Category: training

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Adobe RoboHelp: Multilevel Lists

by Willam Van Weelden Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
 
Multilevel lists are an often overlooked RoboHelp feature… a shame because multilevel lists are very powerful. As the name suggests, Multilevel lists allow you to create complex lists with multiple levels. For example: consider what you would have to do if you need a list that uses upper alphanumeric characters on the first level, lower roman on the second level and bullets on the third level.

 

You can achieve the numbering scheme shown above by using a standard numbered list, but you would need to assign the correct list styling to every list level. That's a lot of manual labor. And it's not easy to quickly change the list style, especially if you've applied the style manually across multiple topics.

With multilevel lists, you create a single style that can be used in multiple topics throughout a RoboHelp project. And best of all: you control everything through the style sheet, allowing you to change all the multilevel lists in a central location.

In this article I will show you how to create and use a multilevel list. I will focus on the basic settings first. With these basic settings you can use Multilevel Lists in your projects. In a future article I will show you some cool things you can do with multilevel lists.

Create a Multilevel List

  1. On the Project Manager pod, double-click your style sheet to open the Styles dialog box.
  2. In the Styles dialog box, right-click Multilevel Lists and chooseNew.
    Adobe RoboHelp: Creating a New Multilevel List
  3. Enter a name for your list style and press [enter].
  4. From the Apply Formatting To drop-down menu, choose Level 1.
    Adobe RoboHelp: Selecting a list level.
  5. From the Paragraph Style drop-down menu, choose a paragraph style. (I recommend using the Normal style so that the list uses the default topic formatting.)
  6. From the List Style drop-down menu, choose a list style. (In my example I chose upper-alpha.)
    Adobe RoboHelp: List Style.
  7. Return to the Apply Formatting To drop-down menu and select and format other levels as needed. (In the sample list pictured at at the beginning of this article, I formatted the first three levels.)
  8. When finished, click the OK button to save your changes.

The Multilevel list is now set up and ready to use.

Apply a Multilevel List To Topic Text

    1. Open a topic and select some text.
    2. Click the Create a Multilevel List tool. Adobe RoboHelp: Multilevel List tool
    3. Select your Multilevel List in the Available Lists Styles field and then click the OK button.
      Adobe RoboHelp: Multilevel lists

Note: To change the level of a list item, click the Increase Indent  or 
Decrease Indent tools. 

***
Looking to learn RoboHelp? We offer a live, two-day online RoboHelp class once a month. Feel free to contact us to learn other ways to meet your RoboHelp training requirements.
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Localization: Training and Development in Italy

by Jen Weaver Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
 

We love their wine, culture, and food. But what do we know about Italians and their expectations when it comes to training and development? If your answer is "not much," keep reading!

Test Your Knowledge of Italian Culture

  1. The modern Italian language evolved from what region in Italy?
    1. Sardinia
    2. Tuscany
    3. Rome
  2. Who is the head of the Italian government?
  3. True or False. The official religion of the Republic of Italy is Roman Catholic.

Quick Tips for Training & Development in Italy1:

  • Italians are fans of refined and formal interactions, appreciating a dignified and smooth approach. Out of formality, do not use first names unless invited to do so.
  • Rapport is huge in Italy. Spend time preparing the factual details of your training, but also allocate an appropriate amount of time to invest in developing a strong relationship. The standing of your relationship will determine the level of interest in and receptivity to your training.
  • English is spoken by many business people even though Italian is the official language. Be sure to clarify if there is a language preference for your training materials as many companies opt to offer training in Italian even if their employees are proficient in English.
  • Even with a substantial religious background, Italians tend to use subjective feelings to make decisions rather than ideology or objective facts. As such, you may find it hard to move learners to a new perspective or methodology even if your reasoning is sound.
  • As a foreigner, you are expected to be punctual for meetings, although your Italian counterparts may run behind. It's also common for the most important person in the meeting to arrive last. The further north you travel, the more efficiency you'll find in business interactions and schedules.
  • The Italian view of time is that it's best managed when spent well, not necessarily requiring that appointments start or end on schedule. They value building relationships and are also heavy proponents of a work-life balance, favoring more "life" versus the American favoring of "work".
  • Respect for authority must be demonstrated, and one's authority often travels with the individual, not necessarily his or her title.
  • Even if your host comments negatively about Italian culture or history, be careful not to chime in. Italians can say things about their own country that outsiders cannot. Instead, safe topics of conversation include art, food, wine, and sports.
  • Excited and expressive gesturing is common and expected.

