Adding Objects

Objects are different elements that can be added to a Captivate project. These objects enhance the usability and interactivity of the Captivate project.

Text Options

Adding text options can help identify a variety of objects on a slide and draw attention to items that may be overlooked. Text options can be found in the Text menu on the menu bar.

TextOptions 

Text Captions

Use text captions to point out menu options or icons or to focus user attention on easily overlooked details. When not using voice-over narration, text captions are a great alternative.

Adding a Text Caption

  1. Select the slide where a text caption needs to be added
  2. Click Text
  3. Select Text Caption. A text caption box appears on the slide
  4. Size and drag the text caption box as desired.
  5. Type the desired text in the box
  6. Review Properties panel for options

TextCaptionOptions 

Here are some tips for creating captions:

  • If the caption is strictly text on the slide, use the Transparent caption style.
  • Don't use fonts that are not available on most computers. For example, if you use FF Confidential, and the user doesn't have it on the local computer, another font is substituted which may alter the look and feel to your slide.
  • Captions can be used as a script for narrations.

Text Entry Boxes

Text entry boxes are text fields into which users can enter text. Text entry boxes are a great way to test users’ knowledge. After the user answers a question, Captivate matches the answer with the answers that was set when creating the text entry box. A hint can be provided to the user if desired.

Add a text entry box

  1. Select the slide where a text entry box needs to be added
  2. Click Text
  3. Select Text Entry Box. A text entry box appears on the slide
  4. Size and drag the text caption box as desired.
  5. Review Style and Actions section in the Properties panel for options
  6. If user input needs to be validated, place a check in the box Validate User Input in the Properties panel
  7. Add the Correct Entries in the allotted area
  8. Double-click the Success, Failure, or Hint captions to edit the text.

TextEntryOptions

Objects

Objects are used to display information to the user and are not interactive. Objects include:

  • Highlight Box
  • Zoom Area
  • Rollover Caption
  • Rollover Image
  • Among others

The most common are the first four listed. To access these options, select Objects from the menu bar.

Objects 

Highlight Box

Use highlight boxes to spotlight areas within a slide. Highlight boxes focus the user’s attention on the required areas of the slide.

  1. Select the slide where a highlight box needs to be added
  2. Click Object
  3. Select Highlight Box. A highlight box appears on the slide
  4. Size and drag the highlight box as desired.
  5. Review Properties panel for options

HighlightBox

Zoom Areas

Zoom areas help you draw the learner’s attention to important sections of a slide. For example, if a simulation is created that includes a step that might be easily overlooked, add a zoom area to highlight the step. After a zoom area is added, timing, transition, and audio options can be adjusted to the zoom effect. Zoom areas consist of the following:

  • Zoom source
    The area of the slide that you want to magnify.
  • Zoom destination area

The area in which the magnified portion of the slide is displayed.

Add a zoom area

  1. Select the slide where a zoom area needs to be added
  2. Click Object
  3. Select Zoom Area. Boxes for the Zoom Source and Zoom Destination area display
  4. Set the options for the zoom area and destination as needed
  5. Review the Properties panel for options

ZoomAreas

Rollover Captions and Images

Rollover captions and images display the caption or image only when the user moves the mouse over a designated area on the slide. Rollover objects consist of a caption/image and a rectangle that marks the designated area, also called the rollover area. The caption/image appears when the user moves the mouse over the rollover area at when the presentation is running.

  1. Select the slide where a zoom area needs to be added
  2. Click Object
  3. Select Rollover Caption or Rollover Image. Boxes for the Rollover Area and caption/image display
  4. Set the options for the rollover area and caption as needed
  5. Review the Properties panel for options

RolloverCaption

Interactions

Interactive objects perform an action when the user interacts with them using a mouse or keyboard. For example, a click box is an interactive object that performs a defined action when the user clicks it. Points can be assigned for every correct click.

Interactions can be inserted using the Interaction options on the menu bar.

Two of the most common Interactions are Buttons and Click Boxes.

Interactions

Buttons

Buttons can increase the interactivity of the Captivate project. Size and position of buttons can be modified.

Button 

Adding a Button

  1. Select the slide where a button needs to be added
  2. Click Interaction
  3. Select Button. A button appears on the slide
  4. Size and drag the button as desired.
  5. Select Actions in the Properties panel to review interaction options
  1. Double-click the Success, Failure, or Hint captions to edit the text.
  2. To change the properties of the button, click the button and change the properties in the Property inspector.

ButtonOptions

Note: A button can be deleted at any time by selecting it and pressing the Delete key. When a button is deleted, all associated objects (such as success and failure captions) are also deleted.

Click Boxes

Click boxes are areas on the slide where the user must click before the next action can take place. Click boxes can demonstrate an application's functionality. For example, the box can advance to the next slide, open a URL, or send an e-mail message.

To insert a click box

  1. Select the slide where a click box needs to be added
  2. Click Interaction
  3. Select Click Box. A click box appears on the slide
  4. Size and drag the click box as desired.
  5. Use the Properties panel to determine options for the box
  6. Double-click the Success, Failure, or Hint captions to edit the text if those options are used
  7. If those options are selected, additional options will appear in the Properties panel when the captions are selected or double-clicked.

ClickBoxProperties

Media

Captivate provides the ability to add a variety of media to projects including images, audio, video, among others.

To access these options, select Media from the menu bar.

Media 

Images

You can incorporate images into projects as logos, startup screens, pointers, backgrounds, buttons, and more. You can add images in the following formats: JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, ICO, EMF, POT, or WMF.

Add an image

  1. Select the slide to which you want to add an image.
  2. Select Media
  3. Select Image
  4. Browse to the location for an image. Click Open.
  5. Resize the image on stage or using the Crop dialog box if needed.