Simulating image motion_Motion of a scale/balance

[Guest]

I know that I can overlay images over top of each other and do fades to simulate a particular image having motion, but I have a scale (or balance) that I want to put items in on the right and have the tray appear to get heavier and then put something in the left and show that there is a balancing act with regards to finances. I have 8 items to put into the right and 2 on the left. I'd prefer not to have to do 10 overlays. Is there another means to do this in Captivate? I have the trays and scale arms separate from the body of the scale.

If it's not possible in Captivate (Responsive format), is there a way to import/embed an Edge product for that image and somehow get it to time with the other aspects of this slide? I know I could just have the whole slide developed in Edge and import it, but trying to limit the workload of the graphic designer that I share with another project. Thanks for any guidance anyone can provide!

[RodWard]

Any reason why you cannot use Motion Effects?

[Guest]

Are you talking about "Add Effect" and then selecting one of those options? I have no problem using motion effects if that was an option, but in the responsive format (v 8.0.1.242) Motion Effects is not an effect option displayed. I'm assuming that has to do with mobile projects. So, considering I don't see that as an option - I'd have to rule that way out for now. (Btw, I also do not want to update Captivate versions during mid-development. I'd rather have the final product ready for delivery and then update to Captivate 9. Then if I have to do any tweaks I will have time - meanwhile product is already delivered for review.)

[RodWard]

Well if you were going to update to Captivate 9 at the end of the project anyway, and the ability to include motion effects in Responsive output was very important to you, then I would have thought upgrading NOW would be a no-brainer.  But it's your project.

Changing the way the animation happens AFTER you've gone to all the trouble of building it a totally different way is not my idea of a "minor tweak".  I'd be wanting to do it the best way right from the start.

[Guest]

While that might seem like a "no brainer" - each Captivate version has had its own minor issues. None bug free. I do not want to take a chance of inheriting a bug in my project mid-stream (since I already seem to have one in the KCs that have never been present in other knowledge checks I've constructed). AND, if the upgrade is as painless as what you indicate then waiting to the end should not be problematic and should not cause any major tweaks.

However, if the upgrade is not as painless as what you've indicated, then it does mean more tweaks/rework/figuring out problems while I'm trying to deliver a project. And, I won't/wouldn't be necessarily changing any way I animate. This single slide is the only one I've had issue with - and to be honest - I'd originally asked the GFX to make an Edge file, but she missed my note so I was trying not to cause her more work (by seeing if I could figure out a way to use what she's given and animate that one object, which is the reason I asked for the Edge development). What you seem to be indicating is that I just need her to do it in Edge (since I don't currently have the motion effects option).

Since I obviously can't animate this myself in Captivate for my current version - I'll ask again: Is there a way that I can get her to just animate the single object with Edge and incorporate/embed that single Edge object into my Captivate screen in a manner that I can time it with the other objects?

[Lilybiri]

I was just wondering, don't you need a Rotate effect for a balance?

[Guest]

I would think it would need an effect similar to rotate (though in my head right now I only envision it would just need a down and up motion more than an around motion). However, since motion effects is not in my current version, I guess that's not going to matter. We did have some ISDs just get Captivate 9 for their projects. I might go see if I can build this single slide in their Captivate 9 version. If not, then I know for sure that I need my graphic designer to just create an Edge animation. Then again, I'll just need to determine whether I need to ask her just to animate this single object or the whole slide. Which will be determined based on whether there is the ability to embed an animated object into a Captivate screen and have that object only appear when desired in conjunction with the other objects or not. Is that feasible?

[Lilybiri]

Rotate is not a motion effect.

It is not that easy to synchronize an OAM with Captivate.

[Guest]

Okay, so is there a way to rotate with Captivate 8? If so, how and where do I find that?  And that's what I sort of thought about the Edge file, but it was worth the ask in the event that I just hadn't learned a particular skill yet.

[Guest]

Ignore last.  I don't use affects often - much easier to just have graphic designer do complicated motions using Edge, so I just went looking and found the rotate. Now just have to figure out how to get this effect to rotate the arm up and down. I don't suppose you could recommend a good screen cast explaining this feature, could you?  Sometimes it really helps when I can see a visual. Meanwhile, I'm pulling out my Captivate book to see if it can help.

[Guest]

Lily - So, I've played with the Basic Rotate To and I have the right rotation where I'd like it to be (real slow, slight rotation). Now, as I add things to the left tray I need to rotate the scale real slow and slightly left. However, I do not see a way to rotate to the left other that the counterclockwise rotate that is not what I'm trying to do at all cause that rotates left 360 degrees. Any idea how I can make the balance tip slightly left again?

[Lilybiri]

Every effect is relative to the present position. You can create custom effects, edit the XML file that is describing the effect, using advanced actions to apply them. For rotate you can enter degrees, right? Here is the Effects panel for a shape that has a duration of 10secs. There is an Rotate to Effect at 0 secs, that rotates 5° (clockwise) over 1 secs, remains in that position and rotates back at 4 secs (counter clock wise, -5°) over 1 sec:

[Guest]

Thanks Lily! That's helpful. Btw, I put up another post about a bug with a Captivate 8 matching quiz activity (in responsive format). I've not gotten a response back from Rod since I posted an image he requested, so I'm wondering if you might know and be able to assist. When I published the Captivate project I'm working on, I discovered that the matching activity is not showing the letters in the drop down. Now, I can imagine where the "A" is in the drop down, click it, and it will then display the chosen letter. However, when displaying the drop down it is blank (see below). I was/am wondering if the matching quiz option is not supported in the Responsive format? Or if this is a problem that's been identified previously and a solution is known? If this latter, I'd very much like to know what the solution is.

Also, do you know if the drag and drop quiz activity is supported in the Responsive format? I developed more of the project and have published to the next set of knowledge checks and have discovered that one is not functioning correctly either. However, I do vaguely remember hearing that drag and drops maybe aren't supported. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

[Lilybiri]

Sorry, but I don't like to get in the way of Rod.

For D&D it is supported since second version of 8, for responsive projects. If you are using that version or CP9, there must be another reason why it is not functional. I have some tips on my blog:

Drag&Drop tips - Captivate blog

[Guest]

So, I have currently have version 8.0.1.242 - usually the 2nd digit of a version indicates a 1st/2nd/3rd version. Is that the case with Adobe's numbering system? In other words, I'm thinking I currently thinking that I do not have version 2 of Cap 8, is that a correct assumption? Maybe I'll update my home copy tonight and just see how a copy of my current project interacts with that update.

Btw, I understand not getting in the way of someone, but he's literally not responded to let me know he's working it, he knows a solution, or he has no clue or what. It's like I uploaded the image and he never saw the email. Meanwhile I need to move this project forward. Do you know him well enough to be able to say he's probably working the issue? I just don't want to be waiting and waiting. Currently I have the slides hidden in the project, but I'm either going to have to come up with replacement knowledge check question or resolve this issue before long. Thanks!

[RodWard]

Which image are we talking about?

[Guest]

Rod - You responded to my other post (matching activity with the drop down not displaying letters). As I mentioned in the other string, I will give your thought a try. Thanks!