xscope

xScope

Measure. Inspect. Test.

Version History

xScope 4.7

January 2024

New Features

  • Internal changes for capturing screen:
    • Implemented with modern framework that's faster and more reliable
    • Increased the refresh rate of the Loupe, Dimensions, and Screens
    • Better performance of automatic contrast adjustment at crosshairs
    • Screen recording indicator in Sonoma will appear when in use
  • Clear Guides at Mouse:
    • Hover over a guide and remove it with Shift-Cmd-D [Yay Adrianna!]
    • Add new guides with Shift-Cmd-H & V respectively
    • Works best with "Create new guides at current mouse position" setting
    • Use shortcut at guide intersection to clear both horizontal & vertical
  • Added options for reticles on Loupe centerline:
    • Open Settings to add tick marks or grid crosses at 10 or 8 unit intervals
    • Spacing matches display measurement setting (points or pixels)
    • Use for quick alignment or spacing checks

Improvements

  • Improved detection with Dimensions tool:
    • Works better on subtle patterns, gradients, and materials
    • Separate detection for solid colors, gradients, and photos
    • New controls in Settings to adjust sensitivity of detected background types
    • Lets you sample your design and adjust accuracy of measurement
    • Shrinking a frame via Dimensions uses gradient sensitivity
  • Better support for Dark Mode with settings adapting for:
    • Default colors for Guides, Frames, and Overlay
    • Overlay for creating frames interactively (e.g. shrinking a frame)
    • Crosshair cursor for maximum contrast
  • Loupe now uses setting for Dimensions measurement color
  • Default hotkey for creating frame from Dimensions is now Shift-Cmd-0 (conflicted with system shortcut)
  • Updated xScope's in-app Help

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug in Loupe that degraded contrast detection in some cases
  • Fixed a bug that ignored setting for dark icon in Dock
  • Updated labels in color space menus

xScope 4.6

June 2022

Improvements

  • "Preferences" have been renamed to "Settings" where appropriate

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed crash while opening Loupe on the latest version of macOS
  • Fixed an issue with Dimensions recognizing a window edge

xScope 4.5.2

January 2022

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed disabled menu items for Rulers on Monterey
  • Fixed display of menu bar icon on Monterey

xScope 4.5.1

May 2021

Bug Fixes

  • Removed support for Firefox in Overlay tool because it’s no longer scriptable
  • Overlay grid resizing is now on by default
  • Fixed an issue with layout in the Preferences window
  • Improved check for Screen Recording permissions on Big Sur
  • Fixed corrupted downloads from code signing issue

xScope 4.5

November 2020

Improvements

  • Compatibility with latest operating systems and hardware, including Big Sur and Apple Silicon
  • New app icon
  • Improved Guides & Frames wizards: they now appear above other windows

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed blurry pixels in Loupe in newer OS versions
  • Fixed support for Font Awesome in Text tool
  • Fixed a color shift in Overlay screenshots

xScope Mirror 1.3.8

November 2020

Bug Fixes

  • Compatibility with latest operating systems and hardware

xScope Mirror 1.3.7

December 2019

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a crash when saving the screen's mirrored image

xScope 4.4.1

December 2019

Improvements

  • Lowered CPU usage when xScope is hidden
  • More reliable detecting Screen Recording permission on Catalina

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed Guides not appearing correctly in some vertical display configurations
  • Fixed a crash in Loupe and Crosshair while detecting color for maximum contrast
  • Frame screenshots now work if bottom is off screen

xScope 4.4

August 2019

Improvements

  • Fixed a potential crash on macOS Catalina
  • Added checks and prompts for new macOS Screen Recording permissions
  • Fixed text clipping in some popup menus
  • Updated app to use new macOS security requirements

xScope 4.3.3

October 2018

Improvements

  • Improved compatibility with macOS Mojave Dark Mode
  • Prompts for macOS Automation Privacy are now more obvious
  • Crosshair now defaults to auto-contrast being enabled
  • Relieve frustration in Crosshairs is now less violent

