How do I create an image with “instructions” in it?

Question

How do I create an image with "instructions" in it?

Ok I want to be able to create images like these:

I'm no graphics expert (and i've got no idea how i can achieve that effects in that page)

I mean I know how to screen shot and crop the image but after that I'm basically stucked.

(I have Photoshop btw, but I've got no idea how to use it)

Answer 1

Try Greenshot. It's free and brings your image into its inbuit editor so you can add annotations or make amendments if you wish - it makes for very rapid screen capturing and processing for manuals etc.

http://getgreenshot.org/

Greenshot's built-in editor

Answer 2

You don't actually need Photoshop to create "screen annotations".

The ones I have tried are "ZoomIt" (free), and the Firefox addon "Awesome Screenshot - Capture and Annotate".

More reading: http://www.google.com/search?q=screen+annotation+tools

Answer 3

I use Zscreen to get the screenshots - it is free software with many functions. Then I load the image in LibreOffice Draw where I can add speech bubbles, arrows, smileys, cliparts etc. (all in vector format, so I can always move or resize every part) and finally export as PDF (one click) or very easily to PNG and others.

Alternatively you can use other free utility MWSnap, which is older, but has some basic drawing features.

For me, the combination of Zscreen and LibreOffice Draw is optimal. :-)

Answer 4

Try the FastStone Capture application.

It is small and handy - quite quick and to the point. Use it on a regular basis.

http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm