Production Tips, including Audio

If you record an audio narration while recording the screen, the audio is included in the recorded file (.camrec). When you import the recording into Camtasia and place it on the timeline, it should be visible there when editing and producing an output file. All of this assumes, of course, that you have recorded a valid narration while recording the screen. You can verify this is the case by previewing the file and listening.

Also, the audio file appears as a "waveform" on the timeline when it is present. If audio is present, it can be included in the produced output regardless of the output format you select, including Flash. I have included a brief tutorial below.

1. With the recorded/edited video and audio on the timeline, select the Produce and Share button or select the menu choice File > Produce and Share. The Production Wizard opens.
2. Select Custom production settings and click Next >.
3. Select the recommended output, MP4/FLV/SWF - Flash Outputs and click Next >.
4. Select the Controller, Theme, and File Format. I recommend MP4 for most applications. However, FLV can be used for full motion video, such as that from a camcorder, or SWF can be used for animations and recordings from PowerPoint slides.
5. Set the video size. I recommend using the same dimensions for the output that were used when recording and editing the video. I have discussed this recommendation elsewhere in this blog.
6. Click the Flash Options button. On the Flash Options dialog:
• Video tab. Most of the settings on the Video tab are OK, but if file size is not an issue (for broadband delivery, for instance), increase the settings for better quality: 24 or 30 fps Frame rate and 100 percent for the Quality setting.
• Audio tab. Place a check in the box Encode audio. Why this setting defaults to "off" is beyond me. However, to get audio in the playback, you must set it "on." For most cases, use a Bitrate of 48 or 96 kilobits per second. The higher the better, but file size will increase and there is no advantage if you recorded your audio on a low-quality microphone.
• Controls tab. Here you can set how your player will behave when the video is produced. Note that if you are not using the player that Camtasia builds for you, none of these settings really matter. If you do choose to use the default player, you can set the About box (author and copyright, for example), how time code is displayed on the playbar, color, behavior at the start of the movie (start paused or play automatically), and a loading flash, if you have one. This last item is handy if you want a progress bar to appear. And finally, you can set what happens when the end of the movie is reached.
7. Click OK on the Flash Options dialog.
8. Back on the Production Wizard, click Next >.
9. On the Video Options page, you can set some more appearance options, such as a watermark. If you are using the default Camtasia flash player, leave the checkmark in the Embed video into HTML box. This will produce the required HTML, CSS, and XML files to play the video in a standalone HTML page that Camtasia builds for you.
10. Click Next > and review the output filename and folder options. It may seem obvious to say "remember where you store your files," but it pays to check this location before finishing. Camtasia always defaults to the last folder location used, even it that previous location has nothing to do with your present project.
11. Click Finish and wait for rendering to complete.

The movie will play when finished. If the audio does not play, review your audio production settings again.

Type and Fonts

I recently completed a "lunch and learn" for a client about using fonts for online media. I was talking about using PowerPoint to make effective presentations, but the principles are the same since presentations are normally projected at screen resolution using either a VGA projector or monitor. To summarize the advice, I asserted that sans-serif fonts are best for online use because modern fonts such as Calibri, Helvetica, Verdana, Century Gothic, Tahoma and a whole host of fonts from Adobe that are delivered in their Technical Communications and Creative Suites are designed to be presented and look good (and readable) at lower resolutions. Serif fonts are fine for body type at printer resolutions (say 300 dpi and up), but sans fonts are better for screen resolutions typically below 100 dpi. Traditional wisdom is that serifs, or type "hints," aid in readability, especially in font sets that do not have other distinguishing characteristics for differences such as lower case "L" versus upper case "i." In many sans-serif variations, they look the same. However, modern readers are able to distinguish these differences in context. After all, we are all becoming speed readers, gleaning meaning from a quick scan rather than a leisurely word-by-word interpretation. Such is the case for help systems. Modern help systems use sans-serif fonts for both body and headings. This is a trend based on today's reader preferences. I see no reason to buck that trend. I recommend the font sets I mentioned above, or any like them. They should be crisp and clear, without ornamentation or needless curlicues. They should not look crowded or densely packed in the help topic. Don't use type smaller than 8 points for most typefaces. Distinguish your headings with larger and bolder type, typically set in the CSS and managed by the HAT.

