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Support => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: psychoadept on August 30, 2019, 05:35:13 AM

Title: Master screenshot post
Post by: psychoadept on August 30, 2019, 05:35:13 AM
If your image link does not end in .jpg, .png, .gif, or another image format extension it will not show up in img tags.

There have been several good how-tos on posting screenshots. This post compiles all of them so that we can have one sticky topic on screenshots. Links to the original posts are provided, but the posts have been locked. If we need to update these methods, leave a comment here or contact a moderator.

This one is easy and no "enrolling":

1.  Take a screenshot of what you want others to see;  you can use the built-in Windows "Snipping Tool", Irfanview's Options/Capture Screenshot, or a zillion other apps.

2.  Go to https://imgur.com/upload (https://imgur.com/upload)

3.  Browse to or drag image, upload

4.  When image appears on the site, you can either:

  a)  Right-click it and choose "Copy link/file/image location (exact dialog will depend on your browser)";  be sure this gives a link to the image file itself--in other words, the link should end in an image extension like *.jpg.  You can then use the MusicBee forum's "Insert Image" dialog button and insert the link, which will embed the image itself in the post.

  b)  Or, click on the Imgur "Copy" button they provide there, which will produce a no-extension link you can insert into a post using the "Insert Hyperlink" button.  This provides a LINK to the image in your post instead of embedding it as in a), which is preferable if you want to use a huge image that otherwise would take up too much real estate in the forum, which can be annoying.

Be sure you check your post first using "Preview" to be sure it's what you want before hitting "Post" (note the difference between using "Insert Image" and "Insert HyperLink").

Other sites/methods abound, but as I said, this is the one that works easiest for me.

ShareX is a free and open-source screenshotting and screencasting program, which has a possibly rather overwhelming set of features and settings.

But without going through all the options, it can be a very easy to use tool for just making a simple screenshot and creating a shortcut link that can be used for adding a screenshot to your forum post.

This is a quick and short tutorial to accomplish just that.

Start ShareX, select 'Capture', and then from the underlying menu select your required method of capturing.
For this example you could use 'Region'.
That will allow you to select the area of the screen you want to capture.

(http://i.imgur.com/AHPLaUm.png)

When that area has been captured, you will see the filename of that capture appearing in the main panel.
Right-click on that filename, select 'Copy', and then 'Forum (BBCode) linked image'.
That will place a shortcut into your clipboard, which you can directly paste into your forum message.

(http://i.imgur.com/gpemQJF.png)

That's it.

You can also set ShareX up, so that when you right-click on an existing image file, and then select 'Upload with ShareX', you get presented this panel, from where you can also quickly create a working link.

(http://i.imgur.com/iDmdUeO.png)

To add an image to a post:

1. Create the image by taking a screenshot with the PrtScn button and paste the image into an application such as Paint. Save the image. Alternatively, you can use another application such as Windows Snip to create the image.

2. Crop the image to show what you want to display and possibly add markings to highlight certain areas. You can use Paint for this.

3. Upload the image to an image hosting site such as MediaFire (http://www.mediafire.com/) or ImageShack (http://imageshack.us/). These are both free image hosting sites.

4. Get the direct link to the image and copy it. This link cannot be a page which has the image on it, but must be the actual address of the page. It should end in .jpg, .bmp, or .png if it is the address of the image, such as http://www.example.com/screenshot.jpg.

5. In the post that you want to add the image to, you can simply paste the link and post it.

(Advanced) To make the image actually appear in the post
6. Surround the direct link with these tags to make the actual image appear:
Code
[img][/img]

7. You can make the image link somewhere by adding these tags:
Code
[url=http://www.example.com/link][/url]

So the full link would look like
Code
[url=http://www.example.com/link][img]http://www.example.com/screenshot.jpg[/img][/url]

8. Now, you can center your image by adding these tags:
Code
[center][/center]

9. Finally, you can resize the image so it doesn't take up the whole page by adding 'width=' or 'height=' in the img tag, so it would look like:
Code
[center][url=http://www.example.com/link][img width=200]http://www.example.com/screenshot.jpg[/img][/url][/center]

So, as you can see, it can get complicated. But of course, the final steps are not entirely necessary.

