappointed with Microsoft for not providing convenient annotation tools like These can be used to draw straight lines and circles. You can even use it to measure.
The tools support touch operation and you can use them like a regular ruler or protractor. But if you don’t have a touch laptop, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them.
Hold the mouse pointer over it to rotate the scale or protractor, and then use your middle mouse button to change its angle. For touchpad users, move the mouse pointer over it again and then swipe up and down using two fingers.
10. Hide Ruler and Protractor
After using the two items, you will notice that there is no delete button for them if you want to hide them. So to remove them from the screenshot, double click on the ruler icon at the top and click on the item you added from the menu.
11. Cancel Screenshot Process
Sometimes, when the tool is ready to take a screenshot, you realize that the screenshot is no longer needed. Press ESC to disable the screenshot action.
12. Edit Old Image
One of the nice things about this app is that you can annotate old screenshots and images. To open an existing photo, launch the app and click the open icon. Then select the picture.
13. Open in Another App
After taking a screenshot and using the native markup tools, if you want to further edit your image, you can directly open another application. For this, click on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select Open with. Select the app for which you want to edit the screenshot.
Bonus Tip: Use Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts make life easier. Fortunately, the Snip & Sketch app supports a few of them. These:
Image Shortcuts
- Alt + N – Capture new screenshot
- Alt + O or Ctrl + O – Open file
Editing Shortcuts
- Ctrl + Z – Undo
- Ctrl + Y – Redo
- Ctrl + C or Alt + C – Copy
- Alt + R – Crop
Description Shortcuts
- Alt + B – Select pen
- Alt + I – Select pen
- Alt + H – Select the highlighter
- Alt + E – Select the eraser
Other Shortcuts
- Alt + T – Enable/disable touch typing
- Alt + S or Ctrl + S – Save image as
- Alt + A – Share
- Alt + M – Open Menu
- Ctrl + P – Print image
Snip, Sketch and More
This is how you can get the most out of the new Snip & Sketch app on your Windows 10 PC. Interestingly, the app also supports multi-window mode. That is, you can open several screenshots in different windows that you can work on at the same time.
Do you know any other tips for practice? Let us know in the comments below.
Next: Windows 10 photos app seems slow to you? Check alternatives to open and view photos quickly.
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