FCPX and screencasts

Hi folks! First post here, just have a question about screencasts.

I'm working with a client that is providing 1440x900 screencasts of their software, and I'm compositing that onto a laptop in FCPX.

When zooming in on the footage it looks fairly blurry, and I'm wondering if there is some way to capture the screencast in a resolution that is higher than 1080, and then be able to zoom in and have greater clarity on the text etc.

Any thoughts on this?

This is a video that does this EXTREMELY well, and I am starting to think it involved 3D compositing software, as I can't get that kind of resolution when zooming in.


Any help is much appreciated!

FYI I'm using FCPeffects 3D perspective plugin and loving it!!

Use "ScreenFlow" and edit inside of ScreenFlow. You can zoom lots, adjust cursor size and other parameters, very easy to use, very powerful. Pretty much the standard for professional trainers who do the top video courses. Also, you want them to resize the windows on their screen to 16:9. Make a 720x1080 flat color PNG file, use that as a guide.

Thanks Ben! I was just looking at ScreenFlow, looks very nice... I'll give the demo a go!

I'll often screen record and edit in ScreenFlow. If I need FCPX embellishments I export ProRes. If need be you can export ProRes 4444.

Since ScreenFlow is dependent on the monitor size you may want to consider using at least a 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 monitor.

Make a 720x1080 flat color PNG file, use that as a guide to resize your windows. In ScreenFlow, set the crop to 720x1080. You can export pretty much any resolution after that and have amazingly clear image quality. ProRes 4x4? Really? For a tutorial movie?

ProRes 4x4 for the Alpha channel if one needs it. Apparently a fair number of screen caster do After Effects or Motion compositing and want the Alpha. Personally ProResLT is probably OK for simple editing but then most simple editing can be done in ScreenFlow itself.

I've been producing training videos professionally for years, and I've never need an alpha channel, nor AE or Motion to create them. At least not with the screen shot itself. Additional graphics, but not the actual screen shot. But its there if you need it. I also have found over the last 2-3 years that it is easier to edit the whole thing inside ScreenFlow. Especially after the last two updates. Now if they'd only add the ability to store custom Callout presets. Geez, I've no clue why that hasn't been added yet. The one thing that is a total PITA to deal with. Aside from that, its a fantastic editor for screen movie tutorials. There's a good reason it is pretty much the defacto standard for that.

The editing environment in Screenflow is meanwhile that advanced that you barely need to go out of it. Zooming and scaling is terrific.

I am working on some tutorials myself in Keynote.

They were originally intended for schools.

1024 times 768

But I am now wondering about integrating them into a video tutorial.

On the one hand schools often have bad Projectors.

But it is usually better to down scale than upscale.

I am wondering if I should do my tutorials in 1920 times 1080

I will end up editing FCP X Screen Captures with Keynote Slides.

Am currently running at 100+ slides.

I expect to push for 100s if not low 1000s before I finish

Would be greatful for any experience? Tips? Ben? Thanks

From my own, and the experience of many professional trainers for many years, stick to standard screen sizes. As I stated before, make a 1080x720 png as a guide, size your app windows to it. Inside ScreenFlow crop your canvas to 1080x720. You can zoom, pan, etc. with amazing quality. Export as H.264 1080x720. Keynote will love it. You'll get better, more compatible results, that show up on projectors and online way more clearly.

The exception is when you have to show desktops. Do you really need to show the entire desktop at once? Often, no. ScreenFlow is very superior to anything else when it comes to scaling a screen capture.

Its Callouts for the mouse cursor, text blocks, highlights & shapes, are simple, quick, and top quality. The only time I bring in outside graphics is when I create one to illustrate a concept or process.

It is those odd shaped video frame sizes that can wreck havoc with playback once you're exported it.

Hi Ben

Ok I changed the size of my keynote slides to a custom setting of 1080*720
support.apple.com/kb/HT2925
I have made a custom png 1080*720 and will use this as a reference for scaling FCP X.
Just read your tip for cropping in Screen Flow. And found the little crop button on the bottom left hand side of my ScreenFlow Viewer.
(Am relative new to Screenflow. I used to use Snapz Pro X. Drove me mad though. Screaming, Cut. Action etc)

Do you have any tips for a simple application for drawing arrows etc?

Was thinking of something like this but it is probably over kill!



Also a huge fan of mousepose which now works on Mountain Lion!!!

"Also, you want them to resize the windows on their screen to 16:9"

Are you talking about people watching the tutorials online?

Switching resolutions in Vimeo, YouTube & Co?

Screen Flow does that, "Callouts" in ScreenFlow terminology. It is actually where Ripple got the term from.

In ScreenFlow, top right, the Inspector (or whatever they call it), in the Annotations section. I only use those and am very happy with it. For tutorials, you don't want to get fancy. You're not showing off your graphics, you're trying to teach a process to people, don't distract them with over blown graphics.

Ripple Training's package is really nice and has many uses, I simply do not consider serious education one of them. Product demos, travel guides, etc, but not for serious education. Just my opinion.

And they don't work inside of ScreenFlow, on in FCP X, which like any "NLE", sucks for this type of work (compared to ScreenFlow).

Take a look at these tutorials:
www.telestream.net/screenflow/resources.htm#tutorials

ScreenFlow tutorials from Telestream if you need.
www.telestream.net/screenflow/resources.htm#tutorials

Awesome tutorials, thanks guys!

Great thanks for that.

Good point about not going OTT with graphic elements in tutorials

What I also found for quick and simple screen shots with arrows/shapes/text

Was this here

evernote.com/skitch/

It has nice functionality like screen shots, drag and drop resize or crop.

best

Paul