Bug Fixes

  • The Overlay now attaches to the browser window correctly on macOS Mojave
  • Fixed a bug caused the toolbar to be positioned incorrectly at first launch
  • Changed hot key defaults so they don't conflict with macOS Mojave
  • Fixed problem with hot keys not creating Guides and Frames when tools aren't on

xScope 4.3.2

September 2018

Improvements

  • Full compatibility with macOS Mojave, including dark mode
  • Measurements now use a monospaced system font so they don't jump around
  • Updated various graphics and fixed some alignment issues

xScope 4.3.1

April 2018

Improvements

  • Full compatibility with macOS High Sierra
  • The color palette in the Loupe now shows the selected color value at the bottom:
    • Makes it easy to compare with the value under cursor
    • The color's text can be copied and pasted as needed
  • Added a new control in Overlay alignment to account for browser scrollbar
  • The Toolbar window is a lot easier to drag around now
  • Improved the appearance of scrollbars

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed problems with window shadows not appearing in Loupe and Screen tools
  • Fixed an issue that could cause two Overlay windows to appear
  • Fixed a display issue with px units while editing Overlay grids
  • Fixed a problem restoring measurement types in Overlay

xScope Mirror 1.3.6

November 2017

Improvements

  • Updated for iPhone X
  • Updated for watchOS 2+
  • Added Setting to hide Home Indicator

xScope 4.3

November 2016

Improvements

  • Full compatibility with macOS Sierra
  • Guides have a new preference setting to keep the text on the indicators aligned
  • Measurement units and Guides/Frames display can now be set with Dock menu
  • Increased the range when positioning the Overlay image
  • Overlay image can now be re-centered by double-clicking on the scroller

Bug Fixes

  • Guides and Frames no longer appear after you launch the app
  • Ruler settings are now restored correctly so they won't get tiny anymore
  • Fixed an problem with Dimensions working on complex backgrounds
  • Overlay works with the iOS Simulator window again
  • Screenshots taken by xScope now include a color profile for the display

xScope 4.2

March 2016

New Features

  • A new setting in General preferences makes tool windows stay in the Space where they were activated. If you do design or development in one space and email or chat in another, try it out!

Improvements

  • The new eyedropper icon on the Loupe can quickly switch the working color space
  • Added a Loupe preference to highlight colors that are out of gamut

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a problem where some colors in the palette would shift between launches
  • Color values in the Loupe are no longer truncated
  • Fixed issues which caused Rulers to not activate correctly
  • Layout of controls in Dimensions preferences now look better on El Capitan
  • Updates are now done over a secure connection

xScope Mirror 1.3.5

November 2015

Improvements

  • Updated for iPad Pro

xScope 4.1.5

September 2015

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed an issue with downloads in Gatekeeper on El Capitan

xScope 4.1.4

July 2015

Improvements

  • Updated fonts in Text tool settings for El Capitan
  • The system font is now used wherever appropriate

Bug Fixes

  • Color blindness simulation now works correctly on El Capitan
  • Dimensions measurements on El Capitan now detect edges correctly
  • Screenshots work again on El Capitan

xScope 4.1.3

April 2015

New Features

  • Mirror tool on iOS now supports Apple Watch

Improvements

  • Added "My Watch" templates to the Mirror tool
  • Mirror help was updated with information about Apple Watch
  • Overlay no longer requires AppleScript setup

Bug Fixes

  • Icons in Mirror templates now render correctly on the Retina display

xScope Mirror 1.3.4

April 2015

New Features

  • View mirrored images on Apple Watch
    • Layouts with same width, but taller, are scrollable
    • Images in standard icon sizes are masked by circle on black background
    • Transparent images are shown as menu items
    • Works with Photoshop, Sketch and any PNG or JPEG file

xScope 4.1.2

February 2015

Improvements

  • Added support for Swift literals like "\u{1F4A9}" in Text tool

Bug Fixes

  • The Loupe no longer has high memory usage while in the background
  • Fixed the version number formatting in the Sparkle update prompt

xScope 4.1.1

January 2015

Improvements

  • Updated document icon appearance for Yosemite
  • Mirror now maintains transparent background on windows (helpful with Bezel app)

xScope Mirror 1.3.3

January 2015

Improvements

  • Added 1:3 and 3:1 scaling to zoom options

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a potential crash when being disconnected in background

xScope 4.1

November 2014

New Features

  • Color spaces are now supported in Loupe: see Working Color Space in Help
  • Overlay can create a PDF file of current page (with full CSS styling)
  • Rulers can now be adjusted by entering values in new properties window
  • Added full support for Font Awesome: see Text Help for more info