For additional tags, please see this (https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/misc.php?do=bbcode) page. I am not sure if they are all implemented here.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: psychoadept on August 30, 2019, 07:09:11 AM
A further note if you're embedding the image: if the URL you use doesn't end in an image file extension like .jpg or .png, the image will not show up in the final post. Often imgur and other sites provide a link for the image that points to a "holder" page on their own site and you have to dig a little to find the direct link.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: MeH on July 19, 2020, 02:32:19 PM
Good post  ;)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Mauser69 on March 18, 2021, 04:36:57 PM
I do not know if things are different now than back in 2019, but my initial attempts to follow the first example (for the imgur site) did NOT work.  Copying the link from their page never had the right stuff.  

But what DID work is to click on the "..." button (next to their "Copy link" button), then select "Get share links".  Now just copy the "BBCode (Forums)" link shown on the Share Options window and paste it directly into a forum post here WITHOUT using any Insert Image function from this site.
(https://i.imgur.com/pVgA4rU.png)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on March 18, 2021, 04:45:41 PM
Now just copy the "BBCode (Forums)" link shown on the Share Options window and paste it directly into a forum post here WITHOUT using any Insert Image function from this site.
Yeah, that "insert image" icon on the post a reply window has never worked and probably should be removed. Although it may be part of the forum software over which we have no control. But I'll post something on the website issues thread to see what can be done.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Mauser69 on March 18, 2021, 04:58:55 PM
OK, a bit more testing with the imgur site, and this DOES work with the "Insert Image" button here:

1.  Upload an image to imgur.com (I used the W10 screen snip tool).
2.  Hoover the mouse over the image now on imgur.com and click on the "Copy link" button.
3.  Back on this forum, click on the "Insert Image" button and past the link, but at the end of the pasted information ADD the file extension(".png" for me).  No other change is needed.
4.  Now when you click OK, the correct link will be inserted in your post to embed the image.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on March 18, 2021, 05:00:35 PM
After some fiddling around, I've determined that the "insert image" icon does indeed work. You just need to enter the correct URL
The screenshot below was posted using the "insert image" with the URL as shown in the second screenshot.
(http://i.imgur.com/VHhtQaSl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/iy1eF1nl.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/iy1eF1n.jpg)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Mauser69 on March 18, 2021, 05:06:17 PM
Yup, the problem I had is not with the "Insert Image" button at all, it was the incomplete link that the imgur.com site gives you (as noted in post #5 above).  So EITHER the instructions from post #3 or #5 work with that site.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: frankz on March 18, 2021, 05:41:27 PM
1. Right-click the uploaded image on IMGUR
2. Select (in Chrome) Copy Image Address.  In Edge, it's Copy Image Link.  I'm sure there's an identical option in Firefox or the browser of anyone's choice.
3. Paste into the "Insert Image" box in the forum

It is supremely uncomplicated.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Mauser69 on March 19, 2021, 01:41:18 PM
Ouch, that hurt frankz.  Such public shaming demands that I either slink away and hide in shame, or do more testing in a feeble effort to defend myself.

While I am undoubtedly incompetent at many things, I never considered that Right Clicking was one of my abject failures.  And I will swear seven times on seven stacks of pancakes that what you described as "supremely uncomplicated" is EXACTLY what I tried the very first time I attempted to insert a screenshot yesterday.  And since I only use Firefox, I felt certain that something special there would be my saving grace.

So of course I rushed right out to re-test it today in order to "prove" that I wasn't really that dumb.  Can you see me slinking away in shame now?

