PrtScr Ultimate

Lightweight python script that provides single command line interface for different screenshot tools.

It makes a screenshot, copies it to clipboard and deletes temporary screenshot file (optionally can save screenshot to file). Screenshot can be edited "in place" via any supported picture editor (and unsupported too, see below). Works everywhere, with any DE and even without it (for example with i3).

Usage

usage: prtscr-ultimate.py [-h] [-s | -f | -w] [-b] [-c] [-d DELAY] [-o FILE]
                          [-e] [--backend {gnome-screenshot,scrot,spectacle}]
                          [--debug]

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -s, --selection       select area manually
  -f, --fullscreen      grab the entire screen
  -w, --window          grab only active window
  -b, --borders         include window borders, works only with --window
  -c, --cursor          include mouse cursor
  -d DELAY, --delay DELAY
                        set delay before taking a screenshot
  -o FILE, --output FILE
                        output file to save screenshot
  -e, --edit            open image editor after taking a screenshot
  --backend {gnome-screenshot,scrot,spectacle}
                        select backend for action, overrides in-file variable
  --debug               don't use this option

Useful tip

-o/--output option supports Python time.strftime, for example --output "screenshot-%Y.%m.%d-%H:%M:%S.png" will produce screenshot-2018.04.08-21:48:58.png.

Installation

Available backends

• gnome-screenshot (recommended)
• spectacle (kde-spectacle)
• scrot

Unsupported backends

• xfce4-screenshooter

Install software

<backend> is one of the available backends

Ubuntu: sudo apt install git python3 xclip <backend>

Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S git python xclip <backend>

Clone repo

git clone git@github.com:MikeWent/prtscr-ultimate.git
cd prtscr-ultimate

Set backend

Open prtscr-ultimate.py in text editor, find var BACKEND and set your installed backend

Example:

BACKEND='gnome-screenshot'

Set editor (optionally)

See inctruction above

EDITOR='pinta'

Supported editors

Common name and (command).

• Pinta (pinta): powerful and has an intuitive UI. Would recommend.
• Krita (krita): this one is more about drawing like a pro, but does screenshot editing well too.
• PhotoFlare (PhotoFlare): fast but has a bit non-intuitive UI.
• GIMP (gimp): no need to introduce. Powerful and old-known. Has a bit non-intuitive UI, even more than PhotoFlare. Also you need to "Export" pic, not "Save" it to get autocopy working. Wouldn't recommend for fast editing. Choose another option if you can.
• Imeditor (imeditor): seems lightweight, but last time I used it was a piece of crap. Wouldn't recommend.
• any editor with command line syntax editorname /path/to/file

License

MIT