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Category: Snagit Features

Snagit’s Ribbon

Posted Jul.31, 2009 under Snagit Features

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Hello Friend,

A typical computer user, normally uses a number of different applications a day. You will find that most users are happy with the applications that provide a friendly user interface.

Snagit 9.0 arrived with a bang and most users were quite pleased with all the new features. But the developers quickly realised that there was something missing with the user experience. Within no time Snagit 9.1 was released and Snagit funs were left speechless in awe of the full user experience of Snagit 9.1.

If you already own Snagit 9.0 you can upgrade to Snagit 9.1 for free, see instructions at end of this article.

Many Snagit users complemented the software’s changes and that includes the fluent UI, it’s so proud of most specifically the Ribbon.

A ribbon is a strip of buttons and functions usually found across the top of the main window, where you’ll find commands and functions you need and want accessible and convenient in performing tasks.

Ribbons also play a vital role in the making or breaking of the whole graphic user experience.

Below are the things that make the Snagit ribbon a good one:

Task-based

The pre-defined and user-created capture profiles makes it convenient and easier in performing tasks especially when it’s the normal day to day tasks.

Cursor Tools

As fast and easy as a right-click, you’ll get the tool-box with all the necessary tools for your context.

cursor-tool

Live Preview

Getting the change preview is easy, and the change will not be automatically applied. In every option you select, you’ll see a live preview making it easier and faster to make decisions.

live-preview

Constrained

Ribbons are normally found at the top and will always be there, worry not of toolbar scramble.

Snagit now joins the list of Fluent UI’s and using Snagit’s Ribbon makes our day-to-day tasks as easy as A-B-C.

How to Upgrade to Snagit 9.1 for Free – (Only for Snagit 9.0 Users)

Snagit 9.1 upgrade is completely free if you already own Snagit 9.0. Just open your Snagit go to help menu and click on “Check for Updates” follow the instructions to download the latest version completely free.

Snagit Upgrade to 9.1 for Older Versions of Snagit

If you own an older version of Snagit you are still eligible to upgrade at a special price just request your Snagit 9.1 upgrade here.

Until Next Time

Peter – Your Snagit Guide

Tags: ribbon, snagit, Snagit 9.0, snagit 9.1, snagit ribbon, techsmith snagit

1 Comment

Recording Video with Audio in Snagit

Posted Jul.20, 2009 under Related Software, Snagit Features, Snagit Uses, Tips, Video

Hi There,

Did you know that Snagit not only captures images but that you can also record Video with Audio?

Yes Snagit keeps getting better and better always one step ahead of all the Screen Capture Software out there.

However please note that this feature is only a small subset of the powerful screen recording and editing capability of Camtasia Studio. Camtasia Studio will allow you to record, edit, annotate and produce videos in all of the standard multi-media formats. It uses an optimized screen capture codec so the resulting files are small and highly compressed.

Back to Snagit, most of the time I notice that first time Snagit users usually ask whenever they record a video from player, website or application, why the audio is missing once playing the videos on the editor.

I encountered the same problem but I soon discovered how easy it is to fix the problem and make it work. I will share with you the steps below. Although it may look long winded don’t give up, if you follow the instructions step by step its very easy and you only need to do it once.

How to record a video with audio in Snagit:

Click on the Light Blue Round button with an arrow beside the Capture button and choose Video Capture. See image above.

Make sure that under the Options area, the Microphone is highlighted or on.

mic-is-on

Now click on the tab Output with an image written “None Selected” , then go to Properties, on Audio options, make sure that the Audio capture device is set to your sound card, click Apply then OK.

Once done with setting up the necessary functions on Snagit, proceed to configuring the recording input in your Window Record Control.

sound-and-audio-device

Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio tab. In Sound recording area, make sure that your sound card is set as the Default Device, click Apply then OK.

Now, under the Sound recording area, click on the Volume button, this will open the Record Control box. Once there, choose Options > then Properties.

Put a check on the box beside the following options: Stereo Mix, Mono Mix, What you hear, Mixer, Wave out mix and Wave in, then click OK.

Back to Record Control box, put a check on the Select button corresponding to each property that you checked earlier, then close the box.

record-control

If you follow these steps and it fails, you may want to update your sound card or if your sound card does not support recording audio-generated applications, you may use a jumper wire. Just place the jumper wire between Line Out and Mic In on the Sound Card, making the Line In as the recording source.

Alternatively you may own an older version of Snagit that needs upgrading to the latest version Snagit 9.0. You may request upgrade for Snagit here.

If you find this article helpful please feel free to share with all the Snaggers and give us your comments!

