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richl5366580
Inspiring
January 6, 2017
Answered

CP9: Slide images that can't be selected/deleted, aren't on master slide, in library or other slides

  • January 6, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 2940 views

Looking for some help. I consider myself pretty competent in what seems to be a fairly simple tool (I'm used to Visual Studio and other dev tools). I'm running into an oddity with a couple of files from someone and can't ask them what they did. At this stage I'm suspecting a product bug but I'd love to be proved wrong.

The problem is pretty much like the title says - on more than one slide I have an image that won't go away - I can't select it or delete it.

Things I've tried:

1. Deleted the background for the slide - no difference, it's not the background.

2. Checked the (blank) master - it's not on there (and doesn't appear on other slides).

2. Looked in the Library and the image is not there, as a background or an image.

3. Saved, closed, CP re-opened etc etc.

4. Checked that the image isn't on another slide and set to appear throughout (suggestion I saw somewhere).

All to no avail - stuck with annoying images I can't do anything about. Grr. The only solution is creating a new slide and moving all the elements across, including audio and timeline - it seems like I can't copy-paste all the timeline elements to retain the timing and sequencing so this is a MAJOR pain to do for multiple slides (this is happening on more than one).

Similar problems seem to have been posted with no resolution, should I assume I need to go via the support channel? God help me if so... 😞

Re: CP7: unselectable image objects in background

Hidden elements in the background

Is there any way for me to access the raw project information or is the file an entirely proprietary format like it appears?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer richl5366580

OK, so after another day or so working with this and getting to know the ins and outs (and BUGS) of CP, the best/only solution to my problem is to delete and re-create these slides. This is incredibly laborious but I can't find any way to be able to manipulate these elements which are clearly in the project but inaccessible from the UI. With no way to edit the CPTX file or any API/tools, I'm out of options but to grin and bear it. I've come across several other areas of the product where you end up in similar "grind" situations - I guess this is great if you're getting paid by the hour to create learning materials, not so great if you need productivity.

I'm 99% certain that these annoying artefacts are caused by using software simulation for the original version of the project. Simulation seems to be some kind of second-class feature grafted onto CP at some point and clearly has it's issues. Ugh.

5 replies

R
RobKerb
Participant
April 1, 2021

Did you check the timing of the object when first used? Is it maybe for the remaining project instead for the remaining file?

J
jany65845381
Participant
January 26, 2017

I am having the same issue--I have a graphic image that suddenly showed up on some of my master pages. It's invisible in the master view of the slide. It's invisible in the smaller thumbnail view on the left hand side. BUT it's visible on the slide as I'm working on it. There does not seem be be any way--as you indicate--of selecting this image to delete it. I am going to be very sad if I have to re-create these slides. I can't even seem to make a new master without this rogue visual showing up. I don't see any solution being offered here other than starting over. Can this be possible???

R
richl5366580Author
Inspiring
January 26, 2017

Was any part of the course ever creating using software simulation mode? If so it seems CP creates these image artefacts and there is no way I can find to remove or change them. My solution was to recreate all those slides. Seems like simulation is not fit for purpose - avoid.

Lilybiri
Lilybiri
Legend
January 26, 2017

Yes, there can be a popup for a short time in a captured slide but never on the master slide! For software simulations the Blank master slide is used, which has no objects.

R
richl5366580AuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
January 11, 2017

OK, so after another day or so working with this and getting to know the ins and outs (and BUGS) of CP, the best/only solution to my problem is to delete and re-create these slides. This is incredibly laborious but I can't find any way to be able to manipulate these elements which are clearly in the project but inaccessible from the UI. With no way to edit the CPTX file or any API/tools, I'm out of options but to grin and bear it. I've come across several other areas of the product where you end up in similar "grind" situations - I guess this is great if you're getting paid by the hour to create learning materials, not so great if you need productivity.

I'm 99% certain that these annoying artefacts are caused by using software simulation for the original version of the project. Simulation seems to be some kind of second-class feature grafted onto CP at some point and clearly has it's issues. Ugh.

W
webbo1968
Inspiring
January 6, 2017

Hi have you checked every time line on the slides, maybe the objects are hidden and locked ? Just a suggestion to check .

Lee

R
richl5366580Author
Inspiring
January 6, 2017

I think it may have been created as a software simulation originally. Does that create elements that can't be modified in Captivate?

W
webbo1968
Inspiring
January 6, 2017

Hhmmm.. even a simulation should give an item in the timeline

Moderator: this answer is NOT correct at all. Software simulations only create backgrounds, based on the blank master slide. Only in Training or in Assessment mode interactive objects will be added (click box or TEB). Never will a static object like an image be added.

Lilybiri
Lilybiri
Legend
January 6, 2017

Did you clean the Preferences already? It could also be a corrupted theme. Are you on 9.0.2.437?

    R
    richl5366580Author
    Inspiring
    January 6, 2017

    Yes, 9.0.2.437. Where is the "clean Preferences" option? Do you mean clear cache?

    FYI I just noticed that the images don't show at all when I preview the slide (which is great except they're obscuring design work).

    Thanks for the quick response BTW!

    Lilybiri
    Lilybiri
    Legend
    January 6, 2017

    Play slide is NOT a preview method at all, just meant for editing/synchronizing. You don't see the real output with that method.

    Close Captivate, go to the subfolder 'utils' under the installation folder and run the CleanPreferences file corresponding with your OS. This should have been done when you installed the patch. Did you read the release notes? You should also clear the Layouts folder in Public documents, and the Sample Projects folder.

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