Camtasia Studio Tips

Production Tips, including Audio

2011-11-27T14:55:00.001-08:00

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.

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.
Select Custom production settings and click Next >.
Select the recommended output, MP4/FLV/SWF - Flash Outputs and click Next >.
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.
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.
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.

Click OK on the Flash Options dialog.
Back on the Production Wizard, click Next >.
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.
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.
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

2011-11-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-04-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

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

VIDEO TIPS

It is best to keep training modules 5 to 7 minutes in length. Adult learners are unable to focus fully for longer periods.
If a subject needs more than 7 minutes, break the material up as appropriate for the organization (see next point).
Organize your material in outline format. If your topics are more than 7 minutes, break them into sub-topics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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™.
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.
If possible, make your recordings in a quiet room without fan or road noise.

Where Did You Learn All That?

2009-06-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

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

I am often asked where I learned everything I know about Camtasia Studio. I worked as a freelance software help author for TechSmith Corporation from the very beginnings of Camtasia as Version 1. It was fascinating to watch the program suite evolve to the professional learning support tool that it is today, at this writing as Version 6. I now train others on using the program and provide consulting services. Most users want to know how to make their recordings more "professional." After all, that's the name of the game in media. If your production does not look serious, users and viewers will not take it seriously. While you can get away with compelling amateur video content on YouTube, it won't wash in the professional learning environment.

So, everything I have learned, from Camtasia Version 1 through the current version, supports the need for professionalism in video production and presentation. Your visual learners will never know the knowledge and effort that went into creating your tutorials or video productions. Camtasia Studio (and modestly admitting) my services as your professional coach, make it easy!

Incorporating Other Video in Camtasia Studio Projects

2008-05-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

There is more than one way to incorporate video into a Camtasia Studio project. First, I will discuss the video cameras.

THE VIDEO CAM-COMPUTER CONNECTION
I strongly recommend against using an older analog video camera that uses outdated formats such as Hi-8 or VHS. Even the professional models cannot stack up against today's entry-level digital models. Digital cameras range from very basic and low-resolution models that connect via USB, such as most webcams, to high-end professional models. The webcams are designed for very informal video, typically with a small image size. When incorporated into larger formats, like a full-screen presentation, image quality suffers. The high end professional cameras used in today's HD broadcast programming cost tens of thousands of dollars and are overkill for computer-based presentations of any kind. In the middle are digital cameras that record to Mini-DV format tape, small diameter DVDs, or directly to memory. These are the best type of camera to use when incorporating camera-recorded video into a Camtasia Studio project. Excellent quality models can be purchased for around US$500. My Panasonic Mini-DV GS-350 does a fine job, with professional-looking results. Color recording is excellent as this model is a "3-chipper," which means it captures video signals using three separate Charged-Coupled Devices (CCDs). Three video capture devices are better than one and results in a sharper picture with better color definition.

This type of camera is connected to your computer using USB or IEEE 1394 (Apple calls it "FIREWIRE"). Either connection will provide fine results, whether streaming video live into the editing program, or capturing the video stream as an AVI (stands for Audio-Video Interleave, the most common Windows-based video file format).

There are two methods of which I am aware and which I have tried to import video into Camtasia Studio projects.

1. Stream Video into Camtasia Studio Live
In this process, you can attach any live video source (such as one of the cameras described above) to your computer where Camtasia Studio is installed. The video signal will be detected by Studio and is available for capture.

HOW TO DO IT:
a.) Connect the camera as directed by the maker.
b.) Start up Camtasia Studio.
c.) Select menus Edit > Record Camera... (or select the same function from the Task List). You should see your camera listed on the dialog and just click [Start Recording].

RESULT: Whatever your camera sees and hears will be placed in the Camtasia Studio clip bin for editing.

2. Record Video separately and then import the AVI into Camtasia Studio
This process involves making your movies, capturing both video and audio on a camera. This video is then imported into the computer as an AVI media file, which can be included in a Camtasia Studio project.

HOW TO DO IT
a.) Record your video and save it on the camera as directed by the maker.
b.) Connect your camera to the computer where Camtasia Studio resides and import the video using whatever video capture software you have available. Your camera's user guide should have instructions for doing this and I won't go over it here, as this is a whole new subject.
c.) Open Camtasia Studio and import the resulting AVI media file into a new or existing project.

RESULT
Your video media content, imported from the camera from a previous recording, will be available in the Camtasia Studio clip bin for inclusion on the timeline and editing into your overall project.