Until Next Time

Peter – Your Snagit Guide

Tags: camtasia Studio, camtasia video, camtasia video recording, no audio when recording, snagit audio, snagit audio missing, Snagit recording audio missing, snagit video, video recording, video recording software

23 Comments

Snagit as Collaboration Tool

Posted Apr.02, 2009 under Snagit Features, Snagit Outputs, Snagit Uses, Tips

Hi There

Most people I speak with agree that Snagit is the best screen capture software around.But I would also have to add that Snagit is more, it’s a great tool for collaboration work as well. It saves so much time and makes everything much clearer!

Please share any comments, ideas or stories you have about using Snagit in collaboration work in the comment section below. I would love to hear these stories.

Are the following scenarios perhaps familiar to you?

Have you ever experienced chatting with your teammate about an error you see on a web page that he can’t see when in fact both of you are on the same page?

Have you ever tried teaching a teammate how to do certain steps on a software or a website but they don’t seem to get the same end-result you do?

Yes, that can be annoying. Good thing, Snagit can solve these problems between you and your teammates. You can do this with Snagit, by simply taking a shot of those things you have on your screen and a little edit, you can instantly send it to your teammate via instant messaging, email, etc.

To me, as a user working with a team, SnagIt has been very helpful in sending and sharing my ideas, thoughts and instructions to my teammates. Misunderstanding almost never happens and it serves as another layer of added clear and concise communication between the team.

snagit-in-email1 The team primary use email and skype internet messenger to collaborate and Snagit enhances both these tools. I paste in instructions in emails as in the example (see image). Then I enhance the images with arrows, comments using the drawing tool. Please note, for this to work you need to have your email set to html, not txt format.

To easily share when chatting with Skype I also use the Snagit Skype Add-on. This makes it possible to immediately send captures to anyone on my skype chat list. You find the Snagit Skype Add-on here. (Require that Skype is installed on both parties computers.)

I’d love to hear your stories about Snagit as a collaboration tool below.

That’s all for now until next time

Peter – Your Snagit Guide

PS. If you aren’t using Snagit yet, please read more about Snagit here.

If you are already using Snagit but haven’t upgraded to version 9.0 yet go here to: Upgrade Snagit

Tags: collaboration tools, snagit, Snagit a bestfriend, team's bestfriend

1 Comment

Snagit First Time User Review

Posted Mar.05, 2009 under Reviews, Snagit Features

I recently got a new associate, Laurie. She’s a skilled computer user but has never used Snagit (if you can believe that), so I wanted to conduct a little experiment on her. To get a fresh view on Snagit I gave her a copy to install and asked her to tell me what she really liked about Snagit. She came away with some really interesting observations.

(Please don’t hesitate to use the comment area below to tell us about your Snagit observations.)

Take it away Laurie…

1. Convert Images

First thing that caught my eye apart from the basic capturing capability of Snagit is the Convert Images option located on the Related Tasks pane. (See image below)

convert-images-location I thought I’ll need a converter to convert images in different formats, yet when I found out how the Convert images works, right then and there I told myself, “What do I need an image converter for when I have SnagIt? ”

Here’s what makes it coolest, not only can I convert my selected images to different formats, I can also edit them like in Photoshop! Super Cool!

2. Special Effects to Captured Images

Just before I take a shot on the area I want, I can already add an effect prior to capturing the image and even during editing. With a lot of effects I can choose from and just a few clicks, I’m so glad they have this feature. See images below.

special-effects-location_2

3. Send Capture using Instant Messenger

Directly sending an image without going through saving the image and attaching file to the conversation, I can do this directly with Snagit. As long as I’m signed in to my Windows Messenger, I’ll just have to select a contact and voila! The image is attached to my contact’s window, waiting for acceptance. That fast and easy!

4. Stamps

The Stamps tool in Snagit 9 is really cool. Want to know why? It’s because aside from the designs that I can add to my graphic, with the available tutorials, I can create artworks out of using these magnificent stamps, Image Masking, 3D Portrait, Layered Look, Collage Art, just to name a few. What’s more is, I can download different stamp styles online. Only proves that with SnagIt, your marketing skills are improved, so as your artistic side. (See image below). I also like the professional Snagit Stamps SuperStamps.

stamp

5. Tag: Flags

Using this one is just like responding to emails or in forums, you know, flagging which ones are Important, Personal, Cool, etc. So easy and useful in managing my graphic files. The flags can be seen on the thumbnail of the graphic file displayed at the bottom or via the Library. (See images below.)

flags

6. Tag: Keywords

Another tagging feature provided by Snagit which I also like is the Keywords. Obviously, adding keyword to the captures I made, makes it easier for me in searching them for future use.

