Ashampoo Snap 14 : A ‘limited-comparative review/test’

[jasonX]

 

 

OBSERVATIONS

SOMETHING "NEW" and "ODD" here...
When I started to test / tinker with Ashampoo Snap 14 there was this "drag" and very annoying "slowness" of the program that was reminisce of Ashampoo Snap 12 but this time it got worse. It came to a point that I considered not testing it...but to be fair to the developer, I took the chance and went on. I sent word to Ashampoo support about my intention to do a review to follow-up on the last version Snap 12. They gave some tips so that the program will function without a fuss. One of the tips is exclusion of “ashnap.exe” and later on, “snap14.exe”.  

This can be seen HERE

As ASNAP 14 is installed in a test partition with Avast Premium Security as the main AV, I checked the link given by Ashampoo. I was dumbfounded to see that they are actually asking to label snap14.exe as “Allowed”. Please see image below of Avast Premium Security re: General > Blocked & Allowed apps > Allow App > 

There are 4 features there to allow selected app, (1) Ransomware Shield (2) Webcam Shield, (3) Sensitive Data Shield, and (4) Password Protection. So I “unchecked” (disabled) all of it. LO, and BEHOLD!!!! Ashampoo Snap 14 did function as if the "drag" and "slowness" was a fiction of my mind. Not wanting to give an all-out permission (why would I), I tinkered further by each checking one of the four features until I found out that it was the “Ransomware Shield” that is needed to be unchecked/disabled to let Ashampoo Snap 14 function well. You can leave the other 3 features checked -- (2) Webcam Shield, (3) Sensitive Data Shield, and (4) Password Protection -- and Ashampoo Snap 14 will function properly but unchecking -- (1) Ransomware Shield, is the make or break here. Not "allowing" Snap 14 in Avast’s Ransomware Shield "halts" it's functionality, especially the image editor. This has been an earlier observation when I started this endeavor -- of the editor not rendering properly (this was before I gave the exemption). See images and videos below. 
 

Snap 14 in Avast “Allowed Apps” - Ransomware

The other screenshot apps I use do not require me to disable the ransomware shield of Avast Premium Security for them to function properly. I never had to place any screenshot app in the "List of Allow Apps" of Avast Premium Security before.  

Similarly, I tried to use HitmanPro.Alert and placed Ashampoo Snap 14 in “Exploit Mitigation” because all my screenshot apps are placed there as protected apps. An “Attack Detection” popped-up from HMPA. I saved the logs and went on. Snap 14 functioned okay until I went to the image editor. The font selection in “Documentation > Text” showed no entries. It only allowed the default font, which is “Arial” to be used. You cannot change the font as there is no entry in the drop-down box! 
 

Snap 14.0.1_HMPA Mitigation Test

 

Snap 14.0.1_NO EXCLUSION Avast Ransomware

 

Snap 14.0.1_WITH EXCLUSION Avast Ransomware

Tinkering further, I tried to use Ashampoo Snap 14 inside Avast sandbox also (though this was not required -- jus tinkering here). While it seemed to function okay, there was this JavaScript error when I tried to exit ASNAP14. After that there wasn’t anything I could do but to press "Control > Alt + Del" to "Log-out". 
 

JavaScript Error

Now I am not that techy as our esteemed Malware Zoo Admins but I never had to set exclusions to a screenshot application app before. 

All the alternative screenshot apps do not need to be exempted to function properly. I have been using these apps ( -- Snagit 2020, FastStone Capture, PickPick Pro, ShareX Portable, Screenpresso PRO, FlashBack Pro and even Ashampoo Snap 11!) for a quite some time now and there are no issues whatsoever. The most is that all of the alternatives are placed in “Do Not Disturb Mode” in Avast. 


Why in Ashampoo Snap 14 the need is there to exempt/exclude it in Avast’s Ransomware Shield?  

MS Office apps and PDF editor apps functions okay when placed as “protected apps” in HitmanPro. Alert’s Exploit Mitigation. Ashampoo Snap 14 doesn’t?

This is a FIRST!

