I am new to Adobe Captivate. What is the difference between this and Camtasia?

Hi there

Both applications record screen activity. So I can understand the "blurred lines".

Captivate offers a unique ability to record the screen in a manner where it's like a "stop motion" type of animation. A slide is created for each change and different elements are added to the slide. Captions that describe activity, Highlight Boxes to draw attention and Mouse Movement. Captivate also now offers a "Responsive" type of project where things change dynamically based on the "breakpoint" or width of the device presenting the content. Captivate also offers an ability using that "Stop Motion Animation" type of recording to create a Simulation to allow users to more fully experience the software you record.

Camtasia simply records the screen activity as a full motion video from start to finish. Later, you are able to add Callouts and images, but it's primarily a video. Captivate does offer a video recording feature, but if that's where your interest lies, I would go for Camtasia hands down. The editing process is infinitely easier than Captivate's is.

Both products offer Quizzing functionality, but Camtasia is more limited on question types. And you can't customize the look and feel of a Camtasia quiz, whereas Captivate customization is nearly infinite.

Personally, I want BOTH tools in my toolbox if I am able!

Cheers... Rick

Camtasia creates videos, as does the companion Video Creator application that comes with Captivate and creates videos, extension cpvc.

Captivate's main application (creates cptx files) is aimed much more at interactive tutorials, not pure video. It uses slides, interactive objects, learning interactions, you can add audio, video, quizzes, animations etc. It allows a lot more than pure video, was developed first as a tool to create easily interactive software simulations (and assessments), but now it can do a lot more: training for soft skills, for theoretical courses etc. I have small examples and tutorials on my blog, have a look at: Playtime with Audio and Widgets - Captivate blog