Requirements:

• Recorder and Producer
  (http://www.techsmith.com)
  
  
• System Requirements to run Camtasia Recorder: MS Windows 95 OSR2 or later, 400 MHz processor and 64MB RAM recommended, Windows-compatible sound card and microphone.

Warnings:

• For optimum movie performance, it is recommended that you limit the length of the video capture sequence (no more than 2 - 3 minutes). For longer projects, plan to combine multiple shorter segments using Camtasia Producer.
  
  
• This guide is designed to get you started quickly. For projects where it is important to have a high quality product, you should consult with a specialist from the IRC, x3141.

Definitions:

Screen action movie -- Camtasia can capture the moving action on your computer screen and save it as a computer movie file. If you type text, move the cursor, click buttons, or select menus, Camtasia records an image of it that you can save and play back later. With an attached microphone, you can also include voice narration with the screen action video.

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QUICK CAPTURE

You can start recording with Camtasia Recorder very easily:

1. Open Camtasia Recorder and make the following settings:
   • Set the input type: Capture> Input> Screen
   • Set the output type: Capture> Output> File
   • Set the capture mode: Capture> Quick Capture

2. To start recording, click the red record button (or F9 hotkey).
3. To stop recording, click the square black stop button, name and save the file. The player starts automatically.
4. Preview your work. Re-record if necessary, or use Camtasia Producer to make simple edits.
   

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STANDARD CAPTURE

Step 1: Before you begin - Configuring your computer

Good quality video requires finding the optimum system settings for your particular computer configuration so that you get the best appearance without detracting from the video movement or audio-video synchronization. As mentioned earlier, we have found that optimum movie performance is obtained by making multiple short segments that capture no more than 3-4 minutes at a time. Other computer settings that you can adjust to improve movie performance are:

• The faster the computer, the better Recorder’s performance will be. This is the most important factor in capture performance when all of the other parameters are fixed.
• Shut down all applications you are not using for the capture.
• Set your monitor resolution to 800X600 for capture and lower color depths result in improved performance -16 bit if possible.
• The smaller the capture area, the better Recorder’s performance will be.
• If using audio, set it to the lowest frequency acceptable for your project.

Step 2: Setting input and output options

Open Camtasia Recorder and make the following settings:

Set Capture> Input to the type of recording you want to make:

• Screen - capture the full screen
• Window - capture a single window or dialog box
• Region - select a specific area of the screen to capture
• Fixed Region - capture a fixed size area of the screen

Set the output type: Capture> Output> File

Set the capture mode: Capture> Quick Capture

Step 3: Effects settings

There are a few movie effects settings that you can apply to help emphasize aspects of your movies. Go to the Effects menu. Try out different cursor and other effects to see how they work in your movie.

You can customize movie effects using the options under Effects > Settings on the Effects tabbed dialogs. Then, you can apply the effects using the Effects menu.

Step 4: Recording video of computer screen activities

Follow these general steps:

Note: Recorder works while closed, but active in the System Tray. Minimize Camtasia by clicking the in the upper-right corner.

1. Open the software you want to record on your computer.
2. Press the F9 Record/Pause hotkey to begin the video capture process (or click the red record button). To stop capturing, click the black stop button.
3. Step your way through the screen movements to be captured on video. (It is best to work from a script.)
4. Press the F9 key to pause the video capture. If you want to restart, press F9 again.
5. Click the black stop button to end the capture session.
   Result: The Save Movie File As Dialog appears and prompts you for a file name. Then the video viewer appears and shows the captured video.

NOTE: If your input choice is Region or Fixed Region, Camtasia starts in paused mode and a rectangle appears for you to place the recording area on screen. Also, the status area shows statistics about the video you are about to record. Press F9 hotkey again to begin recording. Result: A flashing outline shows the area being captured on video. (When paused, the outline does not flash.)

Make as many takes and clips as needed for your project. When you are done recording, you can use Camtasia Producer to trim them, add audio, and export to the movie file type you want (AVI, ASF, or RM). You can also use the Pack and Go option to create an executable file (.exe) that can be easily downloaded and played.

Other Resources: see large list of tutorials from the Camtasia web site

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