Camtasia is a software used to create, edit, publish, and record audio and video. This software is compatible with both Windows and Mac interfaces. You have the ability to create videos with the recording feature and edit your work by cutting, trimming, and adding effects. You can also upload videos and edit or combine audio and video.
If you wish to use this software you must meet with Vinny Basile or Jennifer Weingarten. We will show you how this software works and then give you access to it.
Preparations
Prioritize
Preparing to create your screencast is one of the most important steps.
When prioritizing your screencast remember the following procedural order:
- What needs to happen first?
- What needs to happen next?
- What needs to happen after that in order to reach a specific goal?
The following are important points to consider:
- Be thorough but organized with your recording
- Have a clear start and a clear order
- Have a specific goal
- Marketing spots: how is it going to improve the person's life?
Blueprint:
- Brief: a small collection of video prints
- Narration Script
- Storyboard
- Audio Narration
- Initial video draft
- Final video draft
Writing a Script
It is highly recommended to write a script before you start recording, this allows you to write out what you want to say during the recording. It will also help you know where you are in the recording and where you want to go next. In your script you should have what you are going to say along with what you are going to do on the screen and what button you are going to click, etc.
To create a script, it is best to use Word, later on in your captioning this script can be used for more effective time management. You can also enter your script into the Voice Narration section of Camtasia, this is covered in the documentation with more detail.
Things to remember:
- Simplicity is key
- Bold commands and actions
- Use bullet points
- Lay out in the text what you're doing and using
- At the end give a "call to action" (ex. "Watch our next tutorial") and give them a button for ease
- Before you start recording you must make sure all audio and video are working properly. You can test your audio levels in the Camtasia recording window.
- You should know how you are going to record, on what device and with what equipment. For example, are you going to use a headset to record? Does your computer have a microphone? Are you in an environment that doesn't have a lot of background noise?
Record a Video
Recording Preparation
Before you start recording your screen you want to properly prepare for your screen recording.
Start by making sure the computer environment is clean. This means closing any excess windows and tabs, making sure your color scheme is basic, your font is easy to read, and get rid of desktop clutter like icons.
On your webpage, make sure book marks are hidden for easier visuals. If you are using tools make sure they are minimized for use. Recorder captures all kinds of information:
- Screencast footage
- Audio narration
- System audio
- Camera video
- Keystrokes
- Mouse activity
- Cursor information
- Markers
Recording
- Start by opening the Camtasia program on your machine, it will be a green symbol with the letter "C".
- When the Camtasia window displays click “New Recording”.
- In the recording window you have a few options, described below:
Select area: this allows you to choose the portion of your screen you want recorded. A dotted box will display around the portion of the screen that will be recorded. You can either change which screen, if you have multiple or you can change the size to the portion you want recorded.
Recorded Inputs: select the camera option if you want to enable web cam recording and the audio button to enable audio recording.
- To the right will be a scale of the audio levels, when you speak if the scale moves then you are all set. If not, you will need to adjust your audio settings on your machine or recording device. To adjust your settings, click the arrow icon next to the Audio function.
- When you are ready to record click the “Record” button. Camtasia will countdown from 3 and then start recording your screen. If you do not want Camtasia to countdown you can do the following:
- Open Camtasia and select "New Recording"
- In the recording box select “Tools” at the top toolbar
- Select “Options”
- Click the “Program” tab, then check or uncheck “Show countdown before recording”
To stop recorded press F10 key on your keyboard or click the Camtasia icon at the bottom of your screen and click the “Stop” button. In the recording window you can choose “Delete” to try the recording again, pause, or stop. After clicking stop the recording will automatically open in Camtasia Editor.
Recording Audio and Narration
You can choose to record your screen and then after record the audio to correspond with your screen recording. After you have finished recording your screen you will want to open the recording in Camtasia Editor. In the right panel select "Voice Narration". Here you can check your microphone levels to make sure it is properly working. When editing a recorded video, it is good to check the "Mute Timeline during recording" box.
Locate the script you created in Word and copy and paste it into the Voice Narration section, make sure to move new sentences to new lines.
Consider the following when you click "Start Recording Voice":
- It is better to use a track pad if you can, rather than a mouse for sake of noise
- When you select "Stop" it has you save your work. By default, it will save in a Camtasia folder, make sure you save it somewhere that works for you. It is recommended to save your work to your OneDrive.
- Audio files will be added to the Timeline in Camtasia Editor
- You can play the recording back and make edits to the recording
- When recording or editing your content make sure to save your work regularly
For more documentation on Camtasia Editor and to learn how to share your recordings, visit our Faculty Documentation in Moodle. https://moodle.cobleskill.edu/course/view.php?id=15036§ion=21#tabs-tree-start