SnapCounter (new version)

[Whiterook]

The designer of SnapHex rolled out a new and improved wargame counter making Internet App, naming it SnapCounter. This app gives you a superb counter making Editor that has wide applications.

NOTE: This new counter making editor is much more advanced than the older version and I only became aware of it today, so I’ve not had any time to really explore it, and I can tell already that you really have to use a desktop/laptop to get the most out of it (a few things I tried would not work with my iPad). Whereas the old version seems to me, easier to use, the new version offers way more capabilities and features… however, I suspect there are some that want the dumbed-down version so, I’ll leave the other thread on the old editor active.

For an idea of what this looks like, here’s the beginnings of a WWII Russian T-34 counter…



If you looked at the older editor thread, you will see right away that this is the Starship Enterprise level, versus Apollo 12!

For a better idea of what is possible, here’s a counter the program designer made…



Both editors do a great job, but the older version just lacks all the bells and whistles to truly make an outstanding editor. And once again, it is free to use! The older versions’ thread is worth a gander for the background information on such things as what database this runs on, so I won’t belabor it here.

[Whiterook]

What’s nice on this new and updated Internet app version is, it does have a Help section! …there’s not a lot in there, but it gives you an idea of how the editor works. I’ll let you open the app and click Help to view the whole enchilada, but as a highlight, here’s the roadmap…



The Menu —
Is where you create and build up Layers from the base default blank, to adding in all the elements available that you wish on to appear on your counter design (i.e., vehicle silhouette, NATO symbol, combat factor, movement factor, unit size, etc.). These Menu options are expandable, so click on the one that you want to creat an element for and all the options for adjusting things will open up. That blue/gray editor area you see above is what he calls the “Counter Design” area… in the real world, that’s the Editor. As you work your way down the Menu, adding elements to the counter, those elements added are each, a Layer. How that works is, in my Russian T-34 counter example in the previous post, the T-34 silhouette is its own Layer; if I add a unit size, like a Division designator of “XX”, that would be another layer; an added Combat Factor yet another layer. All of these can be solid color, or you can lighten them in reducing Opacity, so theoretically, a Russian Star could be layered beneath the other layers so that it looks like it’s in the background, painted on the surface of your counter! All the layer (except the default base Layer) can me moved with the Hamburger Icon in the menu to the right of the Layer name. An important point to remember is that as you create you layers (like adding a vehicle silhouette), it won’t show up on your counter (the Editor area) until you click the little round button to the left of the Layer name!

The App Options —
These two Options (Server and Client) give you drop down where you can select app-level options, such as restoring the app to default settings, view what specific counters and sheets you’ve designed, and backing up and restoring the app states.

Counter Design Controls/Operations —
These sliders that let you show a grid on the Editor (your counter) and grid color, which some may want to use for precise placement of elements; and buttons that let you Save your counter, Load a counter from your files, Move your finished counter to the sheet at the bottom of the app, and Clear the Editor (counter).

The Sheet Display —
This is the part of the app, at the bottom, that allows you yo populate all your created counters as you make them, onto the Sheet so you can save and or print them. This is basically, a “Counters Layout”, in the form of a standard A4 printer page.

• The Sheet Controls allow you to perform many functions, such as: How many counters you want on the print out, number of columns and rows; what size you want your counter to be; counter margins and page margins.
  
• The Sheet Operations has options for how to: Save your work (i.e., in app, files, exporting); Load work from the app or your files; and Cutting Edge, which helps in when you go to cut your sheets in making physical counters.

For instructions on how to Print your counters, the Help Guide offers this…



And basic instructions of Designing your counter…



All in all, good information. I’ll be trying this app out in the days and weeks to come.