Camtasia Mac CRASH course - Your help greatly appreciated

[Jill Carpenter]

I just got a new project and client wants files on camtasia, so against my will but for the love of money I have downloaded Camtasia free trial for mac. LOL

I think one of the first things I have noticed is it did not give me option to video myself while recording - Is this correct, or did I miss something? I don't need to video myself for this, but wondering for future use.

Also, I'm looking to highlight the cursor - where might I find that? Have found how to zoom a particular area, but not finding results when searching word cursor.

I have videos on all this stuff, but they are not with me at this time so I'm just looking for a couple of hints today.

If anyone has any particular help on exporting projects, etc please chime in. If anyone has a number I can call to chat, please pm

[Lance K]

Jill, don't use full motion video within your screen captures. The quality sucks. At least in my experience. But I haven't heard of anyone that has had good luck doing it.

As for highlighting the cursor...

On the PC version, you open the recorder and go to the "Effects" tab. There is a "cursor" option under that tab that lists your options.

[Jill Carpenter]

Ok, found option to record myself too.

This is actually a good test to compare the 2 programs. Mac version camtasia is only 99 bucks right now.

Still looking to highlight mouse.

[Lance K]

Jill, I'm not familiar with the Mac version. But I just read online somewhere that they don't have the highlight cursor option. I'm not sure about the accuracy statement, but that could be your problem.

Also, I'm not sure if you can do this on a Mac, but on a PC, you can make your cursor bigger by going into your control panel. That may be a good compromise if you can't highlight it.

[Jill Carpenter]

OMG:

YouTube - HD Tutorial: How To Highlight Your...

How old do you think this kid is?

BTW, this did not help me as I don't have the options he is sharing here.

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Lance K

Jill, I'm not familiar with the Mac version. But I just read online somewhere that they don't have the highlight cursor option. I'm not sure about the accuracy statement, but that could be your problem.

Also, I'm not sure if you can do this on a Mac, but on a PC, you can make your cursor bigger by going into your control panel. That may be a good compromise if you can't highlight it.

You might be right! I am not seeing it. I can easily zoom into any part of the screen, but not finding the cursor highlights. Good to know this going in.

[Jill Carpenter]

Lance, Here is a question:

Can the cursor highlight be added in post production?

Also, can you help me with a test? I want to send out clips to someone on windows and make sure they can open the files without issue - as if you wanted to edit my raw files. Would you be able to test that for me later?

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

Can the cursor highlight be added in post production?

Not to my knowledge

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

Also, can you help me with a test? I want to send out clips to someone on windows and make sure they can open the files without issue - as if you wanted to edit my raw files. Would you be able to test that for me later?

Sure. It may be late this evening before I could get to it though. If that's too late, I'm sure someone else would help you out.

[Jill Carpenter]

Cursor edits/highlights on screenflow are done in post production.

Looks like I've learned a lot this morning already - Thanks Lance!

I will probably have a meeting first before I continue with this project, but would like to do the test some time later to see if my exported files will be well received on a windows system - just for personal reference.

[Instructor]

Did you get it all sorted out, Jill?

I'm considering purchasing this for my Mac, sould you recommend it?

What other feedback can you offer?

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Instructor

Did you get it all sorted out, Jill?

I'm considering purchasing this for my Mac, sould you recommend it?

What other feedback can you offer?

Here is what I wound up doing.

I shot the initial files in screenflow, exported a mov file, then added the mov as additional media to the camtasia, did any extra trimming that was needed, and exported it as the html - which by the way was the BEST part of having access to this application.

It turns your media into mp4 without any extra hassle.

I'm using a media player right now which will not take on mov files - so I either need to transfer to an flv or mp4.


If I only had the choice of screenflow or cam for mac, I would still have to stick with screenflow hands down. But, having access to both applications is not a bad thing.

There are some additional effects you have access to with camtasia, the easy web export option, and I really like that the one month trial did not watermark what I created - making it possible for someone who can't afford the $100 to get started with video marketing (and on a mac) to actually have a chance to whip up some quick video projects that can lead to conversions which can pay for the application quickly. One month is more than enough time to make some money provided you have taken the time first to properly plot out your plan. When you grab that free trial, you want to be at the point where all that is needed is your actual video to be created.

[Instructor]

Sounds great.

Have you ever used the PC version of Cam?

If so, how would you say they compare?