Easy screenshot tool for Civ! ScreenShotAssistant

Arphahat · Apr 01, 2004, 08:46 AM

Taking a screenshot can be a cumbersome process. You have to hit the "print screen" key, alt-tab to windows, start your paint program, paste, and save. If you don't take care to clear out the clipboard buffer, you may actually crash your game.

But, there is now a better way.

I wrote a utility that I call the ScreenShotAssistant. Now, to take a screenshot, you run this utility before you start Civ, decide on the naming convention and types of files you want to save, minimize and then start Civ. When you want a screenshot, simply hit the "print screen" key and the ScreenShotAssistant does the rest. It also clears the clipboard after saving the image to make sure that Civ doesn't have memory issues.

This is the first release, and I would love feedback. You can post here and on the forums at the project website, http://sourceforge.net/projects/screenassist.

EDIT: SSA 2.21 now available, with added features such as the "Generate Webpage" button, "Copy Filenames" button and the much requested "Civ 3" turn extractor. Go download now!
EDIT: SSA 2.1 now available, with added features such as the pause button and Index padding. Go download now!

Phil Schneider · Apr 01, 2004, 08:52 AM

I haven't downloaded it yet, but it sounds good

Edit: My I also get it for free?

Arphahat · Apr 01, 2004, 09:00 AM

Oops, I should have mentioned that it is free. Actually, it is free and the source code is available for download, too.

Arphahat · Apr 02, 2004, 09:09 AM

I've been having trouble accessing the Sourceforge site today, so I am including the Setup.exe file for download here as well.

sabrewolf · Apr 03, 2004, 05:26 PM

absolutely wonderful!

thanks for the tool!
i've had a wierd problem with my win2k-server that print-screen didn't copy the screenshot into the clipboard.
with your tool i can finally make screenshots in the action (so maybe even in multiplaying games

)

thanks again!

ps, i posted this same message at sourceforge as first entry in your discussion board there

sabrewolf · Apr 03, 2004, 05:30 PM

oh, and maybe you should rename the file. setup.exe is used nearly always. why not somthing like ScreenShotAssistSetup.exe?

Arphahat · Apr 03, 2004, 08:04 PM

Thanks, I'm glad you like it.

Wow, my first feature request.

I'll change the install name for the next release.

sabrewolf · Apr 03, 2004, 08:15 PM

well, if you really want some feature requests (the thing above is just the filename), how about having your program having an option to save the files with the year value (eg. 3450 BC, 1320 AC, etc)?

an easy solution would be to check the lastest autosave in the directory (you could find out which game is played by checking the process name: civ3.exe, civ3ptw.exe, civ3conq.exe) and using a directory listener. this method is used by ainwood's diplomacy helper.

the nicer (but much more difficult version) would be to check the memory offsets to get the year (or at least the turn-number, and then extrapolate from there). gramphos, ainwood, spiderzord or CCJ39 could maybe help you with this...

oh... but then it would have to be a seperate version for civ3... other people at sf.net probably will need it for other purposes

Arphahat · Apr 03, 2004, 08:25 PM

I kinda thought about trying to tie it in to the actual year, but was anxious to get a working version out, so I left that for later, hoping no one would notice.

I like the idea of checking the memory offsets. Maybe gramphos, ainwood, spiderzord or CCJ39 would provide me with the info I need. I'll send a PM to them.

And, it shouldn't be too complicated to create seperate CIVIII release at SourceForge, so all is good. Conceivably, it could have specifics for multiple different games built in.

Capt Buttkick · Apr 04, 2004, 09:21 AM

I'll use this so here's a

Lambda · Apr 04, 2004, 12:37 PM

this is GREAT!

it is really a great tool, and it has an huge advantage: it can be used everywhere. i now use this tool to take screeshots in everygame that havent a SS bind and i also use it to take SS of my desktop and programs. thanks man, i never thought that a tool like this could be so useful.

Lambda · Apr 12, 2004, 07:32 AM

plus i have a sugestion, i think that an opition like: "minimiza and put in tray" would be great, in that way we could just run it on startup and it will appear in tray, this is wonderful to if you wanna take a SS from your desktop, i wont's have a program in you taskbar but in tray.

think abou this, i think taht it's easy to do it and would be very nice!

Arphahat · Apr 12, 2004, 08:52 AM

That's a good idea; I will add tray minimize for the next release.

sabrewolf · Apr 12, 2004, 12:23 PM

another nice feature (but i don't know if it's possible):

download to different paths.
eg.
PrntScrn --> directory 1
SHIFT-PrntScrn --> directory 2
CTRL-PrntScrn --> directory 3

i'd use one for the game, one for directly to the desktop and one general purpose one... all with an own counter... it'd be great

Arphahat · Apr 12, 2004, 12:39 PM

sabrewolf, do you mean you'd like to be able to have them all available at the same time, or would it be enough to be able to switch the directory and other settings quickly?

