Silke Fleischer

Tip: Easily creating video for use in Adobe Captivate

2008-07-23T16:27:26Z

If you are interested in easily creating videos and adding them to your eLearning content or Adobe Captivate projects, you may want to check out Visual Communicator 3 .

It's extremely easy to use and offers hundreds of customizable graphics, music clips, and special effects to create video presentations that look like a television newscast.

Check out the features or download the free trial of Visual Communicator. It's a very fun product - give it a shot and your coworkers won't believe you created such a video yourself :)

PS: Another option is to go with Vlog It! - It's based on Visual Communicator but designed for video blogging. And it's only $29.

adobe,captivate,visual,communicator,video,flv,videoblog,screencast,elearning

Tip: Getting captions displayed in the correct order for print outputs

2008-07-22T17:49:54Z

Adobe Captivate has the option to output your content to print format, which can be very helpful when developing job aids or handouts.

If you have multiple captions in one slide, the stacking order in your time line determines how the captions are listed in the Handout output format. In the following example, the caption that displays first based on timing is displayed last in the handout caption output.

Stacking the captions from the bottom in the timeline ensures correct display order in your handout:

Note: The Step-by-Step output uses a different methodology to generate the print output and captions are ordered based on their timed appearance in the slide.

Thank you Josh for this tip!

adobe,captivate,tip,trick,print,captions

Tip: Easily localize your project

2008-07-11T19:48:55Z

If you are planning to translate your projects into multiple languages, you can take advantage of some cool features in Adobe Captivate that can save you a lot of money.

Quick and dirty demos in another language

Before you capture, you can choose the language for the automatic text captions. Simply select the language you need from the Advanced option in the recording dialog. You can also make changes to the default text or add your own autotext languages - simply check out the CaptureTextTemplates_xyz.rdl files in the C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Captivate 3 folder. This selection is only available before you start recording. To translate after the fact, follow the next steps.

Full localization

Adobe Captivate offers XML output of your text in the XLIFF format, which is specifically used by localizers and their translation memory tools like Trados.

Make a copy of your project and add the target language to the file name. E.g. if your English project is called "Test", call the copy "Test_Spanish"
Export the text content to XML File > Export > To XML
Have the XML file localized and import the text into the same project
File > Import > From XML
Check all your captions - some languages use very long words and the sizing or position might be off. Like German - Schaltfläche for button

Note: Text in text animations as well as text of questions inside question pools cannot be exported. So avoid text animations and have your questions translated before you move them into pools.

adobe,captivate,localize,translate,language

Tip: Easy backup of webpages - cool Acrobat feature

2008-07-11T02:35:13Z

I was trying to figure out how I could possibly make a backup of my blog. Robert McDaniels, our Education SE Manager, sent me a little Adobe Captivate demo that shows how you can easily capture an entire website into PDF using Acrobat Pro Extended. Learn more about the Capture Web pages feature.

Thanks Robert :)

adobe,captivate,acrobat,pdf,backup

Tip: Create accessible (508) content with Adobe Captivate

2008-07-10T18:54:40Z

Not too many people know about this: Adobe Captivate offers many accessibility features to make your eLearning content Section 508 compliant and we have a page on our site that provides info about

the available functionality to make content accessible
an FAQ
demos on adding descriptions and closed captioning
best practices
and access to our Accessibility Resource Center.

Find out more: Adobe Captivate Accessibility

adobe,captivate,accessbility,508,assistive technology,closed captions

Call for proposals for ASTD International 2009 - Deadline 7/15

2008-07-07T21:50:15Z

ASTD is looking for speakers for the next international conference in Washington D.C. in May 31-June 3, 2009. It's a great way of showing what you have accomplished with Adobe Captivate. Here is more info if you are interested in submitting:

The deadline for submission for 2009 conference proposals is July 15, 2008.

We are also announcing a new resource to help you navigate the proposal submission process--a video located on the main Request for Proposals (RFP) page at the above link.

