Help:Taking Screenshots
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Screenshots are a vital part of the Wiki, due to it covering a game series. Here are some tips to create good quality screenshots for use on the Wiki.
Setting up your game
Enabling the Console
To take the best screenshots, enable the developer console by starting your game, and going to Options >> Keyboard. In Portal, click advanced and tick the select box that says Enable Developer Console. In Portal 2, set Allow Developer Console to Enabled.
Disabling the HUD, Crosshair and Portal Gun Model
Next, open the console (~ by default) and enter cl_drawhud 0 and hit enter. Next, type r_drawviewmodel 0 and hit enter. This will disable the HUD/Crosshair, and portal gun. To get the hud and crosshair back, simply type cl_drawhud 1 and r_drawviewmodel 1 respectively.
Noclip
To get special angles, type in sv_cheats 1, and then noclip. This will enable noclip, allowing you to fly across the room looking for the best angles. When done flying, simply type noclip again.
Taking a screenshot
Under Windows
Taking a screenshot under Windows is simple. By default, pressing F5 saves the image as a TGA (Targa) file in the /screenshots/ folder of the relevant game:
- Portal:
\Steam\steamapps\common\portal\portal\screenshots\ - Portal 2:
\Steam\steamapps\common\portal 2\portal2\screenshots\
Do not use Steam screenshots (F12) as these are saved as low quality JPEGs instead.
In order to upload the image, you first need to convert the image into PNG format.
- There are numerous websites that do this for you. Here is a quick link to one.
- Most image editors can perform the conversion. IrfanView and Paint.NET are free and easy to use.
Under OS X
Taking a screenshot under OS X is slightly simpler than above. By pressing ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+3 at the same time, OS X automatically takes a full-screen screenshot. It is also possible to take a screenshot of a certain part of your screen using ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+4. Any images taken via this method appear on the Desktop. Alternatively, you can press fn+F5 for the same result as Windows.