Although it may not be obvious, currently, by creating a new setting in SSA, you can specify exactly how you want it to behave. When you install, it comes with just the "default" setting. But, you can click on the "..." button in the setting area to create a new setting. For example, I have a setting called "gotm30" that has a directory, prefix, counter and image settings which differ from my "default" setting.

sabrewolf · Apr 12, 2004, 02:49 PM

duh... i am so stupid!!! sorry... didn't even look at that anymore... i've only been trying around with the index and the prefix

Arphahat · Apr 12, 2004, 03:12 PM

Nah, you're not stupid; I need to include more extensive documentation for all the features. I plan on updating the help section for the next release.

sabrewolf · Jun 28, 2004, 03:00 PM

ok, i just posted a bug report (well, kind of) and another feature request at sourceforge

Taé Shala · Jul 09, 2004, 12:09 PM

I really like you prog.

But from time to time I get this Run-time error warning:

Any ideas how to stop it?

sabrewolf · Jul 09, 2004, 04:21 PM

set output to png... it's anyway the superior graphics format

Apr 01, 2004, 08:46 AM	#1
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	Easy screenshot tool for Civ! ScreenShotAssistant Taking a screenshot can be a cumbersome process. You have to hit the "print screen" key, alt-tab to windows, start your paint program, paste, and save. If you don't take care to clear out the clipboard buffer, you may actually crash your game. But, there is now a better way. I wrote a utility that I call the ScreenShotAssistant. Now, to take a screenshot, you run this utility before you start Civ, decide on the naming convention and types of files you want to save, minimize and then start Civ. When you want a screenshot, simply hit the "print screen" key and the ScreenShotAssistant does the rest. It also clears the clipboard after saving the image to make sure that Civ doesn't have memory issues. This is the first release, and I would love feedback. You can post here and on the forums at the project website, http://sourceforge.net/projects/screenassist. EDIT: SSA 2.21 now available, with added features such as the "Generate Webpage" button, "Copy Filenames" button and the much requested "Civ 3" turn extractor. Go download now! EDIT: SSA 2.1 now available, with added features such as the pause button and Index padding. Go download now! __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum. Last edited by Arphahat; Jan 25, 2005 at 06:33 PM.

Apr 01, 2004, 08:52 AM	#2
Phil Schneider Chieftain Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Germersheim, Germany Posts: 82	I haven't downloaded it yet, but it sounds good Edit: My I also get it for free? __________________ The EU health ministers: Reading / Having read this post can cause heavy health damages Last edited by Phil Schneider; Apr 01, 2004 at 08:55 AM.

Apr 01, 2004, 09:00 AM	#3
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	Oops, I should have mentioned that it is free. Actually, it is free and the source code is available for download, too. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Apr 03, 2004, 05:26 PM	#5
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	absolutely wonderful! thanks for the tool! i've had a wierd problem with my win2k-server that print-screen didn't copy the screenshot into the clipboard. with your tool i can finally make screenshots in the action (so maybe even in multiplaying games ) thanks again! ps, i posted this same message at sourceforge as first entry in your discussion board there __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Apr 03, 2004, 05:30 PM	#6
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	oh, and maybe you should rename the file. setup.exe is used nearly always. why not somthing like ScreenShotAssistSetup.exe? __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Apr 03, 2004, 08:04 PM	#7
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Wow, my first feature request. I'll change the install name for the next release. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Apr 03, 2004, 08:15 PM	#8
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	well, if you really want some feature requests (the thing above is just the filename), how about having your program having an option to save the files with the year value (eg. 3450 BC, 1320 AC, etc)? an easy solution would be to check the lastest autosave in the directory (you could find out which game is played by checking the process name: civ3.exe, civ3ptw.exe, civ3conq.exe) and using a directory listener. this method is used by ainwood's diplomacy helper. the nicer (but much more difficult version) would be to check the memory offsets to get the year (or at least the turn-number, and then extrapolate from there). gramphos, ainwood, spiderzord or CCJ39 could maybe help you with this... oh... but then it would have to be a seperate version for civ3... other people at sf.net probably will need it for other purposes __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Apr 03, 2004, 08:25 PM	#9
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	I kinda thought about trying to tie it in to the actual year, but was anxious to get a working version out, so I left that for later, hoping no one would notice. I like the idea of checking the memory offsets. Maybe gramphos, ainwood, spiderzord or CCJ39 would provide me with the info I need. I'll send a PM to them. And, it shouldn't be too complicated to create seperate CIVIII release at SourceForge, so all is good. Conceivably, it could have specifics for multiple different games built in. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Apr 04, 2004, 09:21 AM	#10
Capt Buttkick Captain Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Feet on t ground Head in t clouds Posts: 1,760 Images: 2	I'll use this so here's a __________________ It's against my programming to impersonate a deity. C-3PO FORE! JFWI? JFGI!

