Skip to main content
S
SRT14
Participating Frequently
June 10, 2010
Question

How to set defaults for highlight boxes?

  • June 10, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 3100 views

Hi there, I'm using the latest Captivate 4 trial version on Windows7.

How can I set appearance defaults for the highlight boxes?

I set them in Edit / Preferences / Recording, but I don't actually do any recording... my client does the raw recording (software simulations) and then sends the project files to me for adding captions, text boxes and so on. So when I add a highlight box in Edit mode, the prefs I set under Recording don't seem to apply.

I have tried the help file, but it recommends using "Apply to All" and says "Note: If you change the settings in this dialog box, they become the default settings, and new highlight boxes that you create use the new settings." This did not work. Every time I create a new highlight box (whether in the same project or a different one), it defaults to a 1pt blue frame with an 80% blue fill, and I have to change it again.

I have a lot of Captivate files to work on and a lot of highlight boxes to add, so having to change these values every single time is going to drive me nuts. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

C
Captive_ater
Participant
June 23, 2010

Hey all!

So glad I found this thread, because I just thought I was insane!  

I am having the exact same problem - changes to defaults for new, manually created hightlight boxes via any method - do not stick.  Here is what I have tried:

Changed Global Defaults via  Edit/Preferences - Recording/Defaults - changing colors on highlight boxes settings

Changed Highlight Box attributes (colors) and using "Apply All" - changes are saved for current Captivate session, and new hightlight boxes use that setting.  However, closing/opening the PROJECT FILE (not Captivate) changes defaults back to blue.

Created a Project Template - then edited as above and created a new project based on the template.  New project has blue defaults.  DRAT.

Created a Design Template - then opened one new and one existing project (with existing highlight boxes), selected the design template and choose "Apply All".  Defaults do not transfer, either to existing highlight boxes, or to new ones.

I had a theory, which I have confirmed as true:  since this default is listed under "Recording", is it possible that only highlight boxes created during the recording process will use that default setting??  I am documenting non-windows content, so I don't use many of the recording features. However, I just turned on the "Add hightlight boxes on click" option under Preferences/Recording/Mode(s) in the MOUSE settings.  I took a brief recording of a Windows application (Word) where I clicked on menu options and, VIOLA, my output slides contain hightlight boxes in my preferred color.

I don't really think it matters, as I now believe this to be an issue with embedded functionality, but I'm running Captivate 4.0.0 build 1596.

LOOKS TO ME like Captivate does not HAVE a global setting for text boxes that are created MANUALLY, only those that are created during the recording process. 

UM, this seems like a huge oversight, in my humble opinion, and I suspect that others who are vastly confused by this setting would agree.

How do we add this as an enhancement request??? 

Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
June 23, 2010

Hi there

Believe me, we do try and obfuscate the Feature Request link so it's really difficult to locate. After all, if Adobe sees too many Feature Requests, they may feel the product needs improving! (Just kidding of course)

In my signature line is a link that will open the Enhancement Request form. Additionally, you have a link on all of the Forum pages as shown below:

As for the behavior of the Highlight Boxes and Captions, indeed what you see in the "Recording Defaults" does only apply to what gets inserted when recording. So I'm assuming that's why you see those settings in an area labeled "Recording Defaults".

The typical behavior of object insertion is to generally store whatever was used last. Then present the same option again until it is changed. This information is normally stored in the Captivate_40.dat file out in the Documents area. But, like anything else, there are always deviations from the norm. For example, projects that were upgraded from an older version may behave a bit differently than projects that were created from scratch. And the dat file I mentioned earlier may actually exist in a location so it becomes write protected. And in that case Captivate won't be able to make updates to it. Things like that.

Hopefully this helps... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links

Captivate Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

Adobe Certified Captivate Training

SorcererStone Blog

Captivate eBooks

C
Captive_ater
Participant
June 23, 2010

Thanks for the great info!

I'll check my .dat file to see if it is write protected, and if so, I'll ask for a change (I'm at a gvt site, so maybe I'll get permission in the next administration - who knows. Hahahah!)

Seems like a default in the design template should work for manual highlight boxes though, since the captivate user sets those using the properties box, not the "default" colors under recording settings. +ne would presume that behavior attributes would be set that way as well, but I don't see those changes either. Not sure if the inability to set these color and behavior attribute defaults using a design template is functionality or .dat file issue - do you have an idea?

Lilybiri
Lilybiri
Legend
June 10, 2010

Hello,

For CP4 you could use a Design Template, in the upcoming CP5 this can be done more easily with the Object Style Manager. But to my experience, once you set up a first Highlight box in a project, it will keep those settngs for next Highlight boxes (if you do not want to go with the Design templateà. A project template is another solution, but perhaps overkill if you only want the settings for one standard object, the Highlight box.

Lilybiri

S
SRT14Author
Participating Frequently
June 10, 2010

Thanks Lilybiri. The colours and frame width are never saved once I've created a new highlight box, even within the same project or on the same slide... it always defaults back to a thin blue box (I need to use a thick yellow one).

Maybe I have a buggy version of C4, though I remember Captivate 2 never saving the appearance settings either.

Does anyone else know how I can set the global default appearance of all new highlight boxes, and have Captivate remember this between projects, without having to apply a template every time? Surely there must be a way...

Lilybiri
Lilybiri
Legend
June 10, 2010

Hello,

Seems stupid, but why not copy the first Highlight box and paste it on every slide you need one? You can do that on several slides at once.

Because settings remain in my version, once I set up first HL, and am not able to test or search for the moment, can only offer you this. Perhaps will be back later on.

Lilybiri

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices