ActivePresenter is a comprehensive eLearning authoring tool that continues advancing and renewing each time it comes back with a new version. In version 10, besides the powerful AI ability and the convenient direct uploading ability to uPresenter LMS, the new Media Tools tab provides quick and powerful ways to enhance and modify your images and videos directly on the Canvas. This tab only appears when you select an image or a video object on your slide.
This tutorial covers the primary functions available in the Media Tools tab for both images and videos. To directly experience, make sure you have downloaded and installed ActivePresenter 10 by clicking the button below:
Media Tools for Images
When an image is selected, the Media Tools tab gives you precise control over its appearance, fit, and content.
Crop and Reshape
| Tool | Function | How to Use |
| Crop | Crops the image to a specific ratio. | Click Crop, then choose a ratio from the list: Square (1:1), Portrait (taller), or Landscape (wider). |
| Crop to Shape | Crops the image into a custom shape. | Click Crop to Shape, then select a design from the list (e.g., circle, star, arrow). |
| Reset Crop | Reverts the image back to its original size and shape. | Click the Reset Crop button. |
Media Fit
This controls how your image content fits inside its container box, which is useful for responsive design. Click Media Fit and select a Style and Align option.
| Style Option | Description |
| Stretch | Fills the container box completely, even if it distorts the image. |
| Contain | Fits the entire image inside the box without cropping, maintaining its aspect ratio. |
| Cover | Fills the entire box, but parts of the image may be cut off. |
| Scale Down | Shrinks the image to fit the box if it’s too big, but won’t enlarge it if it’s smaller. |
| None | Keeps the image its original size. |
| Align Options | Quick buttons to move the image to different corners or the center of its container box. |
Visual Effects and Content
| Tool | Function | How to Use |
| Blur | Adds a blurred rectangle over a selected area for hiding sensitive information or creating soft effects. | 1. Click Blur. A blurred rectangle appears. 2. Drag the corner/side points of the rectangle to size it over the area you want to blur. 3. Click Blur again to add multiple blurred areas. |
| Remove Background | Removes the image background, leaving only the main subject. | Click Remove Background. |
| Extract Text | Detects and extracts text from the image, placing it in a separate text box for editing or copying. | Click Extract Text. |
Rotate Media vs. Rotate Object
It’s important to understand the difference when rotating media:
| Feature | Rotate Media (Media Tools Tab) | Rotate Object (Properties Pane) |
| Function | Rotates/flips only the image content inside the container box. | Rotates the entire object (both the container box and the content). |
| Container Box | The size and position of the container box do not change. | The container box rotates and changes position on the slide. |
To use Rotate Media, click the button and select an option:
- Rotate Right 90°
- Rotate Left 90°
- Flip Vertical
- Flip Horizontal
Media Tools for Videos
When a video is selected, the Media Tools tab appears next to the Format tab, offering image tools plus the essential Auto Captions feature for accessibility.
Common Tools (Work the Same as for Images)
The following tools function identically for videos and images, helping you quickly cut your video, change its shape, reset cuts, control how it fits in its frame, and rotate it:
- Crop, Crop to Shape, Reset Crop
- Media Fit (Stretch, Contain, Cover, Scale Down, None, and Align options)
- Rotate Media
Auto Captions (Video/Audio)
This tool automatically generates subtitles for your video or audio content using speech recognition, which is essential for accessibility and multi-language support.
How to Generate Auto Captions
- Click the Auto Captions button. A dialog window will open.
Auto Captions Dialog Settings
- Settings:
- Provider: Choose the speech-to-text service (e.g., “Google Cloud Speech-to-Text”). You can use the buttons to manage custom services.
- Language: Select the language spoken in your video (25 languages supported). Check the Auto-detect box if you want ActivePresenter to automatically detect the language.
- Caption:
- Max Words Per Caption: Set the maximum number of words for a single caption line to ensure readability.
- Max Duration Per Caption: Set the maximum time a caption line stays on screen (e.g., 0:05.000 for 5 seconds).
- Split By Meaning: Check this to break captions at natural speech pauses, improving comprehension.
- Use Previous Transcript: Check this to reuse an existing script instead of calling the speech recognition service again.
- Click OK to begin generating the captions with your chosen settings, or Cancel to exit.
The powerful Media Tools tab in ActivePresenter 10 simplifies the process of editing and enhancing media directly within your project. By utilizing the quick crop, fit, and rotation options, and especially the invaluable Auto Captions feature, you can ensure your images and videos are polished, visually appealing, and accessible to a wider audience. Incorporate these features into your workflow to edit more quickly and effectively with ActivePresenter.