Italian Culture Answers:

  1. (b) Tuscany. The Tuscan dialect was also the preferred dialect of some of Italy's greatest writers, including Dante and Boccaccio.
  2. The prime minister. The president is the chief of state.
  3. False. While a majority of Italians are Roman Catholic in heritage, there is no official religion.
References:
 
1Morrison, Terri, & Conaway, Wayne A. (2006). Kiss, bow, or shake hands (2nd ed.). Avon: Adams Media.
 
***
If you like Jen's articles, you'll love her live, online Localization classes. Check out her mini-course schedule here.
 
***
Developing international training and development materials? Contact Jen at Carmazzi Global Solutions.
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Fundamentals of Designing and Developing Cost-Effective eLearning

When: September 22-25
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago (Part of the Online Learning Conference Certification program)

There are multiple tools available that will let you create compelling eLearning content including Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, TechSmith Camtasia Studio, and Adobe Presenter. But which tool is the best, most affordable option for your needs?

Once you select your eLearning tool, what's next? How do you get started creating your first eLearning content? Once you start, how long is it going to take you to finish? What's the real cost for your effort? Are there hidden costs? How will you be able to measure the effectiveness of your eLearning?

Join IconLogic's Kevin Siegel for an intense, tool-agnostic, hands-on workshop where you'll get a jump start on  building your first eLearning course.

Among other things, you'll learn:

  • Strategies for building effective eLearning
  • The eLearning development process
  • How to create an eLearning script and/or storyboard
  • How to get started on creating eLearning content using Captivate, Storyline, Camtasia or Presenter

More information.

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Localization: Training and Development in Ireland

by Jen Weaver Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
 
Most of us have limited awareness of Irish culture beyond Saint Patrick's Day and leprechauns. Never fear! Today's article explores some common cultural facts about the Irish and their expectations when it comes to training and development.

Test Your Knowledge of Irish Culture

  1. True or False. Ireland has one official language: Irish.
  2. True or False. The Irish are known as a cold harsh people, aka "the Fighting Irish".

Quick Tips for Training & Development in Ireland1:

  • Strains of pessimism run deep in the Irish due to hard times throughout history. You may struggle to communicate optimistic outlooks when training learners in this country.
  • Surprisingly, Irish is a second language to those who are fluent in it. Irish is a required subject to study in school and is necessary for careers in academia and civil service, but the native language for Irish inhabitants is English.
  • The Irish tend to be fairly open to risk and make decisions based on a combination of facts and emotion.
  • Irish culture does not place significant value on wealth, and many people believe the poor should receive the same respect as those who are rich and successful.
  • Irish expect punctuality but tend to be slightly more relaxed than the English when it comes to time. Deadlines may be interpreted as approximations or suggestions, so be clear on your expectations or include a buffer in your timeline.
  • While Northern Ireland is part of the UK, never use English or British symbols in your training materials. Some helpful examples include; the British flag, Royal Guardsmen, double-decker buses, or red post boxes.
  • In training, sports analogies will go over well, especially if you reference popular Irish teams.
  • Avoid controversial, political, or religious topics in casual conversation. If someone else broaches the subject, refrain from commenting unless voicing areas you agree with. Many older generations are especially conservative, and you risk alienating your audience if you disagree.
  • In general, the Irish refrain from exaggerated gestures. Be mindful of this cultural trait, as emphatic gesturing may not translate well to this audience.

Culture Answers:

  1. False. Ireland actually has two official languages: Irish and English.
  2. False. Many Irish people are extremely welcoming of strangers and are known to strike up conversations on the street. Irish friendliness and hospitality are easily recognized characteristics of this culture. The "Fighting Irish" is actually Notre Dame's athletic nickname.
References:
 
1Morrison, Terri, & Conaway, Wayne A. (2006). Kiss, bow, or shake hands (2nd ed.). Avon: Adams Media.
 
