Using Cap6, need to create menu screen that allows user to click a button, branch to other screens, and return to main menu. When returning to the main screen the button that was clicked will be grayed out or inactive. How do I do this? I created i

Hi Elizabeth,

Since I just did this morning what you are currently attempting to do, I thought I'd share my method.  I must provide a disclaimer and tell you that I am not an expert in Captivate advanced actions--like you, I am still figuring them out.  However, I am happy to share here anything I have learned thus far.

First, here is what my initial slide looks like (see interaction slide below).  I created all of the icons (including the 'grayed out' icon on the second screenshot) in a few minutes using Adobe Illustrator. The icons have been imported as custom multi-state buttons so that I could have the desired effect when the user hovers over the image--the yellow 'explore' flag appears only when the mouse is over the icon. When the learner click either image, they are sent to the corresponding slide.  Once both slides are viewed, a 'continue' button will appear at the base of the screen (something I've not figured out--I sent an email to Lieve begging for some guidance). 

The initial slide (interaction slide):

Second, here is a depiction of what happens when the learner returns to the interactive slide from the content slide (see image below):  Once the learner visits the 'Battery Content' slide and then returns to the interaction slide, the images have changed.  The multi-state button is hidden (through the advanced action), the replacement image (the image with the completed banner over it) is shown, and a hidden click box to allow the user to return to the previously visited page (just in case they desire to do that) is "shown" to allow navigation since the button is no longer there (because it is magically hidden).

Content Slide 1:

Remember, there may be an easier way to do this in Captivate.  I am using Cp6 for this module.

1. I created two user variables as follows

Name: v_batteryExplore

Value: 0

Name: v_fuelExplore

Value: 0

2. I created an advanced action for each as shown below (showing only one--duplicate the first and change the names to match the content):

Credit: I learned these steps from @Lilibiri and Dr. Pooja Jaisingh!

I have also noticed that it matters where the buttons are located on the timeline.  It seems best to have buttons above all other content.  Not sure why, but I have had images not appear when I have not done this.

And the last step you do not want to forget; you need to remember to tell Captivate to use the action.

As a final note, remember that the elements you do not want to appear on the initial screen must not be initially visible.  Make sure to set them to invisible by removing the checkmark in the 'Visible in output' box located next to the button name.  In my case, the image of the completed battery and the invisible button to allow a revisit of content was initially hidden.  Here is a final screenshot of my timeline for this interaction.  I hope this information helps you!

You will need some variables and advanced actions. You can trigger the action at the same moment as the 'Jump to', and make the button inactive with the statement 'Disable button'. If you want also another look, you could create an image with that '3rd' state look, make it invisible and show it with the same action when a button is triggered. The advanced action will be something like:

• Disable Bt_one     with Bt_one being the button that is clicked
• Show Done_one     Done-one is the image that has to be made visible and shows the third state
• Jump to Slide_one        the navigation you wanted to do

It will be a bit more complicated if yo will allow to reset the menu, but this is an answer to your question.