Add & Edit Closed Captions directly in Storyline 360

Add & Edit Closed Captions directly in Storyline 360

These days, we can use Storyline 360 to add closed captions to online interactions.

With this terrific accessibility feature, you can:

  • create your own captions for any video or audio file inserted into Storyline
  • edit closed caption files created in another application, in Storyline

Here’s a video to walk you through it:

As accessibility concerns get more widely recognised, this nifty feature is sure to be appreciated. The team at Storyline Developer say that accessibility is moving up the priority list for many organisations—both for commercial projects and internal training programs.

Thankfully, the folks at Articulate have made their closed captions solution super easy!

Back in the dark ages, developers needed third-party software to make closed captions work. That was okay, but Storyline now does it all. That handily simplifies the e-learning development process, and the list of apps needed by developers.

Want more?

Storyline Training can bring your team up to speed with all things Storyline. Contact us today!

Tables in Storyline 360

Tables in Storyline 360

A 2017 update finally added tables to the Storyline 360 menu.

If you know you’re way around the interface, it’s pretty easy to add and edit them.

Here’s a quick video that will have you using tables in a minute or two. Or, if you prefer your info in carefully composed and typed text, read on.

How to add a table

If you’ve used them in any other program, the method will be familiar so long as you know where to find the functions.

To add a table, simply:

  1. Go to the INSERT tab.
  2. Select the Table drop-down menu.
  3. Choose the number of rows and columns you want.

How to modify a table

Once your table is there, select it to make modifications:

  1. Use the DESIGN tab to customise its appearance, with colour options for the fill and border, and styling options for the header row and the border.
  2. Use the FORMAT tab to Insert or Delete rows and columns, as well as defining height, width, text direction and other parameters.

Note: The correct ‘DESIGN’ and ‘FORMAT’ tabs will only be available if and when you select the table with a mouse click. If your table isn’t selected, these tabs may be hidden.

Just desserts

Crazy as it seems, prior to this update, Storyline offered no way to put a table onto a slide.

Sure, there were ways to get a similar effect. You could draw boxes and spend your time aligning them really well to simulate a table. Or, you could make a table elsewhere—e.g. in PowerPoint—then export it as an image and paste it into your slide. These hacks presented well enough to end-users, but they weren’t great for developers.

Tables is an important feature for the future of Storyline as software. It’s not groundbreaking. Quite the opposite, in fact. Rather, many users expect that tables should come standard. These folks tend to believe that they should be able to insert a table with any authoring software. So, with this update, Articulate makes Storyline meet those common expectations.

Dinner is served

That’s the fresh produce from Articulate. It was a long wait, but tasty when it arrived.

Easily adding tables from within Storyline itself will save time for the team at Storyline Developer. Used right, they’re sure to help you too.

When Articulate unveiled this new function, they also expanded the 360 Content Library. Get more on that in our quick review of the Articulate 360 content added in 2017. There’s some new characters and a new template worth checking out.

Remember! For team training at your premises, be sure to check out our Storyline courses.

360 Content Library Extras, Part 2: New Template & Characters

360 Content Library Extras, Part 2: New Template & Characters

The Articulate 360 Content library has some new additions, including:

  • new characters
  • a new e-learning template

The new content was made available with the latest update. Of course, that included software tweaks too. Actually, one of those was significant: let’s look at that as well…

New Characters: Meet Paulina & Gail

Articulate have added two new characters to the 360 Content Library. That makes for a cast of 47 photographic characters you can use in your productions! That’s pretty deep talent pool. And, it’s an excellent resource for something that comes included with your software subscription.

Here are the new suspects:

Introducing Paulina and Gail
Paulina just watched the Night King throw a spear.
Gail thinks she just felt a drop of rain.

New Template: Inspire

Also added to the Content Library: a new template.

‘Templates in Storyline 360 are slick pre-made layouts. They let you easily present your e-learning in an appealing way with a cohesive aesthetic. Good ones can speed up your development process a lot.

This new template is called ‘Inspire’.

