Microsoft ZoomIt is an excellent Windows utility that lets you draw or write free-hand on the desktop screen in various colors. [see screenshot above]
But it's more than just another screen annotation tool - you can pan like an on-screen camera or magnify any area of the desktop using either the mouse wheel or the arrow keys.
It might take a minute to get used to the ZoomIt Options and hotkeys but once you master that, it's fun all the way. [related reading: Convert a Laptop into a Tablet PC]
Try this sequence - Ctrl+1 (to zoom the screen), Ctrl+2 (to change the mouse into a screen pen), "r" to change to red ink (b for blue, g for green, y for yellow) and finally move the mouse pointer across the screen and see the magic.
ZoomIt works on all versions of Windows. There's an option to change the nib size of the pen as well. Unfortunately, you cannot directly save your creative screen drawings but the Print Screen key can help. And there's no eraser.
Download ZoomIt | Homepage
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/01/turn-mouse-into-screen-pen-with.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
I just downloaded the file from Microsoft. It was fun to work with. It would be better if you put the Microsoft link in your blog.
Written on 11/1/07 9:46 AM
"And there's no eraser"
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The tool has got a eraser. Press E when you are in the drawing mode.
Written on 11/1/07 12:04 PM
yes there is erase option..press E to do it...
Written on 12/1/07 9:59 PM
tried it and it works nice
Written on 15/1/07 2:34 AM
very good!
Written on 20/3/07 11:27 PM
It's a good tool. Can also as a presenation instead of Laser Point.
Written on 12/7/07 5:26 PM