I'm looking for....

[threadandsandpaper]

Thing 1: A better screen shot program.

I'm running windows 7. I am currently using Fraps, but I think it contributes to my game crashing. I just want something really light weight. All it needs to let me do is pick my screen cap key and the destination for the file. Any suggestions?

Thing 2: A very small neighborhood terrain or empty hood.

Roads fairly close together and not too many of 'em. Preferably with space for a beach lot or two. I'm not 100% happy with what I'm using and can't quite bear to install SC2 just for this.

Comments

[zerographic]

I really love Valtakunta (http://www.sims2pack.modthesims2.com/d/400804). I play small lots pretty much exclusively and I'm very happy with this map. :)

[neuroticrobotic]

My favorite little neighborhood terrain is loverat's Tributania. She's got a lot of other really nice little ones over there as well.

I wish I could recommend a better screen program, but Fraps is what I use I'm afraid. :(

[threadandsandpaper]

Wow, I'm kinda in love with Tributania. Thanks for the link!

[pyxidis]

I recommend Gadwin, I've used it for years with no problems. All you have to do is press the Printscreen button and it saves your picture to a folder. It's also very lightweight RAM-wise if that's any issue for you. :)

[threadandsandpaper]

I'm checking it out, hopefully it will work better for me. Thanks!

[threadandsandpaper]

So I've run into the same problem with Gadwin that most of the utilities I've tried have: they want to capture the desktop when I'm in game. I play in full screen not windowed mode. Have you had problems with this? Am I too dumb to figure out the right settings?!?!??!

[pyxidis]

I play in windowed mode and have never tried taking screencaps in fullscreen mode with Gadwin, so I've never experienced this problem. However, have you tried out each of the "source" settings? Maybe you need to select the fullscreen option for the capture instead of client or current window?

[mariaakamlc]

I use Gadwin and Full Screen is checked as the source. I've used it for a couple of years and have never had any problems.

[jessalie_aranya]

I have Windows 7, play in windowed mode, and use Irfanview. I haven't had problems with it losing shots (as long as I remember to turn it on *facepalm*), and don't have crashing problems. ^_^

[livlukas]

I also vote for Gadwin, I do play windowed mode, though. But I love that it will save the photo to whatever folder I tell it to and I have it automatically name the photo and number them as I take them. I use the "rectangular area" capture setting, so I can crop out anything I don't want in the photo right as I take it.

I've been using it for Simming for many years, never had one problem with it.

Also, try these two tips I found to keep your game from crashing. Mine VERY content heavy game has not crashed once since I did these:

http://www.digitalperversion.net/gardenofshadows/index.php?topic=21931.0

I've been playing the same hood since 2007, so yeah, the crashing was intolerable. But no more crashing!!

[threadandsandpaper]

Oooh interesting. Its yet another push in favor of doing my bi annual computer reformat and upgrading to 64 bit . Before I make that leap, I'm gonna try the other thing. Thanks for the link.