Feature Highlight: Snapshot

Angela Aff · 2025-02-25T22:19:50+00:00

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This week, we're highlighting the Snapshot tool!

Did you know the Snapshot tool allows you to copy text, images, or vector graphics and paste them as new vector images?

You may be asking yourself, "Is the Snapshot tool different than copying/pasting?" And the answer is yes!

The Snapshot tool allows you to retain the vector properties of the original content, enabling you to resize it without compromising clarity.

If you want to save the snapshot as a markup, you can also add it to the Tool Chest for later use.

Check out this helpful how-to guide:

https://support.bluebeam.com/revu/how-to/tips-and-tricks/custom-markups-snapshot-tool.html

Tell us!

Are you using the Snapshot tool or have you been copying and pasting?; or,
Have you saved a new custom markup from using the Snapshot tool? Post below!

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Feature Highlight

Comments

JJones

The snapshot tool has to be one of my most used Bluebeam features! From combining/stitching together drawings to creating custom markups, its fantastic. The ability to take a snapshot from a key and turn that into a bespoke, on the fly markup for my tool chest, adds an extra layer of clarity in my markups over and above just using the standard circle/square/tickmarks.

Using colour processing to change the colour of the markup is then a great way to add contrast from the original content.

I've raised a recent discussion about the potential to crop snapshots after placement? I think it would add some flexibility when stitching drawings together.

Jes Stafford

Snapshot is one of my most used tools. You can change the fill properties after pasting (color, transparency) to make the pasted vector images stand out in your markups.

Another thing - once you capture a snapshot, it goes to the OS Clipboard (at least it does in Windows) so you can also paste into other programs like email, Teams messages, etc.

Darbie

Like the others, Snapshot is one of my most used tools. Its super useful for a quick comparison of consultant drawings, I can snapshot our RCP and drop it over MEP and quickly see what is not aligning without having to flip back and forth through files.

We also use our standard details for the base of most designs, so the snap shot is also great to have some of those in a tool box to drop along side redlines for people to reference.

bgregory

Couple of things about snap shot that are awesome:

As an electrical contractor, we can take our power drawings and snapshot all of the other systems like lighting, technology, AV, HVAC etc. on top of them. Then we use the blend mode multiply, change the color of each system and add them to layers so we can turn them on and off as needed. We can also add form buttons on the drawing to turn the layers on and off so it works on Bluebeam for iPad.

You can also use the snapshot content option if you have a lot markups on what you are trying to capture and that will capture only the pdf content under your markups.

Brandon Costlow

Snapshot is one of my go-to communication tools. As I work to turn my foremen's 2D drawings into a 3D model, it makes it quick and easy to send communications for clarification. I know there are many powerful ways to use them, but most of mine have been discussed with other comments. That's just my primary use for it most days.

I did use it to turn my scanned wet signature into a digital one that is now saved to My Tools instead of being a stamp or an official digital signature, but it works for my needs.

Geom

One of my favorites

Rob Fetherston :)

Does anyone know how to change the line weight of the snapshot when pasting? I disabled the line weight on the drawing as I have to zoom in very tight. I do a resolution at 600, Vector is checked. When I paste the image - the line weight is very heavy and thus thicker and losing all the detail. I am using Revu x64 Extreme, Version 20.3.30.

Circling back to this, I did not see how much I had to zoom in. I'm at 6,400%, so I'm assuming my resolution would have to be incredibly high—well over 600.

Brandon Costlow

@Rob Fetherston :) - The only way I found so far is to turn off "Take Vector Snapshots". That leaves you stuck with Raster snapshot limitations, but it gives the exact look you have displayed. I think with vector snapshots, it copies the data used to create the image (the mathematical equations, plus the source line weight data). I don't think a snapshot captures your line weight preference, so it pastes the source data instead of your display preferences.

In the image below, the green rectangle is roughly the area I took a snapshot of. With "Take Vector Snapshots" turned on, I got the copy just to the right of the original. Blend mode set to Normal. With "Take Vector Snapshots" turned off, I got the copy further to the left. It retained the desired line representation, but it also kept the white pixels in the background, so there's no transparency. Not sure how important the line weight is, but that's what I get when I try to get the results you seemed to be desiring.

Hopefully, that helps, but if not, I'm sorry to waste your time with all that. lol Either way, have a good day, sir.

Rob Fetherston :)

@bcostlow - Thanks! I'll give that a try.

Micah Lindstrom

Oh, funny this is being highlighted right now! I just added a comment to this related thread

https://community.bluebeam.com/bluebeam-community/discussion/622/shortcut-to-colorize-snapshots