Adobe Captivate 4 Best Practices: What’s Yours?

tweetmeme_url = ‘http://blogs.adobe.com/rjacquez/2009/08/adobe_captivate_4_best_practic.html’;
tweetmeme_source = ‘rjacquez’;

This morning, in preparation for an “Adobe Captivate 4 Best Practices” presentation, I decided to send out the following Tweet, in an effort to learn from my followers what their own personal best practices were:

I have already received many replies with very useful information, which I would like to share in this post. In fact with every new reply I receive on Twitter, I will come back to this post and continue adding to it. If you have an idea, please send it to me on Twitter by beginning your tweet with @rjacquez.

Here’s the running list, I hope you find these useful:

RT @andyjones1302: write dn, w/ pen & paper, steps U’ll take 4 a demo. Forces U 2 B short & stops mistakes.
RT @Stevehoward999: If gving me images, dont giv compressed images (jpg, gif), they alrdy lost quality. PNG plz
RT @edmarsh: Back up your prefs file when you have it set the way you like. #Captivate
RT @lmardennh LOCK a slide when you are happy with it – I learned that the hard way!
RT @Ricas_gti: Add audio before tweaking the timing of slides.
RT @andyjones1302: Run through the demo on the tool a couple of times before opening #Captivate
RT @kdraper: Try out search examples beforehand to make sure they do what you think they’re going to do.
RT @andyjones1302: In a demo, make 1st 1/2 second of each slide empty, gives user time 2 view & get used 2 screen
RT @spencerbean: When previewing large projects, use Hide Slide on less important slides to cut down on preview render time
RT @macrofireball: Use Captivate to create prototypes and show them to clients as often as possible.
RT @andyjones1302: When recording audio imagine U’re explaining ovr users shoulder. Leave in Ums & Errrs. More natural & engaging #Captivate
RT @andyjones1302: In a demo, make 1st 1/2 second of each slide empty, gives user time 2 view & get used 2 screen
RT @kdraper: Try out search examples beforehand to make sure they do what you think they’re going to do.
RT @jenludwiczak: I always script and storyboard each session b4 beginning in Captivate.
RT @macrofireball: Always include CC text. Not all learners (in office environ) have speakers attached to PCs
RT @jwillensky: Overlay your TOC to add function but conserve real estate. #Captivate
RT @Sue_Taylor: Add audio after doing the screen capture. Allows you to concentrate on 1 thing at a time.
RT @jwillensky: Use “return 2 last slide” fcn & Return button 4 EZ round-trip 2/from help slides/lesson
RT @Sue_Taylor: Use the slide notes area to script what you want to say – they are viewable while recording
RT @cybertext: Long sequence w same caption? Get caption right on beg. slide, copy/paste to others, remove fade in/out = seamless
RT @jenilsson: Take extra screen shots to ensure you have good images, then delete extras before doing any edits.
RT @cre8iveii: Do small trial run, test on student machines – get screen resolution right for target audience
RT @winntshawn: Remember to search through the library for unused items and delete them. saves on the final size!
RT @emcod: Many captured slides can be deleted w/o affecting the flow of a simulation. Test by hiding the slide first.
RT @Captiv8r: Rule of thumb 4 Captivate slide count. Consider 50-65 slides as an upper limit. 100s will cripple projects
RT @Captiv8r: Always work on projects from local C drive. Copy to server only for backup. Don’t edit projects on a server
RT @hypertexas: When creating on SME behalf, let them do a “scratch track” audio recording, then clean up & re-record final
RT @tompsk: Create a separate test module for your course tests, keeps scoring nice and simple
RT @hypertexas: Add an “agent” or guide to your #Captivate scenarios for continuity & more engaging transitions from one section to another
RT @macrofireball: Don’t use spinning or flying text. animations Words and text do not fly or spin in the real world.
RT @rjacquez: Just as a good photographer reviews and enhances their pictures, so should you Preview and go through your simulation after recording.
RT @hypertexas: Avoid temptation to read text captions for narration. Redundancy confuses learners
RT @joe_deegan: Always exit a project by using File > Close. Reduces file size significantly.
RT @rjacquez:
Use Automatic Recording to keep the file size down. Only use Full Motion to add ‘realism’ to your Simulations.
RT @rjacquez: Create and Use Project Templates, they speed up #eLearning development and enforce consistency
RT @rjacquez:
[#Captivate Best Practice] Add Realism to Software Simulations by including short Full Motion slides throughout your projects
Voiceover Recording Best Practices
RT @lmardennh: BP for voiceovers: Do them all on the same day for a given course – voice pitch and modulation varies noticeably day2day.
RT @lmardennh: BP for voiceovers: script as much as possible, and PRACTICE. this reduces edits, so narration is even and consistent
RT @macrofireball: Voice Over BP. Relax body, in particular face and tongue. Learn to breathe from your diaphragm. Practice your script!
[Voice Over BP] RT @tompsk: Also avoid drinking coffee before doing a voiceover, drink water to keep a clear voice.
[Voice Over BP] RT @juliov27612: Don’t drink ice water; it strips your vocal chords of lubrication. Water should be room temperature
[Voice Over BP] RT @macrofireball: Avoid dairy products before recording. Avoid lip smacks by eating a green apple. Clear throat gently.
[Voiceover Best Practice] RT @lirons: Record in a standing position.
[Voiceover Best Practice] RT @macrofireball: Use visual images to express different emotions and attitudes through your voice.
[Voiceover BP] RT @ScottSkibell: for me is standing up and not being afraid to move your hands. Creates more energy in your delivery.

More to come…

Adobe in Technical Communication and eLearning

by RJ Jacquez, Senior Product Evangelist at Adobe. on Twitter @rjacquez

Adobe Captivate 4 Best Practices: What’s Yours?

Other useful Related Posts:

4 Responses to Adobe Captivate 4 Best Practices: What’s Yours?

By RJ Jacquez

Comments (4)

Created