ScreenFlow Preferences
Before you begin your screencast project, you will want to set the ScreenFlow preferences. ScreenFlow has an intuitive user interface but you still have a few options that you can customize.
To open the ScreenFlow Preferences window, click ScreenFlow - Preferences from the menubar.
When checked this option will add the ScreenFlow Helper onto your computer's menubar. On the iMac the ScreenFlow icon, which looks like a camera, will be placed on the right. This icon will open a menu with controls to start and stop recording and quit ScreenFlow. You can also open the Configure Recording Window.
Countdown in seconds before recording:
By default, ScreenFlow will wait five seconds before it begins recording. You have the option to increase or decrease this wait time.
Startup - Launch ScreenFlow Helper at user login:
When checked, the ScreenFlow icon will appear in the menubar when you start your computer. If you do a lot of screencasts, you may wish to use this option. If unchecked, the icon will appear when you open the ScreenFlow application.
Auto Update - Check for ScreenFlow updates at launch.
Recording Hotkey and Pause Hotkey: You have the option to set a custom hotkey to start/stop and pause recording.
Depending on your project and preferred workflow, you might want to change these defaults.
Default Transitions:
By default, each time that you add a transition to your project, ScreenFlow will add the Bars Swipe transition. If you find you are frequently changing this to another transition, you can set your choice of transition as the default.
Default Track Height:
One of the nice features of ScreenFlow is the multi-tracked Timeline, allowing you creative control. However, these tracks do take up some space on the Timeline. If your projects have many tracks, you can set the default to Small.
Default Durations:
Here you will find a list of several features and their default durations. Depending on your project, you might want these effects to have a shorter or longer duration. Of example, I like to use a 3 - 5 second transition for book trailers. Setting your custom defaults here can save you a lot of work later.
Another nice ScreenFlow feature is the ability to zoom into a section of the screen. Here you can choose to sharpen or smooth the magnified pixels.
Screen Recording Compression:
If you are an experienced user, you might want to set the compression to Lossless in order to keep the original quality of your screencasts. Of course, you will want to manually compress before publishing your project. For most people, the Adaptive option is fine.
Computer Audio and Capture Scratch Disk:
Unless an experienced user, you will probably want to keep the defaults.
ScreenFlow screenshots used by permission of Telestream.
To open the ScreenFlow Preferences window, click ScreenFlow - Preferences from the menubar.
General Tab
Show ScreenFlow options in menu bar:When checked this option will add the ScreenFlow Helper onto your computer's menubar. On the iMac the ScreenFlow icon, which looks like a camera, will be placed on the right. This icon will open a menu with controls to start and stop recording and quit ScreenFlow. You can also open the Configure Recording Window.
Countdown in seconds before recording:
By default, ScreenFlow will wait five seconds before it begins recording. You have the option to increase or decrease this wait time.
Startup - Launch ScreenFlow Helper at user login:
When checked, the ScreenFlow icon will appear in the menubar when you start your computer. If you do a lot of screencasts, you may wish to use this option. If unchecked, the icon will appear when you open the ScreenFlow application.
Auto Update - Check for ScreenFlow updates at launch.
Recording Hotkey and Pause Hotkey: You have the option to set a custom hotkey to start/stop and pause recording.
Timeline Tab
Display - SMPTE timecode, Action menu overlay and Stereo waveforms:Depending on your project and preferred workflow, you might want to change these defaults.
Default Transitions:
By default, each time that you add a transition to your project, ScreenFlow will add the Bars Swipe transition. If you find you are frequently changing this to another transition, you can set your choice of transition as the default.
Default Track Height:
One of the nice features of ScreenFlow is the multi-tracked Timeline, allowing you creative control. However, these tracks do take up some space on the Timeline. If your projects have many tracks, you can set the default to Small.
Default Durations:
Here you will find a list of several features and their default durations. Depending on your project, you might want these effects to have a shorter or longer duration. Of example, I like to use a 3 - 5 second transition for book trailers. Setting your custom defaults here can save you a lot of work later.
Advanced Tab
Video Magnification:Another nice ScreenFlow feature is the ability to zoom into a section of the screen. Here you can choose to sharpen or smooth the magnified pixels.
Screen Recording Compression:
If you are an experienced user, you might want to set the compression to Lossless in order to keep the original quality of your screencasts. Of course, you will want to manually compress before publishing your project. For most people, the Adaptive option is fine.
Computer Audio and Capture Scratch Disk:
Unless an experienced user, you will probably want to keep the defaults.
ScreenFlow screenshots used by permission of Telestream.
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Follow @ArtAnimationTut
Tweet
Content copyright © 2023 by Diane Cipollo. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Diane Cipollo. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Diane Cipollo for details.
