Enhance screenshot tools with multi-monitor support and additional capture methods

README.md

@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 # i3 Screenshot Tool
 
-A collection of scripts for taking screenshots in i3 window manager on Linux (CachyOS), with a focus on the "freeze and select" functionality.
+A collection of scripts for taking screenshots in i3 window manager on Linux (CachyOS), with a focus on the "freeze and select" functionality and multi-monitor support.
 
 ## Features
 
+- **Multi-Monitor Support**: Specialized tools for handling multiple displays
+- **Monitor Selection**: Choose which monitor to capture (with rofi)
+- **Countdown Timer**: Option to use a countdown to avoid capturing menus
 - **Freeze and Select**: Freeze the screen and then select an area to capture
 - **Simple Selection**: Direct area selection without freezing (faster but without the freeze effect)
+- **Multiple Methods**: Several different approaches to handle compatibility with different systems
 - **Clipboard Integration**: Automatically copies screenshots to clipboard
 - **Notifications**: Desktop notifications when screenshots are taken
 - **Timestamp Naming**: Automatically names files with timestamps
@@ -16,12 +20,14 @@ These scripts depend on various Linux utilities. Install them using your package
 
 ```bash
 # For Arch-based distros (including CachyOS)
-sudo pacman -S maim slop i3lock feh scrot imagemagick xclip xdotool
+sudo pacman -S maim slop feh scrot imagemagick xclip xdotool rofi
 
 # For Debian/Ubuntu-based distros
-sudo apt install maim slop i3lock feh scrot imagemagick xclip xdotool
+sudo apt install maim slop feh scrot imagemagick xclip xdotool rofi
 ```
 
+Note: `rofi` is optional but recommended for the multi-monitor script.
+
 ## Installation
 
 1. Clone this repository or download the scripts:
@@ -34,7 +40,7 @@ cd i3-screenshot
 2. Make the scripts executable:
 
 ```bash
-chmod +x i3-screenshot.sh i3-screenshot-alt.sh i3-screenshot-simple.sh
+chmod +x i3-screenshot*.sh
 ```
 
 3. Move the scripts to a directory in your PATH (optional):
@@ -48,35 +54,54 @@ sudo cp i3-screenshot*.sh /usr/local/bin/
 Add the following lines to your i3 config file (typically `~/.config/i3/config`):
 
 ```
-# Screenshot with freeze and area selection (main script)
+# Screenshot with area selection (main script, updated for multi-monitor)
 bindsym Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot.sh
 
+# Multi-monitor screenshot with selection menu (requires rofi)
+bindsym $mod+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh
+
+# Countdown screenshot with selection menu (avoids capturing menus)
+bindsym $mod+Shift+s exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-countdown.sh
+
 # Alternative screenshot with freeze and area selection
 bindsym Shift+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-alt.sh
 
 # Simple screenshot with area selection (no freeze)
 bindsym Ctrl+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-simple.sh
+
+# ImageMagick import-based screenshot
+bindsym Mod1+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-import.sh
 ```
 
 Replace `/path/to/` with the actual path to the scripts.
 
 ## Usage
 
-- Press `Print Screen` to use the main freeze-and-select screenshot tool
+- Press `Print Screen` to use the main area selection tool (works with multiple monitors)
+- Press `$mod+Print Screen` to use the multi-monitor selection tool with rofi menu
+- Press `$mod+Shift+s` to use the countdown screenshot tool (avoids capturing menus)
 - Press `Shift+Print Screen` to use the alternative freeze-and-select tool
 - Press `Ctrl+Print Screen` to use the simple area selection tool without freezing
+- Press `Alt+Print Screen` to use the ImageMagick import-based tool
 
 After pressing the key combination:
-1. For the freeze scripts: The screen will freeze, and you can select an area with your mouse
+1. For the multi-monitor script: A menu will appear allowing you to select a specific monitor or area
-2. For the simple script: The screen will dim, and you can select an area with your mouse
+2. For the countdown script: After selection, a 3-second countdown will start before taking the screenshot
-3. The screenshot will be saved to `~/Pictures/Screenshots/` with a timestamp
+3. For the area selection scripts: The screen will dim, and you can select an area with your mouse
-4. The screenshot will also be copied to your clipboard
+4. The screenshot will be saved to `~/Pictures/Screenshots/` with a timestamp
-5. A notification will appear confirming the screenshot was taken
+5. The screenshot will also be copied to your clipboard
+6. A notification will appear confirming the screenshot was taken
 
 ## How It Works
 
 ### Main Script (`i3-screenshot.sh`)
-Uses `maim` to take a full screenshot, displays it with `i3lock` to freeze the screen, then uses `slop` for area selection and `maim` again to capture just that area.
+Now uses direct area selection with `slop` and `maim` for better multi-monitor support.
+
+### Multi-Monitor Script (`i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh`)
+Uses `rofi` to provide a selection menu where you can choose to capture a specific monitor, select an area, or take a full screenshot. If `rofi` is not installed, it falls back to area selection mode. Includes a small delay to avoid capturing the menu.
+
+### Countdown Script (`i3-screenshot-countdown.sh`)
+Similar to the multi-monitor script, but adds a 3-second countdown before taking the screenshot. This ensures that any menus (like the rofi selection menu) are completely gone before the screenshot is taken.
 
