Silke Fleischer

If you are planning to translate your projects into multiple languages, you can take advantage of some cool features in Adobe Captivate that can save you a lot of money.

Quick and dirty demos in another language

Before you capture, you can choose the language for the automatic text captions. Simply select the language you need from the Advanced option in the recording dialog. You can also make changes to the default text or add your own autotext languages - simply check out the CaptureTextTemplates_xyz.rdl files in the C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Captivate 3 folder. This selection is only available before you start recording. To translate after the fact, follow the next steps.

Full localization

Adobe Captivate offers XML output of your text in the XLIFF format, which is specifically used by localizers and their translation memory tools like Trados.

1. Make a copy of your project and add the target language to the file name. E.g. if your English project is called "Test", call the copy "Test_Spanish"
2. Export the text content to XML File > Export > To XML
3. Have the XML file localized and import the text into the same project
   File > Import > From XML
4. Check all your captions - some languages use very long words and the sizing or position might be off. Like German - Schaltfläche for button

Note: Text in text animations as well as text of questions inside question pools cannot be exported. So avoid text animations and have your questions translated before you move them into pools.

adobe,captivate,localize,translate,language

Posted by Silke Fleischer at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was trying to figure out how I could possibly make a backup of my blog. Robert McDaniels, our Education SE Manager, sent me a little Adobe Captivate demo that shows how you can easily capture an entire website into PDF using Acrobat Pro Extended. Learn more about the Capture Web pages feature.

Thanks Robert :)

adobe,captivate,acrobat,pdf,backup

Posted by Silke Fleischer at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Not too many people know about this: Adobe Captivate offers many accessibility features to make your eLearning content Section 508 compliant and we have a page on our site that provides info about

• the available functionality to make content accessible
• an FAQ
• demos on adding descriptions and closed captioning
• best practices
• and access to our Accessibility Resource Center.

Find out more: Adobe Captivate Accessibility

adobe,captivate,accessbility,508,assistive technology,closed captions

Posted by Silke Fleischer at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ASTD is looking for speakers for the next international conference in Washington D.C. in May 31-June 3, 2009. It's a great way of showing what you have accomplished with Adobe Captivate. Here is more info if you are interested in submitting:

The deadline for submission for 2009 conference proposals is July 15, 2008.

We are also announcing a new resource to help you navigate the proposal submission process--a video located on the main Request for Proposals (RFP) page at the above link.

1. Submissions are accepted online only between 6/13--7/15/08.

2. There are three steps:

• Speaker selection/entry;
• proposal details entry (title, description, etc.);
• and speaker reference selection/entry. 

3. You must create your proposal in advance using Word or other word processing software and then enter each section in the appropriate field in the template. Be sure you have all required information assembled per the Checklist.

4. Be sure that your proposal matches the requested topics and shows clear application of the content to the participants' jobs.

5. Written instructions are provided for each step as well as a document of instructions with screen shots which you may print.

6. Once you submit, you will see a screen confirmation of successful submission. Please print this screen for your records; it is the only  confirmation you will receive.

7. You may modify a submitted proposal until the deadline of July 15, 2008. 

8. Be sure to update your profile online if your email address or other information changes so that we can notify you.

Please note that all speakers will receive an email notification by 10/31/08 if the proposal has been selected or declined.

>> Submit your proposal

adobe,captivate,astd,ice,conference,elearning,training

Posted by Silke Fleischer at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On July 9 (already sold out) and August 6, Iconlogic is offering a one-day online course on Integrating Adobe's Technical Communication Suite, which will cover Adobe Captivate, Framemaker, RoboHelp, and the many neat integration points of the Technical Communication Suite - "you'll put the pieces of the puzzle together and learn to integrate the Technical Communication Suite the way it was intended." Find out more or register at Iconlogic.

There are also virtual classes for Adobe Captivate 3 July 10-11 and August 7-8.

PS: Kevin Siegel, the instructor, has some books published around our tools

• Essentials of Adobe Captivate 3
• Adobe Captivate 3: Script Writing and Production Guide
• Essentials of Adobe RoboHelp 7 HTML

adobe,captivate,robohelp,framemaker,technical communication,suite

Posted by Silke Fleischer at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)