Snag It 8.2.1

SnagIt from TechSmith, is the world’s leading screenshot application, bringing many features from a simple task as pressing Print Screen. If you are just a standard user who doesn’t really need to take advanced screenshots just use Print Screen button and paste the image into an application.

However, if you do take screenshots alot, then this will make your work a lot easier. The application is packed with features, most of which you might not use, but at least they are there if you need them.

The application starts with a dashboard where you can decide on what you want to take as the screenshot (a region, window, full screen, scrolling window, object etc.)

You simply click the icon and then you will get a red rectangle, you then hover over the area you want until the red rectangle is around the component and click. The image is then ready for you to edit. From the edit window you can use editing tools like the ones found in paint as well as magnifying, adding a watermark, border, caption, you can resize, trim, rotate and flip as well as change the colour depth and adding hotspots to your images. You can also change the image format and print, email, catalog, ftp or Instant Message the image as well as exporting it to Microsoft Office Applications.

As I said above this program is aimed at frequent screenshotters, you don’t really need it for basic screenshoting. If you are using Windows Vista a new accessory has been added called ‘Snipping Tool’ which allows you to take a screenshot of a portion of the screen.

So, my overall opinion of Snag It, a great application with a multitude of features which make screenshotting much easier. But at £20 ($40), is it really worth it, you simply have to press PrintScreen on your keyboard and you’ve got a screenshot.

 

Simon North, 27th February 2007

Google SketchUp 6

Google SketchUp from Google Inc. is a free, fast and easy to use 3D modelling application. It enables you to create buildings, prototypes or anything else you want quickly and easily without much of an introduction. The interface is simple and self explanatory and you can create models in seconds.

Google SketchUp is integrated with a service from Google called 3D Warehouse which allows you to host your creations online no matter how big the file size is, it will then be available for anyone to download and you can download other peoples creations and even edit them. Another feature is the ability to upload your buildings to Google Earth.

In Google SketchUp you can create your work through adding shapes and lines and best of all the program seems too understand what you want as it snaps lines into place. You can push or pull a shape, this creates a 3D element. You can also add textures to buildings through the use of the Material Browser, which includes hundreds of textures and colours to add to your model, including brick, vegetation and glass effects.

Google SketchUp offers a great alternative to big 3D modelling applications like AutoCAD and this program is designed at both amateurs and professionals, for professionals there is the professional version available which costs £250. The application produces professional looking models with minimum amount of effort, training and time.

Simon North, 19th January 2007