This tool will allow you to capture anything that is displayed on your screen. It runs concurrently to your open applications.

1. Select Area > Full Screen: When selected, this allows you to capture your entire screen.
2. Select Area > Custom: When selected, this option allows you to select a preset resolution from a list of drop down options. It is recommended that you select the highest possible recording resolution.
3. Webcam: You can record two inputs with the recorder. Many choose not to record the webcam as it is usually fairly low quality video. Usually, only the voice is captured.
4. Audio: Allows you to select your audio input.
5. Confirms that your audio is being recorded.
6. Rec: Select this button to begin recording.

1. Once installed, use your windows button to open the programs menu item.
2. Find the TechSmith Folder (if you have a lot of programs, you might have to scroll for quite a while).
3. Open the Folder and select on Techsmith Recorder.

The recorder can capture either the full screen or a custom area of the screen. Recording the entire screen is the quickest way to get recording, but, it usually results in more editing.

1. Select an Area to Record: It is recommended that you select an area of screen to be captured that is the correct ratio for video production, while excluding the screen elements that you do not want to include in your capture. This ratio is 16:9.
2. Custom: The standard now is 1920 x 1080p for high definition video. For web viewing, 1080 x 720p will also suffice. Anything of lower quality will not be sufficient for this type of module.

1. Use your mouse to move the boundary to the correct spot on your screen. This can be finicky, so you might have to move it around until the cursor displays as the move tool.

NOTE: You do not want to re-size the box, you just want to move it.

When your screen is configured, you can begin your recording.

1. Your recording won't begin until you're ready - when you are, select on the Record button.

This dialog box floats on top of your recording - even if it is within the boundary, it will not be recorded. It's function is to provide you with feedback during your recording.

1. Duration - How long have you been recording? Remember that our goal is to create concise, concept-based videos. You will likely be editing out a few second here and there, but overall, you are going to want to keep this counter around 8:00 mins. (There are always exceptions, but use this as a guide.)
2. Delete - Use this quick tool to restart your recording.
3. Pause - Use this tool if you'd like to perform an action that you do not want to be recorded (ex. adding in an image, switching programs, opening a file, etc.) but you want it to be part of the same recording.
4. Stop - Use this tool when you're all done and you want to conclude your recording.

After you've selected "stop," Camtasia Recorder will automatically display a preview screen. If you're unsure about whether or not you're happy with the recording, this is a great time to review it (before editing).

2. If your video requires no editing, you can also directly render your video from here.
3. If you are dissatisfied with your video, or you just do not need to keep it, you can simply delete it.

If you are going to use this recording, you'll want to save it somewhere safe. Techsmith Studio saves it's captured files in a properietary filetype, which means that you can only open them using Techsmith (until they've been rendered for sharing online). As always, save often and save each product produced during the process.

From here, you can edit your video, create another video, or share your video with your collaborators.

Most commonly, you'll want to select on the "Produce" button to send your file over to Camtasia Studio to begin the editing process.

For complete instructions, visit the next part in this series: Editing your Media Recording.