Actions and Variables are Duplicated when I create new project from template

[travlr588]

My organization uses a standard template for our courses.  In that template, I've added some advanced actions and variables to allow the learner to personalize the course a bit and to support our "test-out" option.

What I've found though is that when I create a new project from this template all of the advanced actions and variable are being duplicated....some multiple times.

And ideas on how to make this stop?

Jay

[Lilybiri]

Which version?

On Feb 29, 2016 1:37 PM, "travlr588@yahoo.com" <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[travlr588]

The template was originally created in Captivate 7, but was converted to Captivate 9 when we upgraded.

[Lilybiri]

I just double-checked because I only very rarely use templates since themes and shared actions were introduced. When created in Captivate 9 (hot fix installed), everything works perfectly. I suspect it is due to the upgrade process.

[travlr588]

thanks much Lily!  I'll just re-build the template.

As always, your help is much appreciated.

jay

[RodWard · Accepted solution]

This is unfortunately a known issue.  I reported on it here:

Duplication Issues in Adobe Captivate Cp7 and Cp8 Templates | Infosemantics Pty Ltd‌

As far as I am aware, the issue still exists even in Captivate 9 if you create a template that has Advanced Actions and then those actions are used by any slides in that template.  When you create a CPTX file from that template the Advanced Actions and Variables are duplicated by about the same number of times the original Advanced Action is used.

You can test this by creating a simple project with two slides, one variable, and a Standard Action that assigns that variable with some value. Set the On Slide Enter event of the second slide to Execute the Standard Action. Save the project as a CPTL template and then use that template to start another CPTX project file.  When you check the list of Variables and Advanced Actions you will find that there is one duplicate of each.

[travlr588]

Rodward,

That's it.  What you described is exactly what's happening.  As I think about it, is there any advantage or benefit to using a template (.cptl) versus just building a .cptx file as the "starting point" for new course work?

Jay

[Lilybiri]

I am not Rod, but in my previous answer I already told that I prefer largely to create a good theme, and use a shared actions Library that I'll open as an external Library. Only for very specific situations will I create a template: for several modules in a big course, where same information has to be displayed (like in Project info), same title slide (with variables), same resolution etc. All styling is in the Theme, no need for a template.

[RodWard]

With the issues that Captivate templates (CPTL format) currently have, I have decided NOT to use them at all.

If I need to have a file that I set up with special formatting or settings that I need to use for spawning other CPTX projects, I just set the file properties to READ ONLY so that any attempt to save the file forces the user to SAVE AS and create a new file.  That works just as well as a template for my money and it doesn't create a huge mess in the Variables and Advanced Actions.

[travlr588]

This is the route I'm going to take as well.

The problem I'm having now is with not being able to add new image buttons (I just read the other post on this subject).

Jay