 ### Alternative Script (`i3-screenshot-alt.sh`)
 Uses `scrot` for the initial screenshot, `feh` to display it fullscreen, `slop` for selection, and `imagemagick` to crop the image.
@@ -84,19 +109,40 @@ Uses `scrot` for the initial screenshot, `feh` to display it fullscreen, `slop`
 ### Simple Script (`i3-screenshot-simple.sh`)
 Uses just `maim` with the `-s` flag for direct area selection without freezing the screen first.
 
+### Import Script (`i3-screenshot-import.sh`)
+Uses ImageMagick's `import` command, which provides its own selection interface. This may work better on some systems where the other methods fail.
+
+## Multi-Monitor Troubleshooting
+
+- **Screenshots span across multiple monitors**: Use the `i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh` script to select a specific monitor
+- **Selection tool appears on the wrong monitor**: Try using the `i3-screenshot-import.sh` script instead
+- **Rofi menu doesn't appear**: Make sure `rofi` is installed (`sudo pacman -S rofi`)
+- **Rofi menu appears in the screenshot**: Use the `i3-screenshot-countdown.sh` script which waits before taking the screenshot
+
+## General Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+
+- **Screen freezes but selection doesn't work**: The main script has been updated to use direct selection without freezing
+- **Selection tool doesn't appear**: Make sure `slop` is installed and working correctly
+- **Black screenshots**: This can happen with compositing issues. Try using the `i3-screenshot-import.sh` script instead
+- **Menu appears in screenshots**: Use the countdown script which gives time for menus to disappear
+
+### General Tips
+
+- If the scripts don't work, make sure all dependencies are installed
+- Check that the scripts have executable permissions
+- Verify your i3 config has the correct paths to the scripts
+- Try each of the different scripts to see which works best on your system
+
 ## Customization
 
 You can modify the scripts to change:
 - The save location by editing the `SAVE_DIR` variable
 - The notification messages
 - The file naming convention
-
+- The rofi appearance and options in the multi-monitor script
-## Troubleshooting
+- The countdown duration in the countdown script
-
-- If the scripts don't work, make sure all dependencies are installed
-- Check that the scripts have executable permissions
-- Verify your i3 config has the correct paths to the scripts
-- If using the i3lock method, ensure your system supports i3lock with image display
 
 ## License
 

i3-config-example.txt

@@ -1,18 +1,27 @@
 # i3 config file example for screenshot tool bindings
 # Add these lines to your i3 config file (typically ~/.config/i3/config)
 
-# Screenshot with freeze and area selection (main script)
+# Screenshot with area selection (main script, updated for multi-monitor)
 bindsym Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot.sh
 
+# Multi-monitor screenshot with selection menu (requires rofi)
+bindsym $mod+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh
+
+# Countdown screenshot with selection menu (avoids capturing menus)
+bindsym $mod+Shift+s exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-countdown.sh
+
 # Alternative screenshot with freeze and area selection
 bindsym Shift+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-alt.sh
 
 # Simple screenshot with area selection (no freeze)
 bindsym Ctrl+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-simple.sh
 
-# You can also add more specific bindings if needed
+# ImageMagick import-based screenshot
-# For example, to capture the active window:
+bindsym Mod1+Print exec --no-startup-id /path/to/i3-screenshot-import.sh
-bindsym $mod+Print exec --no-startup-id maim -i $(xdotool getactivewindow) | xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png
 
-# Or to capture the entire screen:
+# Additional bindings for specific use cases
-bindsym $mod+Shift+Print exec --no-startup-id maim | xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png 
+# Capture the active window:
+bindsym $mod+Shift+Print exec --no-startup-id maim -i $(xdotool getactivewindow) | xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png
+
+# Capture the entire screen:
+bindsym $mod+Ctrl+Print exec --no-startup-id maim | xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png 

