Welcome to the Screenshot and Video Gallery here at SimHQ. I'm not going to get to in depth on the how to's since others may answer specific questions you may have later on.


Image hosting and forum tag format

To start with i'm sure you'd like to know which sites are out there that host images for free and perhaps which one is better. Well i've found it's a "to each his own" kinda thing when it comes to which one is better. There is a comparison done here at this site of various alternatives:

http://www.photographybay.com/2007/12/03/flickr-alternatives/

Below is a list of sites that i've either heard of or use personally that have done well for me.

• http://flickr.com
• http://photobucket.com
• http://imageshack.us
• http://villagephotos.com
• http://tinypic.com

Ok so now you have your sites and i may add more at the request of members here. Some of the above sites may have a preformatted text for you to paste the image to a forum such as this one.
In the event that it does not the format for this forum here is the: [img] tags.
Type in the [img] then in this space here the url for your screenshot ensuring that the tags are butted up against the url with no spaces in between. To close the image tag type in: [/img]


Image resizing and touch up software

Another one of those "this one works better for me" type subjects. Many to choose from i.e: Photoshop which if it's in your budget is a great product. Microsoft Paint which is good with some practice.
Most of these listed i've found with advice from my fellow SimHqers here.

• Photofiltre
• Gimp
• VSO Image resizer
• Irfanview
• Multiple image file conversion
• Picasa

With the new forum software in place it is recommended that you resize SimHQ screenshots to 950pixels at its widest point so that they show up clearer. If you do not the forum software will resize it with unwanted results. Although there is the 'drag screen to new tab' option not many people are willing to do that.

In game video tools

I recently experimented with others after using FRAPS for a very long time. It's a hit and miss with these below as to frame rate hit and quality. I've used all three as some work better on some games while others work better elsewhere.

• FRAPS
• ZDsoft Screen Recorder
• Game Cam

From Speedbump
VirtualDub

Alternatives to Windows Movie maker

I haven't tried any of these yet. Perhaps a member could vouch for them or when i get the time i'll try them myself.

• Jahshaka open source
• Debugmode
• ZS-4
• Softlab

Video hosting sites

It seems the best method unless you have your own website is to use YouTube which will host videos that are up to 10 minutes long and 100 Mb in size. I only say best method since it is one of the larger sites and although you post it here for fellow SimHqers the rest of the world will be able to view it also.
As above in the Image section here is another site which compares all the different options for video hosting:

http://www.dvguru.com/2006/04/07/ten-video-sharing-services-compared/

• http://youtube.com
• http://tinypic.com

Tutorials on screenshot editing

Thanks to Deuces for permission to link to his site from this one. I hope everyone here finds it as useful as i'm sure i will.

http://www.sfmods.com/tutorials/WP/

http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/forums/photoshop-tutorials/1098-enhancing-screen-shots.html

If you have others feel free to post.


(Disclaimer)
This list was produced as a help and information guide. Please read the directions at the site and refer there for support of the product.
SimHq is not responsible for user or product errors resulting in damage to your computer.

Very informative ST!

Thanks.

Peter.

Please dont forget www.Gamerztheatre.com .. we have no upload limit (atm) and also if your movie is already at many for the video sites we can link direct to our main page.

That's a very nice list Stormtrooper

I've only just noticed this thread, regarding video streaming sites here's my two cents form my experience and I've tried most of them over three years. Blip TV isn't the one who wont allow game videos it's vimeo, blip is OK..ish but is always a bit jittery, people complain of bad frame rates but sound quality is always good.
Vimeo started by saying they would'nt allow "gameplay" videos but said "machinima" ws acceptable, (yes try defining machinima and see how far you get) but now will delete absolutely anything made with a game, they delete first and then tell you, no arguments, so forget them.
Everyone knows youtube is the most popular and has the audience in terms of viewers, but be warned of all the streaming sites they are the ones who are clamping down hardest on music copyrights. I cant tell you how many dozens well known game/sim movies I know of have now been removed because of this and not just for the obvious like rock band tracks etc but use of music composers like Hans Zimmer, you know the guy used in about 90% of game video's or worse they leave your vid up there with a message under it like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNqoFsAY8v0&feature=channel_page
thats not me by the way I deleted my vid account, apart from one I still have for commenting.

Just a heads up for a free picture editing software..

http://www.getpaint.net/

This is what I use primarily

Another good hosting site for your images with good html tags for different sizes and unlimited uploads is Zooomr. I've had stuff on there for a couple of years and they don't delete anything.

http://www.zooomr.com/

Is there recommended software to shrink video size and MB size to youtube recommended standard? Using fraps for 30 seconds, I get 1gig of video.

Import the video through Windows Movie Maker...edit or not then save to your computer. The file will be YouTube ready....especially if it's only 30 seconds.

All my videos were recorded with FRAPs and using the method above put on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/StormtrooperSHQ

WMM is nice, but doesn't allow me to set shrink to manual size.