Ashampoo Snap 6 review - gHacks Tech News

Ashampoo Snap 6 review

by Martin Brinkmann on December 17, 2012 in Software - Last Update: December 20, 2012 - 79 comments

As a journalist, I take dozens of screenshots a day. Each article that I publish online has at least one screenshot that I take by myself.  While Windows ships with options to take screenshots, either by using the print key which copies the screen contents to the clipboard, or by use of the Snipping tool which Microsoft integrated into Windows 7 and newer systems, it is nowhere near as good of a solution as using software specifically designed for the purpose.

Ashampoo Snap 6 is a screenshot taking software for Windows that leaves little to be desired. It does not only provide you with the means to take screenshots with a click, but also edit them in the built-in editor before you publish them using the software.

Installation

The installation is straightforward and should not be problematic. Note that the program will install the Ashampoo Toolbar on the system if you do not uncheck the option during installation. You can enter a license code on first start or use a trial version of the program first to see if it offers all the features you are looking for.

Ashampoo Snap 6

The program maps the print key automatically to a full screen screenshot of the system, which unfortunately cannot be remapped. I'd preferred to map it to take rectangular screenshots with it instead. A quick check of the options reveals that rectangular screenshots have been mapped to the F9 key and that the number of different tools are excellent. Next to full screen and rectangular screenshots you get options to create single window screenshots (Shift-F9), scrolling window screenshots (Ctrl-F9), free style region screenshots, fixed region shots, video captures and a couple of specialized options.

ashampoo snap 6

The program makes available two additional options to take screenshots. If you prefer not to use hotkeys, you can use the capture bar which it displays at the top right by default to take screenshots with a single click of the mouse, or by using the context menu of the program's system tray icon.

I prefer to use hotkeys as it is generally the fastest option, but if you feel more comfortable with the other options, you have them at your disposal. If you do not use the capture bar at all, I suggest you disable it in the options so that it does not irritate you at the top. You can also move it to another location if you feel more comfortable using it there.

Once you have taken a screenshot you are automatically taken to the image editor where you can edit it before saving it. The screenshot and editor window is displayed on top of the screen in full screen mode. The actual screenshot is highlighted on the screen and you can start using the editing tools available that Snap 6 displays on the left, top and right border of the screen.

ashampoo snap 6 editor

The left and top menu provides you with editing tools. Here you can zoom in and out of the screenshot, resize and rotate it for instance. The editing tools leave little to be desired. You can blur or highlight contents, add text, arrows or icons, and apply effects to the screenshot. Some editing option display a selection menu next to it when you click on it that you can use to make a selection, while others display the options right in the editor. The selection option for instance displays options to pixelate, zoom or crop the selection right underneath the area you have selected on the screenshot.

The publishing bar is displayed on the right. Here you can save the screenshot locally, send it via email or upload it to Facebook or the Ashampoo server, print it out or copy it again to the clipboard.

Ashampoo Snap 6 can capture video besides static imagery. When you select the video capture option you are presented with a configuration menu. Here you select the area that you want to record. Options range from capturing the contents of a single window or the desktop to a fixed region or webcam. If you select fixed region, you need to select a specific format, e.g. 852x480 Youtube or 1600x900 PC from the available options. There is unfortunately no option to set a custom size here.

capture video

You get additional options to record an audio source and use one of the preset video configurations or create a custom one. If you select custom you are taken to a second configuration screen where you can change the frames per second and bitrate as well as the video and audio codec used in the capture.

A couple of mouse and cursor effects are also available. The program will highlight the mouse cursor by default and can also highlight left and right mouse clicks. The F10 key furthermore enables a zoom effect when you record videos that enables you to zoom in while recording the video. Finally, you also get to configure post process effects and video resizing options here.

Another interesting feature of Ashampoo Snap 6 is the watermarking feature. You can configure the program to automatically watermark images, or use the image editor to watermark only select screenshots manually.

Verdict

Ashampoo Snap 6 leaves little to be desired in terms of functionality. It provides you with all the screenshot taking options you would expect from a professional program. There are a couple of smaller things that I would change though, like an option to remap the print key to another capturing option or the ability to select custom fixed region sizes in the video recorder. All in all though it is everything that you could ever want in a screenshot taking tool.