So just for the sake of this test/review (and pending some insights to this “odd” behavior) I will give-in to Ashampoo. This is so that I can compare it properly to the alternatives. The alternatives will remain in HMPA’s Exploit Mitigation > protected apps. So I guess at this point, Ashampoo Snap 14 need not be protected by Avast Premium Security and HitmanPro.Alert’s Exploit Mitigation. I have reached out to HitmanPro.Alert Support and Avast Customer Care about it and they have expressed their views quoted below. 

Avast Customer Care explains further,

Avast’s Ransomware shield secures the user’s personal photos, documents, and other files from being modified, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware attacks. The feature automatically secures folders that may contain personal data and allows the user to specify which other folders want protected from untrusted applications. Ransomware shield will not allow any modification of protected files (in this case images) by unauthorized apps.

To date “Ashampoo” is not in the list of whitelisted apps (according to Avast Customer Care Team) and they will be evaluating it (Snap 14). If Avast evaluates it as a safe application, then it will be automatically be added to their whitelist. 

HitmanPro.Alert Tech Support states,

The alert / pop-up is a so called LoLBin Lockdown. 

LOLBins e.g. Office document running powershell or wscript 99 out of 100 times this is not seen on consumer machines and we block that to prevent exploitation.

Sometimes this does break legit applications that don't handle their updates according to the latest IT hygiene, e.g. using unsigned binaries instead of code-signing them.

[text removed as per request of HitmanPro.Alert Support]

More Info below
HitmanPro.Alert triggered an "Attack Intercepted" - Lockdown




 
NO SPLASH SCREEN SEEN etc
Launching Snap 14 (with the exemptions in Avast Premium Security) there is “still” some "noticeable" delay. Also, despite setting (checking) “Show splash screen on startup” in Snap 14 settings, there wasn’t any! In fact, I never saw Snap 14’s splash screen in the course of this review! 
 

Snap 14.0.1 and Snap 14.0.2 Show Splash Screen setting

The widget also took time to appear. As with the image editor too. In my last review I timed all the delays of Snap 12. This “delay” is reminisce of Snap 12 (though Snap 12 was way so slow). Here I just let it slide because after all it will show in the videos that there are delays in rendering. See for yourselves the delay in display of the widget and the image editor of Snap 14.0.1 / 14.0.2. 
 

Snap 14.0.2 Annotation

BRAND NEW EDITOR
The version changes for Snap 14 highlights “brand new editor”. You will see that the interface is different (feels new) but using it is a different thing. Read on below for some of my observations as I used Snap 14.0.1 / 14.0.2 editor. I state “some” because I did not delve on all the new features and just relied on the sample annotations I prepped for this review. As simple as the annotations were, I am unconvinced here..... 

 

• Poor arrowhead, arrowsize options
  
  Yes, you read it right there, “poor” -- and I mean it too! You cannot even change the arrowhead in Snap 14’s image editor! I don’t know what crossed the mind of the one responsible for this but it is just plain “stu#@p$%&d”. 
  
  Gosh, even PowerPoint gives you more than enough ways to edit just the arrow and arrowhead. But in Snap 14...NOTHING?! 
  
  The default arrow head also is the “growing/modern” type depending on the stroke size and the length of the arrow. Snap 11 used to have arrowhead options, (1) Default, (2) Dual Head, (3) Growing, (4) Modern, and (5) No Head. 
  
  Snap 14 is only, “Modern and Growing”. No other options. 
  
  All the videos for the alternatives sample annotations will show “proportionate” arrowheads different from Snap 14. (Well Snap 14.0.2 added arrowhead size adjustments to remedy that....) Kindly glance back at the videos for “Sample Annotations”
   
  
  Snap 14 and Snap 11 Arrowhead
  
  
  
  
  One obvious improvement for the arrow (from Snap 11) was the elimination of 2-3 “pulling handle” (resize handles) which was annoying. Ashampoo Snap 11 had 4-5 on its bent arrow (including the pointer). You can just make do with 2-3 handles (-- resize handles, which is about the standard in common image editors). You will see in the Snap 11 video below that it’s a pain to use/manipulate that handles for an arrow just to get the desired arrow shape. And this is where Snap 14 did great by correcting that. 
  
  That’s just about it and the rest (for the arrows) in Snap 14 are just so... And this is a “brand new editor” at that. 
  
