Create Screenshot Sequences With Snap Install

I create a lot of screenshots throughout the day, at least one for every application that I review. I have been using various screenshot tools over the years for that, including the Print Screen key on the keyboard and pasting the contents of the clipboard into an image editor or the more recent Snippy. Currently I’m using the commercial software SnagIt for my screenshot taking needs.

Snap Install is a specialized program that can be used to take screenshot sequences effortlessly. It has been designed specifically for making screenshots of installation procedures and product manuals.

The program is completely controlled with the mouse, which is handy and comfortable on the one hand, but also restricted on the other.

The program displays an initial configuration menu on startup. Here you define the title and author of the project as well as the save location of the screenshots on the local system and an optional logo.

Once done click start to begin taking screenshots. You take screenshots with a middle-mouse click after selecting a screen with the left mouse button.

Each screenshot gets saved into the selected directory as a png file automatically. You do not see a dialog or editor that interrupts the process (if notifications are enabled on the system you see a notification in the system tray area). This is a very comfortable way of creating multiple screenshots in rapid succession.

You still may need to edit the screenshots that you have created afterwards, considering that their resolution or size may not fit the document.

You can create a pdf document with all screenshots automatically in the end. I’d say that is not such a good idea considering that you may need to edit the images before creating such a document. Another issue here is that all images are used in the creation, which is a problem if you have created some screenshots that you do not want in the document.

I have a few issues with the program that limit the program’s reach and functionality. It is for one not possible to map the screenshot taking to a different mouse button, which means that you may run into conflicts in programs that use the middle-mouse button for other operations. This is usually not a problem if you do a screenshot series of a program installation, but screenshots for a product manual could very well be affected.

The second issue is that you can only take full window or screen screenshots. You cannot select a smaller part of the screen for the screenshot. This may lead to additional editing work after taking the screenshots.

Regardless of that, if you are looking for a convenient program to take a number of screenshots in rapid succession, then Snap Install may be the program that you are looking for.

The portable software is compatible with all recent versions of the Microsoft windows operating system. You can download the software from the developer website. (via)

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Author: Martin Brinkmann, Tuesday September 27, 2011 -
Tags:create screenshot, portable software, screenshots, windows software

Responses so far:

1. Wim says:

   November 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm

   SnapInstall 2.0 is released

   Snaps can now be created by:
   - PrintScreen, a snap of the active form is made, and also adds which button
   or control you clicked.

   - Ctrl + Printscreen, a snap of the full screen is made

   - Alt + Printscreen, you can select (draw) you’re own selection

   SnapInstall 2.0 improvements:

   Possibility to add text to snap immediately after making the screenshot
   Support for Word Doc format, in addition to pdf support
   Settings are automatically saved for future use
   Exit program button in settings form

   Reply
   • Martin Brinkmann says:

     November 1, 2011 at 3:55 pm

     Thanks for letting us now.

     Reply