Adobe Captivate

Overview

1. Software Demonstrations - the end-user watches the system task and is not required to interact.
2. Interactive software simulations - the end-user must interactive (click, text entry, button, etc.) to proceed through the movie.
   
3. 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

• 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 2: Captivate Edit Tab

Typical Development Scenario

1. Open Captivate and click Record.
2. 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.
   
3. Edit Captivate slides (re-capture missing actions, rearrange, delete extra slides).
4. Edit Object properties within slides, including text captions, cursor movements, objects, and interactions.
5. Record/import audio if desired.
   
6. Preview movie, make edits, preview, edit, etc.
7. Publish movie and stage to web server for distribution.
   

File Formats

• 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 Homepage
Official Discussion Forums
Adobe Exchange For Captivate
Adobe Captivate Developer Center