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foobard

Member

Registered: 2021-03-29

Posts: 1

no longer able to use import with i3

Something happened.

I can't really say when something went wrong (perhaps it's somewhat related to one of the recent updates, can't say for sure) but I will just report the problem here. I normally use the

import

command to make screenshots and after running:

$ import boobs.png

I normally switch to another virtual terminal using Win + (left, right). The expected behaviour implies that I can switch between all my terminals after running the above command. However now it's no longer possible. The screen just freezes, the pointer becomes a little cross (expected behaviour) but the system does not react to my trying to switch to my browser to make a screenshot there. I can click on my touchpad and then a screenshot is made but it's all black.

So to sum it all up, I do this:

1. Open terminal 1.
2. Open terminal 2.
3. Run

$ import test.png

4. Try switching to terminal 1 to make a screenshot from there.

Expected behaviour: I should be able to switch  to the first terminal and make a screenshot.
Factual behaviour: Switching does not work.

Some information:

$ convert --version

Version: ImageMagick 7.0.11-5 Q16 x86_64 2021-03-20 https://imagemagick.org
Copyright: (C) 1999-2021 ImageMagick Studio LLC
License: https://imagemagick.org/script/license.php
Features: Cipher DPC HDRI OpenMP(4.5) 
Delegates (built-in): bzlib djvu fontconfig freetype heic jng jp2 jpeg lcms lzma pangocairo png tiff webp x xml zlib

$ uname -a

Linux arch 5.11.10-arch1-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri, 26 Mar 2021 00:11:29 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ i3 --version

i3 version 4.19.2 (2021-02-27) © 2009 Michael Stapelberg and contributors.

Last edited by foobard (2021-03-29 08:51:43)

qinohe

Member

From: Netherlands

Registered: 2012-06-20

Posts: 1,599

Re: no longer able to use import with i3

You're right, when in import mode it's impossible to switch to another workspace.
When I'm on the same workspace the screenshot is made fine, though!?
Don't know what's causing this for you...
If you can't or wont use another screenshot app like scrot than you could use a workaround like

sleep N && import test.png

which would give you the time to switch to the app you need to screenshot.

edit: since you're an i3 user already you're probably using dmenu too.
Write a little dmenu script which you can call with a key-combo.
or
Create a i3 key-bind.
or
Use xbindkeysrc

You have lots of options to actually solve this issue for yourself, I may have forgotten some;-)
If you think it's really a bug ( I have my doubts ) then file a bugreport.

Personally I think once the focus lies on 'import' you can't switch workspace nor use a different tab(i3).
A tool like xprop works in a similar manner.

Last edited by qinohe (2021-03-29 13:16:35)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,547

Re: no longer able to use import with i3

import grabs the server, or at least all input, in order for you to select a window. I'm not sure how this could have possibly worked before.
Try

import -window $(xdotool selectwindow) boobs.png

"xdotool selectwindow" only grabs the mouse and allows you to use the keyboard.

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qinohe

Member

From: Netherlands

Registered: 2012-06-20

Posts: 1,599

Re: no longer able to use import with i3

I'm not that much of an X specialist, nicely translated seth, thanks;-)