Camtasia Studio First Time User
Posted on June 29, 2009
Filed Under Camtasia Features | Leave a Comment
Hello There!
If you have just purchased Camtasia Studio or are thinking of purchasing for a friend then read on….
I decided to go back down memory lane on my first time using Camtasia Studio. I had just had enough raving from my friends about Camtasia Studio and so I decided to get my own copy.
As I was staring at the Camtasia Studio welcome screen, I was not sure what to expect. Yet, the only thing I was sure of was I’m about to embark on a trip to Wonderland.
To start off, the Welcome Screen itself was simple and clean. Its simplicity of design gives you an impression of, “Are you a newbie? Don’t worry, I’m ready to guide you.” That impression kept clinging to me while making my way on discovering the world of Camtasia Studio.
So, I tried recording an on-screen video, the Capture Area Selection window’s black background and minimal major options laid out gave me just exactly what I needed. Its visual presentation is good, that even, as a first time user, I can just simply do my own thing without having to completely depend on online tutorials.
Recording was even cooler than what I expected it to be.
Here are the 10 things which I thought 100% Cool and Easy while discovering Camtasia Studio:
1. The 3,2,1 counting before the recording takes place. Whoa! What I miss is just a stool and a megaphone, I could have shouted, “Action!”
2. The Preview Window: Lots and lots of it, that is. I love it, super! I could just go back and re-do it, go on and edit it or just produce it in no time at all. Whichever way I want it, no more questions asked.
3. With a lot of formats to choose from: AVI, M4V, MP3, etc. I can’t wait to start making one and post it to my social network groups and blogs. My friends will surely be jealous of me. Haha
4. Assist Me and Show Me: When I talk about not completely depending on online tutorials, I meant it because every function available on the task pane, gave me the Assist Me and Show Me button on their respective windows. It made my experience easy and less hassle.
5. The customizable callouts gave me a chance to emphasize and de-emphasize the things I wanted to on the video I captured. It’s so easy and fast to do.
6. Decoupling of Audio and Video: As I was editing my test video, I noticed that there’s something wrong and I wanted to edit the audio track. Good thing, I found out that I could decouple it from the video track so easily. Phew! What a relief.
7. Adding Additional Audio Track: I like this, I was able to add another track which I found relevant for the video that I was recording. Pretty easy too!
8. Adding Transitions: All I had to do was just select an available preset and Tada! As easy as that and my video moves from one scene to another with style.
9. Adding quizzes and surveys during the video was cool too. I just had to choose which part of the timeline I wanted the quiz/survey to come out and then type in questions and the correct answer and then it would appear then and there!
10. Upload to Screencast feature: Boy, this one gave me a faster way to get the URL and embedded code. It’s really fast, as in, no need to open a browser, go to the site, login, upload, and get the code. The end.
There’s nothing I found too difficult or hard to understand. With consistent use and training, I’ll eventually be a rookie or an expert (if given the chance)in video recording, editing and sharing.
For now, need to familiarize more of this Super Cool program, Camtasia Studio 6.0 especially the new features.
If you are already a novice user you can continue enjoying the super features if you don’t own the latest version Camtasia 6.0 just send your existing license to Softwarecasa Support for your 50% discount on the upgrade!
Don’t Miss the Bus!
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Camtasia Callout GiveAway
Posted on June 16, 2009
Filed Under Callouts, Camtasia Features | Leave a Comment
We have developed a Camtasia add-on callout graphics Package called SuperStamps.
SuperStamps includes 197 professionally designed graphics/icons in that you can access and use directly from Camtasia Studio.
As a small token of our appreciation to you, we are now giving away a smaller version with 20 New images (not included in SuperStamps) to all Camtasia Guide visitors.
You can freely download this package and use it in both educational, commercial or for private use. The only thing we ask you is to not resell it.
Download your Camtasia Callout SuperStamps MiniPack here.
See below for some examples of what’s included.
Already a SuperStamps owner?
Do not dispair, this bonus pack includes 20 Completely new icons not included in your original package.
What’s it for?
You can use SuperStamps directly from inside Camtasia Studio. Just download the .zip folder and unpack it. When setting up Callouts in Camtasia, just choose Custom Callout and include the SuperStamp callout you want.
But SuperStamps also work excellent in:
- Snagit as a stamp
- Microsoft Office to enhance reports/whitepapers and so on
- PowerPoint
- And any application where you can use graphics to enhance your statement.
I have an old version of Camtasia?
No worries, you can use SuperStamps MiniPack with all versions of Camtasia. But if you are ready to start using Camtasia 6.0 with support for HD you can upgrade Camtasia.
What about Copyright?
SuperStamps and SuperStamps MiniPack come with a generous license agreement. You can use these icons even in commercial products or work. The only thing you can’t do is to resell them as graphics or part of a graphics pack.
What’s included?
To keep the size of this email down I have just included smaller image examples. The actual images is 256×256 pixels and because they are made in PNG format you can make them as big as you like without any quality loss.
Download your Camtasia Callout SuperStamps MiniPack here!
SuperStamps MiniPack is great but what if I want the whole deal?
