Origin
Once upon a time, on a rainy afternoon, I came across the reasons behind Xnip’s development. However, upon learning about the limitations of Xnip’s scrolling screenshot algorithm, an idea sprouted within me: I also want to create one, believing that I can do it better.
It was the discussions on this topic in the Snipaste community, spanning over eight years with more than three hundred threads, that motivated me to put the scrolling screenshot into coding practice. The passage of time, like the flowing Yangtze River, seemed endless and sleepless.
On another afternoon, but this time a scorching one with the cicadas’ buzzing fading, I implemented image stitching using image feature recognition algorithms. Through optimized performance, the stitching speed kept pace with gestures, paving a new way to solve the problem of stitching algorithms for scrolling long screenshots.
Basic Features
In terms of basic features and interaction logic, Longshot is similar to Snipaste and Xnip, offering tools such as rectangles, circles, arrows, mosaics, highlights, brushes, text, and numbered annotations.
If we talk about differences, Longshot provides a richer set of tools. It includes length, area, color, text, automatic distance, and size measurement annotations. Moreover, numbered annotations allow for custom input of numbers.
It can be said that Longshot has everything it should have, including window recognition, window screenshots, screenshot pasting, color picking, rounded corner screenshots, delayed screenshots, capturing the previous region, and more, without missing a beat. Additionally, it even has features that one might not expect. Next, let’s discuss what I consider to be the distinctive features of Longshot.
Distinctive Features
1. Scrolling Capture
The standout feature of Longshot lies in its scrolling screenshot capability. It not only supports vertical scrolling but also horizontal scrolling, 360-degree panoramic scrolling, and full-window scrolling. Particularly slick, it can be said to be the only software on the market that optimizes scrolling screenshots to this extent.
Moreover, for the selected scrolling area, Longshot can include non-scrollable parts and even contents with non-solid backgrounds.
Surprisingly, Longshot has no restrictions on the scrolling direction, and the selected area can be adjusted again after scrolling.
This design addresses the issue of incomplete selections in scrolling areas, greatly reducing cognitive load. Otherwise, before taking a scrolling screenshot, one would always have to calculate where the scrolling position and direction are located.
2. OCR Text Recognition
By leveraging macOS’s offline OCR technology, Longshot can accurately recognize text from anywhere, whether it’s on images, videos, scanned documents, or any other source. This recognition is effective and doesn’t rely on an internet connection. Even when text is skewed at times, Longshot handles it effortlessly, ensuring precision and convenience.
Simply select the area containing the text, and Longshot will automatically recognize the text within that area and copy it to the clipboard.
3. Screen Element Measurement
Longshot can swiftly capture any content on the screen, whether it’s from different apps or windows. Anything visible on the screen is within Longshot’s reach.
By moving the cursor, distances between elements on the screen are automatically recognized. Pressing H/V keys quickly annotates pixel distances.
Dragging the cursor to form a rectangular area automatically snaps to elements, annotating the pixel dimensions of the element. It’s almost like magic!
4. Screen Recording
For screen recording, playback, and sharing, Longshot offers a comprehensive service. Whether you want to record a single window, an app, or a portion of the screen, Longshot can fulfill your needs effectively. Additionally, it can record system audio without the need for installing any additional patches or programs.
Follow-Up
Currently, Longshot is undergoing intensive iterative development, with five versions released in April and four in May. If there are any features you desire, feel free to leave a comment in the feedback section.
You can search for Longshot directly on the Mac App Store, where you can find and download it for free.
Final Words
Time flies by swiftly. Xnip has not seen an update in a year, Snipaste is gearing up for version 3.0 to push forward scrolling screenshot development, PixPin is gaining momentum, and here I am, just as I am, akin to a snail, aware that the road ahead is still long.
Well, that wraps up all the content of this video. Wishing everyone well, don’t forget to hit the follow button. You can also long-press to like, triple tap to subscribe - until we meet again in the realms of the internet.