Add Captions in Screencast

Add Captions in Screencast Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Auto-Generate Captions (Screencast Pro)

For Screencast Pro accounts, captions are automatically generated based on the audio transcription for any videos uploaded to Screencast.

Your viewers can click the CC button to view the closed captions.
Closed Captions button on video player

Video Uploaded Before Auto-Generate was Available

You can auto-generate captions for videos you uploaded to Screencast prior to having Screencast Pro or before this feature was available.

  1. Open your video and select the Accessibility tab.
  2. Click Add Caption Track.
    Accessibility tab and Add Caption Track button underneath video player
  3. With Speech-to-Text already selected, click Apply.

The status will automatically change from Transcribing to Published when ready.
Captions status is Published

Note: To stop auto-generating captions for new video uploads, click Settings icon in the upper-right corner > Settings > turn off Generate captions after upload toggle.

Edit Captions

Complete the following to edit your published captions, including auto-generated captions (Screencast Pro).

  1. Open your video and select the Accessibility tab.
  2. Click the Edit button Edit button.
    Accessibility tab and Add Caption Track button underneath video player
  3. The Caption Editor opens. Click Play to review the captions or drag the timeline left or right to scrub through the video.
  4. Complete any of the following:
    • Click the caption box to edit text.
      Edit mode on selected caption
    • To delete a caption, click the Delete Caption button Delete Caption button.
    • To add a new caption, click the Add Caption button Add Caption button.
    • To split a caption, click the Split Caption button Split Caption button. For example, split captions if the duration or character count is longer than the ADA-recommendations.
    • Click the ADA tips button ADA button to view tips to make your captions compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
      ADA caption tips
  5. When you are done editing, click Publish.

The Accessibility tab indicates that captions were last modified by you.

Import a Caption File or Manually Add Captions

  1. Open the video and select the Accessibility tab.
  2. Click the Add Caption track button.
    Accessibility tab and Add Caption Track button underneath video player
  3. The Add New Caption Track dialog appears. Select Custom and click the Create button.
  4. Complete either of the following:
    • Click Import.
      Import button in caption editor
      Browse to select a caption file to import and click Open. Screencast supports SRT, VTT, TTML, SBV, and SAMI file types.
    • Manually type your own captions, beginning with the Add Caption button Add Caption button.
  5. Click Publish.

Capture, Edit & Share an Image with Snagit

Capture, Edit & Share an Image with Snagit - feature image
 

In this tutorial:

  1. Capture Your Screen (1:13)
  2. Add Annotations (1:45)
  3. Add Effects and Remove Elements (1:25)
  4. Share Your Image Capture (2:22)

1. Capture Your Screen

 

Steps to Capture Your Screen

  1. In the Capture window, select the All-in-One tab and click the Capture button.
    All-in-One tab
  2. The orange crosshairs appear. Click and drag to select the desired area to capture.
  3. The All-in-One toolbar appears. Click the Image Capture button.
    Image capture button in the All-in-One toolbar

The capture opens in the Snagit Editor.

Tip: Explore more ways to capture!

To learn about different image capture settings, see Capture an Image. To capture content that extends beyond the visible area of your screen, see Capture a Scrolling Area.

2. Add Annotations

 
How to Use the Step Tool

Identify parts of an image by adding ordered callouts as you point and click.

  1. Click the Step tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar, or select it from the More dropdown in the toolbar.
    Step tool
  2. Select a Quick Style or edit the tool properties to customize the tool.
  3. Click on the canvas to add the first number or letter.
    Click on the canvas to add the first step number or letter
  4. Click on the canvas to add additional steps sequentially.
    Continue clicking on the canvas to add more step numbers or letters sequentially
  5. To manually edit the value of a step, double-click to select the text, enter the desired alphanumeric value, then press Enter.
  6. When you are finished with the Step tool, click the Move tool to select, move, edit, or delete objects you added to your image.
    Move tool

For more information, including Step tool properties and tips, see Step Tool.

How to Use the Callout Tool

Point to a specific area of an image and add contextual information.

  1. Click the Callout tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar, or select it from the More dropdown in the toolbar.
    Callout tool
  2. Select a Quick Style or edit the tool properties to customize the tool.
  3. Click and drag on the canvas to draw the callout.
    Click and drag the crosshairs on the canvas to draw the callout
  4. Type text in the callout.
    Type text in the callout
  5. Click and drag the handle on the tail to point to a specific area in the image.
    Drag the handle at the end of the tail to reposition the callout tail
  6. When you are finished with the Callout tool, select the Move tool to select, move, edit, or delete objects you added to your image.
    Move tool

For more information, including Callout tool properties, see Callout Tool.

Tip: Explore more tools!

Click More in the toolbar to access additional tools or to customize the toolbar. To learn more about any of the tools in the toolbar, see Snagit Tools.

3. Add Effects and Remove Elements

 
How to Add a Border Effect

Click the Effects button to open the Effects panel.
Effects button

  • On Windows: Click the Border dropdown, customize the settings, and click Apply.
    Border effect in Snagit Windows
  • On Mac: Click the Border effect to apply it. Click the Effect settings icon on Mac button to customize the settings.
    Effect dropdown on Mac

For more information, see Add Effects.

How to Remove Elements
  1. Click the Selection tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar.
    Selection tool
  2. In the Tool Properties, choose a selection shape: Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, or Freehand.
  3. For the Background Fill, select the Auto-Fill option.
  4. Click and drag to draw the selection on the canvas.
  5. Press Delete.

Snagit deletes the selected area from the image and automatically fills it with the same color as the surrounding area.

To learn more about selection options, for example to create a circular image or edit the text in a screenshot, see Selection Tool.

4. Share Your Image Capture

 
  1. In Snagit Editor, click the Share Link button.
    Share Link button
  2. Snagit uploads your capture to Screencast, TechSmith’s cloud-based solution for collaboration and feedback, and copies the link to your clipboard.
  3. Paste the link into an email or your preferred message platform.

For more information, see Share & Engage (Share Link).

Tip: Explore more ways to share!

Click Copy All to quickly copy then paste your image in another application.

Or click the Share Link dropdown to share the image directly to another application or to save the file to a specific location. See Share Captures.

Note: This tutorial is for Snagit version 2024. Previous versions may look or function differently.

Record, Edit & Share a Snagit Video

Record, Edit & Share a Snagit Video - feature image
 

In this tutorial:

  1. Record a Video with Snagit (3:07)
  2. Edit a Snagit Video (1:22)
  3. Combine Snagit Videos (2:02)
  4. Share or Save a Snagit Video (1:26)

1. Record a Video with Snagit

 

Steps to Record a Video

  1. In the Capture window, select the Video tab.
    Video tab in the Capture Window
  2. On the Video tab, adjust the settings as needed, for example to record your microphone, webcam, or cursor.
    Capture button
  3. The orange crosshairs appear. Click and drag to select the area to record on the screen or click the Fullscreen button to select the entire screen.
    Selection crosshairs and Fullscreen button
  4. The Video Recording toolbar appears.
    Recording toolbar
  5. Click a button on the toolbar to turn the option on or off before or during recording:
    • Webcam: Record live video from the connected or built-in webcam. Click the dropdown to select the camera device and Picture-in-Picture or Fullscreen webcam options.
      Webcam options menu
    • Capture Cursor: Record your cursor while screen recording. Click the dropdown to turn the cursor effects on or off.
      Capture Cursor button
    • System Audio: Record the sound from your computer such as application alerts or the audio playing from your computer speakers.
      System Audio button
    • Microphone audio: Record the audio from your computer’s built-in microphone or from a connected USB microphone. Click the dropdown to select a device.
      Microphone button
  6. To begin recording, click the Record button or press Shift+F9 (Windows) or Command+Shift+Space (Mac).
    Record button
  7. To pause recording, click the Pause button or press Shift+F9 (Windows) or Control+Shift+Space (Mac).
    Pause button
  8. To stop the recording, click the Stop button or press Shift+F10 (Windows) or Control+Shift+V (Mac).
    Stop button

For more information and video options, see:

2. Edit a Snagit Video

 

Cut out mistakes or unwanted parts, or trim away the beginning or end of a video.