  What if you need to show differences on certain images? 
  
  What if you want to show arrows to match your imported image or “theme” you are using? 
  
  Chances are you will have to use a different 3rd-party image editor just to get it done! Or, make a .PNG of the arrow/arrow head (-- the kind you want) and import it to Snap 14 (clipboard). Too much work for just an arrowhead huh.... (So why use Snap 14 in the first place?)
  
  See also, “Snap 14.0.2  > Arrow size adjustments, etc.” below. 
  

 

• Odd “shape” and “arrow” behavior in Snap 14.0.1
  
  Again, you read it right there. “Odd” is what I describe it. This was a first time that I encountered it. When you create an arrow in Snap 14 editor it automatically defaults itself as the "object-in-front". When you create a shape, say, an “oval” and you want to cross that arrow (created earlier), you will be surprised because you cannot! Yup. As if there is a “force field / force shield” preventing the previous arrow (object-1) to cross the border of the oval-shape (object-2). Huh?! Why do that Ashampoo? You can only circumvent the “force field/force shield” thing if you select an object and move it “back” or “in-front”. So if you want the arrow (object-1) to cross (and be placed inside) the oval-shape (object-2) you can either:
  
  (1) select the arrow (object-1) > right-click > move object to front 
  (2) select the oval-shape (object-2) > right-click > move object to back. See video below. 
  
   
  
  
  Snap 14.0.1  Shape_Arrow Behavior
  
  
  
  
  Snap 14.0.1  Shape_Arrow Behavior
  
  
  
  
  Thus a new object created “defaults itself” as the “object in-front”. Then for some reason, Snap 14 locks it in place. Again my question is WHY? This behavior makes it a pain editing images. The extra 2-4 clicks aren’t needed. This is especially annoying when you edit images which you want to show with different characteristics, features or elements. This may be “sane” for images imported into the “current” image you are editing. Take note about the word “images” meaning pictures imported, which you can plainly state as “image pasted-over a current image”. But for shapes/arrows this is not needed. Image editors in screenshot apps has to be versatile in itself.  
  
  See comparison below of Snap 11 shape / arrow behavior. 
   
  
  
  Snap 11 Shape_Arrow Behavior
  
  
  
  
  Snap 11 Shape_Arrow Behavior
  
  
  
  
  
  Snap 14.0.2 has some improvements that are appreciated but in the annotation samples that I used, said “the improvements” (I find) is either small or lacking.(Note: This "odd" behavior seems to have been corrected in Ashampoo Snap 14.0.2 -- have not seen it but also I have not tested it further). 
  
  

 

• Still no text-box background.
  
  I have been waiting for this since Snap 11 but have just waived it off last time I reviewed Snap 12. Here (as in Snap 11) you will have to make use of adding a shape, say, rectangle and place a text-box “in-front” of it (or move the shape to “back” --” move to back”) to have the effect of the text having a background. Well to be fair, FSCapture and Snagit 2020 also do not have this feature. But the freeware ShareX Portable does (so as Screenpresso PRO). See image below of apps that have text-box background coloring. 
   
  
  Sample Text Box with Color Background
  
  
  
  
  The lack of this "small" feature adds more than a few clicks and makes the user’s annotation longer to finish. Ashampoo should consider it...See image below. 
  
  
   
  
  Still No text-box background
  
  

 

• Arrow size adjustments, etc.
  
  Snap 14.0.2 added arrowhead adjustments because it seems that they discovered it that it is a pain to see their default arrow-heads “unproportioned”. The “unproportioned look” is the result of making the default arrowhead behavior “growing / modern” and they (Ashampoo) must have realized the wrong they did here. 
  
  This arrowhead size adjustment “may”, in a way, help but still this is so lame. I personally need more than a few arrowheads for an endeavor. 
  
  How can you use the same arrowhead all the time (especially to differentiate items)?!!!
  
  I miss Snap 11’s arrow-heads!!!
  
  Snap 14.0.2 arrow-styles are: (1) Normal, (2) Dashed, (3) Dotted, (4) Dash Dot, (5) Dash Dot Dot, and (6) Outline. Let’s take a look of “(6) Outline”. You cannot edit that arrow-style and the outline color is black “only”. Black-ONLY. 
  
