Need to record your screen content to give a presentation or demonstrate a product? Camtasia is one of the options, which will allow you to shoot your screen and edit the final video. You can then upload this video to a variety of streaming sites or share it yourself.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Install Camtasia
Step 1. Download the Camtasia program
You can use Camtasia free for 30 days. After the trial period, you must purchase Camtasia in order to continue using it. You can download Camtasia from the TechSmith site.
Step 2. Run the installer
During installation, you must read and accept the acceptance license. You will also be prompted to enter your license key or install the program as a trial. If you have your key, type it or copy it into the field and then enter your name.
- When you purchase Camtasia, your license key will be emailed to you. Don't forget to check your spam folder if you can't find the email in your inbox.
- Camtasia will try to validate your license during the installation process, so make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
Step 3. Choose additional installations
After entering your key, you will be prompted to choose the Camtasia destination location. Most users can choose the default location. You will also have the option of installing PowerPoint Add in, which will allow you to insert Camtasia recordings into your PowerPoint presentations.
Part 2 of 6: prepare to record
Step 1. Clear your office
If you are recording in full screen mode, you don't have to worry about this, but if you are doing tutorials that have multiple windows, make sure your desktop doesn't have distracting stuff.
- Get rid of all the icons on your desktop. Put them in a folder or move them to another monitor. You can bring them back to your desktop after you finish recording.
- Close all windows that have nothing to do with the recording. Make sure that all chat windows, emails, browsers, and more that are not related to recording are closed and do not attract attention.
- Replace your wallpaper with a neutral image. If you have a colorful wallpaper or an image of your family as a wallpaper, change the current image to a neutral image.
Step 2. Write a script or summary
Write a basic summary of your presentation indicating when to change windows and important tips to remember. So you are sure to provide all the information
- When writing the script, play the presentation to make sure everything is going well.
- Some people don't need scripts, some do. Familiarize yourself with the process and do what best combines with the style of your presentation.
Step 3. Connect a good microphone
Those who see the video will understand your presentation better if you also present it in audio. To record good quality audio, you need a good microphone that connects to your computer via USB.
- Take into account the acoustic environment of the video. A large room with blank walls will create a sound of echoes. Background noise can distract the viewer.
- You can also use a webcam to film your face during the presentation.
Part 3 of 6: record a first presentation
Step 1. Open Camtasia
When you start Camtasia for the first time, you will be taken to the edit window. There you will find most of the Camtasia program. You will use the editor to start recording the video and erase it afterwards, as soon as you are done.
Step 2. Click the Record Screen button
This button is located in the lower left corner of the Camtasia window. By clicking on the button, the Camtasia editor window will be minimized and a control panel will open for you to start recording.
Step 3. Choose the part you want to record
If you are working with multiple windows, it would be best to film the entire screen. Full screen recording is enabled by default.
- You can create a custom recording area by clicking on Personalize.
- A dotted line will appear around the area that will be recorded.
Step 4. Select the input of audio and video
If you want to use your webcam, activate it by clicking on the button Webcam. If you have more than one microphone connected to your computer, click the downward pointing arrow next to the Audio button to select the one you want to use.
- Use the menu Audio to turn system sounds on or off. If enabled, alerts and beeps will be recorded in the presentation.
Step 5. Test the audio input
If you are using a microphone, speak into it before you start recording, to see the level that appears at the bottom of the volume bar. Adjust the volume input so that it is in the middle of the volume bar.
Step 6. Open the windows you want to use
Before you start recording, open any windows you need to access during the presentation. This will save you from having to fumble around to find the window you need.
Step 7. Start recording
Breathe deeply and press the button REC or the shortcut F9. A countdown will appear on the screen. Once it disappears, everything you said and did on the screen will be recorded.
Speak softly and clearly, and don't rush through the steps
Step 8. Complete your registration
When you have finished presenting, press the key. F10 to stop recording. You can also do it in the taskbar, but this action will be recorded and you will have to delete it afterwards.
- After saving, a preview of your presentation will appear. Watch it to see if everything is correct then press the button Save and edit.
- Give your presentation a name you will remember. Consider creating a new folder if the presentation has multiple files.
Part 4 of 6: change the presentation
Step 1. Open your presentation in the Camtasia editor
If you have just finished and watched the presentation, saving it, it will automatically open in the editor. In the editor, you will make the changes by removing the parts that are not needed and adding transitions.
Step 2. Choose the dimensions of your video
Before you start editing, you'll be prompted to choose the dimensions for your final video. You can choose presets from the drop-down menu. These presets are labeled according to the functions for which they are intended.