Steps to Edit a Video

  1. Drag the green Start handle on the timeline to the location to start the cut.
    The start selection handle on the left side of the playhead
  2. Drag the red End handle on the timeline to the location to end the cut.
    The end selection handle on the right side of the playhead
  3. To review the segment to be cut out, drag the white playhead across the timeline.
    Drag the playhead left and right to review the selection
  4. Click the Cut Out button.
    The Cut Out button above the selection

3. Combine Snagit Videos

 

Record multiple videos with Snagit, then combine them into a single video. For example:

  • Record a video in segments rather than a single take.
  • Record additional information missed in the first recording.
  • Import and add a video or segment recorded by another person.

Steps to Combine Videos

  1. In the video playback toolbar, click Add Videos.
    Video playback toolbar
  2. In the Combine Videos dialog, click to select additional videos in the order you want to combine them.
    Combine Videos window with four videos selected
  3. Click Combine Videos.

The combined video appears on the canvas to review, edit, and share. The original videos remain in the tray and/or library for future use. For more information, see Combine Videos.

4. Share or Save a Snagit Video

 

Share directly to the app, hosting service, or file location of your choice.

Steps to Share or Save Your Video

  1. In Snagit Editor, click to select a video in the recent captures tray.
  2. Click the Share Link dropdown or Share dropdown and select a destination:
    • File: Save an mp4 to your computer or network drive.
    • Screencast: Upload your video to TechSmith’s online video sharing site with built-in conversations, and comments. Snagit automatically copies the link to your clipboard. Learn about Snagit + Screencast for workplace communications.
    • Hosting platform or cloud destination: Select Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or another destination to upload your video. Snagit automatically copies the link to your clipboard. See Share Captures.

Note: This tutorial is for Snagit version 2024. Previous versions may look or function differently.

Ryan Eash

Ryan designs, implements, and maintains curriculum that helps educators create images and videos. An adjunct at Lenoir-Rhyne University, he teaches a fully online course in the Online Teaching and Instructional Design program. Prior to joining TechSmith in 2007, Ryan received his bachelor's in elementary education from Indiana University, his master's in instructional technology and design from East Carolina University, and taught for 10 years in elementary through higher education.

Share in Collections

Collections Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Collections Overview

Create a collection to share a set of media with your audience.

Benefits of collections:

  • Share media with a single link rather than many individual links.
  • Allow others on your team to contribute and upload content to the collection.
  • Viewers can opt in to follow a collection and automatically receive notifications when new media is added.

Tip: Folders vs. Collections

Folders are for organizing media in your Screencast Library. Collections are for sharing sets of media with your team or others. To learn about folders, see Manage Content in Your Library.

Consider setting up collections for the following types of situations:

  • Recorded meetings and updates for your team
  • Draft material for client feedback
  • Project updates for stakeholders

Create a Collection

  1. In the Screencast Library, click the + icon next to Collections.
    Collections section with cursor hovering over the plus sign
  2. The Create Collection dialog appears. Enter a name for the collection.
  3. Select a privacy level:
    • Only people with the link: Anyone with a link can view. The collection is hidden from public search engines.
    • Only you: No one else can view the collection. You must be signed in to your account to access it.
  4. Click Create.

Add Media to a Collection

Add media to a collection by completing any of the following:

  • In My Library, click the checkboxes to select the desired media to include in the collection.
    media checkbox
    Click the Share to Collection button. The Share to Collection dialog appears. Select a collection from the dropdown and click Submit.
  • In My Library, click the More media options icon icon on the media and select Share to Collection. Select a collection from the dropdown and click Submit.

Tip: Share Media to Multiple Collections

Any single image or video in your library can be shared to as many different collections as you’d like. If the media is ever updated, all changes will automatically cascade to any collections to which that media has been added.

Share a Collection

Copy a link to share all media in the collection with others.

  1. Click the More media options icon icon next to the collection and select Share.
  2. Click the Copy Invitation Link button to copy the URL to the clipboard to paste into another location.

Join a Collection

If someone shares a link to a collection with you, you can view the content without creating an account.

If you have a TechSmith account, you can also join the collection to follow it. When you follow a collection:

  • The collection is added to your personal Collections list, and new content added to collections you follow will appear in Recently Added.
    Collection section of a Screencast Library
  • If you have Notifications enabled for the collection, you will be notified when new content is added.

Note: When you create or follow a collection, you automatically subscribe to media notifications. To turn off notifications for a collection, disable the Notify setting on the collection page.
Disable Notify button

To follow a collection:

  1. Open the shared collection link in a web browser.
  2. Sign in to Screencast.
  3. Click the Join to Follow button.

Manage Access to a Collection

Any collection manager can set which members can view, contribute, or manage the content within the collection.

  1. In the Screencast Library, click to open the collection.
    Collections section with a collection name highlighted
  2. Click the Share button.
  3. In the Default Collection Permissions dropdown, select the desired permission setting for all new collection followers.
    • Contributor: Can view media and members, add media to the collection, and remove their own media.
    • Participant: Can only view the media in the collection and the collection member list.
  4. To change an existing member’s permissions, complete one of the following:
    • Click the dropdown for the member and select an option:
      • Manager: Can remove members, change individual member permissions, add or remove any media, and controls the collection privacy settings.
      • Contributor: Can view media and members, add media to the collection, and remove their own media.
      • Participant: Can only view the media in the collection and the collection member list.
    • To remove the member from the collection, click the Remove member icon icon.

Note: If you would like to prevent anyone new from viewing or joining your collection, enable the Members only setting.
Members only toggle

Remove Media from a Collection

  1. In the Screencast Library, click to select the collection.
    Collections section with a collection name highlighted
  2. Click the Remove member icon icon on the media to remove.
  3. A prompt appears. Click Remove to remove the media from the collection.
    Media removed from a collection still appears in the content owner’s Screencast Library.

What’s New in Camtasia 2023

Discover what’s new in Camtasia version 2023:

Batch Export Videos

The Batch Exporter helps you to:

  • Quickly export a series of videos across your Camtasia projects to repurpose the content to fit various platforms, video styles, or quality requirements.
  • Maintain productivity by running the export process in the background while you create or edit another project.
  • Save time and improve file management by editing the output location across the projects in the Batch Exporter.

    Batch Exporter dialog example queue

See Batch Export Videos.

Camtasia Rev

Camtasia Rev layout examples

Camtasia now offers an effortless video creation workflow, called Camtasia Rev, designed to help you make great content faster than ever. With just a few clicks, Rev enables you to seamlessly blend screen recordings, webcam footage, and audio into captivating videos. 

In Camtasia Rev, transform and personalize your recording by selecting options in the size, layout, background, effect, and filter tabs. From here, you can send the video to Camtasia Editor for further editing and enhancements or export it immediately.

See Build Your First Video.

Camtasia Asset Integration

Assets marketing graphic

Assets are now easier than ever to access and add to your projects! You can now browse over 20 million professional, royalty-free video assets directly in Camtasia. Add polish to your video with photos, videos, audio, and customizable digital content, without ever leaving the editor! 