1. Submissions are accepted online only between 6/13--7/15/08.

2. There are three steps:

Speaker selection/entry;
proposal details entry (title, description, etc.);
and speaker reference selection/entry.

3. You must create your proposal in advance using Word or other word processing software and then enter each section in the appropriate field in the template. Be sure you have all required information assembled per the Checklist.

4. Be sure that your proposal matches the requested topics and shows clear application of the content to the participants' jobs.

5. Written instructions are provided for each step as well as a document of instructions with screen shots which you may print.

6. Once you submit, you will see a screen confirmation of successful submission. Please print this screen for your records; it is the only confirmation you will receive.

7. You may modify a submitted proposal until the deadline of July 15, 2008.

8. Be sure to update your profile online if your email address or other information changes so that we can notify you.

Please note that all speakers will receive an email notification by 10/31/08 if the proposal has been selected or declined.

>> Submit your proposal

adobe,captivate,astd,ice,conference,elearning,training

Live Online Training for Technical Communication Suite

2008-07-01T19:12:58Z

On July 9 (already sold out) and August 6, Iconlogic is offering a one-day online course on Integrating Adobe's Technical Communication Suite, which will cover Adobe Captivate, Framemaker, RoboHelp, and the many neat integration points of the Technical Communication Suite - "you'll put the pieces of the puzzle together and learn to integrate the Technical Communication Suite the way it was intended." Find out more or register at Iconlogic.

There are also virtual classes for Adobe Captivate 3 July 10-11 and August 7-8.

PS: Kevin Siegel, the instructor, has some books published around our tools

adobe,captivate,robohelp,framemaker,technical communication,suite

Presenter 7 detailed new feature list

2008-07-01T05:49:02Z

I keep receiving questions about the detailed feature list for Presenter 7. The product manager Paresh (Thank you!) just sent me the release notes, which contain the info you are looking for: >> Open PDF

adobe,presenter,features

Trivia learning game on saving energy

2008-06-30T19:08:37Z

Flex Your Power, California's outreach campaign for energy efficiency, has a Flash-based trivia game on energy savings facts online.

I think it was completely created in Flash.

It would be cool to see games like this created in Adobe Captivate. This one is fairly simple since it's question based, has a game show background, and uses an animated character - all these pieces could be done in Adobe Captivate. Not sure though how to display the running score ...

energy,saving,environment,flex your power,flash,game

Tip: Highlights, gray outs, and quick cover ups

2008-06-26T22:55:37Z

Highlight boxes by default simply highlight a selected area. However, you can do more with them:

Create gray-out effects
Make quick fixes
Design basic backgrounds

Gray-Out Effect

Simply select Fill outer area to make your content pop and basically create a gray-out that helps your learners focus on a specific area on your screen. Ensure in the timeline that your caption is in a layer above your highlight box.

Quick Fixes

You can also successfully use highlight boxes to fix any problem areas. For example, I forgot to prep the presentation I captured and it shows the presenter names (see red box in image left). Instead of fixing the original content and recapturing or editing the image, I simply used a highlight box to cover up the area.

Frame width and transparency are set to 0 and using the color picker I get a perfect match of the background color.

To finish it up, I merge the highlight box into the background, which updates the image. If you think you might possibly need the original background, simply set the fade in/out to 0 instead of merging. That way, you always easily revert back by deleting the highlight box.

Basic Design

You can use highlight boxes for quick mock-ups and basic background designs. Simply play around with the colors and transparency settings.

adobe,captivate,tip,highlight

Adobe Captivate Tips & Tricks eBook

2008-06-19T04:24:35Z

How cool is that! Our Community Expert Rick Stone has created an ebook filled with Adobe Captivate tricks. You can get it via the Adobe Captivate Exchange ($14.95).

Many of the tips are accompanied by - guess what - a demonstration :)

And yes, the ebook includes some tips I didn't even know!

