Captivate’s Recording Types and Modes
Captivate projects are made up of slides, similar to PowerPoint. If you create a software simulation using Captivate, each slide in the project will most likely be made up of screen captures of the application you are simulating. The big question is, how do you get the screen captures? I use two screen capture applications in particular: SnagIt and FullShot. (Between the two, I much prefer FullShot.)
If you create screen captures using either SnagIt or FullShot, or another similar tool that you prefer, you can easily use the captures as background images in your Captivate project.
- Create the screen capture using the exact resolution of your project (if your Captivate project is set to 800×600, the part of the screen that you capture must also be 800×600)
- Copy the screen capture to the clipboard (open the screen shot in any image editing program, such as Paint, and choose Edit > Copy); or when you capture the screen shot, set the Preferences in SnagIt or FullShot so that the screen shot automatically goes to the clipboard
- Switch to Captivate
- Right-click the slide and choose Paste as Background
Most people who create Captivate projects elect to use Captivate to create the screen captures. When using Captivate to create the screen captures, there are two recording types: Auto Recording and Manual Recording.
When you create projects using the Manual Recording type, you are responsible for pressing a specific key on your keyboard each time you want Captivate to create a screen capture (the default key is the Print Screen key). The problem with recording projects using the Manual Recording method is that you’ll have to press the screen capture key on your keyboard–a lot! You could easily get distracted and miss important screen captures.
If you use Captivate’s Auto Recording type, Captivate captures the steps you take on your computer by creating a screen capture every time you click your mouse. If you record your projects using the Auto Recording type, you have the following Recording Modes: Demonstration, Simulation, Training and Custom.
Demonstration: Used to create a Demonstration movie. This mode automatically includes captions, highlight boxes and mouse movements.
Assessment Simulation: Used to create a Simulation movie. Automatically includes Click Boxes and Failure Captions, but does not capture your mouse movements.
Training Simulation: Similar to Assessment Simulation in that it is used to create a Simulation movie. Click boxes get added automatically. In addition, there will be Hint and Failure captions. Mouse movements are not captured.
Custom: Allows you to create a hybrid project that could be part Demonstration and part Simulation. This is the mode that I recommend.
One nice new feature in Adobe Captivate 3 is the ability to record a project in all of the available recording modes, at the same time. You will learn how during the steps that follow:
- Create a new project. (Select Record or create a new project from the Record new project area of the Captivate window.)
- Select all 4 modes (Demonstration, Assessment Simulation, Training Simulation and Custom) from the Recording area.
- Click the Record button and record your movie
- When finished, press END on your keyboard to stop the recording process.
- And prepare yourself! After ending the Recording Process, you’ll be greeted with the new Save Project Files dialog box that will prompt you to save all 4 recorded movies at the one time. How cool is that?
Want to learn more about Adobe Captivate 3? Click here.
Is there a way to simulate scrolling up and down on the right-hand scroll bar for pages that are longer than one screen, or do you just have to do a full-record and let it “play”?
Is there a way to simulate scrolling up and down on the right-hand scroll bar for pages that are longer than one screen, or do you just have to do a full-record and let it “play”?
Is there a way to simulate scrolling up and down on the right-hand scroll bar for pages that are longer than one screen, or do you just have to do a full-record and let it “play”?
I’d insert a click box on the scroll bar. Each click on the click box will “scroll” the user down (or up).
I’d insert a click box on the scroll bar. Each click on the click box will “scroll” the user down (or up).
I’d insert a click box on the scroll bar. Each click on the click box will “scroll” the user down (or up).
Can you apply multiple hot spots on a quiz slide in order to give a student credit for any valid choice?
Can you apply multiple hot spots on a quiz slide in order to give a student credit for any valid choice?
Can you apply multiple hot spots on a quiz slide in order to give a student credit for any valid choice?
When I watch back my project, it fills up more than the Internet Explorer window and i need to scroll down to see and use the playback bar. Do you know what controls the size of the project window?
When I watch back my project, it fills up more than the Internet Explorer window and i need to scroll down to see and use the playback bar. Do you know what controls the size of the project window?
When I watch back my project, it fills up more than the Internet Explorer window and i need to scroll down to see and use the playback bar. Do you know what controls the size of the project window?
I love the IT technology, my dad got me my first pc for my birthday and ever since I became a big IT freak. I started internet marketing for the last four months and still looking for material that can help my marketing.
I love the IT technology, my dad got me my first pc for my birthday and ever since I became a big IT freak. I started internet marketing for the last four months and still looking for material that can help my marketing.
I love the IT technology, my dad got me my first pc for my birthday and ever since I became a big IT freak. I started internet marketing for the last four months and still looking for material that can help my marketing.
Everytime I try to record a project, my captivate shuts down and sends me an error message after taking a couple images. Does anybody know what is going on?
Everytime I try to record a project, my captivate shuts down and sends me an error message after taking a couple images. Does anybody know what is going on?
Everytime I try to record a project, my captivate shuts down and sends me an error message after taking a couple images. Does anybody know what is going on?
This post was so useful. i tried these instructions. Its working well. thanks a lot.
This post was so useful. i tried these instructions. Its working well. thanks a lot.
This post was so useful. i tried these instructions. Its working well. thanks a lot.
hey its me again.. can anyone say from where i can download this cool application or is this available in stores?
hey its me again.. can anyone say from where i can download this cool application or is this available in stores?
hey its me again.. can anyone say from where i can download this cool application or is this available in stores?