See Enhance Your Video with Camtasia Assets.

Camtasia and Audiate Sync

Camtasia and Audiate sync graphic

Camtasia and Audiate now have improved syncing to help users edit video and enhance audio faster than ever.  Seamlessly switch between Audiate and Camtasia to edit your video like text. 

Audiate has also added the ability to automatically generate dynamic captions based on the audio transcription, so you can add exciting, bold captions to your videos. 

See Speed Up Editing with Audiate.

Audio Visualizers

Visualize your voice narration, music clips, sound effects, or any audio to transform static video into dynamic onscreen audio animations.

See 4 Ways to Visualize Audio.

Variable Speed Playback Shortcuts

Are you tired of spending endless hours scrubbing through footage, desperately searching for that perfect edit point? Watching clip after clip at a snail’s pace while time slips away? Well, get ready to break free from the chains of traditional video editing, because we’ve got something incredible for you: Variable Speed Playback, brought to you by the magical JKL keyboard shortcuts!

  • Press J to reverse the timeline playback at normal (1x), 2x, 4x, or 8x speed.
  • Press K to pause the timeline playback.
  • Press L to play the timeline forward at normal (1x), 2x, 4x, or 8x speed.

New Cursor Replacement Images

Cursor replacement demo image

Stand out from the crowd and put a smile of delight on your audience’s face with new Replace Cursor Image feature. Use our exclusive Neon and Hand Drawn cursor packs, or import your own images to use as cursors – like a company logo or avatar.

See Customize Your Cursor and Path.

Cursor Color Effect

Cursor Color demo image

The Cursor Color effect breathes new life into your cursors. Use bold color choices to grab your audience’s attention, or map the cursor colors to your brand with this simple drag and drop effect found in the Cursor Effects tab.

See Edit the Cursor with Effects.

Cursor Shadow Effect

Cursor Shadow Effect demo image

The Cursor Shadow effect allows you to dynamically adjust the Angle, Offset, Blur and Opacity of a cursor shadow. Add depth to your cursor, drawing it away from the screen, increasing contrast and making it stand out.

See Edit the Cursor with Effects.

Motion Path Effect

Motion path demo image

Apply the Motion Path Effect to easily animate any media along a path. Enable Auto Orient for realistic path-following rotation, and explore effect properties for fine control over easing and line types. Embrace the fun and creativity!

See Add Movement to Any Object (Motion Paths).

Vignette Effect

Vignette demo image

The new Vignette effect makes it easy to create a cinematic look that draws viewers attention to the center of your content. A number of simple adjustment options let you refine and shape the effect to achieve a polished result.

See Visual Effects Overview.

Camtasia Filters

Filters demo image

Give your content a cinematic color tone, a vintage feel, or a futuristic look with Camtasia Filters. Thirty-two unique color Filters (Color LUTs) can now be found under Filters in the Visual Effects tab.

See Edit Video Colors and Shading (Filters).

AI Background Removal

Background removal demo image

Don’t have the time, patience or money to set up a green screen? No problem–let the robots do the heavy lifting. Take any video and apply the Background Removal effect to make the background disappear instantly.

See Remove a Background from Your Video.

Corner Pinning

Corner pinning demo image

Use the new Corner Pin mode to map an image or video to a 3D perspective. It’s now super simple to make any content fit perfectly into a monitor, TV, phone, or any other scene.

See Create the Illusion of 3D Perspective (Corner Pinning).

Dynamic Background and Fills

Dynamic backgrounds demo image

Create high-end, gorgeous visuals without any hassle. Let the fun begin with fully customizable properties, giving you endless creative possibilities. Go beyond stock footage, and create dazzling backgrounds of your own in seconds. Click the Library tab and select the Dynamic Backgrounds folder to explore.

See Add a Dynamic Background.

New Asset Library

New assets demo image

The 2023 Camtasia Asset Library has been revamped from the bottom up with a ton of new assets. Camtasia’s powerful and flexible Quick Properties and Dynamic Properties make it easy to customize the assets to put your own personal spin on how your content looks.

See Customize Library Assets.

Discover Assets in Camtasia Home

Facing a deadline and need stunning results immediately? A collection of customizable titling, lower thirds, animations, motion graphics and more is available via our cloud based asset service. Our content team is working hard to surface the best free, premium, and featured assets for use in your next video. And now, it’s easier than ever to discover these assets in Camtasia Home just below Recent Projects.

New Templates

Looking for some inspiration? Need a beautiful layout to drop a title and a screenshot on? On the hunt for elegant framing that wraps around mobile and desktop screen content? Our new unstructured templates give you the perfect starting point without forcing a narrative structure that doesn’t fit your needs.

See How to Use a Template.

Lottie Color Quick Properties

Camtasia’s Lottie color support makes it easy to quickly customize slick animations to match your branded content. Quick Properties take this to the next level. Group any Lottie animation and color wells are automatically generated in the properties panel. The Quick Property Asset editor allows you to map Lottie colors to Theme colors making it incredibly easy to style elements from the Camtasia Asset Library and Asset Service.

See Create Custom Assets.

Get Camtasia 2023

 
Free Download

Build Your First Video

Build Your First Video -Featured Image

In this tutorial:

  1. Record Your Screen & Camera
  2. Accelerate Video Creation with Camtasia Rev
  3. Export Your Video or Edit in Camtasia

1. Record Your Screen & Camera

Camtasia Recorder captures your screen, camera, and audio.

Set Up Your Recording
Camtasia Recorder on Windows
Camtasia Recorder on Mac
  1. Select the recording area:
    • Click the toggle to turn screen recording on or off.
      Screen recording toggle
    • Click the dropdown and select a recording area option.
      Screen recording options dropdown
  2. Camtasia highlights the selected recording area on the screen. To edit the recording area:
    • Drag the handles to adjust the selection.
      Drag handles to resize recording area
    • To enter a specific size, type the dimensions in pixels into the Width and Height fields.
      Screen recording dimensions on Windows Screen recording dimensions on Mac
    • To move the selected area on the screen, click the center handle (Windows) or within the selected area (Mac) and drag to the desired location.
      Drag center handle to move recording area
    • If your computer is connected to multiple displays, you can drag the selected area from one screen to another.
  3. To record video from a built-in or connected camera device, click the toggle to turn camera recording on or off and select a camera device from the dropdown. See Record & Edit Camera Video (Picture-in-Picture).
    Webcam on Windows Webcam on Mac
  4. To record audio from your computer’s built-in microphone or from a connected USB microphone:
    • Click the toggle to turn microphone recording on or off and select an audio device from the dropdown.
      Microphone on WindowsMicrophone on Mac
    • Drag the slider to increase or decrease the audio level.
  5. Turn system audio on or off. System audio captures the sound from your computer such as application alerts or audio playing from your computer speakers.
    System Audio on Windows System Audio on Mac
  6. Start recording:
    • Windows: Click the Record button or press F9 on the keyboard.
    • Mac: Click the Start Recording button or press Command +Shift+2 on the keyboard.
  7. Stop recording:
    • Windows:
      • Click the Stop button on the recording toolbar.
      • Or, press F10 on the keyboard.
      • Or, click the Camtasia Recorder icon in the taskbar and then click the Stop button.
        Camtasia Recorder icon in Windows taskbar
    • Mac:
      • Click Stop Recording on the recording toolbar.
      • Or, press Command+Option+2 on the keyboard.
      • Or, click the Camtasia icon in the menu bar and select Stop Recording.
        Camtasia icon in the Mac menu bar
Recording Tips
  • Hide desktop icons (Mac only): Before recording your desktop, hide app, folder, and file icons. In the menu bar, select Camtasia icon > Hide Desktop Icons.
  • Run a sample recording to test the audio:
    • No Microphone Audio: Select an audio device in the dropdown or enable the Microphone option in the recorder.
    • No System Audio: Enable the System Audio option in the recorder.
    • Low Microphone Audio: Drag the audio slider to increase the audio level and make sure the connected audio device is positioned near the speaker.
  • Customize shortcuts: Speed up your workflow with recorder shortcuts. See Customize Shortcuts.
  • Record with a connected USB microphone: For greater reliability, use a connected USB rather than Bluetooth microphone.
  • Set maximum frame rate (Windows only): To ensure quality video recording, set the maximum capture frame rate. In Camtasia Recorder, select Tools menu > Preferences > Inputs tab > Maximum capture frame rate. See Crisp & Clear Screen Recordings and Camtasia Target Capture Frame Rate.
  • Select a recording encoder (Windows only): Consider whether the default TSC2 encoder or H264 encoder is better for your situation. In Camtasia Recorder, select Tools menu > Preferences > Inputs tab > Recording encoder. See When to Use TSC2 vs H264 in Camtasia for Screen Recording.