Check out SuperStamps Full version - 197 Professional Vector Grapichs
This is the full version with 197 additional SuperStamps. PLEASE NOTE: During the month of June we have a special $5 off. $14.95 instead of $19.95 on SuperStamps.
Let me know what you think of these Callouts in the comment area below.
Until next time 
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
ScreenCast for Cash
Posted on May 7, 2009
Filed Under Competition, News, Screencast | 1 Comment
Calling all screencasting masters, have you been uploading tutorial videos about that software you’re so fond of or that game that got you hooked up and is so adamant to share to the whole wide world its whats, how-to’s, tips and tricks?
Do you want to share your tutorial videos and get a chance to win $1,000?
Well, brace yourself mentor!
MindBites, a website where you can search and publish how-to and tutorial videos, is holding a contest called, Screencast 4 Cash where lucky winners can get the chance to win up to $1500+ and more.
Interested participants must be at least 13 years old to be able to join the contest.
If you are interested, then register yourself at MindBites.com, then proceed on creating your original tutorial video, where it must be instructional in nature, has at least three minutes duration. After complying to the rest of the guidelines, you can then upload your entry and wish for the best.
Here’s the timeline for the contest duration you should remember:
• April 21, 2009 - Contest begins
• April 28, 2009 – Weekly Voting opens
• May 18th (11:59 PM CST) – Deadline of Entries
• May 19th - Daily Voting begins
• May 26th (11:59 PM CST) – Voting closed
• May 27th -Announcement of winners
The prizes for lucky winners are:
Grand Prize: $1000 + TechSmith Camtasia Studio/Snagit Bundle software
People’s Choice Award: $500 + Snagit software.
To vote, simply login or register at MindBites.com, click on “All Entries – Vote” tab, and add your vote to the screencast you find worth voting.
Just so you all know, the partners for this contest are TechSmith, Download Squad, MindBites and Youth for Technology Foundation (beneficiary of 10¢ in every vote you make). Representatives from each of the above-mentioned partners will be the judge for the Grand Prize. Whereas for the People’s Choice Award, it will be based on popular vote by registered site visitors, who will be able to cast one vote weekly during the submission period and one vote daily thereafter until the close of the voting period, as set in the Timeline.
Now, start working on that entry boy and go bag the Grand Prize!
Good luck
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Screencasting - What is it
Posted on April 30, 2009
Filed Under Competition, Screencast | Leave a Comment
For your benefit, we are featuring today a very commonly heard term in the world of computer screen recorders, which is none other than, Screencasting.
What is a screencast?
According to our good friend, Wikipedia, the term screencast is defined as, “a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration. Normally, screencasts are generated with the purpose to serve as a video tutorial for teaching about a particular application or to promote a product by visual demonstration.
Most especially these days, where computer based training has been preferred by many of us simply because they’re cheaper compared to the traditional classroom training. Other obvious advantages are that it’s easier to share globally online. These screencasts are being published to today’s popular video sharing websites accessible for everyone, some are also put up for sale.
How do you create a screencast?
Several screencasting applications are out in the market today, each with varying capabilities, such as Camtasia Studio, ScreenCam, ScreenFlow and Camstudio, all of which are OS-based. As for web-based screencasting services, it includes Jing, Screentoaster, Screencast-O-Matic and ScreenCastle. Each application has it’s advantages and disadvantages. While I have tried many of these applications I am very partial to Camtasia because it’s easy to use, fast and the editing and production possibilities far outweights the web based options.
When to create a screencast?
Television is defininitely a big part of society today and collecting information and studying by watching a video is proven to give a more effective learning experience. When we use more than once sence we stimulate the brain to understand better. This is the main reason to why you should reach your audience with Screencasts.
Popular reasons to why you should screencast:
• When You can’t find the right words to describe exactly what you mean.
• When words alone aren’t enough to express your thoughts and ideas.
• Because it’s more interesting to watch a demo video than read text.
• Our favorite: Because you want more of your personality to come across in your blog.
Start creating your own screencast now!
PS. MindBites is currently running a competition where you win cash prizes for your screencasts. Check out the Screencast 4 Cash Video Contest, and you might get the chance to bag the grand prize!
Until next time
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Camtasia 6.02 with FLV
Posted on March 31, 2009
Filed Under Camtasia Features, Camtasia Upgrade, News | Leave a Comment
Camtasia Studio upgrade 6.02 was just released including support to produce FLV files and some other goodies.
All the new features in Camtasia 6.02
General:
- Added ability to produce a .FLV file.
- Added possiblity to set keyframe interval for .FLV and .MP4 file productions.
Studio:
- Fixed an issue that would cause .MP4 production settings to not be correctly utilized for productions using PIP video.
- Fixed an issue with dropping a transition over an existing transition causing a loss of sync between the Video 1 and PIP tracks.
- Fixed an issue that could cause quizzes to appear twice during the playback.
PowerPoint
- Fixed an issue that would cause an audio/video sync issue for some recordings with both audio and video.
Camtasia Recorder:
- Improved error handling.
- Improved the recording performance with applications with layered windows.
