Camtasia for Mac - Sneak Peek, SmartFocus
Posted on Monday August 17, 2009 by Betsy Weber
Tagged as:
I've never been good at keeping secrets. Even to this day, I still have a hard time keeping holiday gifts or other news as a secret - I just get so excited and have to share the good news!
So, blog readers, you get the benefit from my weakness! I'm going to let you in on a few secrets as we get closer to the launch of Camtasia for Mac on August 25.
Up first is a sneak peek of one of the new features in Camtasia for Mac - SmartFocus. Those of you familiar with Camtasia Studio on Windows will recognize this feature. Camtasia for Mac will also include TechSmith's patented SmartFocus technology.
How does SmartFocus work? You can record the whole screen while the SmartFocus technology keeps track where all the action happens during the recording behind the scenes. Then, when it's time to edit the video, SmartFocus automatically zooms in on the parts of the screen that I need to show which helps focus viewers attention. That means I can record full screen and deliver my screen recorded videos at any dimension with superb clarity at any size - whether it's for my blog, website, or an Apple mobile device like an iPhone.
SmartFocus is completely automatic, but if I choose, I can add and edit SmartFocus key frames for greater precision over zoom and pans, as well as edit key frames of any element on the timeline and change its location and properties over time. So, it can be automatic or customizable. Your choice.
It's great for creating dynamic screencasts or to highlight a particular section of your screen, or create a fly-over effect, or focus your viewer's attention for greater detail.
Want to see it in action? Check out this quick screencast. It is less than a minute long.
Look like a feature you'll use? What do you think?
Stay tuned... more news to come tomorrow. :-)
Comments (18)
There's just too much to like here. Great stuff all around and will no doubt be very useful for Mac users. The UI is fantastic!
Posted by Spencer | August 17, 2009 1:24 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 13:24
Oh yes, now we're talking. This is one of the big reasons why us switcher types have been so impatient for Camtasia.
Hurry down, release day...
Posted by Noel Eiffe | August 17, 2009 1:40 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 13:40
Thats very nice, and the UI looks better than Studio 6 on PC.
Are the Mac & Win version going to be on par with features ?
Posted by Sébastien | August 17, 2009 2:29 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 14:29
@ Sebastien, You can definitely see the difference between Camtasia Studio and Camtasia:mac at about 26 seconds into the video. Each app has been developed to meet the specific needs of their audience. We'll likely see some differences in the future as we continue to develop the best application for each user group.
That being said, we see software as an ongoing conversation with our customers. So, please, please let us know what you need and why. If you need more unique features, let us know. If parity is really important to you, let us know that too. We'll do our very best to listen and respond.
Troy Stein
Camtasia for Mac Product Manager
Posted by Troy Stein | August 17, 2009 2:54 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 14:54
I've waited years for this! Very exciting stuff.
Posted by Diana Wynne | August 17, 2009 3:06 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 15:06
What's up with the price difference between the Mac and the PC versions. I have been promoting Camtasia for years and some in my UG will certainly be asking this question. If the software for the Mac is the same as the PC, but much less in price then that might offset the "Mac" purchase premium.
Posted by John Farrar | August 17, 2009 3:28 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 15:28
Looks great. And, yeah, I think parity is important--to BOTH platforms--whether it is a feature, an app, or a workflow. Barring unimplementable technologies, why not let ALL users benefit from customer feedback and Techsmith commitment to that community?
On that note, a question: will the same codecs be used on the Mac version so that .camrec and .camproj files (and their Mac equivalents) can be used on either platform?
Thanks!
Posted by Lucky Lindy | August 17, 2009 3:32 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 15:32
Have you tested capturing screens from Windows apps running in a virtual environment, like VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop? Hope Camtasia for Mac will allow you to do so without issue.
Posted by eQuixotic | August 17, 2009 4:10 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 16:10
Nice tease! Ok, Ok, Ok... I understand you're gonna offer a promo price of $99, but I think you should consider a competitive discount to say $69 for owners of SnapPro X or ScreenFlow. (Make us prove we own one of the other packages.) As a user of Studio for Windows, I'm curious to see what you'll bring to the table, especially in advance of QuickTime X's debut in Snow Leopard. Bottom line: Give me a compelling argument to make my company switch me to a Mac equipped with Camtasia!
Posted by Aaron Swindell | August 17, 2009 7:34 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 19:34
Aaron,
Stop being cheap these guys worked hard to develop a Mac version, obviously your interested or you wouldn't have posted a comment.
$99 is a fair price. I have ScreenFlow and I am more then willing to pay for Camtasia for Mac.
Screenflow isn't that great it only exports to QuickTime, having a flash option is what most people need and want.
I can make a list of at least 50 reasons why I would rather have Camtasia for Mac over Screenflow.
Posted by Tony | August 17, 2009 8:13 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 20:13
Any word yet regarding using a license for the windows camtasia on the mac side of things? I'm hoping I don't need to buy another license for the same software.
Posted by Mike | August 17, 2009 9:38 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 21:38
I use Screenflick and IShowU and will probably say goodbye well maybe not just yet but can't wait for next week.
Posted by Mike | August 17, 2009 11:00 PM
Posted on August 17, 2009 23:00
$99 is a bargain. 7 days and counting. SmartFocus is just one small part of this amazing tool. Once I get it: step 1: redo all my humble screen casts. step 2: conquer the world. Well. Maybe just make some more screen casts actually.
Posted by David A. | August 18, 2009 10:57 AM
Posted on August 18, 2009 10:57
Will it have captioning like the Windows version? I love what I see but having to create content for state agencies accessibility will be a deal break due to 508 compliance.
Posted by Gary S. | August 21, 2009 12:38 AM
Posted on August 21, 2009 00:38
@ Gary S. We have the ability to add text, but in version 1, it does not have the en masse captioning capability of CS. Keep the feedback coming. Knowing what's a deal breaker is really helpful.
Troy Stein
Camtasia for Mac Product Manager
Posted by Troy Stein | August 21, 2009 10:35 AM
Posted on August 21, 2009 10:35
Troy, to drive the point home a little bit more. It is a federal requirement that content is 508 compliant. You probably already know this. It's the federal law that is a deal breaker. The demos had me at "Hello". :)
On a different note, now that Camtasia is on both plateforms we will be able to promote/encourage our member school districts, agencies, and other education-related entities to serious look at Camtasia. That is, if we can get the captioning moving forward. Maybe in version 6.000000001 maybe? :)
Camtasia coming to the Mac Rocks!
Posted by Gary S. | August 21, 2009 10:53 AM
Posted on August 21, 2009 10:53
"I can make a list of at least 50 reasons why I would rather have Camtasia for Mac over Screenflow." - Tony
Tony, I've played with ScreenFlow but not extensively, and I'd love to know what you find compelling about Camtasia versus ScreenFlow - it would be nice to know specifically which ScreenFlow weaknesses will be addressed with Camtasia Mac from someone who has extensive ScreenFlow experience.
Posted by eQuixotic | August 22, 2009 1:47 AM
Posted on August 22, 2009 01:47
Likewise, I would like to know if I can capture my Windows action in VMware Fusion with Camtasia Mac?
Is there any answer here, since a few questions seem unanswered?
thanx
Posted by Greg | August 26, 2009 9:47 AM
Posted on August 26, 2009 09:47