A Review of Ashampoo Snap 4

OVERVIEW

Snap 4 enables the creation of high-quality screenshots and videos of screen content. These captures can be edited and saved for future use. Snap 4 is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

While this software is useful, the Windows operating system also allows for the capture of screenshots via the keyboard’s Print Screen key.

PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION

I downloaded Snap 4 from the Ashampoo website. Ashampoo is an international software company , based in Germany. This software may be purchased or downloaded on a forty day trial basis.

Installation proved simple and straightforward. I chose the custom method to avoid installing their toolbar – I tend to avoid add-0ns.

THE TEST DRIVE

Double-clicking the icon loads the program. A menu bar , hidden at the top of the screen, drops into view as the mouse brushes against it. From here a video capture or various types of screen shots can be activated.

I opened Ashampoo WinOptimizer and used the keyboard’s Print Screen key to capture the entire screen. By pressing the Alt key, in conjunction with Print Screen , I captured the current window. Snap 4 saved both files into the directory it created in My Photographs.

I chose capture free rectangle region from the Snap 4 menu. Using the mouse, I highlight the portion of the screen I wanted to capture. There are several options for capturing shots but I found this to be the most convenient.

The attached speaker emitted an audible click as I tapped the left mouse button. The background grayed noticeably and three menu bars appeared over the captured image.

TOP MENU BAR

The redo and undo buttons permit editing steps to be repeated or reversed.  The zoom buttons allow the captured area viewed to be increased or decreased in size.  The rotate buttons rotate the image by ninety degrees to the left or right.  The snapshot can be mirrored, flipped, and surrounded by a drop shadow effect.  From this menu the image may be adjusted to appear as if drawn by pencil.  Conversion to grayscale is also possible.  The captured area is resizable and the image can be renamed.  The last button opens a help document explaining each effect.

LEFT MENU BAR

This menu is mainly composed of painting tools. The image can be scrolled and a section may be selected and worked on individually. Erase, marker and spotlight tools are included. Areas may be highlighted and the capability exists to flood fill similarly colored sections. Different shapes such as ellipses, rectangles and lines can be added. A pencil and an arrow tool are used to mark specified areas. Text may be inserted as well as graphics and stamps. A configuration button permits adjustment of settings of the various tools.

RIGHT MENU (ACTION BAR)

The action bar permits acceptance or rejection of the captured screenshot. The image can be sent by email, printed, copied to the clipboard or saved in various formats.

TEST PHOTO

I used Ashampoo Photo Commander to open a picture of my nephew’s wife. She was lucky enough to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch during its journey across the country. In this photo she is grinning ear-to-ear while lighting the flame of the next torch-bearer. I zoomed the picture until it filled almost the entire screen, and snapped a shot.

The result was good, although not quite as clear as the original. I have listed the technical data below:

                                    ORIGINAL                     CAPTURE

File size:                     3.07M                             6.39M

Width                         3698 Pixels                     1972 Pixels

Length                       2976 Pixels                     1132 Pixels

Color Depth               24 Bit                              24 Bit

DPI                              96 X 96                          96 X 96

If the image had not been zoomed to such a large degree, the captured shot’s file size, width, and length would have been less.

TEST VIDEO

I used Snap 4 to capture streaming video. The result, while good, appeared slightly jerky and not as clear as the original. Since this is screen capture software, the sound from the original video was not included. It is possible to input sound through use of a microphone.

FINAL CONCLUSION

Most people seldom take screenshots and, the odd time it is required, the print screen function of the operating system will be sufficient. Another option would be to check the capabilities of other software installed on the computer. Many photo managing programs incorporate an easy method to capture an image.

For those that take screenshots regularly, this is a handy tool. When I write a review, Snap 4 is loaded and ready for action. I can open the software under test, and take snapshots of its various screens and modules. The images pique the reader’s interest and help explain the points I am trying to get across. If someone wanted to produce a video for Utube, demonstrating how to repair a virus ridden computer, this software is ideal. They could capture the process, on screen, showing the effect of the virus, the method used to remove the infection, and the steps necessary to repair the damaged system. A microphone could be connected, permitting each procedure to be fully explained. A well produced video on this subject would be invaluable to many victims of virus infection.

Snap 4 is recommended for those with a requirement to take screenshots on a regular basis.