Improvements

  • Menubar icons look much better in Yosemite's dark mode
  • Added horizontal adjustment for image in Overlay
  • Screenshots taken with Frame tool now include the mouse cursor
  • Code style for apps can be selected directly from the Loupe's color format menu
  • Added L*a*b color format to Loupe
  • Rulers can now display an aspect ratio (using new properties window)
  • Added items to open Preferences and Show/Hide xScope in single icon menubar
  • URL encoding in Text tool now encodes all reserved characters (per RFC 3986)
  • Updated Mirror templates to include new iPhone screen sizes

Bug Fixes

  • Loupe now stays above Guides and Frames by default
  • Fixed improper placement of Guides and Frames with some display configurations
  • Mirror templates now display correctly when a Retina display is attached
  • The save dialog for a screenshot no longer hides behind another active app

xScope Mirror 1.3.2

September 2014

Improvements

  • Added support for larger displays

xScope Mirror 1.3.1

July 2014

Bug Fixes

  • Compatibility with iOS 8

xScope 4.0

June 2014

General

  • Modern Interface - Re-designed for increased usability and a fresh new look
  • Retina Display - Fully supported
  • OS X Support - Runs on Mountain Lion, Mavericks and Yosemite
  • Optimized Performance - Lower CPU and GPU usage for improved battery life
  • Photoshop Integration - Documents stay put when using xScope's tools
  • Screenshot hot key now works for Dimensions, Overlay, Screens, Loupe & Frames
  • New Access panel: preference window fits better on 11" MacBook Air
  • Menubar defaults to single icon (so 10 tools don't use too much space)
  • Preferences window appears more quickly after first launch
  • Added a dark icon option for the Dock

Overlay new

  • Enhances Your Web Browser - Attaches to window to make development easier
  • Alignment Marks - Check positioning & distances in px/em/pt and percentages
  • Mockup Image - A transparent design comp over your HTML and CSS code
  • Grids with Breakpoints - Grid systems that stay in sync with your media queries
  • Cycle Breakpoints - Quickly check your design at all sizes used in your CSS
  • Full-page Screenshot - Get a picture of your whole web page
  • Works with iOS Simulator - Great for testing in Safari or developing native apps

Text new

  • Powerful Search - For name or tag in any of the 100,000+ Unicode characters
  • Decipher Text - Deciphers text entities, encodings, constants, and more!
  • Automatic Reformat - Automatically corrects Windows-1252 (Latin) text
  • Convert Format - Output text as a string, entities, URL encoding, and more!
  • Measure Glyphs - Shows line, character or web layout: including font metrics & CSS
  • Character Palette - A handy place to collect commonly used Unicode characters

Mirror

  • Mirror Templates - Automatically shows icon or wallpaper mockup on iOS
  • AirPlay Mirroring - Show your files & Photoshop documents on an Apple TV
  • Photoshop Document Lock - Prevent updates when switching between PSD files

Dimensions

  • Now picks up solid colors more easily: helpful when working on "flat" designs

Rulers

  • Multiple Rulers - Compare measurements on a pair of screen elements
  • Ruler Synchronization - Keeps length & angles of rulers in sync when comparing

Screens

  • De-retinizer - Quick simulation on Retina display of a normal display
  • Updated sizes for iOS 7 & 8 - includes standard UI components & Safari sizes

Loupe

  • Reference Color Format - For example, work in hex color while viewing RGB format
  • Magnified Dimensions - The tool you know and love, working in a closeup view
  • Compact Interface - UI refinements make better use of screen real estate

Guides

  • Quick Guide Selection - New keys that let you keep hands on the keyboard
  • Any Display - You're no longer limited to just a left or right display

Frames

  • Spacing Grid - Show a regularly spaced interval: digital graph paper for your design
  • Quick Guide Selection - New keys that let you keep hands on the keyboard
  • Any Display - You're no longer limited to just a left or right display