The new 'Inspire' template.
Inspired yet?

And Another Thing: Tables!

Tables! The same update that heralded the new content additions also finally added tables!

Crazy as it seems, prior to this update, Storyline offered no way to put a table onto a slide. Now, at long last, it’s easy and effective to add a table from within Storyline itself.

Adding tables is a bit off-topic here. So, we’ve written up a separate post about how to add and edit tables in Storyline.

That’s a Wrap

More characters, a new template and the practical ability to insert a table. The Articulate 360 package seems to be an ever-expanding resource. I for one welcome our new inspiring overlords

Remember! For team training at your premises, be sure to check out our Storyline courses.

Import Closed Captions (CC) files to Storyline 360

Import Closed Captions (CC) files to Storyline 360

The March update of Articulate Storyline 360 added a much-requested capability: the ability to add Closed Captions (CC) to e-learning projects.

Articulate 360 updates regularly bring bug fixes, but it’s when they include new features that they really deserve the buzz. Well, this update brought new things to Storyline 360, and they’re immediately useful.

We’ve already covered the expanded content library. Now, let’s look at the new way to handle closed captions/subtitles.

Closed captions: must-have for e-learning accessibility

Closed captions are like subtitles. They let learners read voice-overs and narration as on-screen text. Some learners want or need closed caption instead of voice-over. Others might use closed captions as well as listening to voice-over.

Not everyone wants closed captioning, but many do. It’s best practice to include it as an option that learners can switch on or off as they like.

For some learners, closed captions are a top priority. The hard of hearing have an obvious need. Also, ESL speakers often find it makes things easier to follow. So, closed captions have become integral to the development of accessible e-learning.

As time goes on, more companies are expecting closed captions to be a part of the e-learning they use. The ability to embed closed captions is a high priority—or even a pre-requisite—for many e-learning clients. Organisations that have formal mandates to meet broad accessibility standards demand it. This includes government departments, public education providers and more.

If you’ve never worked with CC before, it can seem a bit daunting. Luckily, there are tools available that make it pretty quick and easy. Here’s how you can do it with Storyline.

New CC capability in Storyline

Now, you can use Storyline to add Closed Captions to video and audio files.

To do this, you’ll need to first create a CC file, such as a .srt file. You can do this using captioning services like YouTube or Amara for free, or any number of paid services.

Then, all you need to do is insert a video or audio file onto a slide and access the CC tools from the Audio Tools > Options or Video Tools / Options tab. Simpy click the Add Caption button, find your CC file and insert it. Your video or audio file is now captioned.

Of course, you can remove the CC file if you change your mind, and you can even choose the font you’d like the subtitles to appear in. To do this, open the Player Properties, select Colors & Effects and select the Caption font of your choosing.

See it in action, from start to finish

Below is a quick demo video of how I added CC to a video in one of my projects.

It explores the formal info about closed captions in Storyline and shows how to:

  • use Amara to create and download a CC file
  • add Closed Captions to a video inside Storyline
  • customise the Closed Captions font.

BONUS: Download the template from the video

It’s got nothing to do with closed captions, but…

…if you like what you see in that video, we’ve already released the Storyline template it uses. It’s freely available. You’re welcome to download the template file for your personal use.

Free Storyline template file, as used in the closed captions example video
Download the freebie

NB: This post refers to closed captioning features unveiled in the March 7, 2017 (Build 3.4.10330.0) update of Storyline 360. As of August 2017, there’s even more you can do with closed captions/subtitles. For more advanced info about Storyline’s even-newer closed-caption editing capabilities check out our more recent post.

What’s next?

The March 7 update was the third significant upgrade to the Articulate 360 suite in under four months. (Yes, there have been five updates so far, but two of those were really just bug-fixes.) Already, Articulate is improving the value-proposition of the package, and they’re not showing signs of stopping. At the same time as subtitling capability was unveiled, they also added a stack of new assets to the Storyline content library. I reckon we should expect more sooner rather than later.

