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Faststone Capture question.
July 12, 2010
2:01 PM
2:01 PM
Wheezer
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This question may only be able to be answered by Ashraf, because he's the one I've seen doing it, but I'll put it out here in case somebody else knows. And if Ashraf answers my question, we can all learn too.
I've seen many times in screenshots that appear to have been done using Faststone Capture, in Ashraf's articles, where a smudge effect is used to block out specific information.
Like this:
I can't seem to find the option to do that when I use Faststone Capture and am wondering how this is done because I'd like to be able to do it too.
July 12, 2010
2:38 PM
2:38 PM
Ashraf
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Are you using the freeware version of FS C? The freeware version does not have the ability blur. I purchased the latest version of FS C (I wanted this blur feature and I use the program so much I figure the developer deserves something) hence I can do that.
Before I purchased latest version of FS C I would either use solid black boxes (use the editor built into FS C) to block out content or I would save screenshots and load them into Paint.NET and use the blur filter.
July 12, 2010
3:02 PM
3:02 PM
Gioneo
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I was able to do it with the freeware version (FastStone Image Viewer). Don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it worked ok for me:
- Select your image in the right panel
- Click on Edit – Select – Rectangle Select Mode
- Hold down the Ctrl key and drag your cursor over the area you want to blur on the preview window (this will select the area only)
- Click on Edit – Obscure (blur) or Ctrl+Shift+O
That's how I got it. See if it's blurry enough for your needs (you can repeat the process over and over to accentuate the blur).
July 12, 2010
3:14 PM
3:14 PM
Wheezer
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Yes, I'm using the free version.
At least I know now. Thank you.
I'll be thinking about getting the paid version, but I'm not sure I'd use it enough to make it worth paying $20 for. Looking at the features tho, I'd be able to get rid of at least one other program I got recently for recording video of my screen.
Thank you again for the info Ashraf.
[edited to add] Gioneo was typing while I was evidently. I'll give your idea a try and see what happens. Thank you.
July 12, 2010
3:30 PM
3:30 PM
Wheezer
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Gioneo: Oh I missed the part where you said you were using Faststone Image Viewer to do it. I want to be able to do it within Faststone Capture.
I'm pretty sure I could do the blur thing in Photoshop or GIMP too. I was just trying to avoid the extra steps to do that.
I do thank you tho for making the suggestion. 
July 12, 2010
3:31 PM
3:31 PM
Gioneo
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I forgot to mention that the Image Viewer for being a freeware has also Screen Capture capabilities. Although I haven't played with it yet.
July 12, 2010
3:52 PM
3:52 PM
Lascannon
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FastStone is probably the best program on the internet. Lightweight, simple, and effective. I used it a few of my school projects.
I never saw the "free" version on their site though… 
But now you mentioned it, I'm going to search harder… only used the trial so far.
July 12, 2010
4:01 PM
4:01 PM
Ashraf
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@Gioneo and Wheezer: Yea FastStone Image Viewer has screen capturing capabilities, but it is not as easy to use and convenient for power users as FastStone Capture. That, and the fact that FastStone Image Viewer doesn't have the ability to capture a scrolling window were as FastStone Capture does (even the freeware version has it for FS C).
@Lascannon: http://dottech.org/freeware-reviews/5238
July 12, 2010
4:11 PM
4:11 PM
Gioneo
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@Ashraf:
I dld the freeware from your link (thanks!), gave it a test drive. It does have the blur feature: Select area – Edit – Sharpen/Blur… Since it's my first time using it, maybe they didn't have it in the previous versions.
Or maybe it's not the kind of Blur Wheezer's looking for.
July 12, 2010
4:13 PM
4:13 PM
Wheezer
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After looking at Image Viewer, I'm back to thinking I'll either switch over to the paid version or keep the free version and use Photoshop/GIMP to blur text when I really need it.
Part of my problem with paying for it is: I don't really need the blurring effect very often. It's just that I like that better in some cases than a black or gray box over the text I want to hide.
July 12, 2010
5:45 PM
5:45 PM
Ashraf
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@Gioneo: Are you serious? Wow, I never knew about that and I have been using the program for ages. I read in the changelog (http://www.faststone.org/FSCap…..tm#History) that blur was added in v5.7 
. How could I miss such a thing. Oh well, the developer deserves the cash anyway… I use this program daily, and multiple times a day.
@Wheezer: Gioneo is right. Apparently v5.3 – the latest freeware version – does have blur. Select and area -> Edit -> Sharpen/Blur, and blur to your hearts content.
(In the latest version all you have to do is select an area and press O to blur.)
August 7, 2010
10:47 PM
10:47 PM
Wheezer
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Just to update this thread…
I ended up downloading the trial of the paid version of FSC. I was impressed with all the features and options it has that the free version doesn't have.
So a couple days ago I went ahead and paid for it. Now I've got what I wanted and more, in a program I was already familiar with.
I'm definitely a happy camper now!
Thank you Ashraf and Gioneo. 
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