2. Accelerate Video Creation with Camtasia Rev

After recording, Camtasia Rev opens. Rev makes it easy for creators to deliver on-trend and compelling video content. Implement your own personal style with just a few clicks.

 

Size
Set the video size based on where you want to host or share the video. Rev provides size options to target standard video sizes for all your channels.

Layout
Choose from a series a layouts based on the content in your recording.

Background
Choose from a variety of colors, patterns, and animations for the background to make your content more visually engaging.

Effects
Apply multiple effects to the cursor, camera, and screen recording to draw attention or set the tone.

Filters
Apply visual filters to enhance the appearance of camera video.

Note: You can turn off some of the automatic selections in Camtasia Rev, such as backgrounds. Click to deselect the option on the Background, Effects, or Filters tabs.

3. Export Your Video or Edit in Camtasia

Export your video directly from Rev, or click Edit in Camtasia for further editing and enhancements.

Basic Edits After Recording

Basic Edits After Recording Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Camtasia Editor Overview

In Camtasia Rev, click the Edit in Camtasia button to further customize and edit your recording in Camtasia Editor.
Camtasia Rev

Note: You can turn off some of the automatic selections in Camtasia Rev, such as backgrounds. Click to deselect the option on the Background, Effects, or Filters tabs.

Camtasia adds your recording to the timeline and Media Bin.

  • The Media Bin stores all the media in your current project and maintains a copy of the original, unedited media.
  • The timeline is where you arrange and edit media in your video.
    Rev recording on timeline
  1. Screen Recording
  2. Camera Recording
  3. Background
  4. Effects Tray: Click to expand the effects tray to view the effects and filters applied in Camtasia Rev.

Basic Edits

Try these quick edits after recording to remove mistakes or to customize your video.

Trim
Remove any extra content at the beginning or end of a recording.

  1. Click to select the media on the timeline.
  2. Drag the end of the clip in.
  3. To restore content that was trimmed too far, drag the end of the clip back out.
    Trimming does not affect the original recording in the media bin.

Cut Out Mistakes
Remove mistakes or unwanted sections in your content.

  1. Drag the red or green handle on the playhead to select the area to remove.
  2. Click the Cut icon to remove the section.
    Cut icon in toolbar
    A dashed line appears where the clips were stitched together after the cut.

Tip: Undo a selection.

Double-click the playhead to bring the red and green handles back together.

Position Screen or Camera Recording
You can further customize your content in the Rev layout you selected. For example, move your webcam to display on the left instead of the right in your video.

  1. In the Canvas toolbar, select Edit mode.
    Edit mode button
  2. To move the screen or camera recording, click and drag the content to the desired location on the canvas.
  3. To resize the screen or camera recording, click to select the content on the canvas. Drag a corner handle in or out on the canvas or drag the Scale slider in the properties.

To learn more about editing the camera recording, see Record & Edit Camera Video (Picture-in-Picture).

Frame Content
Camtasia Rev automatically positions your content to fit within the selected layout.

To edit the content in focus in the frame:

  1. In the Canvas toolbar, select Crop mode.
    Crop mode button
  2. To zoom in or out on the content, click to select the content on the canvas and drag the Scale slider in the properties.
  3. To position the content in the frame, click and drag on the content on the canvas.

Zoom in on Sections in Your Video
To zoom in on the content for a section in your video, add a custom animation.

  1. Select Animations tab > Animations subtab, and drag the Custom animation onto your content on the timeline.
  2. In the properties, drag the Scale slider to zoom in on your content. This sets the display for the end of the animation.
  3. On the timeline, drag the end of the animation arrow out to slow down the animation or to speed up the animation.

Edit an Effect or Filter Applied in Rev

  1. Click to expand the effects tray on the media on the timeline.
    Effects tray closed and opened
  2. Click to select the effect or filter to edit.
    effect selected
  3. Edit the options available for the effect or filter in the Properties panel. You can preview the changes on the canvas.
  4. To preview the effect or filter enabled or turned off, click the effect toggle in the properties.
  5. To delete the effect or filter, click the Delete icon button in the properties or press the Delete key.
 

Add a Title
Add a title or text to introduce your video, a speaker, or a scene. Learn how to create your own title or add one of our 100 million customizable and creative assets available in Camtasia, see Enhance Your Video with Camtasia Assets.

Edit the Background
You can customize the dynamic backgrounds applied in Camtasia Rev.

  1. Click to select the background on the timeline.
  2. In the Properties panel, customize the properties such as color, speed, and more. To learn more, see Add a Dynamic Background.

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Access Your Original Recording

Camtasia maintains your original recording streams (audio, screen recording, and camera) in the Media Bin without the Camtasia Rev enhancements and effects applied.

To replace the Camtasia Rev edits with your original recording in a video:

  1. Control+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select the media on the timeline and press the Delete key.
  2. Select Media tab > Media Bin subtab.
  3. Drag the original recording file from the Media Bin onto the timeline.

Export & Share

When you are ready to export or share your video, click the Export button in the upper-right corner of Camtasia Editor, then select a destination. See Export & Share Your Video.
Export menu

Assemble Your Video

Assemble Your Video Featured Image

The Media tab helps you organize and assemble content for your video. You can import media from your computer, start a new recording, search our online assets, or use any custom assets saved to the library.
Media subtabs numbered

To add content to your video, continue with the following:

1Add Media to Your Project (Media Bin)
2Add Online Assets
3Add Custom Assets (Library)

Add Media to Your Project

The Media Bin contains any media you record or add to your current video project. Select any of the following options to add content into the Media Bin to use in your video:

Record the Screen

See Build Your First Video.

Import Media from Your Computer
  1. Click the Media tab.
  2. Click Add Media icon > Import Media or double-click in the Media Bin.
  3. Click to select the media to import. Control+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple files.
  4. Click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac).

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Record a PowerPoint Presentation

See Record a PowerPoint Presentation.

Import PowerPoint Slides

See Import PowerPoint Slides.

Record an iOS Device

See Record iOS Devices (Mac).

Import Media from a Mobile Device

Send images or videos to Camtasia from your mobile device.

  1. Select File > Connect to Mobile Device.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions in the Connect Mobile Device dialog.

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Import Media from Google Drive
  1. Click the Media tab.
  2. Click Add Media icon icon > Import From Google Drive.
  3. Enter your Google email and password.
  4. Click to select the media to import. Control+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple files.
  5. Click Import.

