Number variable behaving erratically since last update?

Mar 03, 2022

Hello,

I'm running into problems with navigation in lightboxes.

Our setup is as follows:

  • A main scene with mostly question slides and a second scene with Information slides, always presented in lightboxes 
  • Information slides can consist of multiple layers: if so, these layers are shown or hidden after the user presses a custom shape.
  • When the shape is clicked a number variable is increased or decreased. (trigger on the master slide)
    Depending on the actual value of the varaible, a layer becomes visible or hidden. (trigger on the slide)
    This value of the number variable is initialized on the slide master

Demonstration of the problem:

In the attached storyline file, the navigation shape on the lightboxed slide does not trigger the layer. Usually this occurs sometime after going through a couple of slides and lightboxes.

This can be demonstrated by,

  1. going to a question 
  2. clicking the green text (lightbox opens)
  3. navigate to the last layer
  4. close the lightbox
  5. repeat for 2 more question slides
  6. sooner or later the lightbox that opens will stop showing the layers 

Hypothesis:

From my tests, it seems as if the number variable is counting erratically; when clicking the navigation buton and closing and reopening the lightbox I seem to get random numbers representing the variable.

Anybody else having problems with number variables? Is this something I can fix myself? Thanks in advance,

Bart

3 Replies
Scott Wiley

I can't open your file as my version is older, but I'm wondering if the problem might be the version of SCORM you set for tracking completion.

I used to run into random numbers in variables when the suspend data was exceeded. You mentioned a lot of quizzes, which tries to store a lot of info, so that could be the culprit.

I'd suggest upping to SCORM 2004 3rd Edition (supported by more LMSs than 4th).

The SCORM specs give the following lengths for the suspend_data element:
  Spec Characters
SCORM 1.2 4,096
SCORM 2004 2nd Edition 4,000
SCORM 2004 3rd Edition 64,000
SCORM 2004 4th Edition 64,000
Bart Beukman

Hey Scott,

Thanks for you reply and suggestion.

Unfortunately the problem is occurring even when previewing in Storyline itself, so it isn't restricted to  the published version.

The storyline file itself is also fairly limited in scope with about of 20 slides.

It makes me wonder if there is an actual flaw in our design itself, so hoping anyone can shed some light on it?