As the 360 suite matures, each batch of new features meshes nicely with those that came before. Storyline Training news gives you key run-downs of the newest features as they arrive. Our intensive courses give you access to the bigger picture. With Storyline Training courses, you’ll be set to develop professional-level e-learning within hours and days.

360 Content Library Extras, Part 1: New Assets & Cast Members

360 Content Library Extras, Part 1: New Assets & Cast Members

The March 2017 Articulate 360 update brings welcome expansion of the Articulate 360 Content Library. This and other recent tweaks have refined all of the 360 apps. But e-learning developers are currently abuzz about how the new features are used in Storyline 360.

There are two big ticket items in the new update. From a pure capability standpoint, top spot goes to the new closed captions features. Then, there’s the convenience stakes. There, the gong goes to the expanded Content Library. We’ll look at the latter here and now.

If you like video, press play below to see lead Storyline trainer Veronica B explore the new content.
For the write-up, scroll past the vid and read on.

What’s new in the Articulate 360 Content Library?

When Storyline 360 launched, its new content library was a head-turner. It simplified the process of sourcing royalty and attribution-free graphic assets. It made it even easier to insert them into your e-learning projects. Best of all, it all happens right in Storyline 360. The entire thing is included with the subscription.

Articulate’s rolling updates are making Content library better and better. The March 2017 update brings new characters and something new: royalty-free photos and other convenient graphic assets.

New characters

This update gave us three new characters: William, Sheila and Nora. Now, anyone with a 360 subscription can use these folks in their e-learning for free!

William, Sheila and Nora are new characters in the Storyline content library.
Will is a full arm-fold kinda guy. Sheila prefers a choral clasp. Nora = sensible shoes.

Royalty-free graphic assets: photos, illustrations, icons and videos

Content Library has also received a stack of new graphical assets, including:

  • photos
  • illustrations
  • icons and
  • videos.

There are thousands of high resolution photos to search through. From office environments, to animals, to construction sites to medical equipment, most search terms will bring up results. And, if you’re course uses an illustrated style, there are also thousands of illustrations on offer.

Now that square-edged buttons are taken for granted, Articulate gives us a heap of new icons. Slowly but surely, they’re building in variety. As the library continues to evolve, customisation will get easier. As developers use it to its full extent, we’ll get greater variation and truly customised e-learning interfaces.

There are plenty of HD videos too. You’re not going to get a clip of a Zac Efron explaining your exact topic, but there is a wide selection of vision to choose from. The available clips will be good as moving backgrounds. They’ll also add flair in all sorts of contexts.

Now, it's easy to add video to your e-learning project via the Storyline content library
If you like time-lapse clouds, you’re in for a real treat

What’s next?

The March 7 update was the third significant upgrade in under four months. (In total, there have been five updates so far, but two of them were just bug-fixes.) You can tell that the developers are trying to improve their value-proposition. They seem to be heading in the right direction. Thankfully, it looks like they’ve still got momentum.

As the 360 suite matures, each batch of new features meshes nicely with all that came before. While our Storyline Training news can keep you up to date with new releases, more comprehensive guidance is available in the Storyline Training courses. They are designed to rapidly improve your team’s e-learning capability. The sessions can be customised to measure, delivered on site and facilitated by one of Australia’s leading e-learning experts.

Get in touch any time to learn more.

Storyline 360—Top 12 New Features

Storyline 360—Top 12 New Features

Storyline 360 has arrived.

Storyline Training expert Veronica B has tested the new software. She’s pushed its limits, both as a development pro and with Articulate’s beta-test team. Now, she gives us the skinny on the new features set to spin Storyline 360.

What’s new? Plenty.

Is it worth your while? Most likely. It depends a bit on what you want and what you need.

Here’s the Top 12 new features we’ve been using in Storyline 360. Take advantage of her insider knowledge. Make up your own mind.

Top 12 New Storyline 360 Features

  1. Responsive player
  2. Output can be HTML5, flash, or a combo
  3. Object intersections events
  4. Dials
  5. New characters
  6. Orient shape to motion path
  7. New mobile device display options
  8. Name motion paths
  9. Publish single scene/slide
  10. Slide properties more detailed
  11. Preview different device displays
  12. Square buttons

Want more details?

