Dec 27 2008
Three Free Tools For Better Screencasts
Camtasia 6 has changed the screencasting landscape – perhaps for the better, perhaps not – but whether you are using Camtasia 3, Camtasia 5, or Camtasia 6, you will find screencasting infinitely easier if you use three, free tools.
1. Sizer The ability to precisely resize the screen area you want to record to exact dimensions is so crucial to good screencasting that TechSmith built it in to Camtasia 4. But no matter which version of Camtasia you use, you still need Sizer. You can choose from standard 4:3 apsect ratios like 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 – or you can create you own custom sizes. Choose a profile, click your mouse, and any window is precisely the size you want.
Now that You Tube is accepting widescreen videos, Sizer is more useful than ever. Use it to make sure your videos recording area is 1280 x 720, for best HQ results.
2. Audacity is the one sound editor you need if you want your screencasts to have professional audio. TechSmith has been laboring to incorprate better audio editing into Camtasia – and v6 has finally introduced a third audio track and a way to de-couple audio and video on Track 1 – but they also dropped their stand alone Sound Editor. Even TechSmith now recommends that you use Audacity. How much does it cost? It’s free!
3. Color Cop let’s you find the exact RGB or Hex value for any color. If you want to create callouts that match a particular screen element (like your browser’s toolbar, for instance), Color Cop is perfect.
I’ve recommended these applications for years. No matter how much TechSmith improves each new release of Camtasia, Sizer, Audacity, and Color Cop remain indispensible.
Photo by linh.ngan Released under Creative Commons License
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5 responses so far
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Hi Dany
Thanks for the programs.
Downloaded sizer only to find out it is not compatible with Vista.
I use Camtasia 5 and Audacity already; but am having a problem with Audacity not finding where to record temporary files during live recording off the internet. Ended up with tons of error boxes. However, if it is recorded already, it is very good for editing.
Terry
Hi Terry -
Sizer isn’t compatible with Vista? I had no idea.Another reason for me not to upgrade, then.
As for Audacity – you can set the Temp directory by going to Edit | Preferences | Directories. Make sure you have adequate room allocated. I’ve never had any problem recording live internet broadcasts. I’ve even done one that was almost 5 hours long without a problem.
What exactly did your error messages say?
Dany
Sizer is no longer necessary – it doesn’t do anything that Camtasia Recorder can’t do natively. The other two apps are indeed excellent additions. A few other suggestions:
1. SnagIt – screen cap for static images.
2. WebCamDV – lets you use the live stream from any dv camcorder as a webcam.
3. BluffTitler – motion graphics on the cheap.
cheers, Daniel
author, Camtasia Studio: The Definitive Guide
Hi Daniel – Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll look into WebCamDV.
I never think of SnagIt as an “add on.” It’s one of the truly, absolutely, must have, essential applications on my PC. I use Snag It constantly. (Although, I guess I need to get used to calling it Snagit, now.)
I’m not ready to give up Sizer – I use it outside of Camtasia as well.
I was mainly talking about free software in the post – so the one thing I didn’t mention that every new Camtasia user needs is a copy of your book. I still have (and refer to) a dog earred copy of the Cam 4 version on my desk. Great resource!
Thanks
Dany
I’m using Sizer on Vista now. If you’re having trouble, try disabling User Account Control. In my experience that solves 90% of any “this doesn’t work with Vista” issue.
Thanks for the info!