Screencast-O-Matic recently rebranded to Screenpal, with a new look and feel website and desktop application. You can continue to use Screencast-O-Matic as is, or update to the newest Screenpal version. See Updating Screencast-O-Matic to Screenpal for more information. Updating the application does not affect your existing username/password, saved content, or settings. 

This help article covers using both Screenpal and Screencast-O-Matic (if you want to continue to use the older version). Scroll down to get to Screencast-O-Matic instructions.


Screenpal


When you first open Screenpal you will be presented with previous recordings you have created with it.

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To create a new recording, click Record in the top-right corner of the window.

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From here, the software will change to a “recording mode” where you can adjust for the type of screencast you wish to create.

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You can select whether you wish to create a recording using:
  1. Your screen: This is the most common option and is suggested for recording yourself talking over a powerpoint, using software, completing an equation, etc.
  2. Your webcam: This may be useful if you wish to film yourself demonstrating how to perform a particular activity
  3. Both: This may be useful if you wish to switch between performance and activities on your computer, or to provide a personal touch to a screen-based recording

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If you wish, you can set a “Max Time” which will set a specific time limit  your recording. Click on the option and set a specific time which you wish to set specific time at which the recording will end.
It is recommended that you leave this at “None” in order to avoid limiting yourself around this.

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You can set a specific size for your screencast if you wish. Click on the “Size” button and you can select if you want your screencast to be “Fullscreen” (your entire screen) or a smaller size

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If you set the screen size to less than “Fullscreen”, you can adjust the box which appears to record a specific area of the screen. Drag the white borders at the sides, top, bottom, and corners  to resize the are to be recorded.

You can select the microphone that you will use to record the screencast by clicking Narration and selecting the appropriate microphone.

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You can also click the gear icon Image Placeholder to set a number of options for recording.

When you are ready to begin, you can press the record icon to begin recording.

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You will be given a countdown and the recording will begin. You can pause the recording at any time by clicking the pause icon.

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If you want to, you can also click the pen icon Image Placeholder to draw on top of your recording. This will allow you to use tools to annotate your recording live. To exit the annotate mode, click Exit Drawing.

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When you are satisfied with your recording, click the pause icon.

When you have paused the recording, you can:
  1. Continue recording by clicking the record icon again.
  2. View the recording you have done by clicking the play icon Image Placeholder
  3. Delete what you have recorded and start again by clicking the trash icon Image Placeholder
  4. Move on to edit and upload/ download your video by clicking Done.

Screencast-O-Matic


When you first open Screencast-O-Matic you will be presented with previous recordings you have created with it

Image Placeholder


To create a new recording, click Record in the top-right corner of the window

Image Placeholder

From here, the software will change to a “recording mode” where you can adjust for the type of screencast you wish to create

Image Placeholder

You can select whether you wish to create a recording using:
  1. Your screen: This is the most common option and is suggested for recording yourself talking over a powerpoint, using software, completing an equation, etc.
  2. Your webcam: This may be useful if you wish to film yourself demonstrating how to perform a particular activity
  3. Both: This may be useful if you wish to switch between performance and activities on your computer, or to provide a personal touch to a screen-based recording

Image Placeholder

If you wish, you can set a “Max Time” which will set a specific time limit  your recording. Click on the option and set a specific time which you wish to set specific time at which the recording will end.
It is recommended that you leave this at “None” in order to avoid limiting yourself around this.

Image Placeholder

You can set a specific size for your screencast if you wish. Click on the “Size” button and you can select if you want your screencast to be “Fullscreen” (your entire screen) or a smaller size

Image Placeholder

If you set the screen size to less than “Fullscreen”, you can adjust the box which appears to record a specific area of the screen. Drag the white links at the
  1. Sides,
  2. Top and bottom
  3. Corners
to resize the are to be recorded

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You can select the microphone that you will use to record the screencast by clicking on the “Narration” option and selecting the appropriate microphone

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You can also select the “Preferences” button to set a number of options for recording

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When you are ready to begin, you can press the record button to begin recording

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You will be given a countdown and the recording will begin. You can pause the recording at any time by pressing the blue Pause button where the recording button previously was

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If you want to, you can also press the “pen” icon next to the record button to draw on top of your recording.

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This will allow you to use tools (available at the top of the recording area) to annotate your recording live

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To exit the annotate mode, simply click right-click anywhere on-screen and select “Exit” (this will clear your annotations)

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When you are satisfied with your recording, press the pause button.
When you have paused the recording, you can:
  1. Continue recording by pressing the Record button again
  2. View the recording you have done by pressing the “play” button
  3. Delete what you have recorded and start again by pressing the “trash can” icon
  4. Move on to edit and upload/ download your video by pressing the “Done” button.

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