For more details about the Storyline 360 features on Veronica B’s list, give our other articles a look.

Responsiveness in Storyline 360
Storyline 360’s responsiveness features

If you’re keen on the new player, previews, slide properties and mobile display options, read Veronica B’s bit on the new Responsiveness features.

Storyline 360 Animation
Storyline 360’s new animation features

Interested in motion paths and the new object events? Veronica B’s covers them all in Storyline 360’s New animation features.

I’ve written up my take on 360’s dials, square buttons and new characters? It’s an aptly entitled piece: New dials, buttons and characters.

Dials in Storyline 360
Storyline 360’s dials, button & new characters

For more on new output options, responsive player and publishing options, check out Veronica B’s New publishing features article.

Publish to HTML5 or Flash in Storyline 360
Storyline 360’s new publishing features

Who will use it?

Storyline 360 has won us over. The handful of new features are capped by the vast improvements to player responsiveness.

Development professionals will adopt 360 in quick time. Corporate L&D teams and part-timers may take longer to evaluate the cost-benefit of upgrading. The new subscription model is sure to tempt.

For professional development, Storyline Training is ready to go with 360. Its new features will be optional inclusions in all Storyline Training courses. Storyline 2 is expected to be the mainstay of corporate teams for the time being, so Storyline Training continues to offer its top-shelf 2 training also.

Storyline DeveloperStoryline Developer is one professional outfit making the switch to Storyline 360. Its new development work will be done on 360—with ongoing support for legacy products to accommodate client needs.

David is a doctor of comms, a creative director at Storyline Developer and a brand and business developer at Copy Transmission. He’s got L&D for miles. He’s got brand and tech for days. Yet, he does it all with concision.

For Storyline Training at your organisation, get in touch. Our experts have training solutions for both Storyline 2 and Storyline 360. Our tips and tricks engage everyone, from novices through to know-it-alls.

Storyline 360 – Responsiveness Features

Storyline 360 – Responsiveness Features

Storyline 360 is here. It just got easier to make e-learning that’s responsive and mobile-friendly.

One of the best things about Storyline 360’s is that its responsiveness doesn’t impact on your content creation.

Develop good content. Publish professionally. Apply the right settings. Then, let your e-learners enjoy the flexibility. This doesn’t require much more from developers. Articulate have done the hard work, so users get it easy.

Of course, the software is still brand new. Lucky for you, Storyline test pilot Veronica B is here to explain her 4 favourite new aspects of Storyline 360’s responsiveness.

Slide Properties, Responsiveness in Storyline 3601. Slide properties are more detailed

Developers have been able to turn the Prev and Next buttons on or off in the Player since Storyline 2. Storyline 360 takes this a step further. Now, you can also tick on or off Swipe gestures to move forward and back.

In cases where you’re using custom buttons for navigation, swiping forward and back can still be enabled simply by ticking a box. Yep, swipe can work even if the default player’s Prev and Next buttons are disabled.

Verdict

Swipe gestures are warmly welcomed. More detailed slide properties means  you can have your custom navigation cake and swipe it too. Did I mention learners can now also pinch zoom on their touchscreens?

2. Preview different device displays

Preview mode now includes the capability to see how your course would look on a Desktop computer, on a Tablet or on a Phone. For mobile devices, you can also preview how it will look in both landscape and portrait orientations.

Preview Different Displays, Responsiveness in Storyline 360

Verdict

Who wants to publish and upload to a server every time you want to know how something will look on an iPad? Not me.

3. New mobile device display options

In the menu for previewing different device displays (pictured above), you’ll notice there’s a gears icon at the end. Clicking that open the following dialogue box: responsive playback options.

Responsive Playback, Responsiveness in Storyline 360

This extra little perk lets you set whether e-learners on mobile devices will be able to play your course in both landscape and portrait or restrict it to one or the other. You can even choose different settings for Tablets and Phones.