i3-screenshot-countdown.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# i3-screenshot-countdown.sh - Tool for taking screenshots with a countdown
+# This script provides a countdown before taking the screenshot to avoid capturing menus
+
+# Default save location - user's Pictures directory
+SAVE_DIR="$HOME/Pictures/Screenshots"
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)
+SCREENSHOT_PATH="$SAVE_DIR/screenshot_$TIMESTAMP.png"
+
+# Create the save directory if it doesn't exist
+mkdir -p "$SAVE_DIR"
+
+# Function to display notification
+notify() {
+    notify-send "Screenshot Tool" "$1" -i camera-photo
+}
+
+# Function to get a list of monitors
+get_monitors() {
+    xrandr --listactivemonitors | grep -v "Monitors" | awk '{print $4}'
+}
+
+# Function to get monitor geometry
+get_monitor_geometry() {
+    local monitor=$1
+    xrandr | grep "$monitor" | grep -oP '\d+x\d+\+\d+\+\d+'
+}
+
+# Function to do a countdown before taking the screenshot
+countdown_screenshot() {
+    # Countdown from 3
+    for i in 3 2 1; do
+        notify "Taking screenshot in $i..."
+        sleep 1
+    done
+    
+    # Take the screenshot
+    if [ -n "$1" ]; then
+        maim -g "$1" "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+    else
+        maim "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+    fi
+    
+    # Check if screenshot was successful
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        notify "Screenshot failed"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
+
+# Check if rofi is installed
+if ! command -v rofi &> /dev/null; then
+    notify "Rofi is not installed. Using direct selection mode."
+    
+    # Use slop to select an area and maim to take the screenshot
+    notify "Select an area to capture"
+    SELECTION=$(slop -f "%x,%y,%w,%h")
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        notify "Screenshot canceled"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    # Extract coordinates and dimensions
+    IFS=',' read -r X Y W H <<< "$SELECTION"
+    
+    # Take the screenshot of the selected area with countdown
+    countdown_screenshot "${W}x${H}+${X}+${Y}"
+else
+    # Get list of monitors
+    MONITORS=$(get_monitors)
+    
+    # Add "Select Area" and "Full Screenshot" options
+    OPTIONS="Select Area\nFull Screenshot"
+    
+    # Add each monitor to the options
+    for MONITOR in $MONITORS; do
+        OPTIONS="$OPTIONS\n$MONITOR"
+    done
+    
+    # Show selection menu with rofi
+    CHOICE=$(echo -e "$OPTIONS" | rofi -dmenu -i -p "Screenshot Mode")
+    
+    case "$CHOICE" in
+        "Select Area")
+            # Use slop to select an area
+            notify "Select an area to capture"
+            SELECTION=$(slop -f "%x,%y,%w,%h")
+            if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+                notify "Screenshot canceled"
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            
+            # Extract coordinates and dimensions
+            IFS=',' read -r X Y W H <<< "$SELECTION"
+            
+            # Take the screenshot of the selected area with countdown
+            countdown_screenshot "${W}x${H}+${X}+${Y}"
+            ;;
+            
+        "Full Screenshot")
+            # Take screenshot of all monitors with countdown
+            countdown_screenshot
+            ;;
+            
+        *)
+            # Take screenshot of selected monitor
+            if [ -n "$CHOICE" ]; then
+                GEOMETRY=$(get_monitor_geometry "$CHOICE")
+                if [ -n "$GEOMETRY" ]; then
+                    notify "Taking screenshot of monitor $CHOICE..."
+                    countdown_screenshot "$GEOMETRY"
+                else
+                    notify "Could not determine monitor geometry"
+                    exit 1
+                fi
+            else
+                notify "Screenshot canceled"
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            ;;
+    esac
+fi
+
+# Copy to clipboard
+xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+
+# Notify user
+notify "Screenshot saved to $SCREENSHOT_PATH and copied to clipboard"
+
+echo "Screenshot saved to: $SCREENSHOT_PATH" 

