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J
janel40995836
Known Participant
December 21, 2015
Answered

Why use Edge Animate in Captivate 9?

  • December 21, 2015
  • 2 replies
  • 2036 views


Hello,

I'm VERY new to Captivate and most of Adobe products and am not a web developper or programmer.  I've been learning how to use CAptivate 9 and understand that you can make advanced animations (and even more so with the timeline feature under the work area).  However, I also recently took a course (pretty good one on the Adobe Knowhow site) on responsive site building in Captivate 8 and the instructor used Edge Animate to do something similar.  I do understand that Edge Animate has other uses and has more functionality than the advanced animations in Captivate 9, but if I only want to produce simple movements and somewhat advanced animations, would I have to use Edge Animate to do this?  I guess what I'm trying to understand is where are the limitations to Captivate 9's animation capabilites versus Edge Animate?

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Lilybiri

Edge Animate can create animations, and 'was' considered the alternative for Flash animations when the HTML5 hype started. However, Edge Animate will no longer be continued for development, next month Flash Pro will be renamed to Animate CC and will be able to publish OAM files, like Edge Animate used to do. Captivate has the possibility to embed such animations, like you can embed animated GIF's (old but still functional both for SWF and HTML5 output) as well. However you have to be aware of the fact that there is no direct communication between those animations and Captivate, unless you know JavaScript. Such a communication is only possible using widgets.

Since you are new, I have often issues with the used terminology. You want simple movements in Captivate 9? Use the motion effects, much easier to create and manage than trying to do so with another application. Effects are possible from within Captivate, no need for another application at all. What do you mean by 'advanced animations'? If you explain, maybe I can offer you also an alternative for Edge Animate? I have been using it with Captivate 8, but at this moment I am perfectly happy with what is offered within Captivate. Edge Animate has (d) the possibility to embed some code snippets (JS) or to write your own code. Captivate has advanced actions, shared actions and you can also launch JavaScript code. I don't think Edge Animate has 'more' functionality if you want to create eLearning courses than Captivate! Or do  you have another goal?

2 replies

S
StevePixel
Inspiring
July 28, 2016

Thanks Rod and Rob.  Great advice as usual !

Lilybiri
LilybiriCorrect answer
Legend
December 21, 2015

Edge Animate can create animations, and 'was' considered the alternative for Flash animations when the HTML5 hype started. However, Edge Animate will no longer be continued for development, next month Flash Pro will be renamed to Animate CC and will be able to publish OAM files, like Edge Animate used to do. Captivate has the possibility to embed such animations, like you can embed animated GIF's (old but still functional both for SWF and HTML5 output) as well. However you have to be aware of the fact that there is no direct communication between those animations and Captivate, unless you know JavaScript. Such a communication is only possible using widgets.

Since you are new, I have often issues with the used terminology. You want simple movements in Captivate 9? Use the motion effects, much easier to create and manage than trying to do so with another application. Effects are possible from within Captivate, no need for another application at all. What do you mean by 'advanced animations'? If you explain, maybe I can offer you also an alternative for Edge Animate? I have been using it with Captivate 8, but at this moment I am perfectly happy with what is offered within Captivate. Edge Animate has (d) the possibility to embed some code snippets (JS) or to write your own code. Captivate has advanced actions, shared actions and you can also launch JavaScript code. I don't think Edge Animate has 'more' functionality if you want to create eLearning courses than Captivate! Or do  you have another goal?

    J
    janel40995836Author
    Known Participant
    December 21, 2015

    Thanks!  You answered perfectly for me to understand (despite my not being a coder). Advanced animation for me would be fluid movement from one object towards another (transitions).  And I see that you can add (in the French version there called "actifs") some type of embedded actions from an outside library (brothers learning), so I'd consider these actions as advanced (but already done for you).  And yes, my goal is e-learning (responsive type e-learning) with a little more onscreen engagement.

    So you answered my question fine.  I don't need Edge Animation to do fairly engaging, animated e-learning, but if I wanted to progress one day (with animations like those in the "actifs" section) then I'd use some tool like Edge animate (or rather the new Animate CC (?))  which was the part two to my question.

    Lilybiri
    Lilybiri
    Legend
    December 21, 2015

    Fine, tried to explain it as simple as possible. Advanced/shared actions are my specialty, they allow a lot, without really having to learn a programming language (it is a point-and-click work flow). And try out the Effects, in Captivate 9 they have improved a lot.

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