How to Capture Screen Videos With Snapz Pro

Taking screen shots for your Macintosh is a snap. You can use the system's built-in commands or the Grab application included with the system software. But you're still limited to one image. What if you need to capture a movie of a series of screen actions? Snapz Pro has can capture an entire sequence, with cursors and menus.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open the Snapz Pro and click on the "Preferences" button to configure the movie settings. Set the command key you want to use to automatically call up Snapz. Choose ".mov settings" from the settings pull down menu and choose the application you intend to use to edit your movie files (usually it will be QuickTime).

2. Close Snapz. From now on the shortcut key will open Snapz automatically, allowing you to keep your screen in exactly the condition you want to shoot.

3. Set up your desktop and application windows. Type the Snapz command key. The Snapz interface will open automatically.

4. Click on the movie button. You will see the movie recording options. Choose the frame rate, whether you want to keep the same image area framed in your movie or if you want the camera to follow your cursor around the screen. You can also choose to record narrative with a microphone.

5. Hit the "Enter" or "Return" key to start recording. Perform the activities you want to record. When you're finished type the Snapz command keys again. Snapz will open a dialog to guide you through saving your finished movie.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also choose "Smooth Pan" to ease the transitions as the camera follows the cursor. However, higher frame rates and movies that follow the cursor create much larger files.
• Your keyboard shortcut may not open Snapz if Apple's Finder or another background application is also using it. Make sure to remove the command using System Preferences and the preferences of other software that runs in the background (note programs, window switching applications).