Getting Images out of Skitch

For information on putting images on the Internet, see 'Webpost and Skitch.com'

'drag me'

When you drag out of 'drag me', an image file is automatically generated and placed 'in your hand', which you can then place in any desktop publishing application, the Finder, etc. One way to share images with other people from Skitch is to simply drag a file from the 'drag me' area into your email application (e.g., Mail), or chat application (e.g., iChat or Skype).

Skitch has 5 types of files it can output. If you don't know what type you need, you probably need .jpg (pronounced "JAYPEG"), which is a very standard file which can be opened on almost anybody's computer.

The file formats Skitch can output are:

  1. .jpg — This is a common format designed for photographs. It's not absolutely perfect though, and can make text and fine lines a little fuzzy at times. Try experimenting with the jpg quality settings, found in the 'drag me' drop down menu, to find a good comprimise between file size and image quality
  2. .png — This is a slightly less common format. It will however produce perfect images, with no fuzziness. Photos in the format tend to make bigger files, whereas diagrams and sketches tend to be smaller files
  3. .pdf — This is a vector file using the Adobe™ PDF standard, suitable for printing
  4. .svg — A vector format which can be opened in professional applications like Adobe Illustrator™, etc.
  5. .Skitch — A format lets you pass a file to another Skitch user, so they can continue to edit it using the Skitch program on their machine
  6. .tif — This is the 'TIFF' format, for high-end output suitable for sending to print publications (eg. a magazine)

If you are trying to decide between .png and .jpg here are a few rules of thumb:

You can drag directly from the 'drag me' tab to the desktop, a Finder window, directly into any application which support direct dragging in of images from the Finder. You can also drag the file directly onto Mail's icon in the Dock and it will start a new email message for you with the image from Skitch.

Mail this Image

With the 'Mail' function in the Toolbox menu, Skitch outputs a .jpg file and puts it in your system-preferred email browser. This is the most common picture filetype, the receipient will be able to view it in Outlook, Apple Mail, Hotmail, etc.

'Export at original size'


Taking a snapshot, or dragging a file from iPhoto, etc. which is bigger than 75% of your current monitor size, will cause Skitch to resize the image automatically. In this case, a checkbox for “Export at original size’' will appear near the 'drag me' area. If you tick this option before using 'drag me', any file you drag out of Skitch will result in a file which has the original file size and resolution. This means that you can drag in an image from a digital camera, draw on it, tick the 'drag me' checkbox, and drag out a file which is ready for printing: it retains the original resolution and size.

Send to Bluetooth

One other handy trick is to use the 'Send to Bluetooth' option in the Toolbox menu. If you have a mobile/cellular phone which supports bluetooth and is configured with OS X, then you can send the image which is currently in Skitch directly to your phone. This is handy if you want to get a map quickly from Skitch on to your phone before you run out the door.

 

Send to bluetooth