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ELEARNING AND PRESENTATIONS: In Search Of Free-to-Use Images
by Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP
When trying to find quality images for use in PowerPoint presentations or eLearning projects created with any development tool such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or TechSmith Camtasia, most people turn to Google. And why not? With a quick search you are sure to find the image you’re looking for.
For instance, I recently wanted to find an image of a puppy for use in an eLearning project. (I know, I know, I was enthralled with puppies in my last article… but come on, puppies!)
Check out some of the awesome puppy images Google found for me. It's unreal that these images are now mine, all mine!
As tempting as it might be to use images found via a Google search in your project, I’d caution against it. Most of the images you’ll find on the Internet while using any search engine are protected by copyright law. Using that adorable puppy on your web page, promotional materials, or even your eLearning project without permission from the copyright holder can lead to some hefty fines. In fact, according to Purdue University, “the law provides a range from $200 to $150,000 for each work infringed.”
Still wanting to search the web for an image of a puppy to use in a work project? There’s hope. Go to Google's advanced search page. In the all these words area, type puppy.
Scroll down to the usage rights area and, from the drop-down menu, choose free to use, share or modify, even commercially.
After clicking the Advanced Search button, plenty of images appear, just like a regular search. However, this time your search results are full of results you can actually use! But, not so fast! Be sure to put in the legwork. Click through to the image you'd like to use and check its usage rights. Some images will be labeled Creative Commons Zero. This means you can truly use, share, or modify the work, even commercially, without crediting the owner. But a lot of these results, while available for you to use, will still have some use restrictions like citing your source. Failure to do so could result in copyright fines.
But what if you already have an image on your computer or in a PowerPoint presentation or on a Storyline slide (perhaps the image was already being used in your project when you took it over)? How can you ensure that the image wasn’t “borrowed” from a website “accidentally?” For instance, I’d like to use the king-of-all-cuteness image shown below in my project. My friend Biff gave it to me. And nobody knows where he found it. (Biff, for his part, isn't talking.)
In this scenario, you can perform what is known as a “reverse lookup” that will find similar images and/or websites that are already using the image (a possible indicator that the image is protected by copyright).
To begin, go to https://images.google.com and click the search by image icon.
Click the Upload an image tab and then upload the image from your computer or server. In my example of puppy cuteness, the mighty Google took just seconds to burst my bubble. My puppy image was being used by a site selling images for use on a phone. While the website owning the image might have granted me permission to use their image, it just wasn’t worth the time or effort (so off I went to perform an advanced Google search for free-to-use puppies).
Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP, is the founder and president of IconLogic. Following a career in Public Affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard and in private industry, Kevin has spent decades as a technical communicator, classroom and online trainer, public speaker, and has written hundreds of computer training books for adult learners. He has been recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide.“TechSmith Camtasia 2018: The Essentials” Step-by-Step Workbook Now Shipping
A self-paced, hands-on workbook that teaches the core TechSmith Camtasia 2018 skills!
Using TechSmith Camtasia, you can quickly create software demonstrations, software simulations, and soft skills eLearning.
You can Share your finished project so it can be accessed by learners using desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. Your content can be hosted on a web server, Learning Management System, YouTube, Vimeo, TechSmith’s Screencast.com, and more.
During the step-by-step lessons presented in this book, you will learn how you can include recordings of existing PowerPoint presentations or software demonstrations created directly on your computer using the Camtasia Recorder. You will use the powerful Camtasia Editor to add animations, voiceover audio, graphics, music, annotations, closed captions, and quizzes to a project.
This book will introduce you to the essential Camtasia 2018 skills you need to get up and running with this awesome eLearning development tool as quickly as possible.
This book features:
- All of the Camtasia projects, images, audio files, and other assets needed to get started (Just download and install the free Camtasia 30-day trial from the TechSmith website and jump in!)
