Constrictor 3.3

Overview

Constrictor is a useful screenshot application for the Mac OS X operating system that lets you take a picture of any area of your screen by adjusting/scaling the desired border. This software lets you save images in a plethora of formats with a few clicks of the mouse, and allows for advanced image saving, editing, and tagging with automated settings that can be configured in a user-friendly interface.

Interface

Although Constrictor is an external program (not included with the OS), the user interface is almost identical to the Mac OS X 10.4 operating system menus, so the software feels a lot like an integrated application. The interface is comprised of four main tabs – General, Snapshots, Saving, and Hotkeys. The General tab lets you adjust the basic features of the software, including the shading of the frame interior, and what action the software should perform when a frame is clicked. The General tab also gives you the option to hide Constrictor immediately after taking a snapshot, and lets you adjust the number of seconds the software waits before capturing a timed snapshot.

The Snapshot tab lets you adjust the aesthetic aspects of the captured images, including the backdrop, feathering, frame margin, and snapshot scale. The Saving tab lets you choose the preferred file saving format, adjust screenshot quality, and enable automated Spotlight keyword tagging for easier file location. The Hotkeys tab lets you assign a combinational key command to seven actions – Copy, Save, Archive, Timed Copy, Timed Save, Timed Archive, and Access Preferences Menu.

Pros

• Supports customizable hotkey configurations (i.e. - lets you perform actions with key combinations like Ctrl+W)

• Supports automatic tagging of screenshots to make it easy to find specific pictures using Spotlight

• Lets you automatically add thumbnail icons to saved images

• Supports automated file saving options

• Can save pictures in five different formats

• Automatically feather (color) the edges of the snap area along a designated number of pixels.

• Lets you choose from white, black, and assortment of other feathering colors, and gives you the option to preview feathering before saving.

• Three ways to initiate a snapshot – hotkeys, context menu (right-click menu), and AppleScript (for automated snapshots).

• Controllably perimeter of the screenshots is as easy as dragging and highlighting the desired area.

• From Stick Software - maker of other popular software like Aquatint, PhotoReviewer, Fracture, EyeBalls, and Jiggler.

• Was designed specifically for Mac OS X 10.4 and above, so the functionality and appearance is very familiar.

• Support for AppleScript lets you add custom features, such as automatic e-mailing after capturing.

Cons

• Only compatible with Mac OS X operating system.

Alternatives

While a screen capture utility is already included with the Mac OS X operating system, Constrictor 3.1 provides extensive options that cannot be found in the resident application. There are similar programsavailable for the Windows operating system, including Greenshot, ScreenHunter, ScreenShot, and SnapaShot.

Conclusion

If you want more control in the way you take screenshots on the Mac OS X operating system, Constrictor 3.1 provides a compact, yet comprehensive utility that is loaded with preferences and configuration settings.