Snagit is a screen-capturing software for creating and editing screenshots and video recordings of your screen. Finished projects can be saved as images or videos that can be used as visual instructions and how-to guides.
| Access | You can access Snagit from your computer as soon as you download and install the Snagit application. | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free. | |
| Bandwidth | (Does not run online.) | |
| Canvas Integration | Since Snagit runs offline, it does not automatically connect with Canvas. But you can export media from Snagit and upload it to Canvas. | |
| Privacy | Does not run online, so privacy is not a concern as long as your device is secure. | |
| Similar UBC-Supported Tools | Y | Kaltura and Camtasia are also centrally supported for screen-capturing and editing. |
What can I use it for?
You can use Snagit for creating and editing visual content:
- Capturing images or video recordings of your screen
- Recording yourself through your webcam and microphone
- Annotating screenshots
- Trimming video recordings
This tool guide was last reviewed in June 2023 with version 2023.1.3 of Snagit.
What do I need to use Snagit?
The Snagit application
Snagit is a desktop application, meaning that you will download and install the Snagit software on your computer to use it, as outlined below. You can view Snagit’s system requirements for Windows and Mac on their support site.
Audio/visual equipment
You can record your desktop with Snagit without additional equipment. But if you plan on recording more than your desktop, you will need a webcam and microphone. We recommend using either an external microphone or headphones with a microphone attached, to ensure good audio quality.
Tips
- You can explore Snagit how-to videos for more detailed instructions on how to use the features and functions available.
How do I use Snagit?
UBC offers free access to Snagit for faculty, staff, and students. You can download the software to your computer, then install and open it to start making captures.
Click any bar below for instructions and tips for using Snagit.
Download and install the Snagit application
It is best to install the most recent version of the application. If you have an earlier version of Snagit installed, uninstall Snagit, and follow the instructions below to re-install the newest version.
- Log in to UBC’s Software Distribution website using your UBC CWL (Campus-Wide Login).
- If this is the first time you are accessing the Software Distribution site, you may receive a prompt asking if the site can access your CWL information. Click Accept to proceed.
- Click Snagit from the list of software.
- Click Add to Cart.
- In the cart pop-up, click Check Out.
- Confirm your contact information and click Continue.
- Copy the License Key code displayed, as you will need it to complete the installation. Then click Download.
- On the new page that opens, click Download for your platform (Windows or Mac).
- Once it downloads, open the Snagit installer and follow the steps in the pop-up window to install the application.
- After it is installed, open Snagit. Enter the License Key you copied in Step 6 when prompted for the software key, and click Unlock.
- If using a Mac, follow the instructions to allow Mac system permissions for Snagit.
Tips
- If you lose your License Key, you can find it again after downloading the application. To do this, go to UBC’s Software Distribution website, click your name at the top right, select “Your Account/Orders”, and click “View Details” for your Snagit order. The License Key will be highlighted in red.
- You can check the version of the Snagit application while you are using it. For Windows, click “Help” and select “About Snagit”; for Mac, click Snagit at the left of the Menu bar, and select “About Snagit”.
Capture your screen using Snagit
Snagit allows capturing a screenshot or video of anything displayed on your screen. You can specify whether you want to capture a region, a specific window, or your entire screen.
Once you are ready to capture your screen, you will see three main options:
- All-in-One – Select between an image, video, or panoramic (scrolling area) capture from the All-in-One option. You will make your selection after pressing the Capture button.
- Image – Select the settings, effects, and sharing location of a captured image. You can set these options before pressing the Capture button.
- Video – Select the settings and capture a video, such as a webcam recording. You can set these options before pressing the Capture button.
- Open Snagit. On Windows, you will see the Capture window with the big red button. On Mac, you will need to click Capture from the menu at top left to launch the Capture window.
- Set up the content that you want to capture on your screen.
- In the Capture window, select Image from the options on the left-hand side.
- Use the drop-downs for "Selection" and "Effects" to specify which image capture settings you want active while taking the capture.
- Click the Capture button.
- If needed, select the screen area of your capture by clicking and dragging the orange crosshairs or moving the area of your selection.
- Once taken, your capture will open in the Snagit Editor. You can follow the directions below for help with editing and saving.
- Open Snagit. On Windows, you will see the Capture window with the big red button. On Mac, you will need to click Capture from the menu at top left to launch the Capture window.
- Set up the content that you want to record on your screen.
- In the Capture window, select Video from the options on the left-hand side.