By the way - if you have cool content to share or sell, you can upload it there too.

adobe,captivate,tips,tricks,ebook

Adobe Captivate Masters Class Review

2008-06-17T01:13:52Z

Last week I attended several sessions of the Adobe Masters Class by our certified training partner Lodestone Digital .

I was very impressed with the agenda, the organization, the instruction and the class in general. Attendees came from all types of organizations including pharmaceutical, software training, entertainment, and a sporting goods store chain. The class size was kept small so every attendee could get their questions answered and receive individual attention when necessary.

Student files were developed for every lesson and Lodestone Digital even developed a fictional grocery store chain for all the sample content including templates, logo, images, and videos. The comprehensive training manual provides detailed step-by-step procedures with screenshots and many explanations, shortcuts, and tips.

Unlike most software instruction, this hands-on class is not simply feature-by-feature instruction but provides the foundation for creating effective eLearning with Adobe Captivate. It covers best practices for styles and templates, general workflows and even the ADDIE process for Adobe Captivate development. It also goes above and beyond when it comes to workflows - I enjoyed how Josh had a green screen setup arranged to learn about shooting video with transparent backgrounds to then use inside Adobe Captivate. Attendees then could work with video and create their own using Visual Communicator. Take a closer look at the sessions.

In addition to the class, Lodestone offered a full and memorable experience with organized evening events throughout the week. Other than the receptions and the musical, the highlight of the week was the Captivate after Dark event, where Captain Captivate appeared in person to provide a sneak peek of some of the new features in Adobe Captivate 4 (NDA was required). The oohhhs and aaaahs showed we are moving into the right direction with the next version.

The secret of the Captain can't be revealed but Captain Captivate is starting a blog with tips & tricks. It was recommended I show up as "FlashGirl" next time ... hmmmm ... I'll think about it.

I highly recommend this class for anyone new to Adobe Captivate or with basic experience. This class will help you master Adobe Captivate and I am sure you'll be well prepared for the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exam. Other attendees also said "This class is great" "I learned so much" "Fantastic".

"I really enjoyed the Captivate Masters Week that Josh taught. Josh is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Captivate and Adobe in general - which was great!" - Scott

Please check the Lodestone website for new class times and locations. I believe the next one will be in Charlotte, NC.

Thank you Josh, Mark, and Aimee! You have been wonderful and have done a great job setting up a well organized class.

adobe,captivate,learn,training,lodestone,master,class,elearning

Free OnDemand Seminars (now also in Spanish)

2008-06-11T04:46:27Z

We offer several free live eseminars each quarter. These eseminars are being recorded and are then available as free OnDemand sessions.

RJ Jacquez, our Sr. Product Evangelist, speaks Spanish so we were recently able to conduct an Adobe Captivate in Spanish! You can access it through the Latin America events site. Enjoy!

adobe,captivate,ondemand,seminars,session,online,learning,training

New Adobe Captivate 3 Book available

2008-06-10T04:51:25Z

Brenda Huettner has published a new version of her book Adobe Captivate 3 The Definitive Guide (looks like it's not yet in stock on Amazon - you might be able to get it through Brenda's blog entry too).

Brenda's books are well organized and easy to follow along. If you are just beginning to use Adobe Captivate, this book will get you started quickly. It covers features from creating a new project to editing/rearranging slides, audio, questions, branching, templates and more.

Congratulations Brenda!

Update: You can order the Adobe Captivate 3 Definitive Guide online and get 35% off with this coupon code: capt0497

adobe,captivate,book,training,learn,brenda,definitive guide

V-Learning: The Skills Needed for Success in Today's Real World

2008-06-10T01:35:48Z

My co-worker Ellen Wagner has given a session V-Learning: The Skills Needed for Success in Today's Real World at the Innovations in eLearning Symposium last week. There is a great summary on this blog: In the Middle of the Curve.

adobe,captivate,ellen wagner,elearning,v-learning