- Dozens of step-by-step, hands-on activities
- Confidence Checks to challenge your new skills
- Hundreds of supporting screen shots
You can buy this book from amazon.com.
TECHSMITH CAMTASIA 2018: Assets Galore!
by Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP
TechSmith recently released Camtasia 2018. (You can purchase the software directly from TechSmith or try the software free for 30 days via the trial download).
At first glance, there’s little difference between Camtasia 9 for the PC and version 2018. However, if you check out the tools at the left, you’ll see the Media Bin and the Library have been separated (they used to be grouped together as Media tools). While I do like the tools separated (this is how they were listed in older versions of Camtasia), this minor change isn't anything to get overly excited about.
Things get a bit more exciting if you visit the Library. TechSmith has enhanced the free assets in Camtasia 2018, and they're pretty nice. For instance, check out the dude in the image below. You'll find him and many more like him in the People folder. To preview an asset, double-click it. To use any Library asset in your project, simply drag it onto the Timeline.
What's better than the enhanced free assets that now come standard in the Camtasia Library? Check out the Download more assets link at the bottom of the Library.
For $199 a year TechSmith offers a new subscription service providing access to more than 500,000 assets such as videos, images, and photographs. You can download and use the assets in any Camtasia project.
I wanted to see what kind of assets were available from TechSmith so I searched the Image library for Pizza. I wasn't disappointed with the resulting selection (although I was hungry by this point).
I then went for "cute" and searched the video library for puppy. Once again, I was not disappointed.
Can't afford the $199 fee? Many of the assets you’ll find on the site after clicking the link are free.
In the image below, the group of icons at the left is free; the one on the right is available only if you pay the subscription fee. (Notice the gift box icon below the assets on the left indicating that the group is free to download and use.)
All that you need to do is download the assets, double-click the libzip file, and the icons are imported into your Camtasia Library.
As with all Library assets already installed, using the newly downloaded assets is as easy as dragging and dropping from the Library to the Timeline.
Looking for Camtasia training? Check out these live, online classes.
***
Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP, is the founder and president of IconLogic. Following a career in Public Affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard and in private industry, Kevin has spent decades as a technical communicator, classroom and online trainer, public speaker, and has written hundreds of computer training books for adult learners. He has been recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide.eLearning: Compare Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, and TechSmith Camtasia
Welcome to the eLearning tool slug-fest. In this corner, it's Adobe Captivate. Over there? It's Articulate Storyline. And because this isn't a two-tool fight, look over there and you'll see TechSmith Camtasia. Attend this power hour and see demonstrations of all three tools. If you'd like to follow-along with your instructor, install trial versions of Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, and TechSmith Camtasia (Mac or PC). Watch as your instructor, a seasoned eLearning developer and certified online training professional, puts each of these tools through its paces, compares their strengths and weaknesses, and helps you pick the tool that is right for you!
If you'd like to attend this live, online class, you can sign up here: http://www.iconlogic.com/compare-elearning-tools.html
The video below is a sample from a recent class.
TECHSMITH CAMTASIA 9: Changes to the Duration Feature
by Kevin Siegel, COTP, CTT+
I recently received the following email from a reader of my TechSmith Camtasia 9 (Windows): The Essentials book.
Hello Kevin,
I am really enjoying your Camtasia 9: The Essentials eBook that I purchased on Amazon recently, but I have run into a problem regarding how to extend the duration (pages 58-59) on the Timeline.
I followed steps 1 and 2 on page 58 for the logo, but when I attempted to change (by typing) the Duration from 5 seconds to 20 seconds, I got the screen message “Please enter a number between .1 and 5,” and the time can’t be extended beyond 5 seconds. I am also attaching a screen shot so you can see the actual message.
I have tried grouping the items as directed on page 59 and then trying to extend the duration in that manner, but that method doesn’t work either.
I am using Camtasia Version 9.1.2. Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated.
