Capture Screen Contents to Image

The Capture Screen Contents to Image command allows user to save the current contents of the Global Mapper window to a JPEG, PNG, (Geo)TIFF, or Windows Bitmap (BMP) file. In addition, the generated image can be generated in a higher resolution than the screen to provide greater fidelity. Also, a world file for georeferencing in other software packages as well as a projection (PRJ) file describing the native ground reference system of the image can be optionally generated as well.

Unlike the Raster Export commands, the Capture Screen Contents to Image command always saves any vector overlays drawn to the screen.

Selecting the Capture Screen Contents to Image command from the menu displays the Screen Capture Options dialog, shown here.

The Image Format section allows the user to select the format of the image to generate. Different formats have their own unique strengths and weaknesses which make choosing the best format vary depending on the desired end results. The supported formats are:

JPEG - JPEG is a lossy format that achieves excellent compression on images with a lot of color variation, such as pictures of real world objects and shaded elevation data.

PNG (Portable Network Graphic) - PNG is a lossless format that achieves excellent compression on images without a lot of color variation, such as line (vector) drawings and paper map scans such as DRGs. The generated PNG file will be of the 24-bit variety.

(Geo)TIFF - TIFF is a lossless format that is supported by many GIS packages. Saving the screen to a TIFF with this command generates a 24-bit uncompressed TIFF. All georeferencing data is stored in a GeoTIFF header attached to the TIFF.

Windows Bitmap (BMP) - BMP is a widely support format on Windows platforms. Saving the screen to a BMP results in a 24-bit uncompressed image.

Image Size

The width and height of the generated image in pixels are specified in the Image Size panel. By default, the size of the Global Mapper view pane are used. Using these values will generate an image that matches the map viewed in the application. These values can be changed to generate a more or less resolute image.

Map Layer Scaling

Specify a Scale Value (1 to 100) to scale the Map Layout Elements, such as the scale bar, legend, etc. when capturing the screen contents to an image. It is useful to increase the scale of the Map Layout Elements when the output image size is larger than the current window size. The default Scale Value is 1.

Options

Generate World File — This generates a world file in addition to the image. The world file will be generated in the same directory as the image and will have the same primary name as the image. The filename extension will depend on the selected image type (JPEG=.jgw, PNG=.pgw, TIFF=.tfw, BMP=.bpw).

Generate Projection (PRJ) File — This generates a projection file describing the ground reference system of the created image. The projection file will be generated in the same directory as the image and will have the same primary name as the image with an extension of .prj.

Generate Text Metadata File — Generates a text file listing the metadata for the captured image.

Crop to Loaded Map Data — This option generates a text file that is cropped to the bounds of the currently loaded map data, rather than the full screen extents. If the loaded map data does not take up at least the entire screen then your specified pixel dimensions will also be shrunk so that the pixel size remains the same.

Create 256 Color Palette Image — Creates a palette based image when capturing the screenshot (this does not apply to JPG format).  

Pressing the OK button prompts the user to select the name and location of the image to generate and then proceeds to generate the image.