Users who try to view in a disallowed mobile orientation get the following advice:

Please Rotate Your Device, Responsiveness in Storyline 360

Verdict

The ability to enforce a landscape or portrait orientation is good. The fact that you can do it with one click is awesome.

4. Responsive Player

Storyline 360’s new player is fully responsive. It’s true, I’ve tested it.

I’m not talking about the Articulate Mobile Player app for mobile devices. This is the functional framework that contains all browser-based Storyline courses. I’m talking about how users access basic navigation, tabs and stuff like volume controls.

Storyline 360 promises that you need only publish your course to a single file. Publish once and the player will adapt to look and work perfectly across all devices. From high-powered desktop computers through to 5-inch smart phones, all are well served.

With minimal need for developer tweaking, each e-learner gets an experience that’s customised for their hardware.

For touchscreens, common gestures work effortlessly, right out of the box. Standards like swipe and pinch zoom are automatically in effect.

Verdict

Laypeople often underestimate its importance and complexity of responsiveness. A genuinely responsive player will be welcomed by all Storyline developers.

So far, Storyline 360’s responsive player stands up to our tests. It looks like the real thing.

That’s Veronica B’s Top 4 Storyline 360 responsiveness features

Storyline 360 delivers on its much anticipated promise of a responsive player. There’s also broad flexibility for publishing projects that suit your needs.

Do you like the new publishing features? Let us know in the comments below!

For Storyline Training at your organisation, get in touch. Our experts have training solutions for both Storyline 2 and Storyline 360. Our tips and tricks engage everyone, from novices through to know-it-alls.

Storyline 360 – Animation Features

Storyline 360 – Animation Features

Veronica B has ID’d her favourite new Storyline 360 animation features.

With Storyline 2, basic animations became a reality for rapidly developed e-learning. Motion paths were immediately useful, but there was room for improvement. Storyline 360 delivers on that potential.

What’s new? There’s three immediately noticeable improvements. Two of them relate to motion paths. The other one is actually four: four new object events.

For more details, read on. Storyline developer veteran Veronica B explains how these new features make animations and interactivity both better and easier.

1. Orient Shape to Motion Path

This is a real step-up for easy animation in Articulate software. The ability to set the orientation of a shape as constantly relative to its motion path makes so much sense. Having used it in projects a few times already, it’s hard to believe this wasn’t requested by more people.

Orient Shape to Path, Storyline 360 Animation

 

How to use it

Find Orient shape to path in the Path Options drop-down menu. One click and it’s done.

Verdict

The ability to orient shape to path adds an extra dimension to Storyline 360’s animation potential. It’s so well integrated, it requires almost no additional effort from developers. Easy as it is, it will genuinely result in better looking e-learning. A—mazing!

2. Name Motion Paths

I’ve long advocated the methodical labelling of all project assets. That’s because it ensure quick identification and easy manipulation. Until now, motion paths have been one item to which we couldn’t give a name. Storyline 360 rectifies that situation.

How to use it

Name your motion paths as you create them in the Animation ribbon. Look right under Duration.

Verdict

Our OCD team reckon the ability to name paths lets them sleep easier at night.

 3. New Object Events

Four extra Object Events are set to make animations and interactivity both better and easier:

  • When object intersects
  • When intersection ends
  • When object enters slide
  • When object leaves slide.

New Object Events for Storyline 360 AnimationSimple as they seem, these four object events multiply possibilities. Storyline 360 animation promises to be neater and more versatile.

We used to hack animation with off-screen objects triggering on-screen objects. Never again.

These new features provide better control of on-screen movements. This could reduce time spent (wasted) manually syncing objects on the timeline.

How to use it

The new object event options are available via the Trigger Wizard. Once it’s open, look in the drop-down menu for Object settings. They’re right there in the Object Events group.

Verdict

Excellent news for interactive animation. I know I’m not alone in being super keen to put these into practice. Ideas for better e-learning games are already forming.

That’s Veronica B’s favourite new Storyline 360 animation features. Do you agree?