HIGH-END EDITING SOFTWARE
As a side note, I use Adobe Premiere Pro CS 3 for some video editing from the video camera. I prefer the second method listed above for importing previously-recorded video into Camtasia Studio, and with a high-end video editor, you can make your video content much more professional than typical raw video footage. Premiere, for me at least, is the easiest way to trim out bad frames, improve video and audio quality, add professional looking titles, etc. This is another whole topic and again, I will not belabor the point here. But my advice is, if you are including post-capture video into Camtasia Studio projects, and if you want that video content to look really professional, consider using Adobe Premiere to prepare that video before including it in the Camtasia Studio project. Camtasia Studio is not designed to provide the type of high-end video editing features most professional projects would require.

Camtasia Studio Advantages

2008-05-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

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

Regarding the capabilities of Camtasia Studio, there are several that make it an ideal training development tool. I am listing only the ones I feel are most important. For a complete list of features, see http://www.camtasia.com.

Recording Video
There are a few noteworthy recording options in the most recent versions of Camtasia Studio. The product has always been able to do basic captures of movement on your computer screen. For those new to screen video recording, this can be a valuable tool in capturing your movements around a program or web site. For example, you can start the recorder, fill in a database form with example data, save and submit the data, all the while recording your voice to explain the choices you are making, finally stopping the recorder when you have finished. How cool is that as a way to show new users how to navigate and use your software?

Another example of the recording options is the use of the PowerPoint plug-in to record your presentation while adding vocal annotations. The really cool thing here is that you can make use of the extensive set of animation features in PowerPoint to liven up your presentation. This is extremely useful in creating and presenting all sorts of training, including lecture style, software training interspersed with slides, presentations conveying or selling concepts, and presenting how-to information. For more information, see PowerPoint Captures below.

Editing Video
The ability to edit captured video is one of the central features in Camtasia Studio. Editing has been available since Version 1 and has been strengthened considerably in more recent versions, including Versions 5 and 6. Post-capture timeline editing capabilities include the basics, such as cutting and copying frames, extending video and audio, and inserting other media. Users can also edit individual clips, edit the audio track, place markers and titles, add post-capture narration, record and insert more video and audio, enhance the audio, zoom and pan the video, add callouts, transitions, captions, Flash quizzes and surveys, and use Picture-in-Picture. All of these enhancements are available post-capture, in the editing timeline. The production output from the timeline content is a new edited video file which can be saved in a vast number of formats and compressions, including both SWF and FLV Flash, WMV, MOV, AVI, iPod video, RM CAMV (a superior proprietary compression for RealPlayer Encoding) or Animated GIF. Audio output can be saved as iTunes or MP3.

PowerPoint Captures
Recent versions of Camtasia Studio incorporate the best way to produce presentations: the ability to capture and enhance Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. Converting PowerPoint to video is very intuitive, allowing the recording of all PowerPoint actions, plus audio, from either the Camtasia Studio interface or from PowerPoint using the installed plug-in. After capture, all of the timeline editing functions mentioned above come into play, allowing a high level of creativity. A static PowerPoint presentation "comes alive" in the Camtasia Studio-produced Flash output.

Flash Quizzes and Surveys
After creating some content, many trainers would love to throw in a little quiz at the end to see if you were paying attention. In addition, many content creators would like to survey users on the presentation. Camtasia Studio has a wonderful and intuitive feature allowing the creation of both quizzes and surveys, including multiple choice, true/false, or word questions and answers. Video creators may have responses emailed to them or reported to a Learning Management System (LMS) for extensive record-keeping on respondents' progress. These features were available when Camtasia Studio incorporated Flash as one of the target output choices. Camtasia Studio now has an impressive range of Flash interactive features.

Price
Camtasia Studio is bargain priced when compared to other products such as Adobe Captivate. While Captivate has limited user assistance resources and lacks a user manual or help file, Camtasia Studio has an impressive suite of user assistance. Having authored the help documentation for Camtasia Studio through Version 3, I am proud to say that the folks at TechSmith have done a excellent job of maintaining, upgrading, and expanding that content. And all of this user assistance for Camtasia Studio comes at a price significantly lower that that charged for Captivate or other similar training creation products.

Conclusion
For training professionals, sales teams, web program developers, user assistance professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts, you cannot beat the features in Camtasia Studio. For those who would like to explore this tool for your own training, sales, or web-blog efforts, check out my service offerings at: http://www.personnex.com/camtasia.html.