Adding a side banner in a software simulation

Feb 20, 2024

Hello,

We recently transitioned from Captivate to Storyline. We are trying to have a stationary left panel so we can add the step-by-step instructions to the side while the learner can interact with the Software Simulation. In Captivate, we could resize the recording and position it where we would lie. Example: Left-aligned.

Any thoughts on how we can accomplish this in Storyline?

3 Replies
Sam Hill

Hi Erika, I'm not sure if you can do this, but I'd like to follow this to see if anybody has an answer.

The only solution I'm aware of is resizing the SL project, but you can't define if you want the width to expand left or right, it will add width evenly on the left and right, meaning you'd have an equal space on the left and right of the recording.

Thinking about this, it does suck that you can't move the recording around.

Sam Hill

Oh, one idea I just thought of, is to record your simulations wider than you need (maybe 200px wider on the left). This can just be dead space in the recording, and then you can overlay the instructions you need over the dead space.

Here's a very very rough example. The dark space on the left, is just the background of my desktop. You would be able to set yourself up a desktop image with guides for your left panel, so you could align the software/browser when you need it.

Disclaimer: I know this isn't always possible with some recordings, as they have to be recorded at full screen, but if possible to left a gap on the left, this might work for you.