3 Tips to Optimize Your Screencasts!

Jun 03, 2015

Have you ever watched a screencast video where you where thinking “What the heck am I looking at?!”. The items on the screen where so small they were nearly unreadable and where did that mouse pointer jump off to this time?? These are common annoyances for anyone who has ever watches a video tutorial online. Luckily there are a couple of easy things you can do to make this a little better!

Increase Your Mouse Pointer Size
This might seem a little awkward in the beginning, dragging around a massive mouse pointer, but your viewers will love you for it. On your Windows PC go to the Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers > Mouse.

Select the Pointers tab and check the Scheme section. You’ll find a range of possibilities and you want to select one of the ‘Extra Large’ schemes. As you can see below I’ve selected the Windows Aero (extra large) (system scheme).

 

When I started using this trick I used to switch back and forth between regular and extra large scheme because I felt the uncomfortable with the large mouse pointer turned on all the time. After forgetting to increase the size for several screencasts and having to re-record them again I switched to the extra large scheme permanently and actually have come to love my large mouse pointer.

Whenever I get behind a computer now, the first thing I do is increase the mouse pointer size because it is so much clearer when doing my day to day stuff.

Give it a try, you just might like it!

Increase Your System Text (And Other Items)
Another way to increase the readability of what you are recording is to increase the size of system text. Go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Display > Make text and other itmes larger or smaller. By default it is set to Smaller -100%. Now switch it to Medium – 125%. The system will ask you to log off and on to take this into effect.

Once you’ve logged on again everything will be slightly bigger and thus more readable for your viewers. It’s a slight difference but worth the effort wouldn’t you say?

Again this is something that takes a little getting used to and as the screen mentions ‘Some items may not fit on your screen if you choose this setting while your display is set to this resolution’. Be sure to check if your display shows what you want to record properly.

I’ve been using this for a short time and have not encountered any problems as of yet but it’s a good habit to check before encountering an issue halfway.

Add zoom regions to your screen (for Articulate Storyline Users)
If you are using Articulate Storyline to record your screencasts and use them as a single slide video you can add Zoom regions on your video to help the viewer focus on the area you’re discussing.

You can add multiple zoom regions on a single slide by going to the Insert tab and selecting the Zoom Region button in the ribbon. You can spread your zoom regions over the time line to zoom into the various areas you want to highlight.

That’s it. If you have any questions or comments drop me a line in the comments area below. I love to read your feedback!

3 Replies
Jeff Kortenbosch

I know, I heard you slamming that CTRL button in your latest screen cast.

I was conflicted about adding this one as sometimes tools require you to use the CTRL button when using shortcut keys and you funny want the mouse flashing up when you do. 

As an alternative I prefer telling where I'm going with the mousse "click X in the top left corner to..."

If you're not a shortcut key user it is a great way to bring extra attention to your mouse pointer.

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