StepShot

When someone asks for help with a particular task on his computer, it is easier to show him a screenshot than typing instructions. If the task in question is too complex, you will end up creating numerous screenshots and draw arrows and circles on each of them. StepShot focuses specifically on this issue. It will help you create multiple screenshots, to illustrate step by step instructions. Thanks to its familiar interface and easy to understand options, the whole process is straightforward and fast.

The setup wizard will only ask for a destination path after which it will install the software immediately. You can use it on Windows XP or any later edition. The system requirements are low, but you will need to install the 4.0 version of .NET Framework.

StepShot's interface and part of its functionality is similar to PowerPoint. Your screenshots are placed on separate slides and you can edit them on the larger area of the interface. The slides are displayed on the left side of the interface and you can move them up or down, create new ones, duplicate or remove them. Options for editing images and capturing the screen are located on separate toolbars and you can switch from one to another with the aid of navigation tabs.

The available options allow you to capture the whole screen, a region or an active window. You may also record the screen or an active window, but this option will not create a video file. The recording consists of multiple screenshots, which are created automatically each time you click one of the mouse buttons. After enabling this option, the software's interface will be minimized and you can start performing the task which you need to explain. While recording, a Stop button will be displayed on the screen, making it possible to stop the recording instantly.

When a screenshot is created, regardless of the used method, the image will be placed on a new slide. The position of the mouse cursor will be highlighted, making it clear where and what you click. With the editing options, on the second toolbar, you will be able to draw lines, arrows, squares and other shapes, highlight specific areas, crop images and more. It is also possible to insert other images from files or the clipboard, copy the image or load it with an external editing program, which you can specify on StepShot's general settings panel.

Images can be saved individually, in different formats or you can save all of them at once. The software provides various exporting and sharing options as well. All images can be saved as a single file, in PDF, RTF, HTML, XLS, MHT or JPG format. You can also find options for uploading them directly to ImageShack, Dropbox, a FTP server or attach them to an email, using your default mail client.