CP9 - Can't create smart shape buttons with states on Master Slides

[Andy_K_nz]

In CP8 I created Smart Shape buttons with states on master slides but I can't seem to do that now in CP9. Anyone else having this same issue? The new CP9 state feature does not seem to work on master slides.

AndyK

[Lilybiri]

Sighing, I know, those shape buttons will be active but revert to the two states we had in old Captivate 6. Even if you create a style for that shape button on a normal slide or in the OSM, and apply that style to a shape button on the master slide, it will lose its three states, and get besides the normal state only the shrinked size when pressed that was the case in CP6.

This was something I did worry about with the new approach in states being exactly the same for default and custom states in interactive objects. Personally I preferred the work flow for states to be applied to shape button in CP8 (in the OSM, part of the style) contrary to the more powerful states work flow you can add in the the Object States panel. The default states for buttons are something different, they block the position and size of the buttons, you do not have the same freedom as for custom states. What I like is the way the default states are shown in the OSM!

[Andy_K_nz]

I agree whole heartedly with your "sighing". I really do like the new features that have been added to CP9 but I need to get on and do some 'real' bread and butter work for paying clients and it feels like this release is not quite ready for me. I'll continue to use CP8 on my core projects a little longer.

It's great to have a shiny new bicycle with lovely new bells, whistles and streamers on it, but if the chain is broken you an't going anywhere.

[erdem22]

You are absolutely right...

[RodWard]

Hi everyone,

I think the basic issue from the Captivate team's perspective is that states on buttons (or any other object) on a Master Slide would be of very limited advantage unless you could manipulate them and change them according to what is happening in the application. 

But as we all know, objects on Master Slides do not have Item Names.  So you cannot reference them via Advanced Actions.

I would hazard a guess that once Adobe does add Item Names to Master Slide objects, then the states would follow.

[Andy_K_nz]

It would be great if they did provide naming of items on Master Slides and I hope that this eventuates. My main gripe is that in Captivate 8 they introduced states to smart shapes that you could use on Master Slides and then in the very next version they remove that feature.

I admit that the new state method has much more functionality and I do like this feature. It's just unfortunate that they had to remove a very productive (for me at least) feature from the master slides.

[Lilybiri]

Rod is a programmer, without any doubt he will have nailed down the issue with states on master slides.

From the start when I did see the new states feature, I felt uncomfortable (just my Captivate intuition) with InBuilt states and custom states being given the same work flow. In Captivate 8 InBuilt states were part of the the style of shapes. That is still the case, states show up in the Object Style Manager (in a much better way than in CP8) but the custom states are way different, have no limitations as the InBuilt states. Same is valid for the Drag&Drop InBuilt states.

I really hope they can fix the issue with shape buttons on Master slides, I'm using them all the time and losing states is indeed going back on previous release.

As for asking to have an ID for objects on Master slides, I just gave up asking for it after 5 years. It must be a very difficult to realize feature request.

[nsukumar]

Hi Lieve,

We are aware of the master slide button state issue. We will look in to it for the future releases.

For a Button or Drag and Drop inbuilt states, Object state manager is limited where you can perform only fill and stoke or character properties modification as part of state style. But with the state view, you can do much more like adding an additional object as part of 'Rollover' say 'Click here' or can add audio as part of Drag and drop states etc.

Thanks,

Nimmy Sukumaran.

[Lilybiri]

Thanks Nimmy. I am exploring the states and like them more and more as I told before. A lot of my old blog posts can now be replaced by work flows that are much easier to do and save a lot of time. Yesterday I recreated a dashboard using states and shared actions, estimating it takes less than half the time needed to create it only with actions. For sure I will see the possibilities of the D&D Inbuilt states, maybe in combination with Object actions. I'm also very happy that you can uncheck Continue playing Project for those object actions, was very confusing in the past for users.

Have one usability wish: when renaming a state in the Object State panel, would love to be able to use Enter to confirm name and close that dialog box instead of having to grab for the mouse to confirm. Very small wish, I always expect one of the buttons in a dialog box to be selected by default, and/or to be able to use Enter and Esc for "OK" and "Cancel".

[donalall]

Hi Nimmy

For CP9, is there a list of the issues that Adobe is aware of, not just the "Top Issues"?

An issues list would save a lot of time searching the forum for a solution.

Regards

Donal.

[RodWard]

Adobe only ever offers that very short list of what they consider to be the "top issues".

I documented all known issues and solutions for Captivate versions 5/5,5 and 6/7 in two e-books.  The last one was just on three hundred pages long.

I'm currently updating a Troubleshooting e-book for Captivate 8 and 9.  Hope to have it ready by the end of the month.  It's currently over 400 pages in length.

The more complex Captivate becomes, the more potential issues can be encountered.  In many cases it's not due to a bug in Captivate but rather because e-learning developers lack knowledge about how certain things work.

I don't expect Adobe to willingly create the kind of comprehensive list of issues you would be looking for.  They want you to believe that the product is simple and easy to use.

[donalall]

  . Maybe if they did produce a comprehemsive list it would scare people away.

I look forward to reading your CP8/9 book.