Camtasia Studio Learning Center

Apply SmartFocus to automatically generate Zoom-n-Pan keyframes to optimize viewing at any dimensions.

Camtasia Studio Video Tutorial

What is SmartFocus?

Camtasia SmartFocus™ is ideal for videos where the source clip or recording dimensions are large (ex. full screen recording) and you want to produce the final video at smaller dimensions (ex. for the Web or an iPod). If you produce at dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the source clip, the content in the video may be too small and difficult to view.

SmartFocus allows you to quickly change the video dimensions for different destinations. SmartFocus automatically generates Zoom-n-Pan keyframes to optimize viewing at any dimensions.

SmartFocus collects data about the actions completed and the cursor movement in the recording. SmartFocus predicts where to add zoom effects, saving you time to manually find and insert all the frames to zoom or pan.

SmartFocus only applies to .camrec files recorded with Camtasia Recorder verion 5.0 or later. You can manually add Zoom-n-Pan keyframes to all clips on the Timeline.

Apply SmartFocus in the Project Settings

1. In the Project Settings dialog box, select a preset or enter custom editing dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the source clip (recording clip).
2. Choose the Change the video dimensions and apply SmartFocus option.
3. Click OK.

SmartFocus adds Zoom-n-Pan keyframes onto the Zoom track on the Timeline.

Edit a SmartFocus Keyframe

1. Double-click on a keyframe on the Timeline.
2. The Zoom-n-Pan Properties page appears. Complete any of the following edits:
   • Change the Zoom Scale: Click and drag on a handle on the green zoom rectangle. As you move the handle, the zoom percentage updates. For specific values, use the Scale slider to adjust the percentage for the zoom.
     
   • Change the Zoom Position: Click within the green rectangle and drag the rectangle across the Preview area to adjust the position of the Zoom-n-Pan keyframe on the screen.
     
   • Change the Zoom Duration: Use the Duration slider to adjust the length of the Zoom-n-Pan keyframe. You can change the duration for individual keyframes by quarter second increments from Instant (0 seconds) to 5 seconds.
     
   • Delete Keyframe: Removes the keyframe from the Timeline.
   • Full Screen: Cancels the selected Zoom-n-Pan keyframe and zooms out to the full screen dimensions.

SmartFocus Recording Tips

If you plan to apply SmartFocus during the editing process, use the following recording tips to help SmartFocus predict where to apply the zoom effects:

• Record in the .camrec file format. SmartFocus only applies to .camrec files recorded with Camtasia Recorder version 5.0 or later.
• Slow down. Use slow, deliberate mouse movements. Do not click around the screen too fast.
• Record at full screen dimensions and produce at smaller dimensions. SmartFocus is ideal for cases when you need to record at full screen or large dimensions, but want to produce the final video at smaller dimensions (640 x 480 or lower is recommended). For example: If you record a full screen application and produce the final video for distribution on the iPod, the full screen recording is not viewable at iPod dimensions (320 x 240) without zooming.
• Record clips longer than 30 seconds. SmartFocus is optimized for recordings longer than 30 seconds. For shorter clips, you can manually add Zoom-n-Pan keyframes.
• Hover the mouse cursor where you want the viewer to look. Keep your mouse cursor still on the area of focus in the recording. For example, if you want the viewer to see a hyperlink, place the mouse cursor on or near that area as you speak and then click the hyperlink.
• Do not “talk” with the mouse cursor. Do not move the mouse cursor across the screen as you speak. Try to keep the mouse cursor still in the area of focus in the recording.
• Keep the mouse cursor close when entering text. SmartFocus may not predict the correct action if you click in a text box, move the mouse cursor to the other side of the screen, and then start talking. If you want the viewer to see what is being typed into the text box, keep the mouse cursor in the text box.
• Use the mouse scroll wheel (if applicable). Try using the mouse scroll wheel instead of dragging on the scroll bar. SmartFocus may zoom in on the scroll bar instead of showing the content being scrolled. Example: Use the mouse scroll bar when scrolling long Web pages.