Backdrop

What this app does should be a built-in feature of macOS, but it’s not, so thank goodness for this helpful little app. Does exactly what it says on the tin: Gives you a clean “Desktop” or background image view against which you can open other apps/windows without the clutter. I use it all the time for screenshots. It hasn’t been updated in ages, so I hope it conintues to work into future macOS versions.

This is a *really* nice, simple app. All it does is present (or should I say: simulate) a nice, clear uncluttered background. In reality, of course my desktop is a mess, and there are usually more windows open than I can count. Backdrop simply puts an image (be it a white pane, or the original desktop background, heck even a simulated background with documents, drive and dock) above everything, so your frontmost running application *looks* as if was the only app running on your Mac. The image extends to all connected screens, effectively covering your entire desktop. To me this is important for two tasks - when I create imagery for documentation that some poor sod has to write, and when we create videos that show how to use an application (hey, there is a market for it - don't knock it). Instead of having to to create a separate user or clean up my desktop (that will *never* happen), all I need to do is put up a nice empty image, and begin rolling the video (or in the case of stills, take screenshots). But there's another, unexpected use I got out of this app: when designing or color grading images, I keep the theme color as a reference above everything else (some kind of 'full screen mode except it's not fullscreen) that blocks everything but the color grading app and constantly shows the reference color (easy to compare, easy to pick up with the dropper tool). Sure, only saves a couple of clicks, but they do add up... I've been using Background for a couple of years now (from when its Icon still was a theater), and am aware that there may be newer, competing software available. I'm simply happy with this, and will stick to it until it breaks compatibility (I'm currently running on 10.6.8). Definitely give this one a try.

Cool app. Used it today for taking screen show [using jing]. Great task in a simple way. Thanks.

Is this practically the same as creating an empty folder, opening it in the Finder and using it as a backdrop for you screenshots? I use this technique to get the drop shadows.

I used to use Deskshade, but it has gotten way to complicated for just displaying an empty background for screen shots. Same with Camouflage. Backdrop does what it says and I can't imagine how it could be done any better.

I use this all the time, both with a plain color (preferred method) and with the standard Mac OS X desktop picture. It's one of those "little things" that I rely on. Thanks!

Great - simple and effective! Thanks!

Works with Tiger 10.4.1 This little app is exactly what I was looking for, something that puts a layer between my top app and the mess below. The backdrop can be a color or image, so I made it the same as my normal desktop pattern which gives the illusion of a clean desktop. Working on a duel screen system I have the option to cover one or both screens so I can still see all the open folders on my second screen. No more distractions. Perfect.

Not TIGER compatible.

Thank you for the enhanced multiple monitor support. I needed that.

Very nice! Simple and effective. It provides a nice easy, simple and free means to provide a background of your choice for a screen shot. Thanks!

Really helpful litte app. I use it for most of my screenshots. One suggestion: I'd like to be able to choose a picture for the background.

This is a great little app that is quite nice to have when I need to make a screen shot for apple. Instead of having to go to system prefs and then to background and mess around with that, I can just double click an icon. Great idea, simple but very useful and timesaving. I should have thought of it. Good work and I hope you find a way to improve it. -Dustin