The Logical Blog by IconLogic

TECHSMITH CAMTASIA: Extending Video Frames

After adding a video asset to the Timeline in Camtasia, it's likely you'll want to freeze a specific part of the video to allow for other Timeline objects to appear (such as annotations or images).   In the image below, I've added a video to Track 1 on my Timeline.

When previewing, I noticed that the video ended too soon. I needed to freeze a portion of the video for 10 seconds so that overlay text added to a different track had time to appear and be read by the learner.   I positioned the Playhead on the Timeline where I wanted to freeze the action in the video. Then I right-clicked the video (not the Playhead but the video object on the Timeline) and chose Extend Frame.

In the Duration (seconds) field, I typed 10 and then clicked the OK button.

The change to the selected video was ever-so-subtle. In the image below, I've added the green and red arrows for emphasis. The red arrow is pointing to a thin vertical line on the video asset. The line marks the end of the 10-second frame freeze that I added via the Extend Frame option. The green arrow indicates the 10 seconds that the video has been frozen.

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Looking for TechSmith Camtasia training or support? Check out these hands-on, instructor-led classes. If you prefer something a little more private, we also offer one-on-one Camtasia mentoring, we've got you covered.

ARTICULATE STORYLINE: Random Text... It Rocks!

I was cranking away recently on an Articulate Storyline project. On one slide, I had the layout done but was waiting for the final text from the client. I created a shape but couldn't go further without the client's text. At the very least, I wanted some placeholder text, so I could finish the slide by formatting the boxed text.   And that was when I was reminded of an awesome Storyline feature: random text. In the image below, you can see the shape I've added to a slide. It still needs text that I can format.

I typed the following line of text into the shape: =Lorem().

And check out what happens after I press the ENTER key.

Pretty cool, eh? But I know what you're thinking... Lorem ipsum? If real words are more your style, it's no problem. Type =Rand() instead.

After pressing the ENTER key, it was all about the quick brown fox. Pretty cool, eh?

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Looking for Storyline training or support? Check out these awesome live, online, instructor-led classes. Also, if you need help with Storyline development or if you'd like one-on-one Storyline mentoring, we've got you covered.

INTUIT QUICKBOOKS: Using Built-In Templates to Communicate with Your Customers, Vendors, and Employees

One of the best-kept secrets in QuickBooks is that it contains dozens of pre-made letters you can use to communicate with your customers, vendors, or employees. One of the things I cover in my Quickbooks classes is templates.   For customers, templates include everything from collection and bounced check letters to an apology or approval/denial of credit. Vendor letters include a request for credit or a charge dispute. And using these templates, you can easily acknowledge your employees’ birthdays or inform them of their vacation or sick time! You can also easily edit the pre-made templates or make your own.   To begin, click the Company menu and choose Prepare Letters with Envelopes:

For this example, I selected Collection Letters. On the first few screens, I selected and then reviewed the Recipients.

You can decide if the tone of your letter is to be formal, friendly, or even harsh. In my example, I went with a Friendly collection notice.

I filled in the name and Title of the person who is going to be signing the letter.

From there, QuickBooks performs a little magic by taking you into Microsoft Word and essentially creating a finished document with the relevant information that it got from QuickBooks.

You can edit the documents or print them. In addition, if you switch back to QuickBooks, this dialog box appears and allows you to create and print envelopes to go along with the letter.

Click OK and you will again be transported into Word, where you will be able to print the envelopes. To be honest, the accounts receivable collection best practices includes properly feeding the envelopes into your printer, so you avoid printing invoices backward or upside down! But that is a topic for another day.

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Rosemary McCracken is a computer trainer with over 25 years of experience in the classroom. She teaches all levels of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Visio, and Outlook. In addition to Microsoft products, she also teaches QuickBooks, InDesign, HTML/CSS, and WordPress. Rosemary has a B.S. from James Madison University. She is Microsoft Office Expert Certified and is also a Certified Online Training Professional.

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Rosemary is teaching several IconLogic classes including HTML5 Basics, CSS, Styles Basics Training, and several classes on QuickBooks.