Choosing the right tool for interactive marketing and software demos

Report · Jul 12, 2017

I am evaluating Captivate 2017 vs. Storyline360 -- but not for elearning course development, for interactive marketing and software demos.

I want to animate software, dramatize software, and provide some interactivity to offer additional info, download a white paper, or jump to a video or web page.

I need my output to run without a player -- just be embedded in a web page. I assume Captivate can do that.

I need my output to play in mobile as well, but again within a web page without requiring a player app. I assume the fluid box feature allows for this.... true? And potentially provides a better user experience in mobile as well. I know it's a new feature, but would love to hear how it's been working for people.

I know Captivate has a more challenging learning curve than Storyline, but I'm very willing to dig in if I end up creating better final productions.

Any feedback is welcome!

Thanks.

Orson

Report · Jul 12, 2017

Hi there

It is my understanding that a "Fluid Box" is simply a container that you insert other Fluid Boxes and content into to organize the presentation. From what I've seen of them, the closest I can compare them is to tables with invisible borders. They will offer nothing that will help you achieve any goal of interactivity. Interactivity is handled using other elements that may or may not be inserted into Fluid Boxes.

Cheers... Rick

Report · Jul 12, 2017

Hi Orson,

I'm a big user of both programs. IMHO - and not just because this is an Adobe forum - Captivate will be your best bet. Captivate was initially designed way back when to do screen captures and that's still something it does better than anyone else. I have used Captivate since version 5 to create hundreds of software simulations, demos, and assessments. There's no better tool for this.

The tradeoff is between power and ease of use. Captivate is a much more powerful tool than Storyline, but because Storyline is easier to use, it's easier to learn. Captivate lets you publish to HTML5 format, or you can now publish it as an .mp4 video which you can then embed in a web page. It's up to you. For my money, Captivate is the way to go.

There are a ton of training resources out there too. Many of them have been recently mentioned in blog posts here, so I'll refer you to them. For starters, go to YouTube and search Paul Wilson Captivate. Tons of good stuff on his YouTube channel.

If you find this helpful, please be kind enough to check the link.

CHUCK

Report · Jul 13, 2017

Software simulations and video demo are both possible with Captivate. MP4 is not interactive, can easily be inserted in any webpage. Publishing to HTML5 gives you possibility for any interactivity, and the result can be embedded in an iframe.

Fluid boxes is an alternative way for quicker design of responsive projects, compared with using breakpoint views. I talk about real responsively, not about rescaling the project or playing in a wrapper (SL).

The possibility to use SVG and add JS is certainly to be mentioned. Reusability (libraries, shared actions) and collaboration with other Adobe tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Audition, Phonegap...type kit has no concurrence IMO.

Report · Jul 13, 2017

I appreciate all the responses I got. Thanks!

Orson