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Comments

  1. Belga said on December 17, 2012 at 10:19 am

    I use the free “DuckLink DuckCapture”.
    Thanks for the giveaway..

  2. anilkr said on December 17, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I use simply PrintScreen key for snaps, and looking forward for the Ashampoo Snap 6,

    thanks

  3. Tom said on December 17, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Wäre eigentlich nicht schlecht dieses Prog. Momentan benutze ich Camstudio.

  4. Sudip Kumar Das said on December 17, 2012 at 10:49 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. This is an excellent software with the usual high quality and features expected from Ashampoo. I am currently using their Snap 5 and although it is a very powerful screenshot capture tool, the improvements made in the newer version is quite significant. Would love to win a free license.

  5. lxegs said on December 17, 2012 at 10:50 am

    I use windows 7/8 default tool

  6. Aisha said on December 17, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Still on Ashampoo Snap 3. Would love to upgrade to the latest version. Thanks for the giveaway.

  7. Qpir said on December 17, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Thanks for this giveaway. In my case, I have used the free version of Gadwin PrintScreen for the last three years.

  8. spam said on December 17, 2012 at 10:55 am

    It would be a good weapon in the arsenal of tester.. Currently screenshotcaptor, picpick are being used….

  9. Knox said on December 17, 2012 at 11:09 am

    currently and now for a while am using FastStone Capture (paid) which is an excellent program..

    would like to try Ashampoo as I have a load of their software and give it a
    a run against FastStone

    thanks for chance

  10. Nicola said on December 17, 2012 at 11:36 am

    I currently create screenshot of the system with the utilities integrated in Windows 7/8 and in Windows 8 even with the Windows Key + Stamp Key.

  11. Mohammad Wasiullah said on December 17, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Thanks for giveaway Martin i like this very much i hope i will win this
    count me in
    Thanks

  12. Shea Bunge said on December 17, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    I’m currently using Lightscreen to take screenshots. I would love a program with more features, however.

  13. bago said on December 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    I’m currently using Shotty. Thanks a lot for giveaway…

  14. Helix said on December 17, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    I use the free “Screenshot Capture” application of Donationcoder.com and have nothing to desire left. So, DON’T consider me for the license. I don’t need it.

  15. EddyGeek said on December 17, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    For now using Greenshot on my brand new Windows 8 OS. Love to have Ashampoo Snap, more feature and give me little bit modern UI feel.

  16. Shawn said on December 17, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Snap 6 feature I’m interested in as I am used to using the older versions is the “Real-time adjustments and live previews” as for the software I use most of the time is the built in windows one.

    But hey I’m a fan of Pixel Art so the old tools work fine but I wouldn’t mind having a way better tool to work with in 2013.

  17. Jaswinder Singh said on December 17, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    Good review and thanks for giveaway. Well I mostly used Snipping Tool built into windows 7 . its good for taking simple screenshot but does not have editing capabilities. For simple editing I use paint for making illustrations or writing something on screenshots. I think a feature filled screenshot application like Ashampoo Snap will be a good. I didn’t try it yet but after your review I try it.

  18. mohamed said on December 17, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    I’m currently using hyperSnap v7

  19. guilherme said on December 17, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    i’d like to try this one
    i’m currently using greenshor but it’s some kind slow to understand the commands

  20. uRwhatUr said on December 17, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Currently using FastStone Capture & Windows Snipping Tool.

  21. Ray said on December 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    I have been using PicPic for several years and have been happy with it. I am open to trying other options.

  22. John Matt said on December 17, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    Count me in for this excellent giveaway.

    Currently using Ashampoo Snap 5 and really inpressed with it. would luv to upgrade to 6.

  23. Anthony said on December 17, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    I currently use Ashampoo Snap 5 and would love to get Ashampoo Snap 6. I use it often and love all of the Ashampoo software’s. Thanks for the giveaway.

  24. paulo oliveira said on December 17, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I’m a Awesome Screenshot user. Snap would be a great gift :)

  25. BigB said on December 17, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Currently using Printscreen & Irfanview so Snap 6 would come in very handy.

  26. Mae Morales said on December 17, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    I’ve always just used the PrintScreen key. Would love to have this program. Thanks.

