How do I get an audio file to play uninterrupted over slide layers in Storyline

Aug 29, 2019

Nicole Thrush
By Nicole Thrush

Hello Heroes

I need some advice on how to get an audio file to play consistently over slide layers. I have created a screencast explainer video with layers that appear to provide detailed information as the video progresses. I would like to add a soundtrack to the project but I have encountered 2 problems:

1.  When I publish the project to video the resolution is very blurry (please see attached file. I published to the highest resolution using the Story Slide (720 x 540) option. I would usually then add an audio file to the MP4 output file, but as I said the resolution is not of an acceptable quality, even when published to all other size options. )

2. I then tried to add the audio file to the Storyline project with the intention of adding the project to Rise and sending the URL to learners for viewing. When I do this, the audio file plays through the first 2 slide layers accordingly, but then stops when it reaches the third layer. I have tried the recommendations on all other chats with similar problems, but nothing seems to be working. 

This is a problem I regularly encounter when creating training videos, but usually when published to the biggest screen size and highest resolution the quality is excellent and I can simply add the audio file using another programme.

Please will you take a look at the attached files and revert back.

Kind regards

Nicole

2 Replies
Nicole Thrush
over 4 years ago08/29/19 at 1:08 pm (UTC)

I see that files haven't attached correctly. I have reattached now.

Further to the above discussion, it would be easier to add an audio file from slide one to play through all of the slides (and their respective layers) until the end of the project. Is this possible and how do I loop a soundtrack to play again once it has completed if the storyline project is longer than the audio file.

Vincent Scoma
over 4 years ago09/03/19 at 6:12 pm (UTC)

Hey Nicole,

Thank you for reaching out! It looks like you are hitting some snags here and I am more than happy to help. I reviewed your file and I wanted to share what I noticed: 

  1. In regards to the dimensions, 720 x 540 may give you a blurred output since it is not in a High Definition format. When I published the course to video and changed to the dimension to 1080p HD, I found that the picture was a bit clearer. Could I have you publish the course in a higher definition format to see if that helps with the blurriness? Please let me know if you are still seeing any blurriness!  
  2. When reviewing your course, I noticed that on some of your layer properties there was a pause timeline of base layer box checked: 

    When that box is checked, it pauses the timeline of the Base Layer and causes the audio to pause as well. I went ahead and unchecked that box for each layer and found that the audio continued to play as each layer was revealed. 

    Here is how the video/audio works after I made that change: Service Guru Video 

I will also attach a condensed version of your course to this thread to show the changes made to the Layer Properties. 

I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any additional questions on this!

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