Image-based Testing Basics

In GUI test automation, there are different approaches to identifying UI elements. Ranorex Studio primarily uses an object-oriented approach, where it identifies UI elements based on their underlying UI technology. When this approach can’t reliably identify an element, you can switch to image-based testing, which interacts with UI elements based on pixel recognition.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• When image-based testing is a good fit (and when it isn’t)
• How to enable image-based recording in the Recorder
• A practical example showing how false positives can happen with object-oriented identification—and why image-based actions can help

The best way to use image-based testing in Ranorex Studio is through the Recorder. There, you can enable and disable image-based testing while you’re recording. This way, you can combine object-oriented and image-based approaches in a single recording if required.

Attention: If you want to use image-based testing, ensure the setting Asynchronous dispatching of mouse and keyboard events is enabled. In most cases, disabling it can cause errors in image-based testing. Enable the setting in Ranorex Studio under Settings > Advanced.

To enable image-based recording:

1. Start recording as usual.
2. Click the Image-based recording switch to turn it on.
   

To enable hotkeys:

1. While recording, enable hotkeys.
   
2. Press I to toggle image-based recording.

Image-based testing is useful when the object-oriented approach can’t produce satisfactory results.