Rest of Slide Shape Buttons - How to Disable on certain slides?

[iaustin1]

Hello,

Ver: CAP 7

I have placed a shape button that is set to extend across several slides "rest of slides."  To hide the buttons on slides, where they are not needed, I tried placing swf, shape, and graphic files on top; but the button is still active.

How do I block, cover or disable a "rest of slide" button action?

Thanks

[Lilybiri]

You have to hide AND disable the shape button on those slides. I asked why both are needed, but never got an answer. Use a shared or advanced action On Enter for those slides. You can do the reverse on slides where you need them again.

An interactive object can never be disabled by covering it with a non-interactive or static object. There is one exception: dropdown interaction (static) can disable a Text Entry Box when it is put over it. Don't ask me why, I have no answer.

[iaustin1]

Thanks for your speed reply.  However, I meant to say... "rest of project" buttons, (so these buttons are NOT on the slides, so I can't select them on individual slides).

[Lilybiri]

I did understand you perfectly. Those shape buttons are on the first slide, right? That means they have a unique ID, correct? And you can hide objects on any slide with any event. That means that you can hide/disable a shape button on slide 1 with an action On Enter for Slide 9 without any problem. That is the case since version 5 or 5.5, only for very old versions you could only hide an object when you were on a slide. Same to show/enable shape buttons.

Have a look at: Why I like Shape Buttons - Captivate 6! - Captivate blog

[iaustin1]

This has got to work, trying it now!

[Lilybiri]

Be sure, it works, I'm using this technique since many years.

[iaustin1]

Yes indeed!  I also had to envoke the HIDE command because I am using rollovers:)  Hey, thanks again for the quick response Lilybiri?

[Lilybiri]

Sorry, I unmarked your question as being 'Correct' because it didn't explain the work flow. I just marked the thread as 'Assumed Answered' instead. The idea of 'correct answers' is that they show up immediately after the question, in order to give other users with similar question a direct answer. Hope you didn't mind my actions as moderator?

[iaustin1]

Not at all.

One more question, when I advance to the next screen I created an onEnter action to ENABLE those same buttons previously DISABLED (trying to reset to original state); however, only one button responds, the remaining four buttons ignore their ENABLE commands?

Tried various system variables to reset to original state with no luck.

[Lilybiri]

As I wrote in my first answer, there are some situations for shape buttons where you have to SHOW and ENABLE them in order to make them functioning again. Same with HIDE and DISABLE. I know it is not logical, it is not the case for normal buttons on individual slides, only for shape buttons in this situation. Try that.

System variables have nothing to do with enabling, what did you try?

[iaustin1]

Here are my Adv Action Settings/psuedo logic:

On Enter: call action to both disabled/hide 3 shape buttons  output = works fine.

On Exit: call action (same slide) enable/show same 3 shape buttons output = only shape 1 (pause) is restored. The other two shape buttons remain in disabled/hide state?

I know this is weird.

Variables:

Just a shot in the dark.  Tried setting this up as a condition... if someV is not equal to 1 etc.. (use on other actions).

I think I'm missing or overlooking something real basic.

[Lilybiri]

I always recommend to use NEVER the On Exit event. For some reasons it is not to be trusted, will execute on the first frame of the next slide but only if the last frame of the present slide is visited. And even then I did see often problems.

Do you the same action On Enter for the slide where you want to Enable/Hide the shape buttons.

Events and (advanced) Actions - Captivate blog

[iaustin1]

Yes, I found that out during the interim. Show/Hide is working; but, all button actions remain in DISABLED state?

See screen shot attached - can you spot anything wrong that would prohibit button ENABLE to reset?

I placing both actions On Enter:

[RodWard]

Maybe try SHOWing them before ENABLING them?  Change the order of the actions and see if that helps.

[Lilybiri]

Was in dreamland when you posted the screenshots. You have first to Show the shape buttons before you can enable them. Sequence is very important in Captivate advanced/shared actions. And I recommend that you group the shape buttons, then you can use:

  Show Gr_ShapeButtons

  Enable ...

  Enable ...

  Enable...

You cannot enable a group of buttons, but you can show/hide a group.

You can use Hide for the group as well, first disable individual buttons, than hide the group.

[iaustin1]

Reshuffling the order of the actions as suggested (moving show/hide to top) fixed the problem! 

Glad I posted the screenshot.

A BIG thanks Lilybiri for hanging in there.