Apr 04, 2004, 12:37 PM	#11
Lambda Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lisboa, Portugal Posts: 21	this is GREAT! it is really a great tool, and it has an huge advantage: it can be used everywhere. i now use this tool to take screeshots in everygame that havent a SS bind and i also use it to take SS of my desktop and programs. thanks man, i never thought that a tool like this could be so useful. __________________ "What we have to accomplish at this time is all the more clear: Relentless criticism of all existing conditions, relentless in the sense that the criticism is not afraid of its findings and just as little afraid of the conflict with the powers that be." Karl Marx "As I have said before, the ever more sophisticated weapons piling up in the arsenals of the wealthiest and the mightiest can kill the illiterate, the ill, the poor and the hungry, but they cannot kill ignorance, illness, poverty or hunger" Fidel Castro

Apr 12, 2004, 07:32 AM	#12
Lambda Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lisboa, Portugal Posts: 21	plus i have a sugestion, i think that an opition like: "minimiza and put in tray" would be great, in that way we could just run it on startup and it will appear in tray, this is wonderful to if you wanna take a SS from your desktop, i wont's have a program in you taskbar but in tray. think abou this, i think taht it's easy to do it and would be very nice! __________________ "What we have to accomplish at this time is all the more clear: Relentless criticism of all existing conditions, relentless in the sense that the criticism is not afraid of its findings and just as little afraid of the conflict with the powers that be." Karl Marx "As I have said before, the ever more sophisticated weapons piling up in the arsenals of the wealthiest and the mightiest can kill the illiterate, the ill, the poor and the hungry, but they cannot kill ignorance, illness, poverty or hunger" Fidel Castro

Apr 12, 2004, 08:52 AM	#13
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	That's a good idea; I will add tray minimize for the next release. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Apr 12, 2004, 12:23 PM	#14
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	another nice feature (but i don't know if it's possible): download to different paths. eg. PrntScrn --> directory 1 SHIFT-PrntScrn --> directory 2 CTRL-PrntScrn --> directory 3 i'd use one for the game, one for directly to the desktop and one general purpose one... all with an own counter... it'd be great __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Apr 12, 2004, 12:39 PM	#15
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	sabrewolf, do you mean you'd like to be able to have them all available at the same time, or would it be enough to be able to switch the directory and other settings quickly? Although it may not be obvious, currently, by creating a new setting in SSA, you can specify exactly how you want it to behave. When you install, it comes with just the "default" setting. But, you can click on the "..." button in the setting area to create a new setting. For example, I have a setting called "gotm30" that has a directory, prefix, counter and image settings which differ from my "default" setting. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Apr 12, 2004, 02:49 PM	#16
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	duh... i am so stupid!!! sorry... didn't even look at that anymore... i've only been trying around with the index and the prefix __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Apr 12, 2004, 03:12 PM	#17
Arphahat Chieftain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 55	Nah, you're not stupid; I need to include more extensive documentation for all the features. I plan on updating the help section for the next release. __________________ Check out the easy way to take screenshots of your CivIII game -->ScreenShotAssistant 2.21 or see the thread in this forum.

Jun 28, 2004, 03:00 PM	#18
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	ok, i just posted a bug report (well, kind of) and another feature request at sourceforge __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

Jul 09, 2004, 12:09 PM	#19
Taé Shala Prince Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 50°47'51 N 8°45'50 E Posts: 497	I really like you prog. But from time to time I get this Run-time error warning: Any ideas how to stop it? __________________ Compilation of female advisors * New fortress * Minimap: Star Wars * "curved" borders * Solid "curved" borders * Ruins in SMAC-X style* C3C resources with labels & icons * C3C Smallheads.pcx with mood-colors * C3C Colored PopHeads with national spots * Random Playersetup Change * Manager of the hattrick soccer team Rot-Grün Südviertel

Jul 09, 2004, 04:21 PM	#20
sabrewolf Demidemigod Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: turicum, helvetistan Posts: 142	set output to png... it's anyway the superior graphics format __________________ - "artificial intelligence usually beats real stupidity"

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