- Try using one of these automatic dimensions. They are based on the original dimensions of your recording and are resized to keep the original proportions. Choosing one of these options will prevent the image from being compressed or enlarged.
- You can change the dimensions at any time by clicking the Dimensions button above the preview panel.
Step 3. Cut out the parts of the audio or video that you don't want to appear in the recording
There may be small errors in the presentation. Fortunately, it is easy to erase these errors with just a few clicks. Note: If the audio and video are on different tracks, deleting part of one track will not remove it from the other track.
- Use the timeline to find exactly the part you want to cut. Click on the magnifying glass to zoom in for more precise control.
- Click and drag the red tab above the timeline. Drag the red tab to the end of the section you want to cut.
- Press the key Space to replay just the part you selected.
- Click on the button To cut (the scissors icon) above the timeline to remove the selection.
Step 4. Check if the “SmartFocus” has been applied correctly
If you have reduced the dimensions of your video, Camtasia will apply the SmartFocus effect to zoom and pan around the image to focus on the active element. It will try to highlight the cursor and the active window.
- You can see where the SmartFocus effect has been added by looking for the icons on the timeline.
- Click and drag a SmartFocus icon to move the transition moment.
- Click on the SmartFocus icon and then click on the Visual Properties button to change exactly how the transition is made. You can make the panorama slower or faster, zoom more or less pronounced, or remove the transition from SmartFocus entirely.
- You can remove all animations from SmartFocus by right-clicking on any of the icons and selecting Remove all visual animations on the media.
Step 5. Add captions to your presentation
Captions help draw the viewer's attention to important aspects of your presentation. Captions can be texts or symbols. You can also use captions to blur parts of the screen.
- Use the timeline to navigate to the part of the presentation where you want to add a caption.
- Click on the button Legend above the timeline.
- Create your legend. You can use a variety of predefined shapes.
- Click on the button + Add a caption to add it to your presentation.
- Move the caption around the presentation by dragging it into the preview pane. You can adjust the length of the legend from the timeline.
Part 5 of 6: Post and share your presentation
Step 1. Click the Produce and Share button
Once your video is edited and ready to play, it's time to export and share it. Click the Produce and Share button to start sharing.
Step 2. Choose the destination
You can share it on services built into Camtasia such as Screencast.com and YouTube. You can also create a video file yourself or upload it to another site or service and share it.
- When creating a video file, choose the option MP4 only. This will create a file that can be played on any device.
Step 3. Log in to the sharing site or service
If you are uploading to YouTube or Screencast, you will be prompted to enter your login information so that Camtasia can connect to the service and upload the video to your account.
Step 4. Use custom production settings
To create a video in a format other than those provided, click on the option Customize production settings when you finalize your video. You can choose from varieties of formats including WMV, MOV, AVI, and even GIF.
- MP4 is the most widely used universal format for streaming devices and websites.
- Be careful when choosing the resolution for your final video. Increasing the resolution will result in a loss of quality. For example, if you saved with the dimensions 800 x 450, avoid publishing it at 1920 x 1080 resolution.
- Find a balance between size and quality. When you set the options for a video, you will see a slider with the option Small file on the left and High quality on the right. If you move the slider, it will affect the final quality of the video. If you want to share the video with multiple people, you need to consider the file size.
Step 5. Camtasia can produce videos that open with the Camtasia control bar
But you won't be able to upload them to a streaming service, you can use it on your own site or share it using other methods.
Part 6 of 6: Create Great Presentations
Step 1. Practice as much as possible
Try the presentation several times before you start recording. Practice all difficult words as well as complicated transition windows. Make sure everything you need is working fine. Review your script to remove any information that is not needed.
Step 2. Move your mouse slowly and deliberately
While recording your screen, move the mouse slowly and steadily between each task. Try to move the cursor in straight lines. Move the slider slowly so viewers can see where you move and where you click.
- Don't use your mouse to point out things on your screen! It will distract the viewer. Instead, use the Captions feature in Camtasia to add effects that draw viewers' attention to what you want to showcase.
- Don't block what you record with your cursor. Use your mouse to navigate and open what you need and then move the cursor away so it doesn't block viewers from seeing what you're doing.
Step 3. Don't rush
Slow down your presentation so that everyone can follow you. It is obvious that you have mastered the program that you are demonstrating. However, your audience does not understand this, so through your presentation you have to show them how to do it without them having to take breaks from time to time to be able to assimilate.
Step 4. Make the recording in several parts
While doing the presentation, you would find that it is best to break it down into several parts. For example, if you are giving a 30-minute presentation, you can break it down into six sections of 5 minutes each. Not only will it be easier for the audience (if you decide to keep them that way, which you certainly don't have to), but it will also be easy to modify. You can easily attach them at the end.