#tracked changes

Editors, both freelance and professional, are often too busy to edit a manuscript by hand and then sit down at a table across from the writer to explain what works and does not work. As an alternative, electronic editing offers solid efficiency advantages—but communication tends to break down without good old-fashioned free-form explanation. It's hard to suggest complicated plot revisions using Comments or PDF Sticky Note annotations alone, and it's also difficult to clarify extensive revisions (like reordering sentences and paragraphs, for instance) just by using the Tracked Changes tool. 

That's why I submit, for your consideration, a somewhat unlikely editing tool that puts the editor across the table from the writer again, just like old times. Camtasia allows the writer to “look over the editor’s shoulder” as the editor walks through an edited document, explaining the rationale for certain edits and clarifying revisions.

These additions: Visual explanation and the ability to explain revisions in the natural medium of one’s own voice, restore clarity to the exchange between editor and writer. Note that Screencast copy editing doesn't replace Tracked Changes or comments, it merely compliments and clarifies them. And you don't need to use Camtasia for every editing project, just when it's helpful. 

The following instructions are ideal for PC users. However, Mac users will only have to modify the directions slightly. A video tutorial version of instructions 3 through 7 is available here.

Visit the Techsmith website to purchase Camtasia Studio 8 or to download a free trial.

Edit a document.  (a.) If you’re editing a PDF, use sticky notes to insert editorial comments. 

                                             b) If you’re editing a Word document, use Tracked Changes and Comments. Et cetera.

Open the Camtasia software and press the “Record Your Screen button,” found in the upper left corner of the screen.

 A smaller menu will open, giving you options for full or partial screen capture, web cam connection, and volume options. (a) Click the dropdown arrow beside the microphone and uncheck “System Audio” IF you don’t want to record the sounds that come from your speakers during the tutorial. Also, select the audio input device that you plan to use from the same menu, which should appear in the menu. If it does not, make sure your device is properly connected and set up.

(b) Next, drag the input volume slider until the audio of your voice (speaking normally) falls most consistently about half way across the level indicator. Check the video tutorial for clarification.

Open the document you plan to edit, and press either the red record button on the Camtasia menu or the F9 key. A countdown will appear on the screen. Use this time to minimize the Camtasia menu and get ready to begin your screencast.

When the coundown completes, recording will begin. Narrate, explain and visually exemplify a “walkthrough” of the edited document by explaining suggested revisions that bear explanation. I recorded a sample editing screencast, available here.

When you're finished, press F10 or open the Camtasia menu on your task bar and press “Stop Recording.”

Preview your screencast, select the canvas dimensions for the final video, save, edit and share. If you get stuck, follow the given links in this instruction to find video tutorials corresponding to each of these steps.