Forum Discussion
TIP: The Eightfold Path of Troubleshooting
Is something in your course not working as expected? Don't panic. Instead, follow the Eightfold Path for Troubleshooting.
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Update: The info in the rest of this post was expanded into an Articulate webinar. That's available on-demand (under their title for it):
https://training.articulate.com/webinars/ensure-smooth-sailing-in-storyline-by-following-8-pro-tips
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These suggestions are based on common issues I've seen in the Forum. They won't help you reach nirvana, but they might help you fix your Storyline file.
Right names
- Name objects, layers, variables, and motion paths.
- Relevant names make initial programming and troubleshooting easier. They also help any future developers who may work on your file. (Or help your future self when you return to it at a later date.)
- For example, it's easier to select from motion paths called "Go_Left," "Go_Right," "Go_Up," and "Go_Down" rather than "Line Motion Path 1," "Line Motion Path 2," "Line Motion Path 3," and "Line Motion Path 4."
Right states
- Use default states to take advantage of their built-in functionality. Use custom states for special programming.
- Don't interfere with default states by adding unnecessary triggers. For example, there's no need to have a trigger to change to the Hover state on mouseover. That will happen automatically if an object has a Hover state.
Right actions
- Verify that triggers are set to perform the proper action.
- For example, a "jump to next slide" trigger won't work on the last slide in a scene. In that case, the right action would be to jump to the next scene, jump to a specified scene, or jump to a specified slide.
Right selections
- Verify that the correct items are selected in the triggers.
- For example, does the trigger impact the appropriate object? Show the corresponding layer? Are the conditions based on the proper variables?
- This is where a good naming convention is a tremendous help for troubleshooting!
Right timing
- Verify that the "when" in each trigger will occur, that it will happen on the same slide as the trigger, and that the triggers will run in the proper sequence.
- For example, if you want a trigger to run when a variable changes, the variable has to be adjusted on that slide. Otherwise, the trigger won't "see" the change happen, so the trigger won't ever run. (Any trigger can, however, use the value of any variable in a condition.)
- Also, if one button includes multiple triggers, any trigger that jumps to another slide needs to come after the other triggers. (The program can't run triggers if it has already left the slide where the triggers are.)
Right properties
- Verify the settings for Player, Slide, and Slide-Layer Properties.
- For example, if you want to replay the timeline whenever someone revisits a slide, set its Slide Properties to "Reset to initial state." If you don't want it to replay, set it to "Resume saved state."
- By the way, it's a good idea to be familiar with all the options available in Properties. They include some built-in functions that can reduce the need for certain triggers.
Right values
- Verify variable values by inserting those references in a text box on the corresponding slide(s) during development.
- This helps you see exactly how and when a variable changes. If the value doesn't change as expected and when expected, check for right actions, right items, and right timing.
- Before publishing, you can move the reference text box off the slide, hide it, or delete it.
Right conditions
- Verify that any trigger conditions include the right items and right values.
- Pay special attention to how multiple conditions are connected. Using "and" means the trigger will only run when all conditions are met. Using "or" means the trigger will run if any condition is met.
- JudyNolletSuper Hero
After my original post, the folks at Articulate asked me to expand the info and present it as a webinar. I added the link to the on-demand recording in an update to the post.
BTW, their marketing folks decided to call it "Ensure Smooth Sailing in Storyline." But the presentation still follows the Eightfold Path to a Storyline File that Works.
- BridgetODellCommunity Member
Thanks for adding, this is a great resource!
- MarkLentzCommunity Member
Wonderfully thought out, thank you!
- KarenWestphalenCommunity Member
Hi Judy,
I viewed your webinar last week, and just re-viewed the whole thing more slowly. Thank you for your presentation; I really appreciated the info and learned some new ways of doing things more efficiently!
Thanks,
Karen I. W.
- JudyNolletSuper Hero
Hi, Karen,
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad to know that you found my tips helpful.
Best wishes for success,
- Judy
- WeijenbergCommunity Member
Hi Judy,
I am arround for about 4 years now, have seen and made most of the mistakes you mentioned. As all of the before, I had to find the time to view, but It was really worth wile. Thank you for your effort
Kind regards, Raymond
- JudyNolletSuper Hero
Thanks, Raymond.
Yeah, we all make mistakes. That's why this Forum is so helpful: it's nice when we can learn from someone else's mistakes. The Forum has helped me grow as a developer, so I like to pay it forward when I can.
- AngeCommunity Member
I just discovered this, thank you so much. I watched your video too: "Gee, Storyline: Tips & Tricks to Improve Development." A ton of great tips. The tip about the text order in timeline for question master slides was an eyeopner for me. Iwill be bookmarking that . Thank you!
- JudyNolletSuper Hero
Thanks for your kind words.
I learned about the Master Question layout tip from David Anderson. I don't recall for sure, but I think he mentioned it in one of the monthly Quick Tips webinars. That's also where I learned the trick for reconnecting the official slide Title with the Title text box.
The Quick Tips webinars are a great resource! Even if you're not interested in the topics for a given month, it's worth watching, because they often include special tips.
- SheriLowe-0a207Community Member
Fabulous resource that stands the test of time.
- JudyNolletSuper Hero
Thanks!