---
title: "system.vision.printToImage"
description: "This function prints the given component (such as a graph, container, entire window, etc) to an image file, and saves the file where ever the operating system deems appropriate."
---

# system.vision.printToImage

> This function prints the given component (such as a graph, container, entire window, etc) to an image file, and saves the file where ever the operating system deems appropriate.

:::info Backwards Compatibility
This function replaces [system.print.printToImage](versioned_docs/version-8.1/appendix/scripting-functions/system-print/system-print-printToImage.md). Any scripts containing Vision Client scoped functions that were replaced with system.vision syntax will still work to maintain backwards compatibility.
:::

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
This function prints the given component (such as a graph, container, entire window, etc) to an image file, and saves the file where ever the operating system deems appropriate. A filename and path may be provided to determine the name and location of the saved file.

While not required, it is highly recommended to pass in a filename and path. The script may fail if the function attempts to save to a directory that the client does not have access rights to.

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](../../../ignition-modules/vision/vision-project-properties/vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.vision.printToImage(component [, filename])`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
Component| `component` | The component to render.
String| `filename` | A filename to save the image as. [optional]

### Returns
Nothing

### Scope
Vision Client

## Code Examples
```python title="Example #1"
# This code would go on a button and save an image of the container that it is in.
system.vision.printToImage(event.source.parent, "C:\\temp\\Screen.jpg")
```

```python title="Example #2 - User Selected Location"
# Again, this example would save an image of the container, but prompts the user for a 
# location and filename with system.vision.saveFile()
 
# Ask the user for a location. Uses a default filename of "image.png"
path = system.vision.saveFile("image.png")
  
# If the path is not None...
if path != None:
    #Save the file
    system.vision.printToImage(event.source.parent, path)
```