SilkTest User's Guide: Bitmap Tool - Introduction to the Windows Bitmap Tool

<< Using the Windows Bitmap Tool | Bitmap Tool - Bitmap Tool menus >>

Bitmap Tool - Introduction to the Windows Bitmap Tool

<< Using the Windows Bitmap Tool | Bitmap Tool - Bitmap Tool menus >>

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User's Guide

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Introduction to the Windows Bitmap Tool

the Windows Bitmap Tool, where you can compare them using the tool's
special comparison features. Conversely, bitmaps captured by the bitmap tool
can be compared by SilkTest's bitmap functions.

When to use the
Windows Bitmap Tool

You might want to use the Windows Bitmap Tool in these particular
situations:

To compare a baseline bitmap against a bitmap generated during testing

To compare two bitmaps from a failed test

For example, suppose during your first round of testing you create a bitmap
using one of SilkTest's built-in bitmap functions, CaptureBitmap. Assume
that a second round of testing generates another bitmap, which your test
script compares to the first. If the testcase fails, SilkTest raises an exception
but cannot specifically identify for you the ways in which the two images
differ. At this point you can open the Windows Bitmap Tool from the results
file to inspect both bitmaps.

Features for
comparing bitmaps

The Windows Bitmap Tool can create and graphically locate the differences
between two bitmaps. You can use all Windows functionality to resize, save,
and otherwise manipulate bitmaps, in addition to the special comparison
features included in the tool. Using Windows Bitmap Tool, you can

Show the areas of difference

Zoom in on the differences

Jump from one zoomed difference to the next

View on-line statistics about the bitmaps

Edit (copy and paste), print, and save bitmaps

Create masks

Masks are screen images that are used to exclude bitmap differences or any
part of a bitmap from comparison by the bitmap tool. You might consider
masking any differences that you decide are insignificant or that you know
will vary in an effort to avoid testcase failure. For example, suppose a testcase
fails because one bitmap includes a flashing area of a dialog. In the bitmap
tool you can block the flashing area from the two bitmaps by creating and
applying a mask to them. Once a mask is applied and the masked bitmaps are
saved, the mask becomes a permanent part of the baseline bitmaps you are
comparing. Masks can also be saved in separate files and used in SilkTest
testcases.