How To Access .cmrec Files on a Mac
(.cmrec files are recordings on a prior version of Camtasia, which are no longer supported on the new software)
Note: this is not perfect — it only gives the raw audio and video files, NOT the editing decisions you made on the earlier version of Camtasia.
Also, TechSmith should have created software so these were all accessible and usable on the new software.
1. Use Mac’s Finder to locate the .cmrec file(s). One of my files is titled “Rec 03–7–13 8.cmrec”
2. Consider making a duplicate backup copy of that file
3. Rename the file by changing the .cmrec extension to .zip (you’ll see a warning — go ahead and confirm the .zip extension)
4. Open the .zip folder you just created (strangely, you won’t have to “unzip” the .zip file — the file becomes a folder, or at least functions like one).
5. Within that folder, find a file ending with .mov (you may also have audio files, ending in .wav or .mp3, which go along with the video). The .mov file would ordinarily open in Quicktime and other programs, but that never worked for me.
6. Open Camtasia 2, start a new project, and try to import ONE of these .mov files at a time into Camtasia 2
7. You’ll get an “Error Importing Files” warning that gives you two choices: “Convert” or “Close.” Click “Convert”
8. It may take awhile, and you’ll see a gray and black image in the media bin with “Unsupported” text, but Camtasia is converting the file into a usable .mp4 format
9. Once ready, the .mp4 file will appear in Camtasia, as well as in the .zip folder
Good luck!
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