Suggestion: PrtScn

Why doesn't the game have a built in Print Screen function

from GalCiv2 Forums
Unlike many other games currently available, as far as I can tell GalCiv 2 has no built in Print Screen function. Usually, this is associated with the PrtScn key. Will this be added in a future patch?

(At the moment I have to use an external program, Fraps)

Thanks.
ideas
3,649 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It does have the Prt Scrn key but if you've got a stupid microshaft keyboard like me you usually have to press the F Lock key first to toggle off the microsoft function keys and turn on the conventional F/PrtScn/Pause keys. Cheers.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
does have the Prt Scrn key but if you've got a stupid microshaft keyboard like me you usually have to press the F Lock key first to toggle off the microsoft function keys and turn on the conventional F keys. Cheers.


If you are so unhappy with it, why not replace it with something more to your liking?
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Will this be added in a future patch?


There is no plan to have the game write screenshots directly to disk, since there are plenty of free programs that can do that already (and even without those, pressing PrntScrn copies an image to the clipboard that can be pasted in a graphics program).
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Screenshot instructions (in case you need them; courtesy of yin26):

* Locate the screen in GC2 to the point-of-interest. Hit the Print Screen button (which works on my Dell keyboard). NOTE – I have to exit GC2 after the screen shot instead of tabing out. If I do tab out and then go back into GC2 I find it has completely locked up my PC and I have to hard boot.
* Drop the image (Cntl V) from the clipboard into the Paint program that comes with XP.
* Clip out the portion that's important to you and re-paste it back into a new Paint canvas (Control N should do it for a new canvas, then Control V to paste). Save as a .jpg file. Note that when you save you’ll likely lose resolution, so it is best to zoom in so text (especially) doesn’t become unreadable.
* Upload the jpg screenshot to Image Shack, a free image hosting site that even gives you the ability to resize images automatically according to use. Use the Message Board (480x600) setting; anything bigger won’t fit at the Gal Civ 2 web site forum. The Gal Civ 2 forum will automatically resize your image, so this isn't a big deal. I generally size mine to 600x800, which fits at other boards. The Image Shack instructions are fairly clear.
* You then get urls that you can copy and paste into forums. You have to create an account with Image Shack to have easy access to your images.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok, thanks for the answer.

I understand I could press PrtScn and Alt-Tab out to paste it as HydroAC spells out, but that is cumbersome as I play in fullscreen mode and do get an occassional crash from Alt-Tabbing. Hence, why I installed Fraps which I have to run in parallel. I like to take shots of the various victory screens and key events in the game.

To me pressing PrtScn to have the game dump a JPG or TGA or BMP into a game directory is almost as "standard" UI as pressing Esc bringing up the main menu. It is common in many current games like Company of Heroes, Civilization 4, and any of the Blizzard games.