Of course it works exactly as you describe - it is just that simple.  Even with Firefox.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: frankz on March 19, 2021, 01:59:48 PM
Don't sweat it man it's just a picture 🙂
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on March 21, 2021, 10:41:40 PM
Here's a really simple way to attach an image to a post here on the forum

- Create your screenshot
- To to https://gifyu.com/
- Drag your screenshot to the place that says "Drag and drop or paste images here to upload"
- Click "upload"
- Click on "embed codes"
- Scroll to the second group of codes (Thumbnail image)
- Click inside the box that says "BBCode" and click "copy"
- Paste the copied URL into your post

PLEASE ALWAYS USE THE THUMBNAIL CODE AS IT WILL POST A SMALLER IMAGE WHICH WHEN POSTED CAN THEN BE ENLARGED BY CLICKING ON IT.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: hiccup on March 22, 2021, 06:23:55 PM
Here's a really simply way to attach an image to a post here on the forum
Good find phred!
(spelling is not so good ;-)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on March 22, 2021, 07:39:20 PM
Good find phred!
(spelling is not so good ;-)
It was your find, hiccup. Credit where credit is due.

I had to read my post three times just now before I saw the typo. Even with your quoting it.  <sigh>
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: hiccup on March 22, 2021, 07:49:11 PM
Please don't hate the vile side of my personality ;-)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on March 22, 2021, 07:52:37 PM
Oh no, not at all. I quite enjoy it.

Besides, it keeps me honest.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Dalinar on May 24, 2022, 09:58:06 AM
also these 2 other programs are part of the holy triumvirate of best ever screenshot programs for Windows

1) greenshot (it is simpler than sharex, without the cloud upload and with an amazing editor)
2) ScreenShot Captor.. amazing program, lots of capabilities

I have a question about Imgur... for the life of me I can't figure out how to create new Albums. I feel really stupid.. I know I've done it before (years ago when I last used imgur) because I can move files to those Albums but I cannot figure out how to create a new Album.

On the off chance that they actually nixed this feature (sounds stupid so I think the fault is more that I don't understand their interface), what is a good image uploading/sharing site with nice UI that can/is:

1) free
2) big enough that it isn't going to disappear
3) holds photos for a fairly long time before deleting
4) Album support
5) Ability to have images laid out with a caption and successively down the page the way ImgUr lets you would be nice as well but not as important as the features above.
6) tagging - also nice but not essential.
7) drag and drop on page to add photos
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: decard on May 09, 2023, 04:31:13 AM
also these 2 other programs are part of the holy triumvirate of best ever screenshot programs for Windows

1) greenshot (it is simpler than sharex, without the cloud upload and with an amazing editor)
2) ScreenShot Captor.. amazing program, lots of capabilities

I have a question about Imgur... for the life of me I can't figure out how to create new Albums. I feel really stupid.. I know I've done it before (years ago when I last used imgur) because I can move files to those Albums but I cannot figure out how to create a new Album.

On the off chance that they actually nixed this feature (sounds stupid so I think the fault is more that I don't understand their interface), what is a good image uploading/sharing site with nice UI that can/is:

1) free
2) big enough that it isn't going to disappear
3) holds photos for a fairly long time before deleting
4) Album support
5) Ability to have images laid out with a caption and successively down the page the way ImgUr lets you would be nice as well but not as important as the features above.
6) tagging - also nice but not essential.
7) drag and drop on page to add photos

i know this is somewhat old thread, but regarding screensot apps, i do not know why Snagit (by Techsmith) is not mentioned?
possibly the first and the best of screenshot apps. and which i have for over ten years. albeit, i stubbornly would not move past v9.2 becuase they went all MS and each enhanced ver, i regarded as more buggy and problematic than the previous

that said, because of some sort of new Win10 or other bug, i have recently looked for other alts, and came up with Greenshot mentioned here, Ashampoo, PicPick, Win Snap & Fire Shot ... i have installed Greenshot, but am still using Snagit out of sheer habit, bug and all.


Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: Zak on May 09, 2023, 05:44:55 AM
i know this is somewhat old thread, but regarding screensot apps, i do not know why Snagit (by Techsmith) is not mentioned?
Probably because it costs $100 and Greenshot is free.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: decard on May 10, 2023, 10:50:54 AM
i know this is somewhat old thread, but regarding screensot apps, i do not know why Snagit (by Techsmith) is not mentioned?
Probably because it costs $100 and Greenshot is free.

hmmm. well i just checked and it is just under $US70 (which is about $A100 if you mean that); but in any case, that is hugely different to what i paid all those ago - must have been about $15-$20. and you will note that i actually preferred to stay at ver 9.2 and not move to later versions i regarded as worse, not better, a las MS.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on May 10, 2023, 01:16:12 PM
...and Greenshot is free.
As is ShareX, which can do a hell of a lot more than Greenshot. In fact ShareX -uses- Greenshot for its image editing module.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: boroda on May 10, 2023, 02:02:55 PM
As is ShareX, which can do a hell of a lot more than Greenshot.

 :D +1. yes, sharex is a really great program. especially considering that it's free. and considering that there is a portable version.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: decard on May 11, 2023, 03:23:42 AM
...and Greenshot is free.
As is ShareX, which can do a hell of a lot more than Greenshot. In fact ShareX -uses- Greenshot for its image editing module.

noted. although i am putting up with two sigificant bugs in Snagit at the moment (one a long-standing issue of not doing scrolling Window capture), i am soooo used to it, it will take a definite effort to change, but maybe. in the meantime, i will check ShareX which did not come up at all in my previous search/es for these apps. Thanks.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: decard on May 11, 2023, 03:49:03 AM
...and Greenshot is free.
As is ShareX, which can do a hell of a lot more than Greenshot. In fact ShareX -uses- Greenshot for its image editing module.

noted. although i am putting up with two sigificant bugs in Snagit at the moment (one a long-standing issue of not doing scrolling Window capture), i am soooo used to it, it will take a definite effort to change, but maybe. in the meantime, i will check ShareX which did not come up at all in my previous search/es for these apps. Thanks.

did a search and ShareX came up ... one thing i noticed is that it apparently uploads screenshots (or videos) somewhere and copies the link in your Clipboard ... pretty relevant to what we are discussing
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: MADBIKER1960 on July 22, 2023, 12:27:35 AM
There is also a program called Lightshot that does a better job then Print Screen.

It can be obtained here: https://app.prntscr.com/en/index.html
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: hiccup on July 22, 2023, 05:19:24 AM
There is also a program called Lightshot that does a better job then Print Screen.

It can be obtained here: …
Thanks for this additional suggestion MADBIKER1960.

But looking at the website of Lightshot somehow triggered some feeling of unease in me.
So I then briefly googled on it and ran into this article:
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/lightshot-chrome-screenshot-app

It saying that "Lightshot is a privacy nightmare".

I'm not saying it is malware per se, but I am also not convinced of the motives of the developers of Lightshot being completely honest and transparent, or can be trusted completely.

And, as sad as it is to say this:
The fact that the program is from a Russian company (company, not an individual) also doesn't help in the light of what is happening in the world today…
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on July 22, 2023, 01:13:43 PM
...saying that "Lightshot is a privacy nightmare".
Thanks hiccup for putting on your Sherlock Holmes hat and discovering this. I'll stick with Share-X.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: MTVhike on February 05, 2024, 01:16:41 PM
Why doesn't the MB forum allow simply dragging the image file to the reply window like many other forums do?
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on February 05, 2024, 02:03:31 PM
Why doesn't the MB forum allow simply dragging the image file to the reply window like many other forums do?
It has nothing to do with MB, but rather with the Simple Machines Forum (SMF) software the forum uses. The forum software is FREE and as with most free things on the Internet, options are somewhat limited. Since MB is a totally free software, developed by one single person in his spare time, there is no need for him to add the expense of a "better" forum software package. He already is paying for web server access.

