import

View documentation for the original command

$ tldr magick import

import [options...] [{file | X window ID}]

-display name
    Specify X11 display server

-window
    Capture around pointer window

-root
    Capture root window (screen)

-screen
    Capture entire screen

-monochrome
    Produce grayscale image

-descend
    Capture descendant windows recursively

-frame
    Include window manager frame

-pause seconds
    Pause between multiple captures

-size geometry
    Viewport width and height

-crop geometry
    Crop region after capture

-quality value
    Set compression quality (1-100)

-colors value
    Reduce to specific color count

-border geometry
    Surround with border

-resize geometry
    Resize captured image

-quiet
    Suppress non-error messages

-verbose
    Display detailed processing info

-help
    Show usage summary

-version
    Print program version

import is a command-line utility from the ImageMagick software suite, primarily used for capturing screenshots on X11-based Unix-like systems. It allows users to grab images from the entire screen, specific windows, or interactively selected regions, saving them in formats like PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and more.

Basic usage involves running import output.png, which enters interactive mode: move the cursor to the desired area, click and drag to select, then release to capture. For scripted or precise control, options specify windows by ID (obtained via xwininfo), root window, or screen.

It supports extensive customization inherited from ImageMagick, including resizing (-resize), cropping (-crop), color reduction (-colors), quality settings, borders, rotation, and effects like sharpening or negation. Multiple captures can be adjointed into multi-frame files.

Ideal for automation, testing, documentation, and quick grabs, but requires an active X11 display. In ImageMagick 7 and later, import is legacy; use magick import for future-proofing.

Requires active X11 server; no Wayland support natively.
Deprecated in ImageMagick 7+; migrate to magick import.
Interactive mode blocks until user selection.

import screenshot.png
Select region by dragging mouse; release to capture.

Use xwininfo -tree -root for ID, then import -window <id> file.png.

import -window root -quality 90 screen.png
Or import -screen file.png.

Introduced in early ImageMagick releases around 1991 by John Cristy. Evolved with the suite (now at v7+), shifting to legacy status with unified magick tool for better compatibility.

display(1), convert(1), magick(1), montage(1), mogrify(1), xwininfo(1)