Multi-layered screenshots (with all open windows)

[Photon89]

Another interesting idea off Brainstorm: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/15796/

Description
Traditionally, Screenshots have been "flat" and are composed of only one layer (the visible layer). If a window is below another, you cannot see it, or parts of it, because all the layers are flattened into what you see.

I'd like a way to have a multi-layer image file, where a photo is taken of every window and placed on different layers, so you can see see the content of every window open simply by hiding/moving layers around in the photo (more of a 3D screenshot).

For graphics artists, journalists and reviewers, it means they can make small edits to the screenshots (moving windows around even after the photo is taken before it is finalised). Just like it was a real desktop!

The good:

• Screenshots can be rearranged and edited after taking them (great for editors and reviewers)
• Other on the internet get a 3D view of your desktop, so can see EVERYTHING and exactly what linux is like.
• Should be just a matter of grabbing every window and their position, adding the same effects to the picture. Shouldn't be too hard to grab a list of windows and snapshot every one.
• Very unique. Never seen it on other operating systems
• Great for developers. Users get a better idea of the software.
• Great for business and tutorials. Users get more context as to how they are brought to the screen they are at.
• Allows a "3D VNC" mode. Some connections such as satellite are very fast, but have a high large lag. This means they are capable of sending snapshots of all open windows quickly, but there is a delay. Using this concept, window switches would be a lot faster, and VNC might be less annoying.
• Linux screenshot sites where users can hide or show different windows in the screenshot, that would be great. Its like popping the bonnet of your car so others can see inside (if you want them to).

Other considerations:

• Multi-layer screenshots are bigger because there is obviously more image (however, single layer screenshots would still be available).
• Users must be warned when enabling this feature that all open windows will be exposed, even if behind another... Easy to do.. dialog.show("This will show ALL windows, even ones behind others...blah blah blah").
• The preview photo code ideally should be changed to let the user see each layer, which gets a bit complicated, but its a nice supplement.
  Tags: mmm photo unique

Launchpad Details: #LP301672 Vadim Peretokin - 2008-11-24 13:44:45 +0000

[Photon89]

This is definitely a very interesting idea.
Due to the fact that this will cause a lot of work i cannot promise anything by now.

Thanks to AndrewLuecke for this great idea and Vadim for reporting it to GScrot.

Launchpad Details: #LPC Mario Kemper (Romario) - 2008-12-05 08:49:14 +0000

[Photon89]

First step is done.
The new drawing tool is implemented and by now it is possible to get a multi-layered screenshot manually.

1. minimize all windows and do a full screen screenshot
2. make a screenshot from every single window
3. open full screen image with the embedded drawing tool and import all other screenshots from sesssion

There is still plenty of work to do here:

1. Make it possible to make a screenshot of all open windows
2. open drawing tool automatically after taking all screenshots
   and integrate all image at the right places

--- tasks above should be easy

3. How do we save the multi-layered screenshot? We should reuse and support an existing format => gimp?

Launchpad Details: #LPC Mario Kemper (Romario) - 2008-12-21 22:42:58 +0000

[Photon89]

gif, png, and xcf support make sense.

gif - make a changing gif with a user-set timeframe period, png just overlay
them all, and xcf save as layers

Launchpad Details: #LPC Vadim Peretokin - 2008-12-22 02:42:49 +0000

[Photon89]

Wonderful Idea.
Use TIFF or xcf.

Launchpad Details: #LPC Samuel Gyger - 2009-01-28 13:31:07 +0000

[Photon89]

By the way: For MAC OS is an app available which creates screenshots with multiple layers: 'Scrennshot PSD'.
On the site is also a sample scrennshot available: http://txtlabs.com/

Launchpad Details: #LPC Miguel - 2012-02-25 14:52:49 +0000