i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# i3-screenshot-multimonitor.sh - Tool for taking screenshots with multi-monitor support
+# This script provides options for selecting a specific monitor or area
+
+# Default save location - user's Pictures directory
+SAVE_DIR="$HOME/Pictures/Screenshots"
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)
+SCREENSHOT_PATH="$SAVE_DIR/screenshot_$TIMESTAMP.png"
+
+# Create the save directory if it doesn't exist
+mkdir -p "$SAVE_DIR"
+
+# Function to display notification
+notify() {
+    notify-send "Screenshot Tool" "$1" -i camera-photo
+}
+
+# Function to get a list of monitors
+get_monitors() {
+    xrandr --listactivemonitors | grep -v "Monitors" | awk '{print $4}'
+}
+
+# Function to get monitor geometry
+get_monitor_geometry() {
+    local monitor=$1
+    xrandr | grep "$monitor" | grep -oP '\d+x\d+\+\d+\+\d+'
+}
+
+# Function to take a screenshot with a delay
+take_delayed_screenshot() {
+    # Add a small delay to ensure any menus are closed
+    sleep 0.5
+    
+    # Take the screenshot
+    if [ -n "$1" ]; then
+        maim -g "$1" "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+    else
+        maim "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+    fi
+    
+    # Check if screenshot was successful
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        notify "Screenshot failed"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
+
+# Check if rofi is installed
+if ! command -v rofi &> /dev/null; then
+    notify "Rofi is not installed. Using direct selection mode."
+    
+    # Use slop to select an area and maim to take the screenshot
+    notify "Select an area to capture"
+    SELECTION=$(slop -f "%x,%y,%w,%h")
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        notify "Screenshot canceled"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    # Extract coordinates and dimensions
+    IFS=',' read -r X Y W H <<< "$SELECTION"
+    
+    # Take the screenshot of the selected area
+    take_delayed_screenshot "${W}x${H}+${X}+${Y}"
+else
+    # Get list of monitors
+    MONITORS=$(get_monitors)
+    
+    # Add "Select Area" and "Full Screenshot" options
+    OPTIONS="Select Area\nFull Screenshot"
+    
+    # Add each monitor to the options
+    for MONITOR in $MONITORS; do
+        OPTIONS="$OPTIONS\n$MONITOR"
+    done
+    
+    # Show selection menu with rofi
+    CHOICE=$(echo -e "$OPTIONS" | rofi -dmenu -i -p "Screenshot Mode")
+    
+    case "$CHOICE" in
+        "Select Area")
+            # Use slop to select an area
+            notify "Select an area to capture"
+            SELECTION=$(slop -f "%x,%y,%w,%h")
+            if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+                notify "Screenshot canceled"
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            
+            # Extract coordinates and dimensions
+            IFS=',' read -r X Y W H <<< "$SELECTION"
+            
+            # Take the screenshot of the selected area
+            take_delayed_screenshot "${W}x${H}+${X}+${Y}"
+            ;;
+            
+        "Full Screenshot")
+            # Take screenshot of all monitors
+            notify "Taking full screenshot..."
+            take_delayed_screenshot
+            ;;
+            
+        *)
+            # Take screenshot of selected monitor
+            if [ -n "$CHOICE" ]; then
+                GEOMETRY=$(get_monitor_geometry "$CHOICE")
+                if [ -n "$GEOMETRY" ]; then
+                    notify "Taking screenshot of monitor $CHOICE..."
+                    take_delayed_screenshot "$GEOMETRY"
+                else
+                    notify "Could not determine monitor geometry"
+                    exit 1
+                fi
+            else
+                notify "Screenshot canceled"
+                exit 1
+            fi
+            ;;
+    esac
+fi
+
+# Copy to clipboard
+xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
+
+# Notify user
+notify "Screenshot saved to $SCREENSHOT_PATH and copied to clipboard"
+
+echo "Screenshot saved to: $SCREENSHOT_PATH" 

i3-screenshot.sh

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 # i3-screenshot.sh - A tool for taking selective screenshots in i3 window manager
-# This script freezes the screen and allows selecting an area for screenshot
+# This script allows selecting an area for screenshot with multi-monitor support
 
 # Default save location - user's Pictures directory
 SAVE_DIR="$HOME/Pictures/Screenshots"
@@ -16,39 +16,22 @@ notify() {
     notify-send "Screenshot Tool" "$1" -i camera-photo
 }
 
-# Take a full screenshot first to use as the frozen background
+# Use slop to select an area and maim to take the screenshot directly
-TEMP_SCREENSHOT="/tmp/frozen_screen_$TIMESTAMP.png"
+# This works better with multiple monitors
-maim "$TEMP_SCREENSHOT"
+notify "Select an area to capture"
-
-# Display the frozen screenshot as a background using feh instead of i3lock
-feh --fullscreen --borderless "$TEMP_SCREENSHOT" &
-FEH_PID=$!
-
-# Wait a moment for feh to display the image
-sleep 0.5
-
-# Use slop to select an area and maim to take the screenshot
 SELECTION=$(slop -f "%x,%y,%w,%h")
 if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
     # User canceled the selection
-    kill $FEH_PID
-    rm "$TEMP_SCREENSHOT"
     notify "Screenshot canceled"
     exit 1
 fi
 
-# Kill the feh process
-kill $FEH_PID
-
 # Extract coordinates and dimensions
 IFS=',' read -r X Y W H <<< "$SELECTION"
 
-# Take the actual screenshot of the selected area
+# Take the screenshot of the selected area
 maim -g "${W}x${H}+${X}+${Y}" "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"
 
-# Clean up
-rm "$TEMP_SCREENSHOT"
-
 # Copy to clipboard
 xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i "$SCREENSHOT_PATH"