Since I started blogging for Make Tech Easier, I have had to ensure that all my photos and screenshots did not exceed the maximum size for the post. While there are numerous photo-editors that could cut down a pictures dimensions, it is often better to ensure that the original screenshot you take is of appropriate size. To do this I have found a number of “screen rulers”. These small applications look identical to physical rulers except they float on your desktop and measure the pixel size of a given window. I have come across a lot of these applications and some are immensely helpful especially for web designers or those that simply want to know how big something on the screen actually is. This is probably one of the simplest rulers I used.
Starting with the secondary menu, 'Open with' gives you the option of opening the image in other software pre-installed on the Microsoft Surface Pro (Paint 3D, Paint, or Windows Photo Viewer) or apps/software you have installed for photo editing. About This Game Star Ruler 2 is a massive scale 4X/RTS set in space. Explore dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of systems in a galaxy of your choosing, expand across its planets, exploit the resources you find, and ultimately exterminate any who stand in your way.
The application itself is a fairly standard looking wooden ruler. The buttons along the bottom allow you to adjust the rulers length, to change it from vertical to horizontal and to change the look of the ruler (steel, yellow, etc.). Of course you can also launch as many rulers as you like by clicking on the shortcut. JRuler does not have the sleek looks of A Ruler for Windows, however it makes up for it by having the option to change the measuring units to pixels, inches, picas or centimeters.
This would be particularly useful if you are printing brochures or similar on odd sized paper. JRuler is free and requires no installation, it runs from an executable file.
There is also a Pro version that has more features. Pixel Ruler is a very limited application, offering no features besides the ability to resize the ruler. In addition, there does not appear to be any way to launch a second ruler. Having said that this ruler did have the ability to track the position of the cursor anywhere on the screen (even off the ruler itself) and display its distance from the start of the ruler. WinRuler does not seem to differ greatly from the rest of the reviewed rulers, however it does offer the unique ability to measure the percent of the screen that the ruler is being used for.
![Photo Photo](http://www.topapps.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Photo-Focus-Pro-Lite.jpg)
In addition, there are a number of options to calibrate the size and look of the ruler itself. Unfortunately, I was unable to launch another instance of the ruler.
(Wonderwebware.com) While this ruler appears, on first appearance, to be fairly complicated, its basic feature-set is identical to most of the other rulers reviewed. Instead of having to launch two rulers to measure the horizontal and vertical, Screen Ruler comes with markings along the top and side. However, the transparency is set fairly high on the initial launch and it is necessary to lower it so as to be able to see the object behind the ruler. (Adobe Air) There is an immediate barrier to using this particular ruler as you are required to install.
Having stepped over that hurdle, it becomes evident that the complicated installation process does yield some benefits as it is one of the best looking applications I reviewed. Firstly, this ruler is not for merely measuring the length and width of a given object on the screen. It comes with numerous presets such as “PSP”, “iPhone”, “VGA”, etc. That allows the user to create a box as depicted in the screenshot: It seems this ruler is targeted towards web designers and app developers as it would presumably assist them in figuring out appropriate sizes for the items on the screen. In addition, Pixus also has the ability to change the skin of the ruler offering an Internet Explorer version: And a Safari version: Again, this Adobe Air application seems to be aimed towards website designers and I personally did not find it very helpful for my purposes. Paid Applications I also found a number of applications that provided far more features but at a price. For the sake of completeness I have added them to the list.
![Editing Editing](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125512134/693311209.jpg)
Reviews suggest that this paid application is possibly one of the best screen rulers available. There is a 30-day demo after which you have to pay USD 29.50.
It works on both Windows and Mac. (Microfox) Screen Ruler has a demo version and costs USD 24.95 3. XScope is Mac only, comes with a demo and costs USD 26.95.