Bug Fixes

  • The preferences window now remembers its last position and selected panel
  • Fixed display problems on Ruler when moving to a different screen
  • Ruler position indicators no longer appear when switching between pt & px setting
  • Fixed Guides/Frames problems after launching on a newly attached external display
  • Removed "Center Follows Ruler" since it no longer makes sense with multiple rulers
  • Fixed a drawing problem with ratio indicator on a Frame
  • Undo will no longer make the purchase window unresponsive in some situations

xScope 3.6.3

December 2013

Improvements

  • SmartTools no longer steal keyboard focus from the app being selected

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed some tools that weren't remembering their visibility across launches
  • Fixed a check of the Spaces configuration when displaying preferences

xScope 3.6.2

October 2013

Bug Fixes

  • Mirror will now start up correctly on an empty desktop
  • Default guide and frame no longer appears unnecessarily
  • Fixed a problem with the Mirror’s clipboard mode not starting up correctly
  • Display spanning check now works correctly after an OS X upgrade

xScope Mirror 1.3

October 2013

Improvements

  • Updated for iOS 7

Notes

  • xScope Mirror can be used to test on older devices: supports iOS 5 and later

xScope 3.6.1

July 2013

New Features

  • Lower CPU and GPU usage for improved battery life

Improvements

  • Tools are more responsive
  • Improved tools when using Displays that use separate Spaces
  • Loupe now shows mouse position on centerlines

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a problem where Screens content would disappear
  • Menu bar is now visible at launch on all versions of OS X
  • Fixed a problem with toggling the position indicator on the Crosshairs
  • The Presbyopia vision simulation now adapts to the Retina display
  • Removed an unnecessary shadow on the Loupe lock

xScope 3.6

June 2013

New Features

  • Dimensions – Improved edge detection, especially when measuring over gradients
  • Dimensions – Options in Preferences to adjust edge detection sensitivity

Improvements

  • Frames – Added 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, 8x8 and 9x9 grids
  • Frames – Preference panel now has option to always show origin
  • Mirror – Increased maximum size of Photoshop documents to 6000x6000 pixels
  • Loupe – Added support for short hex colors (i.e. #3fc instead of #33ffcc)
  • Crosshairs – New preference that adjusts color automatically for maximum contrast

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed bug with Dimensions, Guides and Frames disappearing when using the escape key
  • Corrected the aspect ratio display when using Dimensions
  • The Crosshair coordinates no longer appear when attaching an external monitor

xScope Mirror 1.2.3

June 2013

Improvement

  • Mirror can display in all orientations on iPhone

xScope 3.5.2

December 2012

New Features

  • Create a new guide or frame by holding down the Option key while dragging the item

Bug Fixes

  • Open and save dialogs now work correctly for saving screenshots and managing color palette
  • The General preference panel now fits on an 11" MacBook air screen
  • Fixed a problem with some mirrored images from a Photoshop connection being too big

xScope 3.5.1

October 2012

Improvements

  • Added new default screen templates for iPad 3 (Retina) and iPhone 5 (Tall Screen)

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed problems with Ruler marks redrawing correctly in some cases
  • Fixed a problem with screen selection being restored correctly at launch
  • Changed the minimum version number from 10.6.6 to 10.7

xScope Mirror 1.2.2

September 2012

Improvement

  • Updated for larger iPhone 5 screen

xScope 3.5

September 2012

New Features

  • Now supports measuring Retina Display
    • See the xScope Help for more information on how xScope measures this new display
  • A Photoshop document can now be Mirrored while you edit: display on iOS without saving files
    • See the Mirror help for setup instructions

Improvements

  • Graphics updated for Retina display
  • The Ruler colors can now be inverted, making measuring on dark backgrounds easier
  • Alignment marks can be displayed on the Ruler: see new Keyboard Shortcuts in Help
  • Improved gridline contrast and measuring tool in Loupe
  • Tools now work in full screen apps running on Lion and Mountain Lion
  • xScope no longer forces the discrete GPU on systems with multiple processors

Bug Fixes

  • Horizontal Guides on multiple displays now keep the dragging control on screen
  • Fixed a bug where Rulers would sometimes create a strange knocked out area of the screen
  • The Control-Arrow keys used to adjust tool positions were changed to Option-Arrow so there’s no conflict with switching Spaces

xScope 3.2.2

June 2012

Improvements

  • Added support for Gatekeeper in Mountain Lion

xScope 3.2.1

May 2012

Improvements

  • ACO files created by xScope now include a color name that shows up when you hover over the swatch in Photoshop

