How to create a pulsating button

[j-wa]

My goal: to create a button which at the end of the audio starts to pulsate (i.e. gradually changing its color from blue to red several times), so as to indicate that the learner may proceed to the next screen.

I would like to use a smart form as a button, because you can easily label the button / smart form with a caption text.

I tried to accomplish the pulsating effect with the color effect "hue variation" (or called something like this - I use the German version). My problem: The color effect doesn't only change the fill color of the button (as intended) but as well the text caption (which should stay white). Any suggestions how to change only the fill color, but not the text of the button?

Best regards

Jan

[DLS26Ja]

Jan,

I created something similar to what you described for my training but I used the Effects/Emphasis/Glow Twice feature.  Here's how I created it:

1. Put smartform on Captivate workspace slide and add a transparent text box to include whatever text is required for the button (or another image/graphic).

2. Using any imaging software take a picture of the new "button" and make it's background transparent.

3. On the actual slide in Captivate, place the real smart form on the timeline at the appropriate time

4. Import the image of the button and place it on the timeline where you want the pulsating effect to start.

5. Test to make sure you have both the original button and the image of it aligned properly so when the image starts pulsating there will be no "jumping" of the button/image.

6. Back on the timeline, click the image of the button object and then click the Effects tab.

7. Click the "Add Effect" button.

8. Select Emphasis, then Glow Twice.

9. Change the default settings for blur, strength and quality to your desired need.

10. Select what glow colors you want in the pulsating effect.  (I used yellow and red because they fit our brand and other colors being used on the slide.)

NOTE: Play around with different colors.  It makes a big difference in the visual impact.  Because of our branding I found having yellow as the 1st glow and red as the 2nd created a more visual impact.

11. Expand the GlowTwice Effect on the Effect timeline to last for as long as desired (it defaults to the start time of where ever you placed it on slide timeline).

12. Go back to your slide timeline and add a click box over both the button and superimposed button image.

13. Select the desired "On Success" action for the click box.

13. Time the click box to the desired time.  (I had the click box active only when the "button" was pulsing.)

That's it!  It sounds like a lot of steps but creation time is actually very quick and once you have one done you can copy it for use in other projects or on other specific slides (if you aren't going to set it to "rest of project:).  If you do select rest of project, you will still have to put a click box on every slide.

NOTE: After the pulsing stops, the glow remains.  If you want the pulsing to last longer you would have to create multiple copies of the button image and stagger them on the timeline.  This effect will only glow twice.

Good Luck - Debra