How to Scan an Image
I'm not going to go through all the steps for scanning an image because that would mean that I have to list down the procedure for several popular scanners and scanning programs.
For more scanning tips, do a Google search, or visit this website: http://www.scantips.com/faq.html
Adding Images
Taken from MichaelM's How-to Guide as found on this thread.
1 - If the image is on your computer, load http://www.imageshack.us, click the "Browse" button, and find the file on your computer, then click ok. Now click "Host it!"
2 - You will now see a screen with some text on it, in boxes. Next to one of the boxes it will say "Direct Link to Image" - Copy all of the text in that box.
3 - Go to wherever you want to put your image (Eg. The signature section in your profile, or a normal "Add Reply" screen), and type:
Code: Select all
[img]URL HERE[/img]
Eg.
Code: Select all
[img]http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5687/duckgy3.jpg[/img]
Would give:
Note: Imageshack will give you a number of different codes now, but the one you want is one of the two which says either "Hotlink for forums (1)," or "Hotlinks for forums (2)," next to it. On most forums, including the FanGathering forums, the first one is the one you want.
If your image is HUGE, you might just want to copy the "Thumbnail for Forums (1)" code because gigantic images that stretch pages horizontally is bad netiquette [e.g. some people are still on dial-up] and it breaks the forum's layout.
Other useful image hosting websites aside from Imageshack are:
http://photobucket.com/
http://tinypic.com/
http://www.imagehosting.us/
http://xs.to
How to Capture Images From Your Screen [a.k.a. Making a Screenshot]
1 - Choose the window/area you want to capture.
2 - Take a screenshot.
- Windows Users: Look for the "Print Screen" button, and press it. It's usually found on the upper-right area of your keyboard, and it's usually labeled as "Print Scrn". [Note: Turn off your printer, unless you want it to actually and literally print off your screen! Or, instead of turning off your printer, hit Alt+PrntScrn. Don't worry, it would seem like nothing has happened, but actually, your computer stored your screenshot on the Clipboard. If this isn't happening, you may need to press the 'Fn' button as well (for laptop users).
- Mac OS X Users: There are several ways to do this. Here are instructions taken from the Grab application.
To take a picture of the whole screen: ⌘-Shift-3
To take a picture of part of the screen: ⌘-Shift-4, then drag to select the area you want in the picture. [To cancel, press Escape.]
To take a picture of a window, a menu, the menu bar, or the Dock: Press ⌘-Shift-4, then press the Space bar. Move the pointer over the area you want so that it's highlighted, then click. To drag to select the area instead, press the Space bar again. To cancel, press Escape.
Screen shots are saved as files on the desktop. If you want to put the screen shot in the Clipboard, rather than create a file, hold down the Control key when you press the other keys. You can then paste the picture into a document.
You can also take pictures of the screen using the Grab application (in the Utilities folder).
3 - Open an image editing program. The typical ones would be Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, or Paint Shop Pro.
4 - Paste the captured image into the empty canvas by pressing Ctrl+V [or by going to the menu and looking for Edit>>Paste].
5 - Save your image either as a JPG/JPEG, GIF, or PNG file.
6 - Refer to Adding Images when you wish to post your screenshot.
* * * * *
Hope that was helpful!
Mods, feel free to add/edit this as you wish.
/EDIT#1: Added printing problem that was pointed out by BlackOpal.
/EDIT#2: Updated links and cleaned up the messed up HTML.
/EDIT#3: Cleaned up messed up bbCode and HTML.
/EDIT#4: Added Centaurboi2's Alt+PrntScrn tip.
/EDIT#5: Edited the Mac OS X screenshot instructions
/EDIT#6: Added extra comment about the Fn key for laptop uses.