> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cotovan.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Start a New Project in Camtasia: Canvas Size, Frame Rate, and Project Settings - URL: https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-start-a-new-project-in-camtasia-canvas-size-frame-rate-and-project-settings/ - Published: 2020-04-22T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-22T10:15:57.000Z - Author: Cristi Cotovan - Tags: camtasia When you launch [Camtasia](https://cotovan.com/camtasia), one of the first decisions you make is how to set up your project. Getting the canvas size, frame rate, and other settings right from the start saves you from having to rearrange everything later. This tutorial walks you through starting a new project and configuring the essential project properties. ## The Welcome Screen: New Project vs. New Recording When Camtasia opens, you'll see the welcome screen with three options: **New Project**, **New Recording**, and **Open Project**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/image.png) If you choose **New Recording**, Camtasia opens the recorder directly. You'll select your capture area — full screen, custom size, or one of the preset dimensions — and start recording. After you stop, the recording automatically appears in the main editor on the timeline. ![Camtasia recorder panel showing Select area options (Full screen, Custom, Dime) and Recorded inputs](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-recorder-panel.jpg) The Camtasia recorder with options for screen capture area and recorded inputs If you choose **New Project**, Camtasia opens the main editor with a blank canvas and empty timeline, ready for you to import media files and start editing. ## Project Settings: Canvas Size, Frame Rate, and Audio The most important step when starting a new project is setting the **canvas dimensions**. This determines the resolution of your final video. You can access project settings by going to **Edit > Project Settings** (or clicking the canvas zoom dropdown and selecting **Project Settings**). ![Camtasia Project Settings dialog showing Canvas Dimensions set to 1080p HD, Frame Rate at 30 fps, and Auto-normalize loudness checkbox](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-project-settings-dialog-1.jpg) Project Settings dialog — set your canvas dimensions, frame rate, and audio normalization before you start editing Key settings to configure: - **Canvas Dimensions:** Camtasia defaults to 1080p HD (1920×1080). You can change this to 4K Ultra HD, 720p, or social media sizes like Instagram or Facebook formats. Choose the resolution that matches your intended output. - **Frame Rate:** Choose between 30 fps (standard) or 60 fps (smoother motion). For screen recording tutorials, 30 fps is usually sufficient. - **Auto-normalize loudness:** When enabled, Camtasia automatically levels the audio volume across all clips in your project. This is useful when you combine recordings from different sources or sessions with varying volume levels. **Important tip:** Always set your canvas size *before* you start editing. If you change it later after adding clips, transitions, and graphics, everything will shift and you'll spend time repositioning elements. Even if you record at 4K, you can still export at a lower resolution — the export settings are separate from the project canvas size. ## Importing Media Files Once your project settings are configured, the next step is importing your media. You can drag files directly from your computer's file explorer into the Camtasia Media Bin. Camtasia supports a wide range of formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, MP3, WAV, JPEG, PNG (with alpha channel support), GIF, BMP, PDF, and even PowerPoint files. ![File Explorer showing video and image files being dragged into Camtasia's Media Bin](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-import-files-media-bin.jpg) Drag files from your computer directly into the Camtasia Media Bin to import them into your project ### Related guides [Change Orientation, Resolution and Aspect Ratio of Your Project in Camtasia![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/Resolution-and-Aspect-Ratio.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/camtasia-change-project-orientation/) [Camtasia Interface Overview | Step by step Camtasia tutorial![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2025/09/25_camtasia-interface-overview-step-by-step-camtasia-tutorial-1.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/camtasia-interface-overview-step-by-step-camtasia-tutorial/) [Working with the timeline in Camtasia | Editing clips in a Camtasia project | Camtasia Tutorial![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2025/09/24_working-with-the-timeline-in-camtasia-editing-clips-in-a-camtasia-project-camtasia-tutorial-1.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/working-with-the-timeline-in-camtasia-editing-clips-in-a-camtasia-project-camtasia-tutorial/) [Camtasia Export Settings for Best Quality with Custom Production![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-export-settings-best-quality-custom-production.webp)](https://cotovan.com/post/camtasia-export-settings-for-best-quality-with-custom-production/) If you're wish to learn more about Camtasia and wish to have ****a one-on-one Camtasia coaching session**, feel free to [book a call with me](https://cotovan.com/coaching). I'm here to help you with any questions you have and to guide you through the best workflows, tips, workarounds, or just answer any questions you may have! [Book a session ](https://cotovan.com/coaching) ## Free Camtasia Tips, Tricks, and Training in Your Inbox I create regular training content on [****Camtasia**](https://cotovan.com/camtasia) \- if you're trying to learn the platform, I intend to teach all the ins and outs. Subscribe here and when a new article or video goes live, you'll be the first to know! Subscribe for free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Files imported into the Media Bin are not yet on the timeline — they're just available for use. Drag them from the Media Bin to the timeline when you're ready to start editing. This two-step process gives you flexibility to organize your assets before committing them to the timeline.