How to use the Free Tool JingProject to Create Videos

Written by Andrew Rondeau in blogging guide | 8 Awesome Comments - Add Yours?

If you ever want to create screen shots or short videos, then the easiest way is by using the free tool JingProject. Watch this short video and find out how easy it is. You can get JingProject from here: http://www.jingproject.com/

Video Transcript:

With Jing, you can easily show while on chat what you want to say using pictures or a video. Jing is so simple to capture both screen images and videos. You can then share them around the internet. So, if you’re always having a hard time trying to point out what you want to say, then Jing is the solution to your problem.

Here’s how to download it:

1.       Go to http://www.jingproject.com/

2.       Click on the appropriate PC version you have, if its Windows or Mac OS X

3.       Upon clicking, a pop-up will appear regarding your download. If no pop-up appears then just click on the orange CLICK HERE text on the Jing webpage.

4.       On the pop-up window, just click on Save/Save File, then wait till download finishes.

5.       When download finishes, you’ll see an icon that looks like this:   Click it to begin installing.

6.       Once the installation is successful, you’ll see a Jing Sun on the top center of your computer screen, like what you can see on the picture. This is the default position and you can actually move it to where you want it to be or hide it. There is also a Jing launcher on your system tray.

Here’s how you can move or hide the Sun Launcher:

For Windows Users: Click on the Sun Launcher and drag it to where you want to place it. For Mac Users: Hold down the shift key then click on the Sun Launcher and drag it to where you want it placed.

If you want the Sun Launcher hidden, here’s what you do:

1.       Place your cursor over the Sun Launcher, doing so will make it branch into three areas. Click on the third branch named MORE. This will come out.

2.       Click on preferences, which is the third icon. A screen like the one below will pop-out.

Put a check mark on Hide the Jing sun, and then click Finish, which is the first icon on the left.  You can also set Capture Hotkey button here. This button makes it possible for you to capture drop-down menus.

So how do you set a Capture Hotkey?

a.       Click on the area provided, it will say press desired key/keys

b.       You must enter a combination like ctrl and letter z (ctrl z)

c.       Once done, just click on finish, which is the button with the check mark.

Here’s the Capture Hotkey at work:

The second button that is branched out is called History. This is where you can find your saved images and videos.

You can sort it by Date or Size just by clicking on the buttons located on the upper left hand corner.

We go back to this…

The first branch is the Capture button. You use it to capture images or videos. Are you ready to take your first capture? Here’s what you do.

1.       Click on the Sun Launcher. Click on the first branch, which says Capture.

2.       Upon clicking capture, your cursor will change into a crosshair. Like this:

3.       Click and drag to select a specific area of an image.

Hints:

a.       If you want to select the entire screen of your pc, just place your cursor on the edge of your screen and select it.

b.       If you want a 16:9 aspect ratio, hold down the SHIFT key.

c.       If you want a 4:3 aspect ratio, hold down the CTRL key.

You can always undo your selection by pressing on the REDO SELECTION button. Capture size is also always displayed.

d.       Once an image is selected, you then need to choose if you want to capture an image or capture a video

Clicking on Capture Image button will, take you to this screen. It is in this screen that you’ll be able to edit your selected image using the icons that you see on the left.

The first icon which is an arrow, allows you to place an arrow on the image and in addition, you can also choose the color you want your arrow to be. Here’s how it’s done.

a.       Click on the Arrow icon.

Then click on the last icon, the square-like one. A color selection box will appear. Choose the color you want and create your arrow.

You can also create a text box by using the capital letter T icon. Click on the T icon and click the area on the image where you want it placed. Type the text you want to place. You have tools available so that you can choose font style, font size and the font color. The square box on the latter part is where you can choose the color. You can always drag the text box and the arrows for repositioning. You can also always click on the undo button if there’s something you didn’t do quite right.

Here’s how the finished product will look like.

Have you notice the NAME field below your image? The default Name placed is the date and time, but you can change this to something you like or something more appropriate.

We now move on to capturing a video.

To Capture Video, select an image then after selecting desired image, click Capture Video button.

The Capture Video will begin with a countdown from 3 to 1, then you will be led to this screen. Notice the buttons above, the first button is the STOP button, the second one is the PAUSE button. The third button is the one you can use to mute your microphone. The last one is the exit button. The default time length for the video is only 5 minutes so make sure to keep that in mind. You can have a video that is shorter than 5 minutes but not more than 5 minutes.

When you’re done, just click on the STOP button and a preview window will appear. Just click on the PLAY icon.

You will be brought to this screen, where you can play your video again.

Note: The free version of Jing uses .swf flash files only.

If you’re satisfied with the outcome, then give it a name and share it.

The first share button we have on Jing is the SHARE VIA THE SCREENCAST.COM button.

It will upload the image to the specified destination.

If your image or video is successfully sent to Screencast.com, you will receive this message:

A link is then provided, which looks something like this: http://screencast.com/t/2f1t6EzvnA. You can then share the link given to you via chat or email. Anybody who clicks on the link will see your uploaded image or video. Your privacy is protected on Screencast.com becaseu without the link, your image or video will not be viewed.

The next button is the SAVE button. Using this button, you can save your image or video on your computer.

The third button is the COPY button. Click this and you can immediately copy the image or video and paste it where you want it. It’s that easy.

You can also customize your Jing buttons by adding additional buttons like a Twitter button. You can do this by using the last icon, which is the Customize Jing Buttons.

When you click on the last icon, it will give you this screen. Click on New. You will get this screen. c YouTube is only available for JingPro.

Twitter is available for the free version of Jing. Feel free to change the Button Description to what you like. Click on Get Twitter PIN.

You will be led to this page. Type in your twitter username and password and click on Allow. Twitter then will give you a PIN. Copy the PIN into the provided area on the screen and click authorize.

Then, you’ll see a page like the one below, which shows your twitter username and email used. Click on Save.

You’ll get this screen. Notice the added twitter button. Click on new again if you want to add more buttons like flicker.

Click on Flicker. You can change Button Description if you want. Click on authorize. Fill in the appropriate boxes with the right information, then click on save. You’ll return to same small screen like before with the flicker button added to it. Just click on new again, if you want to add some more buttons like FTP.

Click on FTP button. Change Button Description if you want. Fill in the appropriate boxes with the necessary information and click on save. Now, you have already customized your Jing buttons. You can also submit your image or video to twitter, flicker and also to ftp.

Don’t just use text…use JING to capture both screen images and videos.

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8 Responses to How to use the Free Tool JingProject to Create Videos
  1. Emma Smith

    I’ve used Jing to help me create a few videos where I needed screenshots. For the most part, I liked the functionality and you can’t beat the price (free!).

    The only complaint I have is that whenever I start up my computer, there’s a pop-in reminding me to register and it requires multiple clicks to close it down completely. I actually was just considering uninstalling it from my computer for that reason.

    Reply
  2. Dennis Edell

    Nice find man, thanks for the heads up. :)
    .-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Here We Go! Theme Construction Part 1 – Your Participation Is Wanted-Needed! =-.

    Reply
  3. Ricardo Bueno

    I dig Jing for creating screencasts! I’ve had some trouble in the past syncing video’s properly to YouTube, but hey, it’s all good… Still works great!
    .-= Ricardo Bueno´s last blog ..Live Interview with Aaron Brazell, Author of “The WordPress Bible” =-.

    Reply
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