xScope: A Designer’s Dream App

Recently Iconfactory, along with Artis software, updated their screen measuring tool xScope to version 2.0. xScope is a simple application that can measure anything on your screen and it includes 7 distinct tools. If you are someone who pushes pixels all day, I think xScope might just be something you cannot afford not to take a look at.

So let’s get started.

First is the Crosshair. The crosshair simply tells you what x and y coordinates your mouse pointer is currently at. This includes horizontal and vertical guides and a small bubble displaying the x and y coordinates.

Next up, Frames. Frames are boxes, each with a different size and many options. You can make as many frames as you want and adjust their size. As you adjust the size a new bubble displays the aspect ratio of the current size. Some other options with frames is the ability to copy the frame, link frames, add a grid, or save a screenshot of what is currently inside the current frame.

Another tool is the Guide. Guides are just like the crosshairs but you can make many of them and place then wherever you want. You can view the distance between guides and move them around.

If you have ever needed to zoom into something and inspect it pixel by pixel then this next tool, the Loupe, is great for you. The Loupe shows up as one window. In the window there is an area that shows a close up view of what is under your mouse and some information about that pixel. On the side of the window it shows the pixel’s HTML, RGB, and HSB color value along with the x and y coordinates. You can also resize the Loupe tool to view a larger area.

For viewing what a certain part of a screen will look like at different resolutions or in different web browsers you can use Screens. With screens you can view how much will show up in many different web browsers along with different resolutions. This one is fairly indispensable for web developers.

The next tool is the Rulers. The ruler, of course, measures distances. The ruler can be rotated, extended, and it can display how far your mouse pointer is on it. You can also add another ruler to get a perfect straight edge.

The newest tool, and my personal favorite, is Dimensions. Dimensions is perfect for measuring areas on a website, space between windows, or about anything else. You just point the mouse somewhere, and two red lines (vertical and horizontal) stretch out until they hit a different color or area. The tool also has a shrink function, and in this mode you can drag a box around a certain element and it will shrink until it hits a color. Very handy!

Overall xScope is a great application for a graphic designer, or someone working with pixels in a professional capacity. This new update includes many features, much polish, and can be purchased for $26.95 (or upgraded from version 1.x for $10) from the Iconfactory website.

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