I was able to replicate this issue on my computer, but I found this strange because when I wrote the book, the Duration feature worked just fine (changing the Duration of a Timeline object pushed items on the same track to the right). I reached out to TechSmith support and received the following reply (and the fix).
Hi Kevin,
Sorry for the delay – I wanted to confirm some information with the Camtasia team first. This change was a deliberate change made in Camtasia 9.0.1. The reason for the change was because of feedback that we were receiving from users, which was (as Matt mentioned) that projects were getting out of sync when extending frames and durations. So, this change was implemented, and we also published this tutorial with best practices on using ripple move and extend frame (similar to duration). https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-camtasia-ripple-move-and-extend-frame.html I am really sorry for any trouble this change has caused! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Nate
Senior Support Specialist
Whew! It's good to know that I'm not losing my mind. To get past the Duration issue, press the [shift] key on your keyboard and manually extend the playtime for the object on the Timeline (instead of using Duration feature).
You can still use the Duration feature if there is enough space to the right of the selected object. For instance, you'll need a little over 5 seconds of space if you want to increase the Duration of an object by 5 seconds. Otherwise, you'll see the same error reported by the reader above.
TECHSMITH CAMTASIA: TREC vs. AVI
by Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP
While recording a software demonstration using the Camtasia Recorder, you have two choices when it comes to the file format for your video capture: TREC and AVI. Audio Video Interleave (AVI) is a popular Microsoft format that can contain both video and audio. It plays nicely on multiple devices and operating systems. AVIs can be imported into the Camtasia Editor or other eLearning development tools and multimedia editors. TREC files are a proprietary format developed by TechSmith. As with AVI files, TRECs can contain audio and video and can be imported directly into the Camtasia Editor. However, unlike AVI files, TRECs cannot be edited or imported into any other development program (such as Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline).
Prior to recording, you can switch between the AVI format and TREC format by choosing Tools > Options. On the General tab, you’ll find both options in the Saving area, Record to drop-down menu.
Because AVIs are the more widely-accepted video format for non-Camtasia developers, it makes sense that you should choose AVI when using the Camtasia Recorder to create videos, right?
Not so fast.
If you create an AVI and then import it into the Camtasia Editor, you won’t be able to add effects to the recorded cursor. Beyond cursor data, the TREC format captures keyboard shortcuts, the webcam, and audio (all of which are editable once the TREC is imported into Camtasia).
In my experience, it’s best to always use the TREC format when recording with the Camtasia Recorder. Keep in mind that if you need an AVI at any point, you can select AVI when Sharing (Publishing).
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If you'd like to learn how to use the Camtasia Recorder to create awesome videos, check out this $49 Live, Online Camtasia Quick Dip class.
***
Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP, is the founder and president of IconLogic. Following a career in Public Affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard and in private industry, Kevin has spent decades as a technical communicator, classroom and online trainer, public speaker, and has written hundreds of computer training books for adult learners. He has been recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide.
TECHSMITH CAMTASIA: Delete vs. Ripple Delete
by Kevin Siegel, COTP, CTT
Deleting a portion of an object on the Camtasia Timeline (a few seconds from the end of a video for example) is simple: drag the red in- and/or green out-point on either side of the Playhead, right-click, and then choose Delete. However, after deleting the selection from the Timeline media, you’ll typically be left with a gap. If left unaddressed, the gap (otherwise known as dead air), will result in a black screen when the lesson is seen by your eLearners.
In the image below, notice that there is an item on the Timeline to the right of a video I'd like to edit. I've already made a selection with the in- and out-points.
The next step for most people is to right-click the selection and choose Delete.
Deleting a selection works of course, but there's a gap left between the edited object and the next object on the Timeline (dead air).
As an alternative to simply Deleting (and getting a gap), this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an often overlooked Camtasia feature: Ripple Delete (the option is just below Delete in the menu).
By Ripple Deleting, the dead air isn't an issue because the item to the right of the edited object automatically slides left and fills the gap on the Timeline.
