TrarrenShot

Mac screen annotation help

How to Draw on Your Screen on Mac

For a saved image, you can use macOS Markup. To point out something while it is still on screen, use a live annotation overlay that lets you draw over the desktop, then move between drawing and using the app underneath.

General ways to draw on a Mac screen

Mark up a saved screenshot or image

macOS Markup can add notes and drawings to an image after you capture it. It is useful when the screen does not need to stay live.

Use a live desktop overlay

For a meeting, demo, review, or support call, draw over the current desktop so viewers can follow what you mean as you work.

One practical workflow

Using TrarrenShot Live Canvas

  1. 1

    Open Live Canvas

    Open Live Canvas from the TrarrenShot menu bar.

  2. 2

    Choose a tool

    Choose an annotation tool from the toolbar.

  3. 3

    Draw over the live desktop

    Draw over the apps and content currently visible on your Mac screen.

  4. 4

    Interact when needed

    Switch to click-through mode to use the app underneath, then return to drawing.

  5. 5

    Keep the result

    Use the toolbar to save, copy, or share the annotated screen.

See Live Canvas details

Best use cases

  • Meetings and screen sharing
  • Product demos
  • Design and code reviews
  • Support and training
  • Tutorials and recordings

Interaction guidance

  • Use click-through mode whenever you need to click, scroll, or type in the app underneath.
  • Use Clean Mode when the toolbar would block the view you are explaining.
  • Live Canvas is for the current desktop; for static screenshot markup, use Screenshot Annotation.

After drawing

Keep the annotated screen with Save, Copy, or Share from the Live Canvas toolbar. For a separate screenshot workflow, start a capture with One Shot.

Frequently asked questions

Can I draw directly on my Mac screen?
Yes. Live Canvas places an annotation layer over the live desktop, so you can draw over the apps and content currently visible on screen.
Can I still click and scroll while Live Canvas is active?
Yes. Switch to click-through mode to interact with the apps underneath, then return to drawing.
Can I hide the toolbar while I draw?
Yes. Clean Mode hides the toolbar for an unobstructed view.
Which drawing tools are available?
Live Canvas includes rectangle, circle, line, arrow, text, pen, highlighter, pixelate, magnify, step, stamp, and spotlight tools.
Can I save what I drew?
Yes. Use the Live Canvas toolbar to save, copy, or share the annotated screen.
Is Live Canvas a collaborative whiteboard?
No. Live Canvas is an annotation layer over your live Mac desktop, not a separate collaborative workspace.