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Record Voice Narration

See Record Voice Narration.

To include the media in your video, select Media tab > Media Bin subtab. Drag the media onto the desired location on the timeline or canvas.

 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline to get recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

To learn more about managing your project media in the Media Bin, see Import & Manage Project Media (Media Bin).

Add Online Assets

Assets are now easier than ever to access and add to your projects. You can browse over 20 million professional, royalty-free video assets directly in Camtasia. Add polish to your video with photos, videos, audio, and customizable digital content, without ever leaving the editor. 

If you are starting with a blank Camtasia project, browse our premade assets for inspiration, such as adding a title to introduce your video or add context to a recording.

Camtasia Assets subtab

Select Media tab > Camtasia Assets subtab to browse or search our free and premium online assets. To add an asset to your video, drag the asset from the Camtasia Assets subtab onto the desired location on the timeline or canvas.

 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline for recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

To learn more about Camtasia assets and how to use the assets in your videos, see Enhance Your Video with Camtasia Assets.

Note: To access online assets in Camtasia version 2023.2.0 or earlier, click the Download button > Download more assets. See Download & Install TechSmith Assets (version 2023.2.0 or earlier) tutorial.

Add Custom Assets (Library)

The library stores any custom assets or media you want to reuse across multiple Camtasia projects. Save intros, animated backgrounds, icons, titles, music, groups, annotations, and more to your library to use consistent elements across your videos.

Library subtab

Select Media tab > Library subtab to browse your saved assets or media. To add a library asset to your video, drag the asset from the Library subtab onto the desired location on the timeline or canvas.

 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline to get recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

To learn how to save and organize assets in your library to reuse across projects, see Reuse Assets Across Projects (Library).

Export & Share Your Video

In this tutorial:

Note: This tutorial covers exporting a video on Camtasia version 2023 and later. To learn how to export a video on Camtasia version 2022 and earlier using the Export > Local Legacy File (Production Wizard), see Export a Video (Version 2022 and earlier).

Export Overview

Export a video file based on the media on the timeline in your Camtasia project. The Export menu contains settings optimized to share videos to your local hard drive, Screencast, YouTube, and more.

Click Export and select an option from the dropdown:
Export menu

Export a Video to Your Computer

The Local File option is best for exporting a MP4, GIF, M4A, or a video with interactive features (such as table of contents, captions, search, quizzing, and hotspots) onto your computer. Then, upload to a video hosting site, your channel, or social media to share the video with others.

  1. Select Export > Local File.
  2. The Export Local File dialog appears. Customize the export options:
    • Windows: Select an option from the Preset dropdown or select Custom to edit the export settings.
      Preset dropdown in Export Local file dialog
    • Mac: Select a file format from the dropdown and click the Options button to customize the advanced settings.
  3. Click Export.

Tip: Batch export multiple videos.

Select Export > Batch Export button to quickly export a series of videos to repurpose the content to fit various platforms, video styles, or export quality requirements. See Batch Export Videos.

Export a Selection on the Timeline

Export a selection on the timeline to create a short video or to preview an effect.

Learn how to export a timeline selection
  1. Drag the green and red playhead handles to make a selection on the timeline.
    blue selection between green and red playhead handles
  2. Export the selection:
    • Windows:
      1. Right-click the selection and select Export Timeline Selection As.
      2. The Export Selection dialog appears. Choose the desired options. If the selection includes interactive features, select the Export with Smart Player preset or file format. See Export Videos with Interactive Features.
      3. Click Export.
    • Mac:
      1. Select Export > Local File.
      2. A confirmation window appears. Click Continue to export only the selected portion of the timeline.
      3. The export dialog appears. Choose the desired options. If the selection includes interactive features, see Export Videos with Interactive Features.
  3. Click Export.

Export to Screencast

Upload your videos to Screencast to share with your audience. Screencast is a cloud-based solution for collaboration and feedback.

Your TechSmith account automatically gives you access to store up to 25 videos on Screencast for free. Or subscribe to Screencast Pro to upload unlimited videos and access additional features. Learn more about our Screencast account tiers.

Check out some of the benefits of sharing your content to Screencast:

Learn how to export to Screencast

Note: You must have Camtasia Windows version 2022.4.0 or later or Camtasia Mac version 2023.0.0 or later installed.

  1. In Camtasia, select Export > Screencast.
  2. The Export to Screencast dialog appears. Enter a title and optional description.
  3. Click the Export button.
    Camtasia uploads the video to your Screencast Library.

Export to YouTube

Upload your videos directly from Camtasia to YouTube.

Note: Recommended YouTube video resolutions vary. 720p or 1080p (HD) are best for playback on standard monitors.

Learn how to export to YouTube
  1. Click Export > YouTube. You may be asked to sign in to your YouTube account.
  2. Enter a title, description, tags, privacy, and category.
    Export dialog for Youtube on Windows Export dialog for Youtube on Mac

    Tip: Add tags to improve improve search engine optimization (SEO).

    Add keywords from your content as tags so YouTube can help users find your video.

  3. Set the privacy settings to the desired level.
  4. Click Export.

    Note: If your timeline includes captions or a table of contents:

    • Windows: Camtasia 2022.1.0 and later automatically uploads your captions and TOC to YouTube.
    • Mac: Select Create table of contents from markers to upload your TOC. Camtasia automatically uploads your captions to Youtube.

Camtasia uploads the video to YouTube and opens the video in a browser window for playback.

Note: Quizzes and interactive hotspots in Camtasia are not supported on YouTube.

Export Videos with Interactive Features

The TechSmith Smart Player is required for videos with interactive features such as table of contents, captions, search, quizzing, and hotspots.

Learn how to export with the TechSmith Smart Player

To include the TechSmith Smart Player, export to any of the following options:

  • Local File (Windows): Select the MP4 with Smart Player preset or file type option. On the Smart Player tab, select from these additional options:
    • To report quiz results with SCORM, enable the Report using SCORM option and click the SCORM Options button.
    • Exported vs. Hosted Smart Player Files:
      For additional details about Exported vs Hosted Smart Player files, see Hosted TechSmith Smart Player FAQ.
      • Export Smart Player files for hosting: The export includes additional CSS and JavaScript files required to run the Smart Player on your website. As web browsers evolve, it may be necessary to manually update or reproduce video files with the newest version of Smart Player.
      • Use hosted Smart Player files (Recommended): Smart Player CSS and JavaScript files are hosted and kept up-to-date by TechSmith. This option ensures you always have the latest version of Smart Player without having to manually update files on your web server or reproduce video files.
  • Local File (Mac): Select the Export to MP4 file format and enable the desired interactive options in the export dialog:
    • For captions, select an option from the Caption Style dropdown.
    • To include a quiz, enable the Include Quiz option and click Options to edit the settings.
    • To report quiz results with SCORM, enable the Include SCORM option and click Options to edit the settings.
    • To include a video TOC and search, enable the Create table of contents from markers option.
  • Screencast
  • Knowmia
  • Legacy Local File (Camtasia Windows 2022 or earlier)

Tip: Archive your finished project in a folder that contains all the media in your video.

  • Windows: Select File > Export > Zipped Project.
  • Mac: Select File > Save As and select the Create standalone project option.