***
Developing international training and development materials? Contact Jen at Carmazzi Global Solutions.
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eLearning: Adobe Captivate and Microsoft PowerPoint

by Kevin Siegel Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn View our videos on YouTube

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Wait… before answering that, let's rework that classic question with this: what comes first, the eLearning or the PowerPoint presentation?

When developing eLearning, the content is often created in Microsoft PowerPoint first. I'm not going to get into what it takes to create visually compelling PowerPoint presentations (we have a mini course for that). Instead, I'm going to show you how to take existing PowerPoint content and quickly re-purpose it for eLearning.

Earlier this year I wrote an article teaching you how to take PowerPoint content and create eLearning using either TechSmith Camtasia Studio or Adobe Presenter. Over the next two weeks, I'm going to show you how to use your PowerPoint content in Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline.

Adobe Captivate and PowerPoint

You can import PowerPoint slides into an existing Captivate project or create a new project that uses the PowerPoint slides. During the import process, Captivate includes the ability to create a link between a Captivate project and PowerPoint presentation. Using this workflow, any changes made to the original PowerPoint presentation can be reflected in the Captivate project.
 
Note: Microsoft PowerPoint must be installed on your computer before you can import PowerPoint presentations into Captivate. Also, the ability to import PowerPoint presentations isn't new. In fact, Captivate has supported PowerPoint imports for years. If you're using a legacy version of Captivate (even version 4 and 5), the steps below will work for you just fine.

To create a new project from a PowerPoint presentation, choose File > New Project > Project From MS PowerPoint and open the PowerPoint presentation. 

The Convert PowerPoint Presentations dialog box opens, offering a few controls over how the presentation is imported.

Adobe Captivate: Advanced Slide Options. 

The On mouse click option adds a click box to each Captivate slide. The other available option, Automatically, results in Captivate slides that, when viewed by a learner, automatically move from slide to slide every three seconds. At the lower right of the dialog box, there are options for High Fidelity and Linked.

Adobe Captivate: High Fidelity and Linked options. 

During a standard import process, PowerPoint pptx presentations are first converted to the ppt format and then converted to SWF. If you select High Fidelity, the import process takes native pptx files directly to Captivate SWF (the ppt conversion is skipped). This option, which is available only in Captivate for Windows, results in the best-looking content in Captivate, but it takes much longer to complete the import process. 

 
The Linked option creates a link between the PowerPoint presentation and the new Captivate project. The link allows you to open the PowerPoint presentation from within Captivate. Additionally, any changes made externally to the PowerPoint presentation can be reflected in the Captivate project with a few mouse clicks. 
 
After the PowerPoint slides are imported into Captivate, you can add Captivate objects such as captions, highlight boxes, or animations. 
 
Adobe Captivate: Imported PowerPoint Presentation
 
If you need to edit the PowerPoint slides, choose Edit > Edit with Microsoft PowerPoint > Edit Presentation. The Presentation will open in a window that can best be described as a union between Captivate and PowerPoint. If you've used PowerPoint before, you will recognize the familiar PowerPoint interface. 

There are two buttons you wouldn't normally see if you opened the presentation directly in PowerPoint: the Save and Cancel buttons at the upper left of the window. Once you have edited the PowerPoint slides, click the Save button and the changes will appear in the Captivate project.

Adobe Captivate: Save and Cancel

If the PowerPoint presentation has been edited outside of Captivate, (perhaps your subject matter expert is adding or removing content from the presentation) you can still get the changes. Choose Window > Library. On the Library, notice that there is a Status column.

A red button will indicate that the PowerPoint slides within the Captivate project are no longer synchronized with the PowerPoint presentation. A simple click on the red button will update the Captivate slides.

Adobe Captivate: Not in synch with source.  

Next week: Articulate Storyline and PowerPoint.