- Use the drop-downs and toggle buttons to specify which video capture settings you want active while recording.
- Click the Capture button.
- If needed, select the area to record on your screen by clicking and dragging the orange crosshairs or moving the area of your selection.
- In the Video Recording toolbar that appears, three options can be turned on or off before you record:
- Webcam – Record live video from your webcam (either built-in or connected). Click the down arrow to choose between the picture-in-picture or full screen for your webcam.
- System Audio – Record the sound or audio playing from your computer.
- Microphone Audio – Record the audio from your computer’s microphone (either built-in or connected).
- When you are ready, click the record button.
- If you want to pause your recording at any point, click the pause button.
- Click the stop button to finish your recording. Your capture will open in the Snagit Editor. You can follow the directions below for help with editing and saving.
Tips
- For detailed descriptions of the capture options, review Snagit's guide to common captures. You can learn about capturing menus, capturing multiple sections at the same time, and more.
- You can apply common capture settings or create your own by learning how to save Snagit capture presets. To see and add presets, click “Presets” at the bottom left of the Capture window.
- Creating a video from Snagit images is another way to create content using Snagit. This approach allows you to emphasize parts of an image or a series of images as you explain a process or concept—or provide feedback—to students.
- Ignore any prompts to install the latest Snagit application when you are using it, as these prompts will attempt to charge you for the update. If it is time to update your Snagit, follow the steps above to install the latest version of Snagit for free instead.
Edit your captures using Snagit
Snagit allows previewing, editing, and sharing your captures in an interface known as the Snagit Editor. You can access the Editor at any time during capturing by clicking “Open Editor” at the bottom right of the Capture window.
Snagit Editor has many tools and effects to edit your captures. The main areas of the Editor are the following:
- Canvas – The central window of the editor is a working area to preview and edit your captures.
- Image Toolbar – When you are editing an image, click any editing tool at the top to edit, annotate, and enhance your image capture.
- Recent Captures Tray – At the bottom of the window, you’ll see a row with recent captures or other files opened with Snagit Editor.
- Library – Click the Library tab at the top left corner of Snagit to view, browse, and organize your files and capture history.
- After taking an image capture or opening an image file in Snagit, your capture will appear in the canvas area of Snagit Editor.
- Select the tool you want to use from the toolbar at the top. You can access additional tools by clicking More.
- Alter and customize the settings of any particular tool through the "Tool Properties" panel on the right.
- Click the Image menu at the top of the window to access additional editing features for trimming, resizing, and rotating your capture.
- Once you are done editing, click File and select Save to save your image.
- After recording a video capture or opening a video file in Snagit, your recording will appear in Snagit Editor.
- The Snagit video playback controls will pop up at the bottom. These controls allow for editing your video in two ways:
- Trimming or cutting unwanted sections – Click and drag the green start handle or red end handle on either end of the white playhead arrow to highlight the area you want to cut in blue. Click Cut to delete the segment. After being cut, the segment will be shown as a yellow line on the timeline.
- Saving a video frame as an image – Drag the white playhead arrow to display the video frame that you want to save. Click the PNG icon to open the frame as an image capture, which you can edit or save.
- Once you are done editing, click File and select Save As to save your recording as a video (.mp4) or animated GIF image (.gif).
Tips
- You can save your image captures as projects to edit them again at a later time. When saving the image, use "Save As" and select a Snagit Project File Type (.snag or .snagproj) as your file format.
- Explore the Snagit Editor toolbar tutorials for more about the available tools. These tools can give you more options for editing and marking up your image captures.
- Adding tags to your captures in your library can help you group and organize your files. For example, you could structure media in your library by using particular topics or course names. To add a tag, open your capture in Snagit Editor and click “Tag” at the bottom left.
- Ignore any prompts to install the latest Snagit application when you are using it, as these prompts will attempt to charge you for the update. If it is time to update your Snagit, follow the steps above to install the latest version of Snagit for free instead.
Where can I get more support with Snagit?
Technical support
If you have trouble with Snagit:
- Contact your faculty’s Instructional Support Unit as your first point of contact.
- You can also try Snagit’s online help for support. Once on the page, select Snagit from the drop-down for either Mac or Windows.
- Contact us for further assistance:
604 827 4775 or LT.hub@ubc.ca or visit the LT Hub online.
Learn more
- For more how-to instructions of basic and advanced features, you can explore the Snagit Tutorials.