How to Use SnagIt to Record Videos

SnagIt is a useful tool for all sorts of screen captures as well as instructional materials – no matter the purpose, SnagIt promises an easy to use experience that helps streamline what would otherwise be wordy and lengthy written documentation.

The software offers a free trial, after which there is a one-time purchase fee. Whether you use the free trial or the full version, in order to use SnagIt, you first need to install it. Follow the straight-forward installation process and, afterward, launch the program.

You can use SnagIt to capture videos, screenshots and more – recent versions of the service offer the option to create instructional materials and more from templates, as well as advanced editing tools.

Create from template

After starting SnagIt, you can use the ‘Create’ button in the top left corner. Select ‘Image from Template’ if you want to use a template and select the layout you want to use. Click on ‘Create’ at the bottom.

You’ll then be able to pick some images and screenshots to combine in the template. Select the ones you want, right-click and select ‘Combine in template’. You can then arrange the pictures however you’d like and insert them into the template you picked.

Video from images

You can also create your own instructional video from screenshots and images that you have on your computer. Select the ones you want from the tray at the bottom. Right-click again and select ‘Create Video from Images’.

SnagIt will switch to record mode – you’ll see a black area on your screen with one of the selected images inside. What you see in the middle is what will be part of your video! You can use the tools on the right-hand side to add arrows, shapes and comments to your video. Use the video controls at the bottom to adjust to whatever section of your new video you want to edit.

At the very bottom, you can also adjust the order of the images in your video. When you’re ready, press the red record button. Your video will start recording. Of course, you can add quick elements while it records – if you add, for example, an arrow this way, it will appear exactly as you draw it in the final product. The arrows next to the pause controls will let you switch between pictures when you are ready to do so.

Tip: By clicking directly on an image in the bottom tray, you can jump directly to it!

The program will record everything that happens in real-time. Don’t let it stress you though – you can use the pause button to pause and unpause the video whenever you need a moment. When you’re done, you can use the stop button to end the recording.

You can then re-watch your finished product, and finally, use the export button to share it! You’ll have some additional tools at the top to make last-minute changes before you export your video.