 

***
Looking for instructor-led training on Adobe Captivate? Check out our live, online, instructor-led Captivate classes.
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Adobe Captivate: Rescale Imported or Pasted Slides

by Kevin Siegel Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn View our videos on YouTube

If you have created a Captivate project and need to reuse a slide in another project, all you need to do is right-click the slide on the Filmstrip, choose the Copy menu item, switch to another (or new) Captivate project, and paste.

Copying slides between projects gets a bit complicated if the two projects are not the same size. For instance, the original project size is 1024×768. The other project is 825×675. When copying and pasting the slides between projects, larger slides pasted into smaller projects will likely get cropped; smaller slides pasted into larger projects will "float" on the larger slide.

There is an easy way to ensure that slides rescale when pasted between projects. First, open the project that will receive the pasted slide. Open Captivate's Preferences dialog box (Windows users, choose Edit > Preferences; Mac users, choose Adobe Captivate > Preferences). From the list of Categories at the left of the dialog box, choose General Settings. Select Rescale Imported/Pasted Slide (the option is deselected by default) and then click the OK button.

Adobe Captivate: Rescale Imported/Pasted Slide

With Rescale Imported/Pasted Slide selected, the slide you copied will rescale to fit the proportions of the active project after you paste. Keep in mind that if the two projects are not proportional to each other, copying and pasting slides between projects will likely yield poor results. For instance, if there are graphics on a copied slide that was sized to 2000×900 and you paste it into a project that is 700×500, the images will scale way out of proportion. When possible, copy and paste slides between proportionally-sized projects (for instance, copying a slide in a project that is 1024×768 into a project that is 800×600 would work well).
 
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Looking for instructor-led training on Adobe Captivate? Check out our live, online, instructor-led Captivate classes.
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PowerPoint & eLearning: Create Your Own Characters

by AJ Walther Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn

In my three-hour mini session on Optimizing PowerPoint for eLearning and Design, I discuss how to create your own eLearning characters using PowerPoint. Generally I get a few excited students who seem up to the challenge, but most students decide that it's a neat trick that they're going to go ahead and skip. I was happy to see that Tom Kuhlmann recently posted a couple of how-to videos over on the Articulate blog about how to create your own eLearning characters in PowerPoint. I was not alone in creating my own PowerPoint eLearning characters! The how-to videos are good, so I'd encourage you to go check them out. Additionally, I'd like to add some of my own tips about how I create my characters.

Start with a photo. This isn't a terribly difficult task, but you will need to ensure you won't get into any hot water with regard to copyright. Do you remember the Shepard Fairey Obama poster incident? You probably are not creating eLearning characters that will be as high profile as Fairey's Obama, but with so many ways to avoid getting into the copyright soup, why risk it? Here are some options:

In the steps below, I'll create an eLearning character based on this image:

   

  1. Insert the photo on a PowerPoint slide as large as you can. This will help with creating details.
  2. Look at the photo as if it is comprised of layers. Start drawing whatever layer is furthest back. In this photo, for example, if I am leaving out the background wall, the face would be furthest back. The shirt, tie, suit, hair, and facial features would all be layered on top of that
  3. Don't waste time trying to guess skin tones…use a color picker instead to speed up your workflow. Yes, nearly all skin colors will vary from pixel to pixel, but pick your color from a mid-range color of the face. Remember, this is a simplified illustration, not a photo-realistic reproduction. I use Color Cop, but a simple Google search will pull up lots of suitable free options.
      
  4. Use the Curve tool to draw your shapes by tracing over the object in the photo. The Scribble tool will work as well, but will likely lead to more work, as shapes will typically be bumpier and will require more point editing.
      
  5. Don't worry about perfection–you can always go in and edit points (right-click the shape and choose Edit Points).
      
  6. Every time you draw a shape, make sure to name it on the Selection Pane. (To view the Selection Pane, select Home > Arrange > Selection Pane. To rename items on the selection pane, click to select and then click again. Naming items will help you keep them straight.)
  7. Remember, you are working backward starting with the shape that is furthest from you. This means that every time you draw a shape it will be covering the next shape you want to draw. This is where the Selection Pane becomes very useful. Click the eyeball next to your named item on the selection pane to hide the shape. You'll be able to see the photo again, trace your next shape, and then view the shape that was in your way again to check your progress.
      