Batch Export Videos

Batch Export Videos Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Overview

The Batch Exporter helps you to:

  • Quickly export a series of videos from a Camtasia project or video file to repurpose the content to fit various platforms, video styles, or quality requirements.
  • Export a video file or project into multiple formats.
  • Maintain productivity by running the export process in the background while you create or edit another project.
  • Quickly edit the output location across your batch files to improve file management.
    Batch Exporter dialog example queue

Add Projects to the Batch Export Queue (Windows)

In Camtasia Windows, you can add Camtasia projects (.tscproj) or video files (.trec and .mp4) to a queue and export multiple files based on the selected export preset for each.

  1. Open Camtasia.
  2. In the Home hub, open a recent project or select New Project.
  3. Camtasia Editor opens. Select Export > Batch Export.
  4. The Batch Exporter dialog opens. Click the Add Files / Projects button to select a project to add to the export queue.
  5. Browse to find Camtasia Projects (.tscproj), .trec, or .mp4 files to add.
  6. Click the Open button to add the project to the queue.
  7. For each project in the queue, select an export preset from the Preset dropdown menu. To create custom export presets, see Set up Export Presets.
    Export Preset dropdown in Batch Exporter

    Note: If your project contains markers, you can export multiple videos based on the markers in the project in Camtasia version 2023.4.2 or later. Click the dropdown next to the project name, and select the Create multiple files from markers checkbox.
    Option to create multiple files from markers in the project name dropdown

  8. To change the export location, click the Output Location path, browse to select a new file location, and click Select Folder.
  9. Click the Start Export button.
    You can continue to work in Camtasia Editor and open other projects while the batch exporter is running.

Status Column

The Batch Exporter indicates the status of each project in the queue.

StatusDescription / Action to Take
ReadyThe project is ready for batch export.
  • Click the Start Export button to export the projects in the queue.
  • To remove a project from the queue, right-click the project name and select Remove.
ErrorThere was an error in the project and the file cannot be included in the batch export. Hover your cursor over the Error status for more information.
WarningHover your cursor over the Warning status for more information.
Progress barA progress bar appears in the Status column when Camtasia has started exporting the selected project.

To cancel export for all files in the queue, click the Cancel All button.
FinishedThe export for this project is complete.

Right-click the project name and select Open Exported File Location to view the exported file. The file location is also listed in the Output Location column.
CanceledThe export was not completed.

Click the Start Export button to continue batch exporting the projects in the queue.

Set up Export Presets (Windows only)

Create a preset to save your custom export settings. Presets save time and are great for quickly applying specific export preferences based on platform, video type, or quality.

  1. In Camtasia, open a recent project.
  2. Select Export > Local File.
  3. The Export Local File dialog appears. Click to expand the Advanced Settings.
    Advanced Settings in the Export Local File dialog
  4. Customize the desired settings on the Dimensions, Encoding, and Audio tabs.
  5. Click the Add Preset button button to add a new preset.
  6. The Add Exporter Preset dialog appears. Enter a name and click OK.

Camtasia saves the Windows export preset. You can select and apply this preset in the following preset dropdown locations:

  • Select Export > Local File > Advanced Settings > Presets dropdown.
    Export Preset dropdown
  • Select Export > Batch Export > Presets dropdown.
    Export Preset dropdown in Batch Exporter

Batch Export Multiple Projects to a Single Export Type (Mac)

In Camtasia Mac, you can add multiple projects to the batch export queue to export multiple files based on the same file type or export settings.

  1. Open Camtasia.
  2. Select Export > Batch Export button.
  3. The Batch Export dialog opens. Click the Add Project button.
  4. Browse to find Camtasia Project (.cmproj) files to add. Shift+click to add multiple .cmproj files.
  5. Click the Select Project(s) button to add the project to the queue.
  6. To change the export location, click the Select button, browse to select a new file location and click Select.
  7. To customize the batch export settings for the projects in the queue, select a file format from the dropdown and click the Options button to edit the export settings.
  8. Click the Start button.

Enhance Your Video with Camtasia Assets

Enhance Your Video With Camtasia Assets Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Camtasia Assets Overview

Assets are now easier than ever to access and add to your projects. You can browse over 100 million professional, royalty-free video assets directly in Camtasia. Add polish to your video with photos, videos, audio, and customizable digital content, without ever leaving the editor. 

Subscribe to unlock premium Camtasia Assets

Choose from a continually updated library of over 100 million creative assets.


Subscribe Now

If you are starting with a blank Camtasia project, browse our premade assets for inspiration, such as adding a title to introduce your video or a music track to set the tone.

Find Camtasia Assets

  1. To access the free and premium assets in Camtasia version 2023.3.0 or later, select Media tab > Camtasia Assets subtab.
    Camtasia Assets subtab displaying two free title assets

    Note: To learn how to download assets in previous version of Camtasia, see Download & Install TechSmith Assets (version 2023.2.0 and earlier) tutorial.

  2. Enter a search term into the Search field and press the Enter key.
    Search field on Camtasia Assets subtab
  3. The search results display the assets available for the keyword.
    Camtasia Assets search results
    To filter the search results by an asset type or by free assets, click the Search Filter dropdown and select a category.
    Filter dropdown
View the asset categories available in Camtasia
  • Customizable:
    • Titles: Capture the attention of your viewers with the perfect title animation. Easily add your logo, text, and colors to make it your own.
    • Motion Graphics: Get your point across with ease. Choose from hundreds of motion graphics, like lower thirds, callouts, animations, audio visualizers, and more to create powerful explainer and product videos.
  • Video:
    • Footage: Enhance your video projects with royalty-free footage. Explore millions of high-quality video clips that bring your stories to life.
    • Motion Backgrounds: Make your videos pop with animated, looping video backgrounds. Explore millions of royalty-free motion backgrounds.
    • Animations: These fun and expressive animations help you convey emotion, simplify complex ideas, and will delight your viewers.
    • Effects: Find the perfect effect to improve your next video. Video effects library of royalty-free, short clips with an alpha channel.
  • Audio:
    • Music: Find high-quality background music for videos. Explore royalty-free instrumental and vocal audio tracks in various moods, styles, and genres.
    • Sound Effects: Emphasize important content in your video with sound effects. Find the perfect royalty-free sound effect to accompany the action on screen.
  • Photos
  • Other Asset Types: Camtasia offers other types of downloadable assets for use in Camtasia that are not available from the Camtasia Assets subtab. You can browse more asset types from the Home window.
    • Templates: Create video faster than ever with drag and drop video templates you can customize in just a few clicks. See How to Use a Template.
    • Asset Packs: Themed video elements thoughtfully curated to help you accomplish your goals.
    • Themes: Customizable themes instantly make your video look more professional and polished with coordinated colors and fonts. No graphic design experience necessary! See Build Your Color Palette.
    • Device Frames: Quickly make any video look like it’s playing on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device screen. Establish context and add a level of professionalism to your videos with customizable device frames. See Provide Context with Device Frames.
    • Icons: Discover the perfect royalty-free illustrations and icons for your next video project.

Add Camtasia Assets to Your Video

To add an asset to your video, drag the asset from the Camtasia Assets subtab onto the desired location on the timeline or canvas.

 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline to get recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

Export an Audio File

Export an Audio File thumbnail

Export audio from your project as a standalone .mp3, .m4a, or .wav audio file.

Note: The exported audio file includes all enabled audio tracks. To export the audio from only one track on the timeline, hold the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (Mac) and click the Disable track icon icon to the left of the track. The icon changes to Solo track icon and all other tracks are disabled and not included in the exported file.

  1. Select Export menu > Export Audio Only.
  2. Enter a file name and location.
  3. Select a file type.
  4. Click Save (Windows) or Export (Mac).

