Overview
Adobe Captivate is a powerful software tool that creates system simulations and soft skills presentations. Captivate is commonly used to create three types of movies:- Software Demonstrations - the end-user watches the system task and is not required to interact.
- Interactive software simulations - the end-user must interactive (click, text entry, button, etc.) to proceed through the movie.
- Assessments - the end-user must interactive (click, text entry, butotn, etc.) to proceed through the movie, and the correct/incorrect actions are tabulated into a score.
Types of Solutions
Because of Captivate's rich feature set and WYSIWYG authoring environment, developers are increasingly utilizing Captivate to produce non-system task presentations, such as:- Interactive simulations
- System demonstrations
- Training exercises
- Soft skills training
- Software tutorials, tours, and walk-thrus
- Scenario-based instruction
- Performance support content / online help
- Quizzes
- Product overviews
- Slide shows
- Marketing materials
Image 1: Captivate Storyboard Tab
Image 2: Captivate Edit Tab
Typical Development Scenario
Authoring in Adobe Captivate requires no programming or Flash ActionScript knowledge. Typically, a scenario like this would be used to develop a Captivate movie:- Open Captivate and click Record.
- Complete a system task in an application by clicking and typing while Captivate records onscreen activity. Adobe Captivate automatically takes screen captures and adds text captions.
- Edit Captivate slides (re-capture missing actions, rearrange, delete extra slides).
- Edit Object properties within slides, including text captions, cursor movements, objects, and interactions.
- Record/import audio if desired.
- Preview movie, make edits, preview, edit, etc.
- Publish movie and stage to web server for distribution.
File Formats
Authoring- The source files editable using Adobe Captivate version 2 and 3 use the ".cp" file extention.
- Templates use ".cptl".
- Captivate movies are typically published as a Flash (.swf) files.
- The publishing options also include compiling to an Executable file (.exe).
Features
- WYSIWYG Editing Environment (object tools such as display order, alignment, resizing, copy/paste, etc.)
- Screen Capture (takes screen captures of applications being recorded)
- Recording options (fullmotion, automatic, manual captures)
- Interactivity (Click Box, Button, text entry, rollover image, rollover slidelet, rollover caption)
- Audio - Record, Edit, Import (.wav, .mp3)
- Import PowerPoint (individual slides, or entire presentations)
- Branching (path an end-user takes through the movie determined by responses made to interactions)
- Effects (transitions, text animations, zoom areas)
- Import Media (images, audio, Flash animations, movies - .swf, .fla, .avi, .gif, .wav, .mp3, etc)
- Highlight Boxes
- Quizzes (8 question types)
- LMS Integration (SCORM, AICC compliant)
- Integration with Adobe Connect Pro
- Templates (save project preferences, design and configuration options)
- Skin Editor (background color, control bar, menu)
- Timeline (visually adjust arrangement, timing of elements in a slide)
- Export (images, audio)
- Accessiblity (508 compliance, closed captions)
- Localizable (export to .XML)
- Library (audio, images, animations, etc.)
- Export to Word (handouts or step-action tables)
- Execute Javascript (javascript code in object properties or in HTML page)
- Spell Check
Image 3: Captivate Insert Menu
Image 4: Captivate Publish Dialog
Current Version
The current version is 3.0.1 Build 589.Resources
Official Product HomepageOfficial Discussion Forums
Adobe Exchange For Captivate
Adobe Captivate Developer Center
Dangerfan Tymoshenko
Invite as author
Hi there
Okay I'm adobe fan, but really I didn't like Adobe Captivate
thanks for information . Now , Adobe Captivate 4 is available