I used to have a shortcut on my MacBook so that I could screenshot/snip a non-rectangular shape. When I used the correct combination of keys I could then click and hold the mouse and 'trace' round the perimeter of the bit of screen I wanted.
Has this functionality been removed with an update? I cannot find any information about it - all the screenshot help only has rectangles.
MacBook Air, macOS 26.1
I am still running macOS Sequoia on my Macs and the only options that are available as far as screenshot options are:
Capture Entire Screen
Capture Selected Window
Capture Selected Portion
All are rectangular-based. I do not recall any ability to freehand a shape around something while taking a screenshot. The closest to that would be "Capture Selected Portion" where you can move the selection around and resize it to your liking.
Were you maybe editing the screenshot after taking it with Markup tools using the Preview or Photos apps?
Google "can you trace around an object while taking screenshot mac" for results.
I am running Tahoe 26.1 on an M4 Pro Macbook Pro and see no option to do what you describe. Neither do I see that option on an older iMac running 10.14 Mojave. Did you possibly have third-party apps or hack that allowed modifying the selection?
Screenshot/snipping function - MacBook air macOS Tahoe