Import & Manage Your Project Media (Media Bin)

In this tutorial:

Media Bin Overview

The Media Bin contains any media you record or add to your current video project. To open, select Media tab > Media Bin subtab.
empty Media Bin

Record or Import Media into a Project

Select any of the following options to record or import content into the Media Bin to use in your video:

Record the Screen

See Build Your First Video.

Import Media from Your Computer
  1. Click the Media tab.
  2. Click Add Media icon > Import Media or double-click in the Media Bin.
  3. Click to select the media to import. Control+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple files.
  4. Click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac).

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Record a PowerPoint Presentation

See Record a PowerPoint Presentation.

Import PowerPoint Slides

See Import PowerPoint Slides.

Record an iOS Device

See Record iOS Devices (Mac).

Import Media from a Mobile Device

Send images or videos to Camtasia from your mobile device.

  1. Select File > Connect to Mobile Device.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions in the Connect Mobile Device dialog.

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Import Media from Google Drive
  1. Click the Media tab.
  2. Click Add Media icon icon > Import From Google Drive.
  3. Enter your Google email and password.
  4. Click to select the media to import. Control+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple files.
  5. Click Import.

The imported media appears in the Media Bin.

Record Voice Narration

See Record Voice Narration.

Add Media to Your Video

To include the media in your video, select Media tab > Media Bin subtab. Drag the media onto the desired location on the timeline or canvas.

 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline for recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

Manage & Organize Media

After adding media to your project, the following tasks help you view and organize content in the Media Bin.

Change Media Bin ViewClick the Media Bin View button to change the media display to one of the following options:
Media Bin View
  • Large Thumbnails
  • Medium Thumbnails
  • Small Thumbnails
  • Extra Small Thumbnails
  • List View
Sort MediaSelect an option from the Sort by dropdown. Click the Ascending or Descending button.
Sort By dropdown
View Media DetailsRight-click media and select Details.
Locate Unused Media
(Media not located on the timeline)
To remove unused media, right-click media and select Delete Unused Media.
To select unused media, right-click media and select Select Unused Media.
Create a Proxy VideoCreate a proxy of your high definition videos to improve editing performance such as lags or skips during playback.

Right-click media in the Media Bin and select Proxy Video > Create Proxy Video. An icon appears in the video thumbnail when the process is complete.
yellow circle icon on Proxy thumbnail
Delete a Proxy VideoRight-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) the proxy media in the Media Bin and select Proxy Video > Delete Proxy Video.

To delete all proxy videos:
  • Windows: Select Edit > Preferences > Advanced tab > Delete Proxy Videos button.
  • Mac: Select Camtasia 2023 > Settings (macOS 13 or later) or Preferences (macOS 12 or earlier) > General tab > Delete All Proxy Videos button.
Rename Media (Mac Only)Right-click media and select Rename. Type a new name.
Create a Reverse VideoCreate a copy of your video media where the events are in reversed order.
Example of reverse video in the media bin

Right-click (Win) or Control+click (Mac) the media in the Media Bin and select Reverse Video.

The new media is added to the Media Bin.

Note: Reversed videos do not include audio.


To cancel a reverse video while processing, right-click (Win) or Control+click (Mac) the media in the Media Bin and select Cancel Reverse Video.

Camtasia Supported File Formats

WindowsMac
Video Files
AVI, MP4, MPG, MPEG, MTS, M2TS, WMV, MOV
Video Files
MP4, MPG, MPEG, MOV
Camtasia Recording Files
TREC
Camtasia Recording Files
TREC
Image Files
BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PDF, TIF, TIFF, JSON (Lottie)
Image Files
BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PDF, JSON (Lottie)
Audio Files
WAV, MP3, WMA, M4A
Audio Files
M4A, WAV, MP3
Caption Files
SMI, SAMI, SRT
Caption Files
SAMI, SRT
PowerPoint Files
PPT, PPTX
PowerPoint Files
PPT, PPTX

Reuse Media Across Projects (Library)

Reuse Media Across Projects - Featured Image

In this tutorial:

Library Overview

The library stores any custom assets or media you want to reuse across your Camtasia video projects. Save intros, animated backgrounds, icons, titles, music, groups, annotations, and more to your library to use consistent elements across your videos.

To open the library, select Media tab > Library subtab.
Library dropdown

To add a library asset to your video, complete one of the following:

  • Drag the asset from the Library subtab onto the desired location on the timeline.
  • Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) the asset in the library and select Add to Timeline at Playhead.
 

Get tips on how to position media or assets.

See Position Media on Canvas or Explore the Timeline for recommendations on how to position media on the canvas or timeline.

Add or Organize Assets

Create a Custom Library
Organize assets based on a project, video type, asset type, or brand.
  1. Select Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. In the Library dropdown, select Create New Library.
  3. Enter a name.
  4. Select an option in the Start from dropdown to create a blank library or create a copy of an existing library.
  5. Click Create.
Add an Asset or Group to a LibraryAsset or Group from Timeline:
  1. Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) an asset or group on the timeline and select Add to Library.
  2. Enter a name.
  3. Tip: Best practices when naming assets

    • Keep the name short.
    • Avoid generic names such as “callout1”. Use descriptive cues such as video purpose, asset type, or color in the name. For example, “blue-speaker-intro”.
  4. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  5. Select Use Canvas Size to have the asset or group automatically resize based on the canvas dimensions or Use Visible Size to keep the original dimensions.
  6. Click OK.

Selection from Timeline:
  1. Click and drag the green and red handles to select an area on the timeline.
    Timeline selection
  2. Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) the selection and select Add Timeline Selection to Library.
  3. Enter a name.
  4. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  5. Select Use Canvas Size to have the asset or group automatically resize based on the canvas dimensions or Use Visible Size to keep the original dimensions.
  6. Click OK.

From Computer:
  1. Select Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Click the + icon and select Import Media to Library or drag the desired assets into a library or folder.
    Import assets button

From Media Bin:
  1. Select the Media tab > Media Bin subtab.
  2. Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) an asset in the Media Bin and select Add to Library.
  3. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  4. Click OK.
Add a Folder to the Library
  1. Select the Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  3. Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) within the library and select New Folder.
  4. Enter a folder name.
  5. Press the Enter key.
Move Assets or Folders within a Library
  1. Select the Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  3. Click to select the asset or folder. Ctrl+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple assets or folders.
  4. Drag the selection to the desired folder or location in the current library.

Note: To nest a folder in a library, click and drag the folder onto another folder.

Move Assets or Folders to Another Library
  1. Select the Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  3. Click to select the asset or folder. Ctrl+click (Windows) or Command+click (Mac) to select multiple assets or folders.
  4. Right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) the selection and select Move To > the desired library.
Delete an Asset or FolderRight-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) the asset or folder in the library and select Delete.

Find Assets

Search within a library or across all libraries to find assets based on file names.

Search for Assets in Library
  1. Select the Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Click the Search icon and select the scope of the search: Search All Libraries, Search Current Library, or select a recent search term from the dropdown.
    Library search dropdown
  3. Type in the Search Library field.
  4. The search results appear. To sort the search results, right-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) a result and select Sort By.
Sort AssetsRight-click (Windows) or Control+click (Mac) a folder or asset in the library and select Sort By. You can sort by name, type, date added, date used, or reverse the order.
Preview an AssetDouble-click the asset in the library. A preview window appears.

Share a Library

To maintain a consistent video style across a project or organization, share your library assets with others.

Create a Camtasia Package (.campackage) to back up and share your Camtasia resources such as templates, shortcuts, libraries, themes, and presets to another user or computer. See Package & Share Camtasia Resources.

Note: If you upgrade from Camtasia version 2019 or later, user libraries are automatically imported into the latest version of Camtasia during installation. To import libraries from previous versions, complete the steps below.

