Optimize For Ad-Hoc Usage

[hediet]

First of all: Thanks so much for this nice tool! I use it a lot.

It would be so nice if this tool is more optimized for single-time ad-hoc usage to quickly share a screen recording.

Currently, doing a screenrecording requires many clicks:

1. Start the tool
2. Click on Recorder
3. Click on Record
4. Click on Stop
5. Click on File
6. Click on Save as
7. Click on Save
8. Paste the recording into the github issue editor (which is what I usually do with recorded gifs)
9. Click on Exit
10. Click on Yes ("Are you sure that you want to exit?")

Ideally, my flow would look like this:

1. Start the tool (or press a global hotkey)
2. Click on Record
3. Click on Stop
4. Click on Export
5. Paste the recording into the github issue editor
6. Exit screen to gif without questions

[pawlos]

To eliminate step 2 from the original list, you can set-up the application to start in recorder mode (Application -> Start with: Screen recorder). To eliminate step 10 you can uncheck "Ask me before closing the editor (if there's a project opened)." in Editor->General. For the faster save/export workflow I don't know if there's anything at the moment.

For future version, I was thinking, maybe it could be done as one of the new automated tasks that run as part of the processing done when the frames are loaded? I think it could fit into the existing framework nicely. WDYT @NickeManarin? Does it make sense to have Export/Save as one of the automated tasks?

[NickeManarin]

The ideal for the near future is to compartimentalize the Editor, separating core features, leaving it possible to bypass it by using a simple workflow:

Recorder -> Save As, won't allow any edits at all. Recorder -> Simple Editor -> Save As, will allow playback trimming and perhaps resizing. Recorder -> Complete Editor -> Save As, always set as default.

Automatic tasks should work for all cases, if enabled.

---

Now, what I have in mind to do first is to migrate to .NET 5/6, then start the editor rework/redesign (that is going to take a while), then improve workflow.

The new editor should have support for multiple layers (will need to create a timeline element, I already started it), improve rendering (allowing a quality slider like Premier Pro, 100% -> 50% size), separated panels from main view, proper action stack for things like moving layers, altering properties, etc.

The list goes on. I just need time. ;)

[NickeManarin]

Btw, the whole project system will get a rework too. The editor will work directly on top of a project file (*.stg), still automatically created (with cache settings still in place).

[hediet]

Sounds great!

If you already rework/redesign this tool - what are your thoughts on supporting objects? Currently, when adding some text, it seems you immediately render the text to all images (which I guess is why it takes so long). Couldn't you just keep track of the text object and render it on demand? That way, I could easily edit and move the text. Ideally, properties of an object could depend on the time.

[NickeManarin]

Yes, that's the main reason for the rework/redesign. To add support for layers and objects, with rendering on remand.

[deluksic]

I have to say, this tool is really awesome, just started using it, and even though defaults were not optimal, I was able to match my use case almost exactly. As the OP, I'm trying to optimize the workflow of sharing my work with colleagues.

My workflow is as follows:

1. Print screen -> opens recorder
2. Print screen again -> "start recording" which enables rectangle selection (I had to force this into Settings.xml, because you can't set the same key shortcut)
3. Select rectangle
4. Accept rectangle -> automatically starts recording
5. Stop recording
6. Ctrl+S, type the filename -> export recording
7. Attach file to PR

It's pretty good, though ideally it would be:

1. Print screen -> start rectangle selection and magnifier
2. Select rectangle -> automatically start recording
3. Stop recording -> automatically exported (copied to clipboard, but it doesn't seem possible?)
4. Paste into PR

Again, awesome work, there seems to be no app like this for windows (which is a huge market).