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Creating Desktop Recordings with Camtasia Studio 2

By: Paul Newman

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If you've spent some time on CommunityMX.com, you probably already know that we offer video tutorials. Recently, the kind folks at TechSmith sent us a few copies of the latest version of their desktop recording software, Camtasia Studio 2. As someone who used Camtasia Studio 1.1, I can tell you that Camtasia Studio 2 is much easier and more intuitive to use than its predecessor. In addition, it's nearly half the price of Macromedia's desktop recording solution, RoboDemo.

NOTE: At the time of this writing, Camtasia Studio 2 requires Windows 2000 or Windows XP, and is not available for the Mac platform. If you want to create desktop recordings on Windows 98, ME or NT, you'll need to use Camtasia Studio 1.1.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to record screen actions with Camtasia Studio 2, assemble the elements of your project, and publish the completed video to Flash SWF format.

Camtasia Workflow

The basic workflow in Camtasia is this:

1. Record your screen actions with Camtasia Recorder
2. Edit your project in Camtasia Studio
3. Produce the video in Flash SWF format

The best way to get started is to watch TechSmith's Using Camtasia Studio 2 videos. You can also download the Getting Started Guide in PDF format (direct download). The trial version is fully functional for 30 days.

Setting Up Your Microphone

To record narration, I recommend using a combination headset/boom microphone. Make sure that Mute is unchecked under Microphone in Volume Control (see Figure 1). Also, turn down the volume on your desktop speakers to avoid feedback. (To open Volume Control, double-click the Volume icon in the system tray.)

Figure 1   Make sure to uncheck Mute under Microphone

At this point, you should be able to hear yourself speaking in the headset.

The Three R's: Write, Rehearse, Record

When I first started using Camtasia Studio, I recorded screen actions without audio and added the narration later. I've since learned that it's easier, and faster, to record video and audio at the same time.

• Write — For long presentations, TechSmith recommends writing a script that you can read back as you record your video. However, in most cases, the best approach is to divide your presentation into several shorter videos. Jot down some notes so you'll remember the key actions you want your recording to include, and keep them nearby so you can refer to them as you make the recording (or tape them to your monitor).
• Rehearse — Before recording, it's a good idea to rehearse the screen actions you want to capture. For instance, you may use Ctrl+N to open new documents in Dreamweaver, but the viewer will find the video easier to follow if you select File > New. TechSmith recommends pausing briefly before you click menus and buttons so the viewer doesn't miss important steps. This is also a good time to make sure that all the actions you want to capture fit within the screen dimensions you've defined (e.g., 800x600).
• Record — Think of your recordings as movie takes. If you're well prepared, you should be able to complete your video in 3-5 takes. The key is making the recordings back-to-back, without breaks, so you can remember what you did in previous takes and make any necessary corrections. If you flub a line, don't stop. Instead, collect your thoughts, don't move your cursor, and resume the recording by repeating the flubbed line. (Alternatively, you can press F11 to pause/resume the recording, but I just let it keep rolling.) Later, you can easily select the mistake in the project Timeline, and click Cut Selection to remove it.

Use a friendly, conversational tone, and don't be discouraged if your video isn't perfect. If you make a mistake, acknowledge it and move on (i.e., don't be a robot).

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Keywords
screen action, capture, record, camtasia studio 2, techsmith, produce, flash, swf, xml, tutorial