Regression testing software can help you make the manual regression testing process automated. It can save a lot of time and effort. But what is regression testing software? What should you look for when you are deciding on the regression testing tool of your choice?...
Snapshot files
A Ranorex snapshot is a file representation of the user interface (UI) structure of an AUT at a particular point in time. A Ranorex snapshot captures all interface elements, their hierarchy, values, etc.
Snapshot files are created viewed in Ranorex Spy. Their file extension is .rxsnp
.
Typically, snapshot files are used to share detailed information about the UI of an application with the Ranorex support or technical sales team. They are also helpful when asking for technical help on our forums.
Screencast
Create a standard snapshot file
Standard snapshot files capture a UI that contains no hidden UI elements like menus, menu items, context menus, tool tips, etc. Creating a snapshot of a UI that contains these elements is explained in the next topic below.
To create a standard snapshot file:
Start your AUT (e.g. the Ranorex Studio Demo Application).
Start Ranorex Spy.
Name the file and specify where it should be saved.
Click Save to start snapshot file creation.
Note
%USERPROFILE%\RanorexSnapshots
.Note
Further reading
Ranorex Studio system details > Settings & configurations > ⇢ Advanced settings & configurations.
Create a snapshot of hidden UI elements
Some UI elements, such as drop-down menus, pop-up windows, combo boxes etc., only become visible after a an interaction like a click and usually disappear if the AUT loses focus. These elements are “hidden” and therefore not automatically included in a snapshot file. This is because they appear as separate items in Ranorex Spy at the top level of the element tree. Capturing these elements in a snapshot file requires use of the instant tracking function.
Further reading
Ranorex Studio advanced > Tracking UI elements > ⇢ Instant tracking.
An alternative method is explained in
Ranorex Studio advanced > Tracking UI elements > ⇢ Track button.
Start your AUT and navigate to where the hidden UI element you want to track appears (e.g. in the Test database tab of the Demo Application).
Start Ranorex Spy.
With the UI element in focus, press Ctrl+WIN.
The tracked UI element appears in the element tree in Spy.
Warning that the snapshot file may be incomplete. This usually happens when you try to create a snapshot of hidden UI elements without using Scroll.
Save the snapshot file
Finally, you need to save the Scroll-created snapshot from the working memory to permanent storage.
In the element tree toolbar, click the Save as snapshot… button.
Name the file, specify where it should be saved, and click Save.
Load a snapshot file
You can also load snapshot files in Ranorex Spy.
To do so:
Start Ranorex Spy and in the element tree toolbar, click the Load from snapshot… button.
Browse to the snapshot file you want to open.
Click Open.
Loading a snapshot – part I
Choose folder and saved snapshot file
Click Open
Note
%USERPROFILE%\RanorexSnapshots
.