Export a Library
  1. Select the Media tab > Library subtab.
  2. Select a library from the Library dropdown.
  3. Select Library dropdown > Manage Library > Export Library.
  4. Click Save to save the .libzip file.
  5. Send the .libzip file to others to import into Camtasia.
Import a Library
  1. Select File > Library > Import Zipped Library.
  2. Locate the .libzip file to import and click Open.
  3. Choose to create a new library or add the assets to an existing library and click Import.
Camtasia adds the assets to the selected library.

Screencast Update Guide – Get Started with the New Screencast

Screencast Update Guide Featured Image

Screencast is getting an upgrade! This tutorial covers everything you need to know about transitioning from Screencast Classic to the new Screencast.

Screencast Update Overview

Over the next few months, Screencast Classic users will receive the option to update and move their content onto the new Screencast site.

When the option is available, this dialog appears in Screencast Classic:
screenshot of update pop-up

Click Update to open new Screencast and start moving your content over. Some files may not be supported and will be available to download after the migration is complete. Learn more.

What’s New

Check out some of the new features and improvements in the updated Screencast:

Visit our updated Screencast site to preview or start using these features today!

Transition Guide for Current Screencast Users

If you are a current Screencast customer, here’s everything you need to know about transitioning from Screencast Classic to the new Screencast.

First, let’s detail what existing data will be moved from Screencast Classic to the new Screencast.

Media ExtrasWill these be moved to the new Screencast?Additional Information
TitleYes
DescriptionYes
Creation DateYes
Video CaptionsYes
View CountYes
QuizzesYesNote: The TechSmith Results service (including nightly email reporting) will be retired in 2025. This is unrelated to the Screencast update. Learn more.
AttachmentsNoAttachments are not supported in the new Screencast. After moving your content, you will receive an email that contains a link to download the unsupported attachments that could not be moved over.
CommentsNoThe new Screencast allows media comments and emoji reactions, but existing comments on classic media will not be moved to the new site. See Manage Conversations.

Next, let’s walk through the list of common Screencast Classic features, and what to use on the new Screencast to achieve similar results.

If you used this on Screencast Classic……Use this on the new Screencast
Folder Sharing & PrivacyAdd folders to organize your personal Screencast library. Create a collection to share a set of content with others.

If you had any shared folders in your Screencast Classic library, a collection was automatically created when your content was moved onto the new Screencast.

You can add an access phrase to individual media. To learn more, see Sharing & Privacy in Screencast.
Authenticated FoldersAuthenticated folders are no longer supported.

The privacy setting is now applied to individual media within the folder. You can turn on the Access Phrase Protected option. See Sharing & Privacy in Screencast.
Web UploaderTo learn how to upload content and view the list of supported file formats, see Upload Content to Screencast.
AttachmentsAttachments are currently not supported on new Screencast.

In the content description, you can add a hyperlink to an online resource such as a Google Doc, Microsoft Office 365 document, or a PDF hosted in another location. See Tips for Content Engagement.

To learn how to download your attachments and unsupported files from Screencast Classic, see How do I access my Screencast Classic attachments and unsupported file types?
Custom Branding
(Screencast Pro only)
You can add a custom logo to personalize your content pages. See Add a Custom Logo to Your Content Page.
Custom Thumbnail / First Frame

Select a Frame in Your Video:

  1. In your Screencast library, click to open the video.
  2. Drag the playhead to select a frame from the video to set as the thumbnail.
  3. Select More > Set Thumbnail.
Add a Custom Thumbnail Not in the Video:
  1. In your Screencast library, click to open the video.
  2. Select More > Download.
  3. Add a custom thumbnail to the beginning of the video in another application.
  4. Open the original video on Screencast and select More > Replace Media.

Launch Capture ButtonThe Launch Capture button was removed from Screencast. You can upload to Screencast from TechSmith Capture or from Snagit version 2023 or later. Download a free trial of Snagit here.
Playlists & RSS FeedsPlaylists and RSS Feeds are not supported in new Screencast.

Create a collection to share a set of media that your team can contribute and subscribe to. See Share in Collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my links shared from Screencast Classic still work?

Most of your existing Screencast Classic links will still work. Read on to learn about unsupported links and content.

Attachments, playlists, and some file formats are not supported on the new Screencast. Unfortunately, this means that when the update is complete, links to these items will break. After moving your content to new Screencast, you will receive an email that contains a link to download the unsupported files that could not be moved over. See Transition Guide for Current Screencast Users to learn alternatives to try on the new Screencast for these unsupported features.

What file formats are supported on the new Screencast site?

You can upload the following file formats into your Screencast Library:

  • Videos (MP4)
  • Images or screenshots (PNG, JPG, GIF)

Attachments, playlists, and some file formats are not supported on the new Screencast. After moving your content to new Screencast, you will receive an email that contains a link to download the unsupported files that could not be moved over. See Transition Guide for Current Screencast Users to learn alternatives to try on the new Screencast for these unsupported features.

How do I access my Screencast Classic attachments and unsupported files?

Once your content has been moved over to the new site, you will receive an email confirmation. Any attachments and unsupported files will be available to download. Click the link in the email to access these files. The download link will expire after six months.

See Transition Guide for Current Screencast Users to learn alternatives to try on the new Screencast for these unsupported file types.

Does the new Screencast support video interactivity features (hotspots, quizzes, etc.)?

Yes. The new Screencast uses the same video player as Screencast Classic, and both versions support the same interactive features such as hotspots, quizzes, tables of contents, and closed captions. No action is necessary to keep these working.

Note: The TechSmith Results service (including nightly email reporting) will be retired in 2025. This is unrelated to the Screencast update. Learn more.

Why do I have a collection and a folder with the same name? What is the difference between a folder and a collection?

If you had any shared folders on Screencast Classic, we automatically created a collection to maintain the existing shared links.

You cannot share folders on the new Screencast. Folders are for organizing media in your Screencast library. Collections are for sharing a set of media with others. See Share in Collections.

Why do I have two Screencast libraries?

Screencast is in the process of updating and improving our service. Screencast plans to provide the option for users to update to the new site and move all their content from Screencast Classic to the updated Screencast site, so all of your content will be in one location.

If you do not see all of your content in your Screencast Library, you may have content located in both Screencast and Screencast Classic Libraries. Click the link in the banner message to quickly switch between the Screencast Libraries to locate your content.
Content Library banner

To learn more, see Where’s My Screencast Media?

Why do I not see the option to update and move my content onto the new Screencast yet?

To ensure the best experience for our customers, we are offering the option to move your content over onto the new Screencast site in phases based on amount of content, your account tier, and the date you started using Screencast.

You will receive an email notification when the option to update and move all of your content onto the new Screencast site is available to you. You can try the new Screencast site at any time by visiting https://app.screencast.com.

How long will it take to move my content from Screencast Classic to the new Screencast site?

Most users can expect their content to be moved from Screencast Classic onto the new Screencast site in less than 30 minutes. You will receive an email confirmation when all of your supported content has been moved onto the new site.

Users with a large amount of content will receive an email if their migration will take longer.

Viewers will still be able to access your content during the update process. You can continue to use Screencast or close the application at any time. This will not impact the progress in moving your files onto the new site.

Do videos moved from Screencast Classic count toward my video quota?

No, any videos moved from Screencast Classic onto the new Screencast site do not count toward the video limit for the Free account tier. To view videos that count toward your Free account limit, in the Library click Videos and check the Show video usage checkbox.

If you have other questions or need additional support, please submit a support ticket or complete the content survey below to help us improve this content.