PixelWindow: On screen ruler to measure pixels
If you're a graphic designer and need to regularly measure the pixel size of logos, photos, and other images, PixelWindow is a simple and lightweight application that can help. Developed by Christian Cantrell, this free Adobe Air tool creates a transparent window that acts as a pixel ruler, allowing you to measure objects on your screen. With its real-time width and height calculations, you can easily drag and resize the window to measure anything you want. However, it's important to note that PixelWindow is only useful when CMD-click on an image is not possible.
PixelWindow offers several useful features. It allows you to drag-and-measure, making it easy to accurately measure objects. The opacity of the window pane can be adjusted, allowing you to see what's behind the ruler. Additionally, you can have multiple instances of PixelWindow open, enabling you to measure several objects simultaneously.
While PixelWindow is a handy tool for measuring pixels, it does have some limitations. It can only measure in pixels, which may not be suitable for everyone's needs. For extremely small images, there is no magnifying glass feature to help with more accurate measurements. However, PixelWindow does display the pixel count in a pop-up window in the top left corner for better visibility.
Overall, PixelWindow is a straightforward and accessible tool for graphic designers who frequently need to measure pixel sizes. While it may not be as comprehensive as other methods like CMD-click, it serves as a useful alternative when that option is not available.