Capturing a continuous screen shot

[dr_stupid]

Hi -- I've been asked to do a project involving a computer software tutorial and I've never done anything like this before. Could anyone help me with a basic approach and workflow for doing a continuous screen capture? I use the DVX and Vegas 6.

Thanks in advance!

[glenn chan]

camtasia and similar programs (macromedia breeze or captivate, fraps, and others) offer the ability to capture what the computer monitor is showing.

2- Pay extra attention to your output format. Video frame size is 720X480 for DVD, with non-square pixels. 640x480 computer resolution is sort of appropriate.
Thin 1-pixel lines *will* flicker, which may be problematic for you??

3- Making output for a computer format may make more sense. The macromedia screen capture product looks really interesting IMO.

[MisterCat]

You should be able to download demos of both Camtasia and Captivate to compare. The basis on which they work is very different so you'll have to decide which you really need. Camtasia actually creates a continuous movie (.avi I believe) while Captivate captures screen shots each time you click or type. Captivate then shows you a Powerpoint-like layout of your screens which you can then edit with popups, etc. I've used it more than camtasia because with software tutorials you can easily create interactivity for the users to click or type in certain boxes and whatever they need to learn by doing. Plus, one click export to .swf for easy posting on a website, emailing, or loading into an LMS. Haven't used Camtasia in a while so I'm not sure if they added some of the functionality or not.

steven

[dr_stupid]

Hey - thanks! It sounds like I may need to go with Camtasia, as I will be incorporating live video in addition to the tutorial, so Flash probably won't work. Does Captivate allow you to export to avi or quicktime?

Also, instead of software, would it possible to go line out from my video card and record with the DVX? I would have to re-capture it then, but it seems like it could work...

[MisterCat]

I'm traveling right now so don't have access to my work computer that has Captivate loaded, but as far as I remember it does not export to avi. Again, I recommend downloading the demos to check them out anyway.

I can't tell you if line out from your card into the camera will work. Never tried it, and probably won't. ; )

[Daniel Wee]

It will work but the resolution will be pretty horrible. I tried it once - not pretty.

Daniel

[brent@deadworkers.com]

I use fraps and snagit. They both work great.

[plainman007]

Theres a freeware version called BULENTS SCREEN Capture. Google it. Its free. And will allow you to set framerates for capture etc. It also has hypercam. Where you can set the size of the cam window and then move it over your screen ala handycam style. And it keeps capturing as you move too.