Have you found even better new Storyline 360 animation features? Let us know with a comment, below.

For Storyline Training at your organisation, get in touch. Our experts have training solutions for both Storyline 2 and Storyline 360. Our tips and tricks engage everyone, from novices through to know-it-alls.

Storyline 360 – Publishing Features

Storyline 360 – Publishing Features

Video, New Publishing Options in Storyline 360
Check out Veronica’s ‘how-to’ video  for Storyline 360’s new publishing options.

When you publish an e-learning project, you want it to be absolutely fit for purpose. Access to options for publishing, deploying and viewing your content is vital. Storyline 360 delivers a host of new publishing features that make it easier to get exactly what you want.

As part of the beta-test team, Veronica B had the opportunity to check out Storyline 360 before it even launched. Here, she shares her 3 favourite new publishing features. She reckons they’ll be making developers lives easier in a flash. See what you think.

1. Output can be HTML5, Flash, or a combo

Storyline 2 published course files that deployed to Flash by default and also to HTML5 if that option was ticked. At first it seemed like a neat solution, but pockets of discontent soon emerged.

Publish to HTML5, Flash in Storyline 360Many professionals have been vocal in their call for HTML5-only output. On the flip-side, some folks exclusively need a Flash version due to infrastructure constraints. Storyline 360 has the solution for both camps, and more.

Storyline 360 lets you select from four settings in the Publish Formats options dialogue. Take your pick from:

  • HTML5 only
  • HTML5/Flash
  • Flash/HTML5—the reverse of the previous option: Flash if available and HTML5 when Flash is not
  • Flash only

Where both versions are bundled together, the one listed first will play unless it’s not supported by the user’s browser. If it’s not supported, the other version will play instead.

Verdict

A snappy and simple solution. Everyone’s happy.

2. Publish single scene/slide

Publish Scene Slide in Storyline 360Sometimes you need to test a single slide or scene in your project. Often, the Preview function does the job fine. Sometimes, however, you need to make sure everything works in a live environment. For this, you need to publish it and load it to the web or your LMS.

Storyline 360 introduces new Publish options. No longer do you have to publish your entire project to test a single scene. Now, you can choose to publish just a single scene or even a single slide.

Verdict

The ability to publish small samples will make things faster and easier. It will be most appreciated when preparing excerpts for testing and previews for stakeholders.

3. Responsive Player

Storyline 360’s best new feature is definitely its fully responsive player.

We’re not talking about the Articulate Mobile Player app for mobile devices. We are talking about the functional framework that contains all browser-based Storyline courses. It’s how users access basic navigation, tabs and things like volume controls. It’s important.

With Storyline 360, Articulate promises that you need only publish your course to a single file and the player will adapt to look and work perfectly across all devices. From high-powered desktop computers through to 5-inch smart phones, all are well-served.

With minimal need for developer tweaking, each e-learner gets an experience that’s customised for their hardware.

For touchscreens, common gestures work effortlessly, right out of the box. Standards like swipe and pinch zoom are automatically in effect.

How to use it

The new player is supported by a range of settings and properties that give developers control without becoming onerous.

We’ve already started writing-up a more detailed article on Storyline 360’s player responsiveness. There are a few new options and settings that will refine development processes and—when used well—enhance user experiences, so it deserves a closer look.

Verdict

Responsiveness can be hard. Laypeople often underestimate its importance and complexity. The Articulate team have worked hard to make it easy for designers and developers.

A fully responsive player is a godsend to Storyline developers everywhere. If, that is, it works as promised.

The good news: Storyline 360’s responsive player has stood up to all our early testing. So far, it looks like a real solution to a big problem.

Video Recap

A birdie told me you like videos, so I’ve also made a quick explainer to guide you through a few of the new features.

That’s Veronica B’s run-down on Storyline 360’s new publishing features

Storyline 360 delivers on its much anticipated promise of a responsive player. There’s also broad flexibility for publishing projects that suit your needs.

Do you like the new publishing features? Let us know in the comments below!

