New Version of Captivate - Image Fill vs. Fit

[carly_inseer]

I downloaded the new version of Adobe Captivate, and while some things are better, I'm struggling with the lack of flexibility of the application. For example, I don't always want to fill the entire image space with a picture... i'd like to have the image "fit" within the box without automatically cropping the image to cover the entire area. For example I want the entire image to show in the attached screenshot, but no setting I change will make it fit so you can see the top and bottom of the image. I can't even adjust the height of the block within the slide! I just don't get it. I know this is new, but does anyone have any ideas?

[Lilybiri]

Reason for the apparent loss of control is that you are always creating a responsive project (except for the software simulation). That comes with some limitations in control as was also the case with Fluid Boxes. There are no rulers anymore (which is a pity even if they were only in percentage). For your present issue I would use a graphics editor - I use PS for bitmap, AI for vector images -  and create the image in exactly the look you want. 

[carly_inseer]

I had the same thought, but how do you know the aspect ratio of the box? Take a screenshot and try to mimic the dimensions? That seems like a lot of work. Is there a place to recommend enhancements? Figma has a super simple solution for this that works even when designing responsively (you can select from fill - which covers the entire box, fit - which makes the entire picture fit, and crop), and I think it would work really well in Captivate. Or something similar. This software—especially the new version— seems targeted at users who don't have a design background, since everything is templated. If Adobe is targeting users without a lot of design knowledge, referring them to Illustrator or Photoshop seems incongruous with their skill level. 

[Lilybiri]

I am already sorry that I tried to answer a question about the new version...

To me it is indeed aimed at creating quick courses by people who don't need any control, and have no design ambitions. Personally I will keep to CP2019 at this moment, because I am a control freak myself and use a lot of Adobe applications to provide assets for my learning courses.

Sorry, will leave questions about the new version to other 'experts'. My apologies that I wasted your time.

[carly_inseer]

No worries. I appreciate you trying to help me. And I hear you—I am a Product Designer, so I like to have a lot of control. This version has very little control and it's driving me a little crazy! However, I'm new to Captviate, so I thought I'd try the new version since it seems to work better on my Mac.

[Gemma29508558jqo8]

Hi, did you ever find out the dimensions of the flip cards?

[carly_inseer]

I'll add one more thing. There is ZERO indication on the template that these are super tall fill image boxes, because whoever designed the template examples used AI or PS to create something with the right look and feel. This approach creates an unpleasant user experience because I think I'm choosing one thing, but the template behaves in a different manner. See screenshot:

[craig_kasnoff]

There is no question the new version of Captivate is a "work in progress." And it is possible the target market may be aimed at less sophisticated users (read as "the not" control freaks : ) the way Adobe Express has been designed and marketed.

However the upside is we Captivate users are no longer asking "when" the new version of Captivate will launch (I miss the old days) but rather we are now going to be asking "when" this version of Captivate will be a first tier program like Photohop, or Premiere, or InDesign, or any of the many other Adobe projects that are "first in class" in their niche.

I have spent quite a bit of time on the new version and I see things I like, but I also see (many) things that still need to be tended to. The real question however, is will the Adobe Captivate team be more responsive in improving this product then they were in communicating with their user base about when this version would be released. If they are more responsive, and if they do work hard to merge the best features of the old Captivate and the new Captivate, then I think it will work out.

I plan to do my part by continually bringing issues I find to the Capativate Help team. So far, they have been very responsive. And that is a good sign. 

I think the Adobe Learning Summit 2023 will answer a lot of questions about the direction of the new Captivate and Adobe's commitment in making sure the product has value for anyone who uses an authoring tool for their profession.

I am looking foward to all the ongoing discussions on the new Captivate in this discussion forum. There are so many smart people who contribute like Lilybiri, that spending time here always has value.

[carly_inseer]

Thanks for your reply, Craig. I am completely new to Captivate (I'm a Product Designer trying to do my company a solid and help them out with some training modules) and had issues with the Classic version constantly crashing on my mac. I was hopeful when the new version released that it would be stable on my mac, and it has improved a little. However, I am admittedly a little impatient with a tight deadline! I do appreciate all of the help provided thus far from expert users and Adobe employees. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bugs in this initial version (buttons change location once you publish) and simple design capabilities that are missing (like why can't I easily create a consistent look for buttons on each page?). Hopefully, the user experience will improve for all of you learning designers who will continue to use this product into the future. I'm logging every question I can in hopes that it will help someone down the line. However, I'm counting down the days until I'm done with this project and can return to my beloved Figma + Illustrator + Photoshop applications I normally use! 

[craig_kasnoff]

Carly...

