How to capture application menu by using the Image Tool?

Q: Is it possible to capture a menu in my application to generate a topic for it?

How to capture a part of the window

In the HelpSmith's Image Tool, you can:

• Use the Capture by Timer feature to capture a window with an opened menu, and/or other elements.
• Use the Crop Tool to remove unwanted parts of the image.
• Add control annotations for the menu items which you want to describe in the topic.

Remark: Please note that while the Capture Controls option recognizes basic controls, you can disable this option before capturing a window, and then add control annotations (e.g. for individual menu items, etc.) manually.

To capture a menu in a Windows application, you can also find step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: Use the Capture by Timer feature

1. In the Image Tool, on the toolbar, click the Capture by Timer button.
2. In the Create Screenshot dialog, select the Capture Full Screen option.
3. Set some time delay (for example: 30 seconds).
4. Click OK.
5. Within the specified delay, go to the window in your app. that you want to capture.

Remark: You can go to the needed window in your application, and then open the menu that you need. The screenshot of the screen will be created after the specified time interval.

Step 2: Use the Crop Tool to remove unwanted parts

In the Image Tool, you can remove unwanted parts of the image by using the Crop Tool feature.

1. On the screenshot, select the rectangle area that you want to crop.
2. On the toolbar, click Crop Image to Selection.

Thus, you can use the Crop Tool to leave only a selective part of the captured screenshot.

Step 3: Add Control Annotations for specific controls

Finally, you can add control annotations for the menu items and/or other elements, for which you want to provide a description in the topic.

1. In the Image Tool, in the left side, click Add Control Annotation.
2. In the dialog, specify the title, number, and other settings as you need.
3. Click OK.
4. Position the control annotation directly on the control which the given annotation describes.

After this, you can generate a topic draft by exporting the control annotations to the document as explained here.

Is it possible to add the mouse cursor over a menu item somehow?

Is it possible to add the mouse cursor over a menu item somehow?

How to add the mouse cursor to a screenshot

In the HelpSmith's Image Tool, before you capture a window, you can enable the Capture Cursor option on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can add the mouse cursor to an existing image, as explained here.