Recording Interactions in Video Format

You can record sequences of interactions and store them in standard and proprietary video formats, depending on your operating system. The 3DS Video Record tool lets you record videos that can be replayed using the video replay tools (Windows Media Player, Quicktime, and so on) provided on your system.

Before you begin:
  • This tool is a standalone process and is available on Windows only.
  • You cannot open multiple instances of the 3DS Video Record, only one instance is available.
  • The Video... command is available whether a document is open or not.
  • Cast shadows cannot be recorded.
  • If you are using more than one screen, the video can be recorded on the main screen only.
  1. From the General section of the action bar, click Video... .
    The current video format and the compression mode are indicated in the right part of the 3DS Video Record and the 3DS Video Record item is added to the Windows taskbar.
  2. To setup the video capture parameters, click the arrow next to Record or pause , and then select Configuration.
  3. In the Video Record Properties dialog box, indicate the number of frames per second to capture and to replay the video in the appropriate boxes.
  4. Optional: Click Synchronize if you do not want the number of frames when capturing and replaying the video to be synchronized.
    When recording in non-synchronized mode, the button looks like this: .
  5. In the Compression area, set up your video compression parameters.
    On Windows, the Compressor list contains several options among which Full Frames (Uncompressed). Selecting this option prior to recording has the following effects:
    • The resulting video file is larger (because it is not compressed), except if the Windows Media Video 9 VCM codec has been selected.
    • Performance during the recording is enhanced (because each frame is not compressed as soon as it is recorded).
    Important:
    • The list varies depending on the operating system you are running (i.e. Windows 32-bit Video For Windows Codecs or Windows 64-bit).
    • The 3DS Video Record tool is a 32-bit application and therefore, all 32-bit codecs are available. This means that all the videos recorded with this tool can be replayed using the Windows Media Player. This also means that 64-bit codecs are not available.
    • When installing the code, you can install the DS MJPEG codec and the Windows Media Video 9 VCM codec by checking the appropriate option. In a standard installation, a dialog box prompts you to accept the license before installing the Media Video 9 VCM codec but when installing the code in batch mode, no interaction is required. The Windows Media Video 9 VCM codec is used as the default codec for the For Support mode (which enables customers to record detected issues on videos to be sent to Dassault Systèmes).
  6. In the Cursor options list, indicate if the pointer is captured or not by selecting the appropriate option.

    Selecting Highlighted means that the pointer is captured and highlighted.

    • Pointer without any click
    • Pointer with simple click
    • Pointer with double-click .

  7. Optional: Select the Deactivate shortcuts option if you do want to use keyboard shortcuts.

    Keyboard shortcuts are activated by default to let you record/pause or stop recording.

  8. In the 3DS Video Record, select which part of the screen you want to capture.

    See Defining the Capture Area for detailed information.

  9. Click Record or pause (or press F9) to start recording.

    Note: The F9 key can also be used to pause while recording.

  10. When finished, click Stop (or press F10) to stop the recording.
  11. In the dialog box that opens, enter the name of the .avi file, and choose the storage directory.
  12. Click Save.
    The player dedicated to the selected compressor opens to replay the video.

    For example, if Full Frames (Uncompressed) has been selected, the Windows Media Player opens.

    Important: On Windows 64-bit, the video is replayed through the player to make sure that the codec used is the one of the 64-bit recorder.
  13. To exit the 3DS Video Record, press Esc, or click the cross in the top right corner then click Yes to confirm.