Create Effects with Camtasia Studio’s Visual Properties

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The options found in Camtasia Studio 8′s Visual Properties tab allow you to create animations using the content on the timeline. Other options in the Visual Properties tab allow you to add color, shadow, and opacity effects to most visual media on the timeline like video, callouts, and images.

Animations might include:

  • A talking head video that smoothly transitions or trades places with a screen recording video.
  • A spinning image that enters the video from the left, pauses, then flies off to the right.
  • Several videos that play simultaneously on the canvas while moving in a pattern you create.
  • Callouts that animate on the canvas to draw attention to an area in the video.

What is an animation?
Visual properties animations are instructions you add to the timeline that “tell” the image or video on the canvas how to behave.

  • For most effects, add the animation then perform the desired action on the canvas. Editor records the action and adds it to the media on the timeline.
  • Animations can be added to a single media clip or a group.
  • When working with the animations, make sure the media clip or group is selected before you begin.

Below you will find several short videos demonstrating how to use Visual Properties animations to create moving effects. Each video builds sequentially on the concept shown in the previous video. So, it’s best to watch them in the order they appear.

Basic Sliding Image Example
In this two minute tutorial video, you will learn how to add an animation that causes an image to slide across the screen.
http://www.screencast.com/t/dhrsFkMr5

Twirling Image Example
In this 2.5 minute tutorial video, you will learn how to add an animation that causes an image to slide diagonally across the screen while twirling.
http://www.screencast.com/t/2TeQFwelxx1h

Two Images Interacting Example
In this two minute tutorial video, you will learn how to add an animation that causes an image to slide across the screen.
http://www.screencast.com/t/bj5eCyeR5

Image Shrinking and Growing Example
In this two minute tutorial video, you will learn how to add two animations that cause the image to start small and slowly grow to full size.
http://www.screencast.com/t/1XazKV7QrcRv

Two Images Fading Through Each Other Example
In this two minute tutorial video, you will learn how to add two animations to a second image that causes the image to start large and slowly shrink in size through the other image on the timeline.
http://www.screencast.com/t/K4Sx02Cjk

Do you have a Camtasia Studio 8 animation effect question you would like answered? If so, drop me a line to k.mullins@techsmith.com and I may blog about it here.

P.S. I won’t be able to answer every email individually. But, I will try and post as many questions / answers as I can in future tutorials on this site.

  • Geoffrey Falk

    Thanks for the great tutorial Kelly! I have been struggling with how to use Visual Properties…your videos have cleared it up for me. Thanks again!!

    • Kelly

      I’m glad you found this helpful! Sometimes it’s just better to see something like this in action than to read about it.

  • SteveO527

    Great stuff, thank you! One thing….the last tutorial is a repeat of the Two Images Interacting Example. Would LOVE to see that last tutorial!

    • Kelly

      Thanks for bringing that to my attention! It’s fixed now. Watch away!! :-}

  • Jeff Cold

    Thanks Kelly…this is the type of simple, short training I can use with Camtasia 8 to create videos for teaching.

  • Dave

    Why aren’t these listed in the tutorials page? These are exactly what we need, and they are hidden here in your blog!