Is it possible to get a smart shape to fade in and out?

[dosaparks]

I have recorded a video demonstration. Down the bottom I have helpful text appear in a smartshape and i'm hoping the shape can fly in from the left (or fade if only option) so that the users attention is better drawn to it (and just to make it look more schmick).

[Lilybiri]

It is helpful if you mention the version you are using.

Are you talking about a cpvc-project? Effects are not available, not even for added static objects.

You could use the published mp4 in a regular cptx project (insert as video), and add the static objects there, where effects are available.

[dosaparks]

I am using captivate 8. Yes it was a cpvc project so that answers the question (it is not possible)

I have published the cpvc video so it is now mp4. Now I am attempting to 'insert as video'. How do I do this? There is an 'insert > cpvc slide' function but that is not for an mp4.

[RodWard]

Media button > Video.

[dosaparks]

Thank you for your help.

I have inserted the video but when I insert a smart shape, despite it being on the very top lane, when I play it the video sits in front of the shape. If I click 'preview > project' then it shows the smartshape in front of the video and seems to work fine. But when I am in editing mode and play video, or the objects sit behind the video making it very difficult to work on. Does this sound familiar?

[Lilybiri]

It is better practice to insert the raw cpvc file as a slide then using the published mp4. Static objects like a shape can be inserted in the video editor, if you want them in front of a clip.

[franko71299077]

A bit late with this maybe, but although effects are not available on objects in a cpvc file in CP8, you have the option of a transition in the Properties tab of the object (on the right hand side).

This only allows for Fade In/Out or both - but you said you'd settle for that. Might be a quicker/easier solution.

[dosaparks]

Thank you all. I am new to captivate so all your answers are helpful as far as improving my knowledge and therefore overall captivate experience.

I have gone with the practice of inserting it as a raw CPVC file. The issue I have now is that each time I add an object (mostly text caption), it is actually creating a new 'swimming lane' on the timeline and I can't work out how to just put one caption after another on the same swimming lane. I have around 50 captions so it is difficult to manage them all across 50 different 'swimming lanes'.

If I need to start a new question then that is fine I can do that. It is just that whilst I do have an answer to this specific post, the outcome at the moment is not very user friendly. Quite odd. In the CPVC project it was easy to just add multiple text captions into the same lane on the timeline but in the CPTX project each time I add it creates a new swimming lane.

[Lilybiri]

It is easier for other users if you don't put too much questions in the same thread, indeed.

I suspect by 'swimming lanes' you talk about layers added? In the cpvc editor a layer is only added if more than one object is at the same time on the timeline.

A cpvc project is a pure video, that is why you have only one timeline (not one per slide) and adding static objects can indeed sometimes lead to having them in the same layer. There are no effects that can be added, only the old transitions, there is no identification necessary (like the typical color coding of cptx layers) etc.

Each object in a cptx will have its own timeline in the Timeline panel, effects have timelines on a lower level added to the objects to which they are applied. A cptx project has a timeline for each slide. I suspect your slides are much too long if you need to add 50 captions to one slide (poor students)! You can group objects in Captivate, the group will have a timeline as well and can be collapsed. But try first to understand what the slide timeline means!

[dosaparks]

Thanks Lilybiri for all the time taken in educating me.

As per the above, I have gone with the practice of inserting it as a raw CPVC file. So I have a 5 minute video that appears on one slide which I am now adding my smart shapes and text captions against. So this is why I have the issue of having too many layers on the timeline. The entire presentation is just one slide! Unsure if I can insert the raw CPVC file but over different slides to avoid the issue.

I am learning a lot but I just haven't resolved the initial issue in a satisfactory manner which is why I keep posting replies (and I hope not too annoying ones for you).

[PhotomorganaUK]

Layers? There are not such things as layers in Captivate. Neither in 2016 when you posted it nor in 2019 when I'm replying. And this is the biggest shame of Adobe. Masters of layers (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and they don't think layers are highly needed in Captivate. I'm sick of building courses with groups then hide them, this is mega stupid. If anybody can explain to me why Captivate doesn't have the layers, I will shut up but otherwise this is MEGA STUPID! 

[Lilybiri]

Apparently you don't know Captivate very well. Although not 'named' the same way,  Captivate's Timeline has multiple functionalities, one of them being also a Layers panel. Please refraing from insulting an application which you don't know very well. The stack order, z-order in Captivate is what layers are doing. Each object on a slide is on its layer (same when you add static objects on a Video Demo timeline). The master slide has also layers in the Timeline panel, which has in that case layer stacking as almost the only functionality. The start of your last sentence: great, do so...