Yes, dragging and dropping an image into a post is much easier, but there are other ways to get the image posted. The other forums are using different forum software which allows dragging images.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: MTVhike on February 05, 2024, 02:27:54 PM
Thanks, Phred, a very reasonable explanation!
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: hiccup on February 05, 2024, 04:36:50 PM
It has nothing to do with MB, but rather with the Simple Machines Forum (SMF) software the forum uses.
All true.
Two other reasons I can imagine for not having such an option:
- it would take up extra space on the server, which might mean some extra costs
- it would probably also implicate responsibility for the images that users have uploaded and then reside on the server

PS
1. It remains an annoyance that some users are either too lazy, or reluctant to put in the little effort to insert screenshots to their posts.
   (I guess they consider their time more important than the time of the members they are asking for help)
2. It is very nice to see how often, and how many users are making the effort to insert good screenshots to their posts.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: MADBIKER1960 on February 27, 2024, 07:20:14 PM

It has nothing to do with MB, but rather with the Simple Machines Forum (SMF) software the forum uses.
All true. Two other reasons I can imagine for not having such an option: - it would take up extra space on the server, which might mean some extra costs - it would probably also implicate responsibility for the images that users have uploaded and then reside on the server PS 1. It remains an annoyance that some users are either too lazy, or reluctant to put in the little effort to insert screenshots to their posts. (I guess they consider their time more important than the time of the members they are asking for help) 2. It is very nice to see how often, and how many users are making the effort to insert good screenshots to their posts.

Perhaps it is time to move the forum to a hosting service that supports posting pictures so we can show what we are talking about.

Your current forum has no pictures at all.

It is time to find a new forum that allows pictures to be posted right to the subject so we can post pics of what we are talking about making it easier for all to answer questions that are posted.


AND if cost is the factor behind not getting a new site, perhaps it is time to start charging a once a year fee to support it.

I for one would gladly pay to be able to post pics.

With pics it is easier to show what we are talking about instead of having to try and write it all out.

And please do not tell us to use hosting sites because the majority of them want a fee to post on their sites.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on February 27, 2024, 09:11:45 PM
Perhaps it is time to move the forum to a hosting service that supports posting pictures so we can show what we are talking about.[/font][/size]
Obviously you haven't read the three or four posts before what you just posted.

Quote
Your current forum has no pictures at all.
Because it is free. As is MusicBee. And quite frankly, you're wrong. Many posts/replies have pictures/screenshots with them.

Quote
It is time to find a new forum that allows pictures to be posted right to the subject so we can post pics of what we are talking about making it easier for all to answer questions that are posted.
Obviously you have refused to understand how to incorporate pictures in one's post/reply.

Quote
AND if cost is the factor behind not getting a new site, perhaps it is time to start charging a once a year fee to support it.
You don't seem to understand that MB is a hobby for its developer. It's not a full-time or even part-time job for him. I don't speak for him, but I'm sure the last thing he wants to do is set up a subscription plan to enable lazy users the ability to post pictures when there are currently other ways for it do be done. None of which require his time, money, or effort.

Quote
With pics it is easier to show what we are talking about instead of having to try and write it all out.
Do you mean like this?
(https://i.imgur.com/gyU2yfjl.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/gyU2yfj.jpeg)

Quote
And please do not tell us to use hosting sites because the majority of them want a fee to post on their sites.[/font][/size]
Okay, let me tell you to use a file hosting service. Perhaps the majority of them want a fee, but imgur doesn't and is one of the most popular for hosting images. HELL!! You don't even need to register to use it. And if you want to upload a file (such as when Steven requests a settings file) MediaFire is also free.
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: tjinc on February 27, 2024, 09:41:30 PM
Quote
Your current forum has no pictures at all.
Because it is free. As is MusicBee. And quite frankly, you're wrong. Many posts/replies have pictures/screenshots with them.

And here's an example of one that does: https://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=39645.msg214409#msg214409 (https://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=39645.msg214409#msg214409)
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: phred on February 27, 2024, 09:54:02 PM
And here's an example of one that does:
PERFECT!!!!
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: frankz on February 28, 2024, 06:24:44 AM
Why won't this free forum for this free software give me free web space to store my photos so I can effortly ask other users to donate their time to help me solve my problems?
Title: Re: Master screenshot post
Post by: boroda on March 02, 2024, 12:43:28 PM
@franks, brilliant!