::Macromedia Captivate
What is Captivate ?
Macromedia Captivate provides a very fast and easy way to produce certain
types of web content. It is most useful for those wishing to create an
animated demonstration based on screen captures. For instance, if you
want to show students how to make best use of a software application
or website, Captivate is an excellent choice.
In addition to screen capture, Captivate allows you to create web content
that includes interactive elements such as quizzes, simple simulations,
and branching content (ie., content that takes different paths based
on the user's behavior).
When should I use Captivate?
- When you want to demonstrate software.
- When you want to easily generate online quizzes that send student
results to you via email
- When you want to create narrated slideshows or demonstrations
- When you want to create branching content
- When you want to create a simple simulation
- When you want to add audio to an existing PowerPoint slideshow.
- When you want to add interactive elements such as quizzing to an
existing PowerPoint slideshow.
Can I import my existing PowerPoint files into Captivate?
Yes. Simply import PowerPoint files into Captivate and publish to the
Flash swf format. There are, however, a few pitfalls you must avoid.
- Converting PowerPoint slides to Captivate can result in unreasonably
large files when the PowerPoint slideshow has a large complex
background. It is best to choose a background that is mostly white,
or better yet, choose no background at all.
- PowerPoint animations will be lost on import to Captivate
- Audio files associated with your PowerPoint slides will have to
be re-inserted within Captivate, however, you will probably
find that the size of the files will be greatly reduced and the smoothness
of the playback greatly enhanced.
- In general, Captivate slideshows with audio provides much better
web performance than PowerPoint with audio, unless PowerPoint audio
has been converted to mp3.
- As with all web files, it is best to limit the total size of any
one file. We recommend a 3 megabyte limit for the published (swf) file.
For larger presentations, link several smaller files together.
- Some performance issues have been reported when very large PowerPoint
files are imported. If your file includes a large number of complex
images or audio files, you may need to import a single file into several
separate Captivate files. This is quick and easy to do using the Captivate
import interface.
Getting started
- Captivate ships with 6 short demonstration files that cover most
of what you need to know to get started. You can access these from
the Captivate Startup screen, or at any time by choosing Help>Getting
started movies.
- For converting PowerPoint to Captivate, we recommend the tutorial
found at: http://www.rrc.mb.ca/library/captivate/ppcap00.htm
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