  8. Group small details as you go. Eyes, for example, have many small details that could easily get "lost." After you have drawn all of the eye's elements, group them together to fix this.
     
      
  9. Speaking of small details, zoom in when working with these tiny details to give you more control and make your life easier.
  10. Use textured fills, gradients, transparencies, and effects where appropriate. For my example I added a textured fill (with an altered color) for the tie, a gradient effect to the nose, shapes of varying transparency to add subtle face contours, and small shadows to the shirt collar and suit lapels.
     
     
      
  11. When you're finished, select all of the shapes, group them ([Ctrl] [G]), and save the group as a picture (right-click > Save As Picture).

Here is my finished product:

 

Character Challenge

It's your turn! Create your own character in PowerPoint and send it to me. It could be a self-portrait or that of a friend, colleague, or loved one. Even better–send me the original photo as well for a fun before and after. We'll feature your creations here next week.

***

If you love AJ's articles, you'll love her Optimizing PowerPoint Design for eLearning & Presentations mini course.

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Localization: Training and Development in India

by Jen Weaver Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
 
While it failed to be renewed for another season, the 2010 NBC show "Outsourced" shed a comical light on some of the cultural nuances to doing business in India. Miss the show? Never fear. In this article we'll explore some common cultural facts about Indians and their expectations when it comes to training and development.
 
Test your Knowledge of Indian Culture
  1. Match the old westernized city name with its present replacement.
    Colonial Name
    Current Name
    Calcutta
    Bombay
    Madras
    Mumbai
    Chennai
    Kolkata
  2. What two world religions were born in India?
Quick Tips for Training & Development in India1:
  • Resist the urge to change "Indian" to "Native American" out of political correctness. Aboriginal tribes in North America are Native Americans, and individuals from India are Indians.
  • Hindi is the national language, although English is extremely common especially given the high volume of U.S. jobs outsourced to India presently. Depending on your audience, it's likely you won't need to translate training materials, but pay close attention to learner retention and quiz scores. Students learn best in their own language. If your trainees aren't scoring as well as their native English-speaking counterparts, you may want to pilot translated materials to see if results improve.
  • Most Indians are Hindu, a religion that supports their social caste system. Many Hindus are vegetarians and won't wear leather, as cows are regarded as sacred. A smaller percentage of Indians are Muslim and do not eat pork. Keep this in mind when selecting meals, attire, and images or examples in your training materials.
  • If you're training on location in India, be sure to drink bottled water and avoid eating raw produce that is at risk of being contaminated. Many travelers face digestive issues from overindulgence in spicy food, so come prepared with necessary medications. The last thing you want is to search for a pharmacy in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar country.
  • When it comes to decision-making, objective facts are less persuasive than appealing to individual feelings and religious beliefs.
  • Relationships are more important than vocational experience; however, higher levels of education are still highly valued.
  • Another common cultural norm is fatalism–the belief that all events are predetermined and, therefore, inevitable. This contributes to passivity in decision-making and a casual approach to time and schedules.
  • Male chauvinism abounds, and women do not have equal privileges. If your training team includes female instructors, be mindful that this may impact learner receptivity. Also, orthodox Muslim men will not touch women. To be safe, it's ideal to wait for the Indian representative to offer his hand to shake. The word "Namaste" is also an acceptable greeting as a replacement for shaking hands.
  • Standing with your hands on your hips is seen as angry and aggressive. Pointing with your finger is also rude, and you may notice many Indians pointing with their chin instead.
  • Never point your feet at someone, as feet are considered unclean. If your shoes or feet happen to touch another person, be sure to apologize.
  • Black and white are deemed unlucky colors, while green, red, and yellow are considered lucky. These are good perspectives to keep in mind when branding training materials or selecting gifts for Indian counterparts.
 Trivia Answers:
  1. Mumbai is the present name for what was once Bombay. Chennai is the present name for Madras, and Kolkata is the present name for Calcutta.
  2. Hinduism and Buddhism.
 References:
 
1Morrison, Terri, & Conaway, Wayne A. (2006). Kiss, bow, or shake hands (2nd ed.). Avon: Adams Media.
 
