Problem Windows clipboard produces huge uncompressed images!

[patshaw101]

I wondered if anyone else experienced the same problem, or more importantly, had a solution to the following:

 

Our students are routinely required to produce screenshot documentation of software/websites they've created and they are taught to use 'Print Screen' and Paste keys to get the job done. The trouble is, the images revert to the 24-bit screen resolulution so the word/powerpoint files end up being rediculously huge. We've tried using freeware screen capture programs but these require students to exercise good practise by importing JPG files - something teachers say they don't have time to do (don't get me started on that argument!). The free programs can quite happily control the printscreen key but don't touch the paste operation so students still end up pasting 24-bit images.

 

Is there a program out there that can effectively take over the whole print screen and paste functions by pasting a compressed image rather than 24-bit BMP? I would gladly pay good money for this as it would positively impact disk space/backup capacity requirements. It seems that this is a Windows design fault from our Microsoft friends...

[Geoff]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screen_recording_software

[patshaw101]

Thanks for the link to the list of programs. I have tried some of them and they still allow large uncompressed bmp's to be pasted. Does anyone know of a specific program that can control the pasting so it pastes a compressed image or is it a Windows limitation?

[mac_shinobi]

I did a screen shot utility in vb 6 quite some time ago and that wasnt hard, mapping the keys in the background shouldnt be too hard either as Ive done that once and ive seen examples of hooking the keyboard in vb 6 as well, the only part that will take some figuring is converting it from a bmp to a compressed image format on the fly.

[mac_shinobi]

I did a screen shot utility in vb 6 quite some time ago and that wasnt hard, mapping the keys in the background shouldnt be too hard either as Ive done that once and ive seen examples of hooking the keyboard in vb 6 as well, the only part that will take some figuring is converting it from a bmp to a compressed image format on the fly.

[Geoff]

Windows will not allow you to hook the print screen key.