In this guide, we’ll walk through the basics of recording your screen using Camtasia, including how to record a full screen or a portion of it and how to add a webcam overlay if needed.
Selecting the Recording Area: #
Before you begin recording, decide if you want to record your entire screen or just a portion of it. You can choose between a widescreen (16:9) or standard (4:3) aspect ratio. For most uses, especially for YouTube or video sharing, widescreen is recommended.
If you have multiple screens, you can select which screen to record by clicking the Custom button. This allows you to record from one specific screen or adjust the capture area.
Setting Up Your Webcam (Optional): #
If you want to add a talking head video of yourself alongside your screen recording, select your webcam from the dropdown menu. This will allow you to record yourself as you describe the content on your screen.
You can adjust the size and position of the webcam feed later in the editing process.
Recording the Screen: #
Once you have your settings in place, click the Record button to start capturing your screen activity. As the recording progresses, you can interact with your screen as normal, either narrating the actions or keeping it silent.
You can use the Record Toolbar to stop the recording at any time. If you’re using two screens, the toolbar might appear off to the side, but it won’t appear in the final video.
Stopping the Recording: #
To stop the recording, click the Stop button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+F10 (if not using two instances of Camtasia). Your recording will appear in the timeline for editing.
Adding Markers (Optional): #
If you need to highlight specific parts of the recording, you can use the Add Marker button to mark important sections during the recording. These markers will appear in the timeline for easy reference during editing.
Editing Your Recording: #
Once the video is captured, you can edit it by splitting sections, adding transitions, or inserting annotations.
To split the video, highlight the section, click Split, and then drag your chosen transition into the timeline. You can also add annotations, animations, or behaviors to enhance your video.
By following these basic steps, you can easily record your screen and create a professional screen capture video with Camtasia.