Bug Fixes

  • Double-clicking an ACO file created with xScope is now imported by Photoshop correctly
  • CSS hsl() output now uses the correct colorspace (not HSB)
  • Fixed a crash when saving large Acorn files

xScope 3.2

May 2012

New Features

  • Added support for CSS hsl() colors in the Loupe
  • Acorn image files can now be used with the Mirror tool

Improvements

  • Added Dribbble preset in Screens preferences for quick screenshots

Bug Fixes

  • SmartTools application names are no longer editable
  • Bringing xScope to the front is automatically disabled when SmartTools are enabled

xScope 3.1.1

March 2012

Improvements

  • Adobe safe and center-cut areas added to the 16:9 section in the Screens tool

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug that caused the Ruler to report incorrect measurements when using Universal Access’ screen zooming feature
  • Fixed a bug that prevented xScope from becoming the frontmost app on launch

xScope Mirror 1.2.1

March 2012

New Features

  • Graphics updated for new Retina devices

Improvements

  • App now returns to the server list screen when disconnected from a device

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug that caused the lock state in the Mirror to turn off when a new or updated image was sent to the app

xScope 3.1

February 2012

New Features

  • The Mirror tool can now also display files and clipboard contents
    • Makes it easy to preview and test images by dragging them onto the Dock icon
    • Helps while working with large Retina graphics on a small screen
  • Guides now have a preference setting to place controls on any screen edge

Improvements

  • Updated help to explain new Mirror gestures and functionality

Bug Fixes

  • The Mirror confirmation dialog no longer gets trapped behind other tool windows
  • Ruler position indicators are no longer off by one pixel with Wacom tablets
  • Top-to-bottom display arrangements work correctly when mirroring the desktop

xScope Mirror 1.2

February 2012

New Features

  • The image preview can be scaled 1:2, 1:1 or 2:1
    • Makes it easy to test Retina comps on non-Retina devices (and vice versa)
    • Use the button on the control panel, double tap, or pinch to zoom
  • Images now snap to the edge of the screen while dragging
  • The image can be saved in Photos, on the clipboard or emailed for sharing or later viewing

Improvements

  • The list of computers is displayed with oldest first: easier to track when many users are using xScope
  • Tap and hold to display control panel while locked (improves usability testing)

Bug Fixes

  • Images with transparency are now handled correctly

xScope 3.0.1

January 2012

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed layout problems with the in-app Help
  • Fixed a Loupe bug preventing colors from being pasted into apps like Photoshop and BBEdit
  • Fixed a Crosshair bug that prevented the y origin from being re-centered
  • Fixed a crash in the Loupe when using Japanese input methods
  • Fixed a bug that prevented xScope from checking for updates on first run

xScope Mirror 1.1

January 2012

Improvements

  • Improved scanning of Wi-Fi network for xScope desktop application

xScope 3.0

January 2012

General

  • Modern Interface – Re-designed for increased usability and a fresh new look
  • SmartTools – Turns tools on or off depending on what apps you’re using
  • Optimized code base – Launches faster, greatly improved performance
  • Screen Awareness – Self aware tools to keep them from staying off screen
  • Custom Toolbar – Change the size of xScope’s toolbar to fit your workspace
  • Space-Saving Menubar – Display individual menubar tools as a single item

Mirror new

  • Requires the xScope Mirror App for IOS – http://xScopeApp.com/ios
  • Remote Viewing – View any Mac window on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
  • Pin & Lock – Move the Mac window anywhere & it always has focus on iOS
  • Chromeless UI – No overlaid chrome to get in the way while you work
  • Multiple iOS devices can connect and view the same window on a single Mac

Dimensions

  • Pattern Recognition – Measures properly on patterned or noisy backgrounds
  • Screen Capture – ⇧⌘7 screencaps the current measurement
  • Improved performance when measuring photographs

Rulers

  • Edge Snapping – Holding control key while dragging now snaps to edges
  • Increased Readability – Redesigned to provide increased usability

