Using Camtasia Recorder

When creating a video, it is important to consider what needs to be accomplished and how the final video will be distributed. For information about minimizing file sizes and enhancing video quality visit the Items to Consider before Recording Videos page.

Once it is decided what the video is to show, it is recommended that a script be created to aid in the recording process. Scripting helps organize the material and puts it in a format that is easily read and followed during the recording process.

Steps in Creating a Video Recording

1. The first step in producing a video is to start all applications that will be used in the presentation and adjust the windows until they are the desired size or the desired window is displayed. Be sure that the desired material is open in the applications and then proceed to the recording process.
2. Start Camtasia Studio by clicking on the desktop shortcut or through the Start menu. The Camtasia Studio main window shown below opens:



3. To begin recording, click on the Record the screen option located in the task list on the left-hand side of the window. The New Recording Wizard dialog box shown below opens:

   

   Choose from options to record the whole screen, a specific window, or a selected region of the screen by clicking on the desired radio button. Click Next to go to the next step in the wizard.
4. The Select Screen Region (left below) or Select Window Dialog (right below) box opens if these options were chosen on the previous step. Otherwise, continue to step 4. Click on the Select Region or Select Window button. Then select the region to record by clicking and dragging to select a region, or by simply clicking on the desired window for the select window option. Click next to continue.



5. The next step is to select the input devices. Select the record audio option. If you want to record a camera select the Record Camera Option. This option can be used to capture video from a webcam connected to your computer.



6. The final window in the recording wizard opens as shown on the left below. In the Performance Options box select the option “Disable display acceleration during capture”. There are options to play the video after save and edit the video after save. Click on Finish and the recorder dialog box shown on the right opens.

   

   Click on the effects menu to show options that will enhance the video being recorded. As seen in the image below options can be selected to highlight selected menus and windows using the annotation options. Audio sound effects to highlight mouse clicks and keyboard entries may be selected using the audio options. Options under the cursor effects include the ability to hide the cursor or to highlight cursor clicks or the cursor itself. Zoom and pan effects give the ability to zoom in and out during the video capture. These features are activated using key strokes which must be defined prior to beginning recording. This is accomplished by opening the tools menu and selecting options. A dialog box will open. Choose the hotkeys tab, and then define the keys to be used for the zoom and pan features.



Be sure the microphone is ready. To begin recording click on the record button in the dialog box or Press F9. Record the desired screen activity. To stop the recording, click on the stop button in the Recorder dialog box or press F10. The Camtasia Recorder Preview box opens as shown below. Click on the Save button located in the lower right hand corner of the window. The Save Recording dialog box opens. Enter the file name and location where the file should be saved. Also, be sure that the Save as type box shows that the .avi file type is selected. Camtasia Studio window will reopen after the file is saved, and depending on the options you chose in the final step of the Wizard, a window will open and the video will be played.

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