This brief tutorial will show you how to change the default file format for screenshot (which is .png) to .jpg, .gif or even .pdf.

1. As we outlined in the introduction to Apple Keyboard shortcuts tutorial, taking a screenshot in OS X is as easy as  +  + 3 (Command+Shift+3, to take a screenshot of the entire screen) or  +  + 4 (Command+Shift+4, to take a screenshot of a region of the screen). The resulting screenshots will appear on your Desktop as PNG files.

 

1. Open up a Terminal by selecting Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. Enter the following command: 

   defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF



2. Now sign out (click the “Apple Button” from the Menu Bar and select Log Out Your Name…. Remember to save all open documents etc before you log out.
3. When you sign back in again, take another screenshot. This time it will be a PDF.

 



4. To change formats again replace PDF in the line “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF” to JPG, GIF or PNG to reset it back to the default.

Originally posted here

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