  Now what happens when the background is already “black”. See image below. 
  
  A straight arrow in light background (marked “B”, width = 5  / style = normal) looks the same as that of a straight arrow in black background (marked “A”, width = 4 / style = outline ). 
  
  
  What now if the background needs to be black and you need to use “style = outline" and use it ("outline") to emphasize an item? GAME OVER!!!!
  
   
  
  Snap 14.0.2 Arrow-style_”Outline” in light and black background
  
  

 

• Improved Color picker added
   
  This is a welcome addition as most often there are colors that are not well defined and you will need a color-picker to determine the shade you need. Though this is good, maybe Ashampoo devs "can" (should actually) allow the use of the keyboard keys (top-bottom-left-right) to accurately "pin down" the wanted color to be “picked”. Snap 14.0.2 only allows the mouse pointer to do that. That is good for those without arthritis or their hands are in perfect condition or has eagle eyes! For those who don't, well, you’ll have to "zero-in" the target color shade  manually!
   
  
  Improved Color Picker
  
  

 

• Text-box content (text) cannot be edited unless un-resized / maximized
  
  When I work with text-boxes, I almost always copy/paste a previously created one and just edit the contents of the copy. In Snap 14.0.2, say, I type “PAWN” and resize the text-box to just “fit” the word “PAWN” and then "copy" that “resized” text-box (with the word “PAWN”) then "select/edit" that word "PAWN" you’ll be in a fix! No matter how much “double-click” I do the word “PAWN” cannot be properly selected.  
  
  You will have to select the “text-box” and type-over a word again. You will see in the video that I just selected the text-box and type a new word, say, “ROOK”, “KNIGHT” and so on and so forth. I was ONLY able to edit the content of a coped text-box when I "accidentally" created a new text-box and typed a new word. Leaving that "new" text-box “unresized” gives the user the possibility to "actually see" that the contents of the text-box "IS" actually selected -- owing to the blue selection highlight. 
  
  So text-box should be “maximized” or “un-resized” to allow user to SEE and "BE SURE" that the "contents" are actually-truely "selected". How? Because you will see that blue selection color "highlight". 
  
  
  Really Ashampoo?  
  
  You had me guessing and had me "dumbfounded" for a time there...I though that when a text-box is resized to just fit the contents, said contents cannot be edited -- why? -- because that blue selection color "highlight" CANNOT be seen and "that" blue selection color highlight IS the "standard" mark for a "text" to be indicated as "selected" and "ready" for "editing". Here (with this brand new editor of yours) you had me guessing Ashampoo....making me loose precious time tinkering. 
  
  Even MS PowerPoint allows selection of text-box contents whether it be a small text-box... 
  
  As mentioned previously, the "added clicks" to an endeavor does not help the user but ONLY makes him finish his endeavor much longer". 
  
  This is not minor to me (based on what I have experienced) but an "annoyance".  
  
  Even though you can edit by "typing-over", I was actually at a loss making me think I may be doing something wrong there. Is it selected or not? Is it ready for editing or not? 
  
  
  That added “blue selection highlight” is needed in Snap 14.0.2 so as to properly guide the user and not make the user wonder if the text-box is “indeed” ready for editing or not. The user still has to tinker with order and placements of all components (text, shapes, stickers etc.) adjusting one element over another so it is not a "minor" thing to add time to his endeavor. Added "clicks" DO NOT help at all Ashampoo!
  
  
  Kindly also see video below (the video is also presented previously in "Product Description > Overview > Get to the point more quickly" )
   
  
  Snap 14.0.2 Editor Tinker
  
  
  The gif shows what I am talking about here -- see when I try to select the text “CUT-OUT SECTION CUT 1”. I tried to "underline" just the “CUT 1” but I could not select it. I had to "resize" the text box (make it bigger) so Snap 14.0.2 will allow me to select/edit “CUT 1”. 
  
  After resizing the text-box I also found out that I could not "underline" just the text “CUT 1”. 
  
  Clicking “U” (underline) in the properties panel will underline ALL text in the text-box --“CUT-OUT SECTION CUT 1”. I had to make a “straight line” and manually place it under “CUT 1” so it will look as if the word “CUT 1” is underlined. 
  

