You can record your entire screen, a specific application window, or a Chrome tab for free using the Create video editor. To do this, you'll need to click on the Record screen button in the Add Media menu. See below for a step-by-step guide.
Currently the only audio you can record during a screencast is internal audio from a Chrome tab. You can't record external audio, such as you speaking into your computer microphone. We're working on adding this feature soon.
Never used our online video editor before? It's easy, just visit app.clipchamp.com to create a free account and start editing your videos straight away.
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How to record your screen
First start a Create project or open an existing project, then:
1. Click 'Record screen' in the 'Add Media' menu
If you've just started a new project you will automatically be in the correct menu. If you're in an existing project, click on the 'Add media' (+) button in the left side bar.
Underneath the "drag and drop" area, click on the Record screen button:
NOTE: if you click the button and nothing happens, try clicking away to another menu (e.g. the Text menu), then going back to the Add Media menu and trying again.
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2. Choose the type of screencasting and click 'Share'
A window will appear with screen sharing options. Choose if you'd like to record:
- your entire screen (if you have more than one monitor you'll be shown multiple screens – select one)
- an application window (your open applications will display – select one)
- a Chrome tab (your open tabs will be displayed – select one)
Then click the Share button in the bottom right to start recording.
If you want to record the audio from a Chrome tab, be sure to tick the share audio checkbox before clicking Share (audio recording is not yet available for recording from other applications or from external microphones).
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3. Click 'Stop sharing' to stop recording
Your screen will start recording immediately when you click share.
You'll see a controller in the bottom of the Clipchamp browser tab showing the elapsed recording time and maximum recording time, with a square stop button:
You'll also see a message saying "app.clipchamp.com is sharing your screen" at the bottom of your screen with a stop sharing button:
To end the recording, click either of these buttons.
TIP: If you want to take a recording longer than the maximum recording time, try taking several shorter ones and combining them in the editor later.
NOTE: depending on your browser settings, a Save File dialogue will appear asking you to choose a location to store the video, or the video will be auto-saved to your downloads folder or desktop. Be sure to keep this file on your computer somewhere (don't delete it!) as in future you may need to relink it to your project.
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4. Click 'Add to Project'
Now in the Clipchamp editor tab, you'll see a screen where you can watch and save the recording:
If you're not happy and want to record again, click the Retake recording button (you will lose the current recording).
If you're happy and want to save the video, click the Add to project button at the bottom of the screen.
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5. Drag your screen recording to the timeline
Your recording will appear in the media library area (it may take a few seconds to load). Drag and drop it into the timeline at the bottom of the editor.
Here you can edit the video, e.g. trim unwanted parts off the start or end, split it to cut out unwanted parts in the middle, or even add music.
NOTE: If the recording doesn't fit the dimensions of your project (e.g. you see black bars on either side of it, like in the above example) you can crop the video to fit. Just select the clip in the timeline, click the Transform menu at the top of the screen, and under RESIZE, choose Crop to fill (alternatively, you can change the aspect ratio of your project):
For more information on Clipchamp's editing tools see our how to edit a video article.
If you want to take another screen recording, simply return to the Add Media menu and follow this process again.
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6. Export your video
If you're finished editing and would like to save the recording in your timeline to your computer, click the Export button in the top right. For more information see: exporting your video.
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Try it out
Ready to get started? Head straight to Create to try it out for yourself:
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