7. Search Pane

With the search pane easy to access, searching for graphic files has never been this easy for me.

8. Library

Having the Library makes it easier and faster for me to locate, open and manage the captures I made and the graphic files I have in my computer. It’s like I went to Windows Explorer with no effort made. See image on the left.

9. SnagIt beneath SnagIt

Another thing I love about SnagIt is you can capture it by using SnagIt itself! Find it confusing? Don’t be, it’s easy, really! I’ll tell you how: Go to Tools> Program References > Program Options > Uncheck Hide SnagIt before capturing.

Amazing huh! Saved me time from downloading & installing another software to do the simple trick.

10. New Interface

You see, I love black! A lot! So basically, the new interface of the SnagIt 9 suits perfectly to me. Apart from the fact that its my favorite color, it gives any user the impression of a modernized and “techie” look compared to the previous interfaces. Big change! Cool Features! Great Benefit! Love it!

Thanks Laurie, what a nice fresh perspective on Snagit. If You have other impressions, please do share them in the comment area below.

If you (as Laurie) is new to this software go here: Read more about Snagit 9.0

If you already are a Snagit user but want to upgrade to the latest version you can do that here: Upgrade to Snagit 9.0

Until next time

Peter – Your Snagit Guide

Tags: snag it 9, snagit review, snagit testimonial

5 Comments

Capture Snagit – How To

Posted Dec.22, 2008 under Snagit Features, Tips

One Question I get pretty often is “How do I capture Snagit?”.

Kathy sent me this question today: “I am trying to create in-house step by step instructions on how to perform video capture using SNAGIT. I am trying to capture SNAGIT’s home page w/Quick Launch, Related Tasks, Profiles, and Profiles Settings. But when I use Printscreen it activates SNAGIT. I’ve also tried to use Ctrl Insert, Ctrl A, Ctrl C to capture the screen but to no avail. Is there some way that I can get around the Print Screen hotkey and get my screen capture? I would appreciate feedback as soon as possible…thank you and have a nice holiday…”

How to do a screen capture of Snagit

Go into Snagit Tools/Preferences and change the setting Global Capture Hotkey and remove the print screen button.

Now when you choose Print Screen you will the “old” print screen. Just click the Print Screen button.

After this, open the Snagit Editor and paste in the screen capture.

You will have to crop the image because without Snagit you will capture the complete screen every time.

That’s all there is to it.

Happy Holidays

Peter – Your Snagit Guide

4 Comments

Free Snagit Stamps and Icons

Posted Sep.10, 2008 under Snagit Features, Snagit Stamps

If you are like me — a lover of Snagit and other graphics software alike, you always enjoy getting your hands on nice graphic elements that you can use to enhance your screen captures, perhaps make your reports nicer, more professional and so on.

So I thought I’d share some nice free/low cost graphic resources that you can use as Snagit Stamps…

Tags: free graphics, free icons, snagit, stamps, superstamps

9 Comments

Snagit 9.0 First Impressions

Posted Jun.13, 2008 under News, Snagit Features

Snagit 9 was just released and I have to say I really like it

As a “snagger” I’d obviously prefer to sum it up in an image (see below), but if I have to say it in 3 words i would have to say – fast, easy and slick…

I need a little more time to test all the new different functions and additions, then give you more of an in-depth Snagit 9 review at a later date, but so far I am very impressed.

Read more about the new functions below…

Tags: snagit 9, upgrade snagit

28 Comments

Snagit 9 Wishlist

Posted May.28, 2008 under News, Snagit Features

Help me improve Snagit…

In my humble opinion (but running this blog, perhaps a little biased) Snagit is as good as software can be. And I know many readers agree. But as someone once said, there is always room for improvement. That’s why I am curious as to what you would like to add if/when Snagit 9.0 is released.

I will send all comments to the Snagit development team so please include any additions to Snagit that you have thought about, are missing, you would like to add and so on. Please pour your heart out in the comment section below!

If you have colleagues, friends and family using Snagit, please ask them to put in their 5 cents here too.

The popular cliché “think outside the box” is perhaps true, but sometimes it’s easier to “think inside the box” so here is a basic breakdown of areas/functions you may have ideas about or want to change:

Graphic interface. Is it easy to use, could it be improved, perhaps a complete new layout? Do you have any other software products that you think has a great layout that Snagit could benefit from looking at and so on. Share your ideas.

Capture functionality. Are there any capture modes you feel are missing? Could there be other changes to the capture functionality. Is it easy enough to set up new capture profiles and so on?