SCROLLING CAPTURE
Now Ashampoo Snap’s capture scrolling (Snap 14.0.2) STILL needs work. While some users normally do not use “scrolling capture” (do they?) I for one am reliant on this feature. Whether it be a webpage, image, or long document, I use it every day. Now as reliant as I am with it, I also know (and admit) that “sometimes” you cannot get an outright “good” capture and render when using such feature. That is a fact!


Here in this review, I see again the same symptoms I saw previously with Snap 11 and Snap 12. The only end-result that Snap 14.0.1 with good rendering is the scrolling screenshot of Foxit Reader. Clean, crisp screenshot. Snap 14.0.2 has improved in the same MS Word doc. The video for Snap 14.0.2 will show that it captured (successfully) all 4 pages of the doc.  

Well the others also gave that mentioned “clean, crisp” end result so nothing special about it. I also see that all the screenshot apps I have seem to favor Foxit Reader. I still do not know why though... All scrolling captures taken in Foxit Reader are complete and with good render. 


MS Word (except Snap 14.0.1), PDFXChange Editor, browsers were “hit-and-miss” with Snap 14 (and Snap 11). As mentioned above, scrolling screenshots do not give an outright good capture and render. Not 100% at all times. The Snap 14.0.2 video will show that a repeat of all of its scrolling capture gave the same end-result (proving that something is off with Snap 14.0.2 scrolling capture). 

Given such (inconsistent scroll-capture end-results), app developers should (at the very least) add some settings and options for tweaking. Here in this review, only ShareX Portable has added options and work-around. The rest do not even have a setting where you can tinker and adjust. Snagit 2020 (while no additional settings are given) offers an alternative when their “Scrolling Capture” does not perform properly. They have the “Panoramic capture" where you (the user) will manually scroll down as Snagit 2020 captures the images you scroll on step-by-step, then stitch/merge it afterwards. There is a setting in Snap 14 favoring Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox for browsers. What's that for? Is it not tailored for scrolling capture?  

From the tests I made in this review, only FastStone Capture was the easiest and the fastest with good clean capture and end-results. Complete and good render end-results whether it be web browsers, MS Word, PDF’s, Explorer. Snagit 2020 (because of the alternative “Panoramic” capture) and ShareX Portable comes next.  The scrolling capture “bad performer” here is Screenpresso PRO but to be fair, it is still in “beta” so it still under work and unstable.

Ashampoo Snap devs can get some hints from the settings shown with ShareX. Perhaps they can also develop a manual “Panoramic” capture in the future. But now, in this version 14.0.2, capture scrolling needs FURTHER work. 






VIDEO RECORDING / CAPTURE
Snap 14.0.2 improved a lot in terms of video recording! Well congratulations Ashampoo! There were no issues encountered and the capture and render of the recorded video is good! One thing I noticed is that the default recording is still in .wmv. Well you can convert it anytime with any video converters around but why stick it out with .wmv? Anyway as mentioned the video capture and render is good and the former issue with the garbled sound with Snap 12 has been resolved here. I did not use the video editing features of Snap 14.0.2 because I prefer using my stuff rather than Snap’s (matter of preference here -- why edit with limited features while I have my pro editors with me...). 





 

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE LINKS

 

ASHAMPOO SNAP 12 REVIEW HERE

 

TechSmith Snagit 2022

 

TechSmith Snagit Info HERE

Download TechSmith Snagit 2022 TRIAL HERE

TechSmith Snagit 2022 Pricing HERE

TechSmith Snagit Version History

 

FastStone Capture 9.7

 

FastStone Capture 9.7 Info HERE

Download FastStone Capture 9.7 TRIAL HERE

FastStone Capture  Pricing HERE

FastStone Capture Version History HERE

 

Screenpresso PRO v1.12.1

 

Screenpresso PRO v1.12.1 Info HERE

Download Screenpresso PRO v1.12.1 TRIAL HERE

Screenpresso PRO Pricing HERE

Screenpresso Version History HERE

 

ShareX 13.7.0

 

ShareX v13.7 Info HERE

Download ShareX v13.7 HERE

ShareX Version History HERE