  27. Quoc Vuong said on December 17, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    thanks, please count me in, I am using PrntScr Key

  28. Andrzej L said on December 17, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    I currently use Ashampoo Snap 5 and would like to upload the new Ashampoo Snap 6

    Please count me in
    Thanks :)

  29. Don said on December 17, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    I am currently using a VERY outdated version of SnagIt and would love to have a more up-to-date and feature-loaded program.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a license for such great software.

  30. Injeun said on December 17, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Thanks. Count me in.

  31. lonfjjr said on December 17, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Use PrntScr…works good sometimes other times not…

  32. Johan Gustavsson said on December 17, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Hi, I am using the free version of Screenshot Captor to make my screenshots today, but I would like to use this software, as it has much more features… Please count me in for the giveaway!

  33. amon said on December 17, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    I use printscreen and would like to win a license of this tool.

    Thanks a lot

  34. Q said on December 17, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    I use the Print Screen key to copy an image of the entire screen content to the Clipboard. and Alt + Print for copying just a window to the Clipboard.

    After copying entire screen content to clipboard, I often use an image editor to crop the image to only the screen content of a specific monitor.

    I would be good to also be able to copy the screen content of just a single monitor in one go.

  35. Q said on December 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    without limiting the number of monitors to one.

  36. chad said on December 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I am using camtasia at work for online teaching. I know camtasia is way more advanced, but it might be handy to have an alternative at home.

  37. jelson said on December 17, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    I’m using PicPick (a freeware). It’s OK

  38. bob said on December 17, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I’ve been using PrintKey pro and Snippit. I like to take screenshots for making disk labels and jewel cases from within Avid Studio Video editing.
    Is there an option for changing the RESOLUTION?
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    bob

  39. Miguel Méndez said on December 17, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    Interesting article, i usually take screenshoots from diferent systems, windows, android, games, etc..
    Actually i am using Faststone Capture..
    Thanks for the chance..

  40. A&L said on December 17, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    Thanks for the Great site and a chance to win snap6
    Happy Holidays to all

  41. Roberto Quero Amate said on December 17, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    Very good program. Is very fast. Easy to use. Good, very good.

  42. alex19100 said on December 17, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    hi,
    I use Snap 3. Would love to upgrade to the latest version. Thanks for the giveaway.

  43. Jeffery Marizo said on December 17, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    I use SnagIt version 11 and would like to try Snap 6 to compare the two. I have read good things about Snap 6. Please count me in on this one. Thanks

  44. Have said on December 17, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Hi!
    A good program for taking screenshots. Currently I use Ashampoo Snap 5 and Greenshot. I would be happy to update your Snap 5.
    Have a nice day and best regards!

  45. aich said on December 17, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    I use free version of Screenhunter which works OK for basic needs but Ashampoo seems much more complete and I could use the video capability. Thanks

  46. Grr said on December 17, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Thanks martin. I’m using older version of Snap & Snipping tool in Win7.

    Please count me in

  47. David Canencio Becerra said on December 17, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Hey, I use DuckCapture but it’s not the app I want, i’ve seen that Ashampoo gives more than we can get I’d love to win one licence. GREAT GIVEAWAY

  48. Keith said on December 17, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    Currently happy with LightShot and have used MagicalSnap in the past. Great review up there :) lots of screenshots for comparison to MagicalSnap. Keep up the good work here overall as i am a subscriber :)

  49. AH Zeff said on December 17, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Once Again great giveaway.

    This piece of software from Ashampoo factory is awesome. i used its previous version. i completely and immediately fall in love with it. very easy to use, done great job with some extra functionality like shadow, stamp, text, different texture etc.

    one more thing i like about it placement on screen is on the top so that we can easily access it without closing any application and overlapping to other running programs.

    one thing i would like to mention its new version as i used its trial version when you capture any thing it leaves behind mouse pointer as in picture in your review i have no idea why they make this feature , i don’t like this mouse pointer on the capture object. otherwise a new version have some extra features than version 5.

    once again many thanks for this giveaway, hope to win this one.

    # my current capture tool is Ashampoo Snap version 5

  50. setmefreepc said on December 17, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    Great software!!Please count me in .

  51. Antonio said on December 17, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    Hi
    I use “PrintScreen” key and then paste to Paint.net program to edit if needed …….. as I´m using Windows 8 sometimes I use the default Windows + PrintScreen ……..