My suggestion is that you thoroughly explore this latest version of Captivate to see what works and what doesn't work when you publish the product to wherever you eventually plan to post the training modules. Once you know what is going to work on your desired publishing platform you can then determine how you are going to "design" your training modules with the confidence they will work once published.

It may take some (a lot?) of creativity on your part to design the training modules to both work with the limited technology features in the new Captivate and to achieve the learner outcome you and your company desire, but my guess is it should be possible.

I admit that I am saying that without knowing your learning objectives, but as a learning designer I believe there are ways to work with limited technologies to achieve learner outcomes. They may be simpler solutions than what you would like to produce, but as long as the learner receives the information in a way that allows them to achieve the goal of the company, then what is created must be considered a successful solution. 

Like you, I also see many features that do not work in this latest version and am in constant contact with the Adobe Captivate support team. In fact, I was on the phone with the Captivate support team for an hour yesterday regarding the new version's lack of responsiveness to my screens. They have reached out to me to assure me they are looking at the issue.

So, I am doing exactly what I am suggesting that you do. I am exploring what actually "works" (i.e. once published) in this new version of Captivate and then designing my learning modules for my endangered species education websites (www.Bagheera.com) with that knowledge.

My hope is the Adobe Captivate team will work to make this latest version of Captivate a "first in class" authoring tool where a designer can incorporate all the other amazing design products Adobe creates into lesson plans or training modules. I mean my imagination just goes a little wild thinking about the possibilities once Firefly (AI) is incorporated in to Captivate. YIKES!!!

But for now, I will work with the limitations of this version, and I will do that until the Captivate teams makes this latest version of Captivate a "first-in-class" product. 

And if they don't, then I will just have to find a different authoring tool that allows me to craft effective learning outcomes. Because at the end of the day, it is not about the technology, it is about the learner. It is about making sure the learner achieves the desired outcome regardless of the specific technology used or how the technology is implemented. 

Good luck in your effort. Again, I believe with enough "creative" thinking you should be able to create learning modules that achieve your company’s learning outcomes with some of the limitations you are working with in this latest version of Captivate.

And make sure you utilize the Adobe Captivate help line (800.833.6687 prompt #8). It may take a few minutes to connect to someone, but I have found every tech I have talked to very helpful (I mean, c'mon they are techies, and they love solving tech problems). And remember that each time you bring a new issue to them, it allows them to solve an issue that will make the latest version of Captivate even better, which is good for all of us who use Captivate.

[carly_inseer]

Craig,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I wound up using your suggested approach. I first found slides that allowed buttons above the fold, then worked within those limited designs to create the content. While it is definitely not the designs I envisioned, it works for now! 

Thank you for sharing Adobe's support number. I was not aware of it. I will be sure to use that in the future when I need assistance.

Thanks again!

[craig_kasnoff]

You are very welcome. 

[Lisa31013337pg2c]

Craig, I am appreciating your input on the forum. Like Carly I am a new user and am astonished at things that should be basic and intuitive but which aren't - and which have m eblaming myself, unti I realize that the product just isn't functioning yet. (Similar to Carly, having MASSIVE issues with the Click and Reveal.) I have reported a few things in to the engineers and I think it seems like Adobe wants feedback and will work to fix this product. So I am hopeful! Again I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your input.

[craig_kasnoff]

I do believe that the Adobe Captivate team does want feedback. We're still trying to work out my "responsive" issue (Captivate not opening correctly to my either of my screen sizes). The good news is there are still tools in the older version that can be used in the newer version. A bit of a band aid, but I'm going to give it until the Adobe Learning Summit 2023 to make any serious judgements as to where this product is headed. 

I think the most important thing to remember (as frustrating as it may sometimes be) is that every time you or Carly or I or anyone else reaches out to the Captivate team with an issue, it gives them an opportunity to solve that problem for everyone who uses Captivate. And that's a good thing.

[VideoPep]

Hi Carly, 

Can you try unchecking Autofile from Properties under Alignment and Spacing and see you get handle to resize content block.

[carly_inseer]

There is no autofill checkbox for this slide. I've only found that checkbox on one slide, and it seems to be random.  Here is what I see on 99% of the slides: 

[kum69379703 · Accepted solution]

Dear Customer

Trust you are doing great!

This is about the issue wherein No option was available to fit/resize images in flip cards with the new Adobe Captivate. This issue is resolved with the new release of Adobe Captivate. To install the update either reinstall the app using the web URL or open the new captivate and click on the Help tab-->check for update.

Please confirm once it is resolved or need further assistance.

[carly_inseer]

Yes, this is resolved. Thank you!