Screens

  • Platform Sizes – Organized by platforms: iOS, Android, Mac, Win & TV
  • Updated Resolutions – New resolutions including latest Mac and iOS models
  • Edge Snapping – Holding control key while dragging now snaps to edges
  • Vision Simulation – Simulate vision defects like color blindness & presbyopia
  • Ability to snap screenshots from Screens
  • Collapsable sidebar for compact display

Loupe

  • Color Palette – Collect your favorite color swatches with ⇧⌘C
  • Import/Export Colors – Save out or import .ACO color swatch files
  • Color Formats – Cycle through color formats to fit your project’s needs
  • Intelligent Gridlines – Auto adjusts color of grid & centerlines for visibility
  • Magnify Modes – Under the cursor or what’s directly under the Loupe
  • Vision Simulation – Simulate vision defects like color blindness & presbyopia
  • Added CSS3 rgb() and HTML names for displayed colors
  • Collapsable sidebar for compact display
  • Zooms up to 1600%

Guides

  • Per Screen Control – Show guides on the left, right or both displays
  • Simple Interface Mode – Hide guide handles when in the background
  • Automatic adjustment of measurements so they stay visible at screen edges
  • Undo (⌘Z) for closed guides

Frames

  • Edge Snapping – Holding control key while dragging now snaps to edges
  • Per Screen Control – Show frames on the left, right or both displays
  • Simple Interface Mode – Hide frame controls when in the background
  • Shrink Mode – ⇧⌘5 to shrink a selection and create a frame
  • Undo (⌘Z) for closed frames

Crosshair

  • Design or Develop Mode – Change origin from the upper-left to lower-left

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug on Leopard that displayed junk pixels when the Loupe was at the screen's right edge
  • Fixed a bug creating new guides and frames when the menubar wasn't on the selected display
  • Using Ctrl+Wheel or ⌥⌘= to zoom no longer causes incorrect Dimensions and Loupe readings
  • Windows no longer become unresponsive after changing (adding or removing) screen configs
  • Turning off all menubar icons no longer leaves a gap if there is an item to the left of xScope
  • Fixed a bug that caused the toolbar to reset to the default position on multiple-monitor configs
  • New frames are now centered on the main display of multiple screens
  • Frames screenshots are no longer offset to the right if taken on a Mac with a 3 monitor setup
  • Fixed a bug where measuring the screen with Dimensions was 1 pixel off
  • Fixed a potential problem when using the crosshair on multiple screens
  • Fixed a problem that caused guides to shift on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
  • Toolbar can join all spaces (appears in all Mission Control screens) in Lion

xScope 2.5.1

August 2011

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed bugs and potential crashes associated with Lion

xScope 2.5

July 2011

Improvements

  • Fixed problems with windows moving with Expose and Spaces
  • Fixed a potential crash when using the Loupe
  • Fixed problem that caused Dimensions to stop updating
  • Dimensions and Loupe now work correctly on Lion
  • Screenshots now work correctly on Lion

xScope 2.2.2

December 2009

Improvements

  • Fixed a problem with hex color value in Loupe not updating correctly

xScope 2.2.1

December 2009

Improvements

  • Compatibility fixes for Snow Leopard
  • Loupe updated to use the correct color profile for display
  • Images exported to files and clipboard now include a color profile

xScope 2.2

May 2009

New Features

  • Global hotkey to copy the color under the Loupe to the clipboard
  • General pref to add screen captures to the clipboard for pasting
  • Dimensions tool preference to display aspect ratios
  • Setting to make aspect ratios in Frames always visible
  • Info icon added to Frames to copy width/height to the clipboard
  • System hotkey to "Create guides from Dimensions measurement"
  • YCbCr values in Loupe in addition to HSB values (click to toggle)
  • Loupe has prefs for CGColorCreateGenericRGB() and UIColor formats

Improvements

  • Color of screens content rectangle can now be customized
  • Color of gridlines in the Loupe can now be customized
  • Function keys F17 to F19 can now be used as hotkeys
  • Screens now has sizes for Firefox 3 and IE 8

xScope 2.1

April 2008

New Features

  • Toolbar can be displayed vertically
  • Active tools are highlighted in the toolbar
  • Shift-Control-Arrow key can be used to resize Rulers and Frames
  • Screens now show content area size along with screen size

