Captivate 9: Can't add effects nor preview effects for objects/images/shapes in new blank project?

Report · Feb 22, 2016

So, I've basically using Captivate 8 before upgraded into Captivate 9.

I did most of my work using a Captivate 8 template that I have created.

However, this morning I decided to make a new Captivate 9 template for my project.

It went well af first (change the background, set the slide timing, etc.)

After that, I decided to give some image and shapes an effects (from the TIMING tab, in the sidebar).

However, this is what happened:

A pop up window appears, and says "effect file is not valid".

I can't add effect nor preview the effect at all.

It works perfectly in my past captivate 8 template, and another captivate 8 CPTX that I continue to work on Captivate 9.

The problem appears when I make a new project (blank slide project) in Captivate 9 from zero.

Fortunately, the effects could be added to the objects/shapes/images and being previewed if I load my "custom effects" that I had save before in my computer.
The problem solved actually, but that means if my Captivate 9 template can't add effects to the objects using the normal method, and I have to add effects from the "custom effects" choice,

it will disturb the process. Yes.

I think this case might be happened probably because last week I used captivate to create a Quiz Slide, and of course you can't add effects in any objects or image in the slide.

The message "effect file is not valid" will appear.

That is my guess,

So, I have tried to clear the captivate cache. And relaunch the adobe captivate after shutting down my laptop.

But, it doesn't work.

So, here is my question:

1. What happened with my captivate 9? Does it affects my captivate preferences? And somehow it can't load any effects.

2. What should I do? is there something wrong there? Or anyone out there ever had the same problem with me?

Then, I am thinking to uninstall the captivate 9.
I hope reinstall the software will solve the problem.

Report · Feb 23, 2016

When you installed Captivate 9 (or upgraded) did you follow the guidelines? That meant clearing the Preferences and Layouts folders? I know that means losing customisation, but you can keep a lot if you follow the work flows I described in this blog post:

Captivate 8.0.1 Install? Keep your Customisation! - Captivate blog

Captivate 9 has upgraded the Effects engine totally. It is labeled Effects 2.0. My expectation would be that you could have issues with older custom effects, not with effects newly added in a new project. This explains my first question.

Report · Mar 02, 2016

I have the same issue and noticed it is project based. So I do not think reinstalling Captivate will have worked.

Still looking for a cause though.

Can it have something to do with switching from a Mac to a PC version and back again of Captivate?

Report · Jun 12, 2016

I have exactly the same problem.

It is a project based problem, so simply create a new blank project with only one blank slide and add the image and event there and then copy/paste the image with the event to the slide in your old project. Worked like a charm for me.