Go here to read more about Camtasia 6.0 and if you’re already a proud owner check out: Upgrade Camtasia
Until next time 
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Camtasia for Mac - Betatesters needed
Posted on March 9, 2009
Filed Under Camtasia for Mac, News | Leave a Comment
The highly anticipated Camtasia Studio on Macintosh platform is in Betatesting.
TechSmith is right now looking for betatesters and you can go here and do a survey if you are interested in participating.
They are looking for a mix between new and professional users.
Until next time
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Camtasia 6.0
Posted on February 20, 2009
Filed Under Camtasia Features, News | Leave a Comment
If you think, your Camtasia Studio 5 is the best thing you’ve ever got, then you’re wrong. A few months back Techsmith launched its newest version, Camtasia Studio 6.0. With exciting new features added, you’d absolutely want to get your hands on it.
I would have written about it earlier, but I was just too busy building the worlds best software store! Now I hopefully have some more time on my hands trying out all the cool new features.
Some features that you should take a deeper look at:
Unlink audio and video tracks
This feature allows you to decouple the video and audio track, these tracks can then be locked edited independently of each other.
Customizable Hotkeys
7 additional hotkeys with which you can customize for you to save time in editing.
Production Presets
You can configure as to how you want your work to be shared and the dimensions to use. The options are Web, Blog, CD, DVD-Ready, HD, iPhone, iPod, Screencast.com, and Youtube.
Preview Window
Here’s what I think is cool, with the preset configured, a window will show the preview of how the video will look with the chosen dimensions. You can also see a preview of your work while and after editing.
Perspective Tilt
On the Zoom and Pan window, you can zoom one side of the video into different perspective. It’s as if looking on a flat screen on different angle you prefer for your audience.
Upload to Screencast.com
If you have a screencast account, you can upload your video to Screencast.com by signing in. With a free storage space and monthly bandwidth of 2gb for Free accounts that you can absolutely take advantage of.
Camtasia Studio 6.0 will fill you appetite for smart video recording, editing and sharing.
Go here to read more about Camtasia 6.0 and if you’re already a proud owner check out: Upgrade Camtasia
Until next time
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
12 Top Camtasia Tutorials and Resources
Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under Tips, Tutorials | 1 Comment
I know a lot of people are looking for references on how to use Camtasia Studio software. As a new user, you would want to know the basic features of the product. As an experienced user, you want to know if there are product upgrades or new tricks for you to use. I have stumbled on a few good websites that should be good sources for Camtasia tips.
Please include any other references you find helpful in the comments section below and I will be sure to include them.
This list is in no particular order. OK, here we go - websites that offer Camtasia Studio tutorials and tips.
1) Help may be closer than you think. Just bring up Camtasia Studio on your desktop and press your [F1]-key. Up pops the Camtasia help file. It covers many of the topics we get questions on a day to day basis.
2) Camtasia Forums - a great way for fellow users to interact. Users could help each answer each others questions by discussing it here at TechSmith forum.
3) TechSmith FAQ Page - Check this page out for some common questions that users ask about the product.
4) Camtasia Video Tutorials - Step by step video tutorial about the software.
5) The Visual Lounge - A Camtasia community. Great source of information.
6) Camtasia Guide - Not a complete guide if we didn’t mention yours truly We have a lot of plans to increase the content, especially with more Camtasia tutorials and good stuff. Sign up to the newsletter and I will keep you posted.
7) Camtasia Tutorial Video Compilation - A video compilation uploaded by different users. It has a lot of great videos on how to use Camtasia.
8 ) Video tutorial from webreference - A video tutorial from webreference site. Very detailed video tutorials divided in 6 parts.
9) E learning at Virginia Tech - An online distance education. Offers lessons on How to use Camtasia Studio.
10) Instructional Technology Development Program - More on Camtasia tutorial topics
11) Camtasia Tutorial by Joe Liaw - A detailed tutorial made by a high school teacher. It is an audio and video tutorial.
12) Pierce College Tutorial on Camtasia - Another informative site about Camtasia.
Camtasia Studio is screen recording software with full-motion recording capability. It records the screen, voice and camera video. It is a great tool for making tutorials, presentations and advertisements and really good demonstrations.
If you don’t have this software you can buy Camtasia here.
I hope this information is helpful to all Camtasia users. If you have additional references and other websites that have great Camtasia Tutorials/Guides, please include them in the comment area below.
Until next time
Peter - Your Camtasia Guide
Camtasia 5.1
Posted on April 16, 2008
Filed Under Camtasia Features, News | Leave a Comment
Camtasia version 5.1 was just released. It includes some great new features.
Read on to find out all the details…
Camtasia 5.02 and other News
Posted on January 30, 2008
Filed Under News | Leave a Comment
Camtasia 5.02
TechSmith just released a new minor upgrade - Camtasia 5.02. If you have version 5 you can upgrade to this new version from while running Camtasia Studio. Just choose Help / Check For Upgrade in the menu to download the new release.
Camtasia 5.02 fixes a production crash that can occur at the end of production when you are producing to SWF with MP3 audio in version 5.0.1.
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