> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/nobe-omniscope/features/snapshots.md).

# Snapshots

Snapshots let you freeze a frame from any live input and use it as a reference for comparison, analysis, or documentation. They are central to colour matching, QC review, and before/after workflows.

<figure><img src="/files/HvfG6TirKe9ocrrSp3BM" alt=""><figcaption><p>Snapshot panel with thumbnails and wipe comparison</p></figcaption></figure>

## Taking a Snapshot

| Method                         | Action                                                             |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Toolbar**                    | Click the **Take Snapshot** button                                 |
| **Keyboard**                   | **⌥H** (macOS) / **Alt+H** (Windows) — pause all scopes, then grab |
| **Keyboard**                   | **⌥B** (macOS) / **Alt+B** (Windows) — toggle snapshot display     |
| **Keyboard**                   | **⇧L** (macOS) / **⇧L** (Windows) — blend last snapshot            |
| **Context menu**               | Right-click an input source > **Grab Snapshot**                    |
| **StreamDeck / Action Editor** | Use the **Grab Snapshot** action                                   |

Snapshots are saved as image files to `~/Library/Application Support/NobeOmniScope/snapshots/` (macOS) or the equivalent `AppData` folder (Windows).

## Viewing Snapshots

### Snapshot Scope

The **Snapshot** scope behaves like a Source Signal viewer until a frame is captured. Once a snapshot is taken, it displays the frozen frame. You can assign a snapshot as the reference source for any other scope — waveform, vectorscope, histogram, etc. — for direct comparison.

See [Snapshot Scope](/nobe-omniscope/scopes/snapshot.md) for scope-specific settings.

### Snapshot Thumbnails

The snapshot panel shows thumbnails of all captured snapshots. You can:

* **Click** a thumbnail to load it as the active reference
* **Drag and drop** a snapshot onto any scope to assign it as that scope's source
* **Organise** snapshots into sub-folders
* **Sort** by newest or oldest
* **Resize** thumbnails using the thumbnail size control
* **Delete** individual snapshots or clear all snapshots in the current directory

To open the snapshots folder on disk, click the **folder icon** in the toolbar, or right-click any snapshot thumbnail and select **Reveal in Finder** (macOS) / **Reveal in Explorer** (Windows).

<figure><img src="/files/ilPQx5UBvVQMQ9x78VhA" alt=""><figcaption><p>Open the snapshots folder from the toolbar or by right-clicking a thumbnail</p></figcaption></figure>

## Compare Modes

### Split / Wipe

Overlay the snapshot and live signal side by side with a horizontal or vertical wipe. Drag the wipe position to compare different areas of the frame. Wipe overlays include tooltips for easier control.

<figure><img src="/files/8pbhrj3ZBr8iabSJ7siC" alt=""><figcaption><p>Snapshot wipe comparison — drag the divider to reveal differences</p></figcaption></figure>

### Blend

Blend the snapshot transparently over the live signal using a configurable **alpha value**. Adjust blend strength by holding **W** and dragging the mouse in the viewer.

### Side by Side

View the snapshot and live signal next to each other in separate panels.

<figure><img src="/files/yq48rQxtPp2Q4DHIrnOq" alt=""><figcaption><p>Side-by-side snapshot comparison</p></figcaption></figure>

## Snapshot Settings

<figure><img src="/files/mxm4sNtRwJRugdJxKhHZ" alt=""><figcaption><p>Snapshot settings</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
The Snapshot Settings panel is scrollable — all options are accessible even when the panel is resized to a small height. Action buttons (OK / Cancel) remain pinned at the bottom.
{% endhint %}

| Setting                              | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Snapshot Folder**                  | Choose a custom folder where snapshot files are saved. Use the folder picker button to browse, or type a path directly. Defaults to `~/Library/Application Support/NobeOmniScope/snapshots/` (macOS) / the equivalent `AppData` path (Windows). (1.11.30+) |
| **PNG Compression**                  | Set the compression level for saved PNG snapshots (0 = fastest/largest, 9 = slowest/smallest). Higher values reduce file size at the cost of write time. (1.11.30+)                                                                                        |
| **Apply input 3D LUT in split mode** | Apply the input's 3D LUT to the snapshot when comparing in split mode (1.11.17+)                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **Take snapshots without crop**      | Capture the full frame even when [crop](/nobe-omniscope/features/crop.md) is active (1.11.9+)                                                                                                                                                              |
| **Blend alpha**                      | Set the default transparency for blend mode (1.11.13+)                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Filename Template**                | Customise the file naming pattern for saved snapshots. Tokens are expanded at save time. Use `/` to create subfolders automatically. See [Filename Templates](#filename-templates) below. (1.11.34+)                                                       |

## Filename Templates

Control where and how snapshot files are named using a template string with token placeholders. The template is set in **Snapshot Settings** and applies to both manual and auto-snapshots (auto-snapshots can optionally use a separate template).

