An issue with the print screen

[LadyofShalott]

Well, my new laptop seems to play sims beautifully, but I have one little issue with it; I can't get the print screen to take a picture of my game. I try to take a print screen of my game, but when I go to paste it into paint or gimp, all I have is my desktop picture. It's like it takes a picture right through my sims game and takes one of my desktop instead. I've tried taking a print screen on different games, but it works fine on them. It's just sims that it doesn't seem to like. Any ideas on what my problem could be and how to fix it?

[legrande]

I had that problem too, I don't know how it did it but it's sorted itself now. I wish I could be of more help!

The only other thing I could suggest is that perhaps you could try installing program that allows you to take screen cap pictures like Fraps or Gadwin instead.

[Samantha]

Is it Windows 7? Print-screening doesn't work with the Sims for Windows 7, as I learned when I got my new computer. Download Fraps, which I use, or something similar. It takes print-screens and saves them to a designated spot (I have mine so that it's saves to my desktop) so that you don't have to minimize your game each time. It's a lifesaver, honestly.

[Caitlin]

Sorry if this is totally off-topic, but is using Fraps better than taking a picture in game with the camera? Are they higher-quality or something?

[legrande]

Yes, they really are. It's less blurry than the in-game camera and the colours are perhaps slightly sharper (in my opinion).

I've got to say, I must be lucky or something because I'm running a Windows 7 OS and I can take print screens okay now. However, Fraps is brilliant! It does save so much time.

[Samantha]

I second what legrande said about the pictures being less blurry. It's been years since I've used the in-game camera.

SPOILER: Click to show

The first picture is a PNG taken with Fraps. The second is one taken using the in-game camera (a JPEG, taken on the highest quality settings). Both unedited. I did them from the same angle and without moving the camera, but apparently the in-game camera, to get a 600 x 450 picture, compensates for my normally 800 x 450 monitor by taking a picture that's wider vertically.

Plus what's nice about taking your own screen shots is that you can resize and crop them yourself (I also rotate mine slightly sometimes, which isn't really possible with the game camera).

[LadyofShalott]

Wow I never knew that about Windows 7! (and yeah, I have a W7 computer ) *downloads Fraps right away* I'll see if I can get it to work.

Thanks for the quick feedback guys! I posted this question on the BBS and never got a good answer... I learned a lot today! ;D

EDIT: Yay it worked! Alex says thank you:

SPOILER: Click to show

Just curious, but is there anyway to get rid of that annoying counter thing in the top corner?

[Samantha]

I think if you go into the "FPS" tab, and check "hide overlay," it'll get rid of it. I think--I've never tried. I personally like it there because it'll flash when you hit the hotkey, so that you know you took the shot, but that's just me.

You can also move it around--like to a different corner--by pressing one of the F keys (I'm not sure which).

[legrande]

Yeah, that's what I have mine set on.
I find the numbers distracting. I did like the way they let you know when you'd taken a screen shot, but I prefer them hidden because I found myself looking at them constantly.

[Cayla]

Or try playing in windowed mode.

[Caitlin]

I always play in windowed mode. Especially now because I find when I play in fullscreen my game ends up becoming extremely wide and it stretches everything out in an attempt to fit it on the screen

Wow, I never even knew but you guys are right, it is better to take screenshots! Will be downloading Fraps to try out (:

[LadyofShalott]

Okay thanks guys I'll try it out. ;D