Improvements

  • Guides now work correctly with multiple monitor configurations
  • Fixed problems with screenshots in multiple monitors configurations
  • Laser beam measurements on upper & right screen edges no longer cut off
  • Fixed labeling of Windows Mobile screen resolution
  • Improved wording in registration dialogs
  • Fixed positioning of open file dialogs in preferences
  • Updated tooltips for toolbar buttons
  • Minor bug fixes and other improvements

xScope 2.0

January 2008

New Features

  • New Dimensions tool to quickly measure the size of on screen elements
  • Beam mode to measure between elements; Shrink mode to "lasso" elements
  • Current dimensions measurement can be highlighted
  • Screens now support mobile devices like iPhone and Window Mobile
  • Screen sizes editable and updated for latest browsers
  • Loupe now provides quick pixel measurements
  • Distance between Guides is now displayed
  • Gutters can now be created with Guide wizard
  • Added composition and layout grids to each Frame
  • The Crosshair transparency can be adjusted
  • New global hotkey to bring xScope to the front
  • Added sound effects as feedback when using the tools
  • Screen captures added to several of the tools
  • Integrated tool help into the application

Improvements

  • Toolbar improvements including a new look
  • Rulers can shrink down to 9 pixels
  • Rulers can be nudged with arrow keys and the shift key
  • Improved interface for selecting Screen sizes and browsers
  • The Loupe window can be made much smaller
  • Guides created with the wizard are now linked as a group
  • Guides can be nudged and snapped with arrow keys and the shift key
  • Frames can be nudged and snapped with arrow keys and the shift key
  • Several fixes for issues caused by switching screen resolution
  • Many controls were made larger and easier to read
  • Minor bug fixes and other improvements

xScope 1.5

March 2006

New Features

  • xScope is now a Universal binary for native performance on Intel Macs
  • Frames can now be linked and moved simultaneously
  • Horizontal and vertical guides can now be linked and moved simultaneously
  • Frames can now be resized by dragging on the width or height indicator
  • Added calipers to the Ruler making certain measurements easier
  • Added a menu option to reset the Ruler to its default position and size
  • When the Loupe is locked, the arrow keys can be used to nudge its position

Improvements

  • Rulers can be extended to a maximum size of 2400 pixels
  • Rulers now snap to 5 pixel increments when the shift key is held down
  • Added command keys to adjust Ruler length
  • Guides and Frames can now be nudged with the arrow keys when selected
  • Added an indicator to Frames when using a constrained ratio
  • Added an option to copy the Loupe color as an NSColor definition
  • Added a preference to copy HTML color strings using lowercase letters
  • Fixed a bug / crash with the Loupe being offset on a second screen
  • The Loupe now displays the Hue in degrees, not as percentage
  • The bottom line of the screen is now magnified with the Loupe
  • The Loupe no longer shows the Crosshair color when both tools are selected
  • Added sound feedback when copying from the Loupe to the clipboard
  • Fixed a bug where the vertical Crosshair indicator was off by one pixel
  • Minor bug fixes and improvements

xScope 1.1

May 2005

  • Ruler will now go smaller than 240 pixels
  • A cursor position indicator has been added to the Ruler
  • When using Exposé, the tools now remain on-screen
  • The position and rotation of the Ruler can be nudged
  • Added aspect ratios to Frames (1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and the Golden Section)
  • Holding down the command key drags all Guides or Frames at once
  • Changed the display of coordinates and other items to increase readability
  • Fixed bugs with the Ruler and Guides on a second monitor
  • Fixed a display bug with the Ruler on Tiger

xScope 1.0.1

January 2004

  • Increased readability for several tools against light backgrounds
  • Increased readability for Ruler tick marks against dark backgrounds
  • Locking the Loupe no longer displays a shadow on the indicator box
  • Loupe preference to copy HTML colors with or without a leading hash (#)
  • Fixed a bug causing Rulers to display incorrectly when rotated with deltas
  • xScope now remembers if the toolbar was closed or not at startup
  • The preference toolbar now highlights the selected pane (Panther only)
  • Fixed a bug that caused the “Unregistered” text to appear in text copied from the Loupe