First Classes

I have trained the first group on Camtasia Studio 7 and I confirm the results of their progress with the program is remarkable. The students are able to learn the program quicker and create more professional results. I don't have a benchmark yet, but I believe my students and I will be more productive with the update. A full review to follow...

Two New Topics: Making Editing Easier and Effective Use of Camtasia Theater

In some of my recent project work, I was able to develop some real time-savers. One has to do with an editing technique I discovered that allows me to very accurately synchronize the video and audio on a timeline when audio and video are recorded separately.

The second time-saver is how to create a nested table of contents in Camtasia Studio. If you need these procedures right away, contact me at dbdemyan@personnex.com. And I will post links to the video tutorials when they are complete. (I will probably record these tutorials in CS 7.0. Happy screencasting...)

Camtasia Studio 7.0 Released

Camtasia Studio users rejoice! There is a new version of Camtasia out and it looks like it has some real improvements.

I'll have a few comments about this new release once I get a chance to give it a thorough test drive.

Planning and Goal-Setting

I recently published these four tips on the Camtasia Studio blog, so I thought it would be good to cross-post them here for all to benefit. DBD 22 SEP 2009

1. Plan to make a plan, make a plan, then execute the plan. Did I mention the importance of planning? It does no good at all to create a flawless screencast if it does not serve a purpose. The plan should include audience analysis, purpose of the video (goals), content to be covered, and methods of accomplishing the goals.

2. Amplify the goals identified in #1. Why are you creating a video? Has it already been done? What are you contributing to the existing body of knowledge about the subject? Determine which category your screencast will fall in: motivational or instructional. Create appropriate content to fit your selected category. Don't be tempted to cover both categories at once! Either sell or teach, but do it separately.

3. Determine in detail how you are going to accomplish the goals. Create a storyboard, identifying how every element will support the attainment of your goals. Discard those elements that do not directly support your goals.

4. Identify organizational flaws and correct them at any point before final movie production. Naturally, you will want to accomplish this as early in the process as possible, but be willing to discard an unworkable plan or storyboard at any point in the process and start over, if needed.

Camtasia Studio Recording Tips

For more information, see http://www.personnex.com/camtasia.html

VIDEO TIPS

1. It is best to keep training modules 5 to 7 minutes in length. Adult learners are unable to focus fully for longer periods.
2. If a subject needs more than 7 minutes, break the material up as appropriate for the organization (see next point).
3. Organize your material in outline format. If your topics are more than 7 minutes, break them into sub-topics.
4. Slow down your speech and screen movements from what you would normally use. This will allow better comprehension by the viewer. NOTE: Keep in mind this is likely the first time your viewers are seeing this and they need time to catch up with your visual and audible clues.
5. Move the mouse and cursor with deliberation and avoid quick jumps. When reproduced in the video, they become a blur. Rely on post-production editing and highlighting to draw the viewers’ attention, as appropriate. HINT: Avoid circling the cursor around the field you are pointing out. I had one client who believed the faster he whizzed the cursor around on the screen, the more likely it was to be noticed. At 10 frames per second, this frantic movement is worthless.
6. Do pause the cursor near fields or screen elements you want to refer to. The arrow cursor should be pointed at the element and can rest there as you describe it.
7. If you make an error in a spoken phrase, simply stop and pause for a couple of seconds, then say the whole phrase over again. You can see these pauses on the timeline and eliminate the pause and error.
8. When you make an error, pause not only your speech, but also hold the cursor where you made the error. This will eliminate a distracting jump when the gaps are edited out.

AUDIO TIPS

1. MOST IMPORTANT: Do not skimp when buying a microphone or mic/headphone set. There are vast differences in quality. Expect to pay about US$50. One such is Logitech ClearChat Pro USB™.
2. On reviewing your recording, if you hear plosives (loud pops when you say “P” or “T”), try repositioning the microphone slightly to avoid a direct angle. For example, drop the mike down about 1 inch from your lower lip, or change the angle so it is not directly in front of your mouth.
3. If possible, make your recordings in a quiet room without fan or road noise.