Meryl's Notes Blog

As a writer and tech writer, I find SnagIt is one of the more valuable resources. Before I bought it, I was skeptical about it because I had no problems using PrintScreen and then modifying the shot in Photoshop. Then I started using the software at work and saw how much time it saved me. I bought it for my use and Ctrl+Shift+P to take a snapshot almost daily.

One creative person discovered a inventive way to use SnagIt… as a teleprompter. Kewl, eh? (I’m on a “kewl” instead of “cool” kick.) Not longer after I became a SnagIt’er, TechSmith released v7.0, a great improvement. The interface is easy on the eyes and friendly. It also has more editing tools for modifying the snapshot.

SnagIt helped me create a gift for my youngest child’s teacher. She treats him as one of her own and her place is a second home to him. I consider her a friend, too. Those who know me are aware of my lack of talent for design or creating things. Odd considering I’m a lefty, but I s’pose the creativity all went into writing.

Since using software is a breeze, I used SnagIt and Photoshop to make the gift. I flipped through digital pictures and when I saw a possibility, I snagged it with SnagIt and saved it. Once done, I used Photoshop to review the selected photos and placed them around the page leaving space in the middle for a poem I wrote. After printing the page on a photo printer, I put it in an 8×10 picture frame. She loved it.

Tip: If you prefer to save your file to the “last saved” folder, the following steps make it possible:

1. Right-click on the SnagIt icon and select Output, then Properties.
2. Under Output folder, make it blank.
3. Click OK.

Update: I should’ve waited a day! Carla Wardin, editor behind the SnagIt newsletter, interviewed me asking about my experience with the app. The interview is here.

Update #2: Techsmith has lots of great tips and tools in its community center. OK, I’ll be quiet now.