Camtasia Studio Learning Center

Learn how to customize your screen recordings and audio using editing tips, cutting and splitting the video on the Timeline, arranging clips, adding effects, and other Timeline editing.

Camtasia Studio Video Tutorial

Create a Camtasia Studio Project

Choose any of the following to start a new Camtasia Studio project:

• From the Camtasia Studio Welcome window, click the Import Media button.
  
  
• From the Camtasia Studio Task List, click Import Media.
  
  
• After completing a recording with Camtasia Recorder or with the PowerPoint Add-in, choose Edit my recording from the Post-Save Options dialog box.
  
  

The media imports into the Clip Bin. Drag the media files to include in the video onto the Timeline.

Select the Project Settings

The Project Settings dialog box appears the first time you add a clip to the Timeline. The Camtasia Studio default presets contain dimensions and production settings optimized for the distribution of your video. Select a preset during the editing process to preview how your final video will look produced at that size.
Select one of the following preset options:

• Preset dimensions
  
  
  
• Custom dimensions: Enter a custom width and height.
  
  

For best results, use the same preset selected in the Project Settings dialog box to produce your final video. If you do not like the look of your video in the Preview Window, select a different preset in the Project Settings dialog box and edit the effects added before producing your final video.

Resizing Options

If you select a preset with dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the source clip, the resizing options are enabled. Camtasia Studio resizes all clips on the Timeline to the dimensions selected in the Project Settings dialog box.

You can preview what the final video will look like produced at the dimensions selected. Select one of the following resizing options:

• Select the Change the video dimensions and apply SmartFocus option to automatically generate Zoom-n-Pan keyframes for all clips added to the Timeline. Apply SmartFocus to optimize viewing at the dimensions selected.
• Select the Change the video dimensions option to change the video dimensions, but not apply SmartFocus. With this option, you can still apply SmartFocus later.

Save a Camtasia Studio Project and Source Clips

A Camtasia Studio project file (.camproj) saves the clips and elements on the Timeline, all media in the Clip Bin, the Project Settings, and all Timeline edits.

1. Choose File > Save Project As.
2. The Save As dialog box appears. Define the project name and the file location for the project file and the source clips.
3. You can move or copy the source clips into a media folder to organize your project files. Select an option from the Source clips dropdown list:
• Keep source clips in current locations
• Copy source clips to project folder: Copies all files in the Clip Bin (video, image, and audio files) to the selected file location. Use this option if existing projects use the same source clips.
• Move source clips to project folder: Moves all files in the Clip Bin (video, image, and audio files) from their original file location and adds the files to the selected file location.

Moving clips may affect other projects that reference these files. Do not move media files associated with multiple projects.

Tips for Working on the Timeline

• The Timeline toolbar contains shortcuts to many of the editing functions in Camtasia Studio.
  
• Tracks show the sequence of all clips and elements of a particular type in a video. To show or hide a track, click the Tracks button on the Timeline toolbar. Check the track to show or uncheck the track to hide. 
• Edits to the Timeline apply to the clips and elements on every unlocked track. Locking a track prevents editing or changing of the clips or elements within the locked track. Click the Unlock button  next to the track name to lock the track.
  
  
• You can click and drag content on certain tracks to move the content to another location on the Timeline.
• Use the Zoom In or Zoom Out buttons when you need to make a precise cut or split on the Timeline.
  
  
• Select an area on the Timeline and click the Cut button to remove portions of the Timeline.
  
  
• Use the Split button to insert transitions, title clips, or other types of media on the Timeline.
  

Add Effects

The Task List includes several effects options for adding content and editing your video.

• Title clips:  Add a graphic and/or text to introduce a video, to set chapters within a video, or to end the video with a credits screen.
• Transitions: Add transitions between clips to create a smooth visual effect from one clip to another.
• Callouts: Add a callout to draw attention to specific areas in the video.
• Audio Enhancements: Use Audio Enhancements to remove background noise and even out the volume levels for the audio in a recording.
• Flash quizzes and surveys: Include a Flash quiz or survey to add interactivity and to engage viewers throughout the video.
• Captions: Use captions to sync the audio in a recording with onscreen text.

After you finish editing a project, produce the project files into a shareable format with the Production Wizard.