### Default template

```
snapshot_%DATE%_%TIME%_s%INPUT_SLOT%
```

This produces files like `snapshot_2026-03-15_143022_s0.jpg`.

### Available tokens

| Token             | Description                    | Example                             |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| `%DATE%`          | Current date                   | `2026-03-15`                        |
| `%TIME%`          | Current time (no colons)       | `143022`                            |
| `%TIMESTAMP%`     | Date and time combined         | `2026-03-15_143022`                 |
| `%TIMESTAMP_MS%`  | Timestamp with milliseconds    | `2026-03-15-143022450`              |
| `%INPUT_SLOT%`    | Input slot index               | `0`, `1`, `window`                  |
| `%INPUT_NAME%`    | Input device name              | `LG Cymatic Jazz 4K Demo`           |
| `%TIMECODE%`      | Source timecode (if available) | `00_01_26_50`                       |
| `%FRAME%`         | Frame number                   | `5206`                              |
| `%RESOLUTION%`    | Frame resolution               | `3840x2160`                         |
| `%SNAPSHOT_KIND%` | Capture type                   | `manual`, `auto`, `window`          |
| `%SOURCE_TYPE%`   | Source category                | `file`, `signal_generator`, `scope` |

### Creating subfolders

Use `/` in the template to organise snapshots into subfolders. Folders are created automatically if they don't exist.

**Example — group by input name:**

```
%INPUT_NAME%/snapshot_%DATE%_%TIME%
```

Saves to: `snapshots/LG Cymatic Jazz 4K Demo/snapshot_2026-03-15_143022.jpg`

**Example — group by date with timecode:**

```
%DATE%/%INPUT_NAME%_tc%TIMECODE%_f%FRAME%
```

Saves to: `snapshots/2026-03-15/LG Cymatic Jazz 4K Demo_tc00_01_26_50_f5206.jpg`

### Editing in the UI

Click any token button in the Snapshot Settings panel to append it to the template, or drag and drop tokens into the text field. A live preview shows what the resolved filename will look like.

## Per-Input Snapshots

Each input slot maintains its own snapshot. When multiple sources are connected, you can grab and manage snapshots independently for each input. Snapshots are stored per-source and restored when switching between inputs or loading layouts.

## Grab Snapshots for All Inputs

Use the **Grab Snapshots for all inputs** action to capture a snapshot from every connected input simultaneously — useful for multi-camera workflows where you need a reference frame from each camera at the same moment.

## Window Snapshots

In addition to input snapshots, you can capture a **screenshot of the entire OmniScope window** — all scopes, overlays, and UI — using the **Grab Window Snapshot** action (**⌘B** on macOS / **Ctrl+B** on Windows).

## Auto-Snapshot

{% hint style="info" %}
Auto-Snapshot requires a **Live Pack** license.
{% endhint %}

Automatically capture snapshots at a configurable interval — from minutes down to milliseconds. This is useful for continuous signal monitoring, temporal comparison, or set documentation.

See [Auto-Snapshot](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/auto-snapshot.md) for details.

## Snapshot as Source

{% hint style="info" %}
Snapshot as Source requires a **Live Pack** license.
{% endhint %}

Promote any snapshot to a live source for use in scope comparisons and overlays, enabling side-by-side evaluation of live signal vs. static references without switching applications.

See [Snapshot as Source](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/snapshot-as-source.md) for details.

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| macOS | Windows | Action                  |
| ----- | ------- | ----------------------- |
| ⌥B    | Alt+B   | Toggle snapshot display |
| ⇧L    | ⇧L      | Blend last snapshot     |
| ⌘B    | Ctrl+B  | Grab window snapshot    |

## Related

* [Snapshot Scope](/nobe-omniscope/scopes/snapshot.md)
* [Auto-Snapshot](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/auto-snapshot.md) (Live Pack)
* [Snapshot as Source](/nobe-omniscope/live-pack-add-on/snapshot-as-source.md) (Live Pack)
* [Keyboard Shortcuts](/nobe-omniscope/settings-and-preferences/keyboard-shortcuts.md)