Using the right tools for any project is important, and this is especially true for multimedia content creators. The software applications collected here are currently available to content creators who are building instructional content for UCSF academic programs. MediaUCSF, Camtasia and Zoom are core to the academic community, and support is available from a variety of groups including the Library, ETS and technology specialists embedded in each school.
Media@UCSF
Media@UCSF is an online video hosting platform that is integrated with the campus learning management system, the CLE, and provides the academic community with a centralized system for managing and distributing digital video content. Media@UCSF also provides apps for recording new content, inserting quizzes into videos, basic editing and more. The system is managed by the Library and freely available to CLE users.
Camtasia
Camtasia is a robust screen recording and video editing tool, often used to creature narrated lecture content. The CL240 Library Tech Commons lab provides iMac workstations equipped with Camtasia, and academic faculty can also request a laptop loan that is equipped with Camtasia and other multimedia software. UCSF does not offer a campus license, but the software can be purchased at a discount from the Camtasia website.
COVID-19 update: The Parnassus Library and CL240 Tech Commons lab are closed until further notice. Laptop loans are available to academic faculty as curbside pickup. Please contact the LTG to learn more.
Zoom
Zoom is a web conferencing tool, but also has a record function that allows you to capture your web camera, audio, guests, and when you or participants are sharing their screens. Much like [email protected] this tool lives online so the quality is dependent on your bandwidth. If other people are involved in your recording, their internet speed will impact their portion of the recording. If you have broadband this is a great option for recording interviews or conversations.
Other tools and resources
The following list is a combination of free and paid tools that we have used and recommend. UCSF support for these tools varies, although many are available from in Library's CL240 Tech Commons lab. Free tools listed here are widely used and can be safely installed on your computer.
Video Editing
iMovie - Free with all new Macs. Basic Mac-only video editor with limited effects.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Final Cut Pro – More powerful than iMovie, a Mac-only video editor that is available on the CL240 Library Tech Commons lab workstations. Also available to faculty through laptop loan from the Learning Tech Group.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
DaVinci Resolve - Free and powerful video editor for Mac and PC that includes color correction, audio editing, and motion graphics. You can pay and upgrade to DaVinci Studio for additional features.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Note: Media@UCSF and Camtasia also provide editing capabilities (see above).
Video Conversion and Playback
MPEG Streamclip - Free, easy-to-use video converter and compressor for Mac and PC.
Product page | UCSF help
Handbrake - Free video converter and compressor for Mac and PC. Converty from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs.
Product page | LinkedIn Learning
VLC - Free, open source multimedia player for Mac and PC that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
Product page | Product help
Graphics
Gimp - Free, powerful image editor for Mac and PC. Similar to Photoshop.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Pixlr - Lets you edit photos right in your browser for Free.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Audio
Audacity - Free, multi-track digital audio recording, editing and effects tool for Mac and PC.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Garageband - Free with all new Macs and iOS devices. Audio recording, editing and music creation studio.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning
Annotation
PowerPoint - Included in Office 365 Suite. Access basic annotation tools while in presentation mode (locally or online).
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning | UCSF Office 365 | UCSF Templates
Zoom - Annotation tools are available when screen sharing the white board feature. Participations may also be allowed to annotate.
Product page | Product help | LinkedIn Learning | UCSF Help
Ink2Go - Flexible and affordable annotation tool, for Mac and PC. May be used in conjunction with other applications to annotate over anything on your screen.
Product page | Product help
Note: Using a Wacom pen tablet or a tablet monitor is recomended, contact the LTG for more info.