    Thanks in advance for the giveaway, please count me in

  52. Ant Bil said on December 17, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    I currently use FastStone Capture.
    Thanks for the opportunity. Please count me in

  53. Paul(us) said on December 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Currently I am just using the build in Windows functions and than I am using paint to adjust the image. This program look especially great to me because I can also can cap pictures from video’s with it.

  54. Jeff said on December 17, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    Count me in Please.

    I normally use my pdf printer to file option, or print screen

    Thanks! Merry Christmas.

  55. eee said on December 18, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Currently using Picpick and IrfanView. Thanks.

  56. EL said on December 18, 2012 at 1:04 am

    I often use the built in Snipping tool, although I have Snap 5 and would certainly appreciate getting version 6.
    Thanks.

  57. ToGor said on December 18, 2012 at 1:09 am

    I currently use Ashampoo Snap 5.
    Please – count me too … :)
    Regards & Good luck to all ;)

  58. donna said on December 18, 2012 at 1:46 am

    i’m a newbie and hoping to have this program. please count me in. thanks.

  59. Fahmy Corporation (FREE Software) said on December 18, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Currently I use “PicPick” to capture a Screenshot from My Desktop.

  60. Position said on December 18, 2012 at 7:19 am

    i am currently using snap 5, from another giveaway, and more or less satisfied with the performance…
    would love to get hands of their current version….
    thanks

  61. thuya said on December 18, 2012 at 8:25 am

    I am a blogger and screen capturing is my daily job.
    there are many screen capture softwares.
    but i like timer feature in ashampoo snap 6.
    pls count me in.

  62. david said on December 18, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I like ashampoo
    pls count me in

  63. BadLuckLuke said on December 18, 2012 at 8:28 am

    i ‘m doing ctrl + alt + shift + prtscr so… count me in for ashampoo ! ! !

  64. Kite Pan said on December 18, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Great software. Thanks!

  65. Robert said on December 18, 2012 at 9:25 am

    I will give it a go!

  66. Blake LeBlanc said on December 18, 2012 at 9:33 am

    I currently use the snipping tool within Windows 7. I’ve used Snagit in the past and really liked it alot but I can’t find my license code for it now.

  67. Blessie Nelson said on December 18, 2012 at 9:43 am

    I don’t have any software to do screenshots and I really need a easy peezy software like ashampoo! Hope to win!

  68. mishasin said on December 18, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Thanks for the nice review and contest. I’m currently using Ashampoo Snap 3. Hope to win one of the licenses for Ashampoo Snap 6.
    Best regards

  69. k19s said on December 18, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Ashampoo snap 6 is a great tool to have, I’m currently just using print screen but need a better alternative

    Thanks

  70. FreeBro said on December 18, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Thanks gH!!!
    I use Ashampoo 4 and I am impressed with the software Ashampoo is releasing now-a-days!! Please accept my request to win a license of Snap 6 for windows!!!

  71. Mike said on December 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for the very thorough review. I currently use Snap 5 and I have been using Ashampoo for screen capture since Snap 3. Great programs that get better with each upgrade. I have just switched to Windows 8 so Snap 6 would be a welcome addition. Happy Holidays.

  72. A&L said on December 18, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    This would be nice to have, thanks for the chance
    Andy

  73. Leland said on December 18, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    I currently use Screenshot Captor. Ashampoo Sanp 6 looks great too. Count me in.

  74. Lydia J said on December 18, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    I’ve been stumbling along using select all, copy/paste to Word file which leaves a lot to be desired and sometimes doesn’t work at all. I’m glad to see other options used by commenters above and will followup on one or more of those ideas (assuming I am not a winner of the above-mentioned licenses for AShampoo’s latest version!).

  75. MSerif said on December 19, 2012 at 1:04 am

    Thanks for the giveaway

  76. Johnny said on December 19, 2012 at 1:26 am

    better than what I got.

  77. abeon said on December 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    I really want to win a license for this app finally. Count me in.

  78. Yoram said on December 19, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    I use Jing, and would love to get this giveaway.

  79. Shishegar said on December 20, 2012 at 5:15 am

    I am using Win7 Snipping tool but I need more advanced software.
    Thanks

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