***
Developing international training and development materials? Contact Jen at Carmazzi Global Solutions.
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Adobe RoboHelp: Get the New Responsive Layout

by Willam Van Weelden Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
 
One of the hottest new features introduced in Adobe RoboHelp 11 is Responsive HTML5 layouts. The Responsive HTML5 output dynamically changes the way the content is presented based on the device the reader is using. For example, while a reader on a desktop might see a traditional table of contents on the right side of the page, someone using a smart phone will see a table of contents that is optimized for touch: 
 
Adobe RoboHelp: Two responsive layouts.  
 
Responsive HTML5 output uses Screen Layouts, the skins for HTML5 output. With these skins you can control how your output will look for your users.
 
If you have used Responsive HTML5 before, you may have seen the following layout in the gallery:
 
Adobe RoboHelp: Old Gallery  
 
The image above shows the Responsive Layout as it was delivered when RoboHelp 11 was released. You'll be happy to know that Adobe released an update of this layout with the RoboHelp 11.0.1 patch.However, even if you have installed the patch you may still be using the old layout.
 
While Adobe provided instructions on how to manually install the new Responsive HTML5 layout, they are hidden away in the release notes and you likely missed them. If so, here they are:
  1. Close RoboHelp.
  2. Using Windows Explorer, search for%appdata%\Adobe\RoboHTML. 
    (The RoboHTML folder hidden within your AppData folder opens.)
    Adobe RoboHelp: Searching for the RoboHTML folder within AppData.
  3. Rename the folder 11.00 to 11.00_old.
    (A new 11.00 folder will be created when you restart RoboHelp.)
  4. Start RoboHelp.
You can now use the improved Responsive Layout for your output:
  
Adobe RoboHelp: New Responsive Layout.
 
***
Looking to learn RoboHelp? We offer a live, two-day online RoboHelp class once a month. Feel free to contact us to learn other ways to meet your RoboHelp training requirements.
 
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Localization: Training and Development in Greece

by Jen Weaver Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn

Ah, Greece. Financial troubles aside, this country is known for fantastic food and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Kick back at your desk with some fresh olives and feta as we explore common cultural facts about the Greeks and their expectations when it comes to training and development.

Test Your Knowledge of Greek Culture

  1. What board game is considered a national pastime?
  2. True or False. Aristotle was Plato's teacher.

Quick Tips for Training & Development in Greece1:

  • Greeks tend to be physically and emotionally demonstrative. It's customary to hug, kiss, or show other signs of physical affection to friends and loved ones in public. Don't be surprised if your Greek counterparts breech your personal space bubble.
  • Surprise, surprise, Greek is the official language in Greece and is written in the Greek alphabet. Romanian, not English, is the second most commonly spoken language, so be sure to come prepared with translated materials–and likely an interpreter–when training in this culture.
  • For business meetings, it's ideal to have your business card translated, English on the front, Greek on the back, and present it to your counterpart with the Greek side facing up.
  • Objective facts will not take precedence over subjective feelings or ideological beliefs. As such, it's important to establish relationships before attempting any negotiations or drastic changes within an organization. Group consensus is huge in this culture.
  • An individual's social position gives security and structure to the individual, so be mindful of social cues in public interactions or business meetings. For example, the senior members of a group are typically afforded higher levels of respect and are served first at meals.
  • It is not necessary to set an ending time for appointments as it's considered more important to complete the objective or build a good connection than to end the meeting promptly. Always arrive on time for meetings, but your Greek counterparts will likely have a more relaxed view of punctuality.
  • Older generations of Greeks signify "no" with an upward head nod. This can be confusing as many members of the younger generations have started using the American head movements to indicate "yes" and "no." When in doubt, clarify their response.

Answers to the Questions from Above:

  1. Backgammon.
  2. False. Plato was Aristotle's teacher.

References:

 1Morrison, Terri, & Conaway, Wayne A. (2006). Kiss, bow, or shake hands (2nd ed.). Avon: Adams Media.
 
***

Developing international training and development materials? Contact Jen at Carmazzi Global Solutions.