For Storyline Training at your organisation, get in touch. Our experts have training solutions for both Storyline 2 and Storyline 360. Our tips and tricks engage everyone, from novices through to know-it-alls.

Storyline 360 – New Dials, Buttons & Characters

Storyline 360 – New Dials, Buttons & Characters

Dials in Storyline 360
Check out Veronica’s ‘how-to’ video for Storyline 360’s dials.

Articulate has always given developers access to some basic items that speed-up e-learning development. Pros certainly don’t rely on default selections for every project. Still, there’s no denying that pre-set interactive objects, assets and templates do make life easier.

Storyline 360 adds some great new items into the mix. With interactive objects and some all new characters to choose from, your e-learning projects could be looking better very soon.

For those eager to know what’s under 360’s hood, David from Storyline Developer highlights 3 new insert features.

1. Dials

Storyline 2 introduced sliders. Storyline 360 now adds Dials.

Insert a Dial - Interactive Objects in Storyline 360

Just like the slider, it works with an automatically-created variable. Adjust the variable to generate effects and make the dial interactive.

Insert a dial

Just like the new button options, the dial is now available under the Insert tab, in the Interactive Objects group.

New control event: When dial turns

Trigger wizard has been updated to include a new Control event: When dial turns. This lets you easily define what happens when a user interacts with your snazzy new dial.

Convert to dial

Convert to dial is a function that lets you convert any shape or image into a dial. Insert an image of your choice, open the Dial drop-down from the Insert tab, and click Convert to Dial. Your image will now behave like the built-in Dial options.

Verdict

Dials further expand Storyline’s easy interactivity and feedback options. The Convert to dial function means that customisation is easy and the possibilities are endless.

 2. Square buttons

Square buttons - Interactive Objects in Storyline 360

Okay, it’s just a shape. But it’s a new shape. And its a shape that the the user-community has said they want more than once. So, it makes the list.

In Storyline 2, default buttons were limited to two shapes. There were rounded-corner rectangle buttons and pill-shaped buttons. Everything was rounded.

Storyline 360 adds a sharper edge to these options.

How to use it

Under the Insert tab, the Interactive Objects group now includes square-cornered buttons too.

Verdict

There have always been workarounds. If you’re still on Storyline 2, you can manually add button states to a rectangle shape. But, for Storyline 360 users, having this new button shape on the menu will save time on projects that use a sharp-corner aesthetic. Importantly, too, it shows Articulate are actively listening to the wants if their users.

3. New characters

We’ve loved you, Atsumi—but we’re glad to be seeing other people.

Until now, Atsumi has been the only free photographic character included with Storyline. She’s been adored, but has also become ubiquitous. Dare I say commonplace?

Storyline 360 has a new and greatly expanded Content Library. Storyline users near and far will appreciate the potential for visual variety this introduces.

Downloadable content types include both photographic and illustrated characters. The illustrated ones look pretty realistic. Check out Lily and Andrew, below.

New Characters in Storyline 360
Or, check out Caesar. That guy is a cartoon in real life.

How to use it

You can now access heaps of characters within Storyline. Some of them are part of the basic installation. Others need to be downloaded. If you’ve got a 360 subscription, even the downloadable ones are free.

Verdict

This is a great big win for Storyline 360. It will help designers and developers find characters that are right for their courses. A wider range makes it easier to find a good fit. It also means projects will be less samey.

Related videos

Veronica B’s recorded a vid showing how to insert and format a dial into your Storyline 360 project.

In the sequel, Veronica B takes dials a step further. Here, she shows how to create a simple timer using a dial in Storyline 360.

That’s David’s take on Storyline 360’s dials, square buttons and new characters. Do you agree?

If you’ve found other new objects in Storyline 360 that you reckon are even better, let us know! Comment below!

Storyline DeveloperDavid is a doctor of comms, Storyline Developer‘s creative director as well as brand and business developer at Copy Transmission. He’s got L&D for miles. He’s got brand and tech for days. Yet, he does it all with concision.

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