yaRuler

Creating visual design elements and web pages doesn’t just mean writing different lines of code or assembling various fixed elements together. Everything needs to be properly aligned to make a proper impression, and if the design application you’re using doesn’t help maybe yaRuler can by letting you use multiple desktop rulers for accurate measuring.

First of all, you’re skipped all the trouble of going through a setup process, and can thus take the application for a spin as soon as the download is done. Just make sure that .NET Framework is on your PC, because it’s a required component for functionality, even though it’s probably there if you’re running a modern Windows iteration.

On the bright side of things, you can run multiple instances of the application to create a desktop layout to accurately measure elements of interest. This comes in handy especially because a ruler’s orientation can be set to either horizontal or vertical, and every instance can be tweaked independently.

Orientation is only one customization aspect. In case the default size isn’t enough, a dedicated button can be dragged to increase the length of a ruler. Measurement units are only shown in pixels though, with no option to change this.

Every instance of the application you run creates its own tray icon to which you can minimize them for desktop adjustments. Note that rulers always stay on top of other windows, which might be a little frustrating. However, there is the possibility to set transparency of a ruler between 20 and 100 percent to be able to view background elements.

Designing visual elements for desktop applications and web pages needs to be done with great accuracy for a proper impression. yaRuler is a basic tool you can use in this regard, but it’s a little rough around the edges overall, with no option to change measurement units, nor snap to screen edges.