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Looking to learn how to create eLearning in any of the top development tools (including Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, and TechSmith Camtasia)? Check out these live, online, and highly interactive classes.
***
Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP, is the founder and president of IconLogic. Following a career in Public Affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard and in private industry, Kevin has spent decades as a technical communicator, classroom and online trainer, public speaker, and has written hundreds of computer training books for adult learners. He has been recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide.TECHSMITH CAMTASIA 3 (Mac) Share History
If you're a TechSmith Camtasia 9 (Windows) user and you move to the Mac, you'll be happy to learn that you can continue to use Camtasia. However, while Camtasia 3 (Mac) is similar to Camtasia 9 (Windows), there are several differences. For instance, there is no Library in the Mac version of Camtasia. While that’s a bummer (I love the Library), you'll appreciate the ability to have multiple projects open at the same time (Camtasia 9 is still in the dark ages… you can only have a single project open at any one time).
And you'll find some interesting features on the Mac side that do not exist in the Windows version. For instance, consider Share History.
Every time you Share a Camtasia project (via the Share menu), Camtasia Mac keeps a log for you. You can go back to the Share menu later and choose Share History. As shown in the image above, you review what has been shared over time, and use the hand-dandy Visit button to see the published masterpiece on YouTube or Screencast.com. (Note: You can right-click any entry and either remove it individually or choose Remove All Entries.)
The Share History feature might not seem like much given all the cool things you can do with Camtasia, but I find myself using it all the time!
TECHSMITH CAMTASIA: Splitting Audio for Synchronizing with Video
by Kevin Siegel, COTP, CTT+
When recording short videos with the Camtasia Recorder, it’s most efficient to record your voiceover audio at the same time. However, it may be necessary for you to add the audio to the video later while working in the Camtasia Editor. I’ve seen a couple of scenarios where adding the audio to a project later is a better way to go. For instance,
- You don’t intend to use your own voice as the voiceover audio (you’ll be relying on a team member or voiceover talent and will be receiving the audio files later)
- Your system/location isn’t set up or ideal to record audio and you’ll record the audio later (perhaps in a studio)
- You didn’t think you’d like audio in your video but now you’ve changed your mind
It’s simple to add voiceover audio to your video after you’ve recorded screen actions. Add the audio to the Media Bin via the Camtasia Editor and then add the Media Bin asset to the Timeline (along with the video you recorded). Alternatively, you can record the voiceover audio directly through the Editor.
I recently had a fellow Camtasia developer who recorded her own voiceover audio while recording screen actions. Her intention was never to use her own voice, however. She simply wanted a placeholder of her voice for the Editor and was intending to replace her audio with professional talent.
All went well for the developer (she easily removed the audio from the imported video and then imported the professional audio in place of her audio). However, upon playback, she noticed a few areas where the professional narrator spoke more slowly than she did and the video wasn’t synchronized with what she recorded. This is the perfect use-case for splitting audio.
In the image below, notice that there are a few tracks in the project, and I’ve selected the audio asset in Track 3 (you can tell that an asset is selected thanks to the yellow border). I’ve also positioned the Playhead on the Timeline at the precise time where I want to split the one audio asset into two. All that’s required at this point is a right-click on the Playhead.
Notice in the image below that there are two Split options: Split and Split All. The Splitoption will split just the selected media at the Playhead position. The Split All option will split all media assets on all tracks at the Playhead position (regardless if the assets are selected or not).
Now that I have successfully split the audio asset, it’s simple to drag the different segments along the Timeline as necessary to synchronize the audio with what’s happening in the video.
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Looking for eLearning training? Check out these live, online classes.
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Kevin Siegel, CTT, COTP, is the founder and president of IconLogic. Following a career in Public Affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard and in private industry, Kevin has spent decades as a technical communicator, classroom and online trainer, public speaker, and has written hundreds of computer training books for adult learners. He has been recognized by Adobe as one of the top trainers world-wide.