Why are there swf files in my Storyline 360 HTML5 only output?

Checked and rechecked sadly. Same issue every time. 4 swf files in the output. I can only assume it's a media asset causing it - originally a SL2 authored course but I can't see anything obvious. I've made the manual edits to get it uploaded but cannot work it out.

I have 4 .swf files in the HTML5 only output in some of my courses too. I don't know what they're for but they only total 9kb each, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I know it's only 4 files but that's kind of missing the point. The 4 swf files prevent the published files going to my LMS without a manual edit of the imsmanifest and deleting the 4 files. My LMS no longer accepts any Flash content. As you appear to have found yourself it doesn't happen with every course so I'd like to understand what the issue is. 

Just out of curiosity, what are the file names?

Would appear to be completely random?

5XRl3hwakoY_6jMmoQjuPIc.swf

6To7gqjBEWq_61tcARDOiSJ.swf

5abZCV2JUFa_6W9xkcUM0ML.swf

5gdxk9gqN1L_6LI0ejZX1Ec.swf

Thanks

That is how Storyline names its content files when converted to Flash. You could try running the .swf files to view and pinpoint what they are exactly and then deal with removing them or replacing them.

In one of our old Flash courses, all my images and icons are named that same way.

You could always post your source file and let someone look at it.

Thanks for the insights, here, Bob! 

Steve, definitely feel free to post your .story file if you would like a hand with investigating this issue.  We've noticed that .swf files are created for embedded Engage interactions and logos, even when you've set your format to HTML5 only.  Can you let me know if either of those scenarios applies to you?

Thanks Crystal, That's good to know for development.

Hello all, i have the same issue, it seems that the SWF files are related to my video files. But i don't know why because the videos are MP4 files and the published settings are HTML5 only. When i delete the swf files the videos are still working. So the real problem is that more and more customer/LMS plateform doesn't accept package with SWF files inside.
Does someone have more information about these SWF files?

Try posting a sample page. My guess is, as Crystal mentioned above, that you may be using an icon somewhere that is Flash based.

Same issue for almost all our clients. Their systems no longer allow .swf content. Somewhat good news for us as we're converting a bunch of old Flash courses so they work on the LMS systems.

I've not had the time to troubleshoot this but the issue persists across a number of courses. If I work it out I'll post back. Unfortunately sensitive data prevents me sharing the file. Thanks all 

Here is an example of a content with only one MP4 video slide. Published with Storyline 360 HTML5 only then the output (attached) have a SWF file in story_content folder and linked in imsmanifest file. So a narrowed LMS platform doesn't validate this package. I have to delete the swf file first and the imsmanifest link. Why this SWF file ?

Wow, this a game breaker if true!.

I just checked some courses from a couple of weeks back that have video in them, and they do not have swf file output. All videos are MP4. (phew)

However, Im wondering if this swf problem has been introduced in the latest round of updates to Storyline? I cant even try publishing with an older version as Articulate dont let you roll back.

OK I did a test, and my old course with MP4 video has just published out by the latest version of SL360 and it did not have any swf files in the output.

That leads me to think it might be the encoding of your MP4 video that is causing the problem?

Can you try a differently encoded video just as a quick "1 slide project" test?

After much frustration wasting my time with codecs on video files I think I've finally tracked down the 'bug' that's causing the swf file problems in our published courses.

If you add a 'zoom region' to a slide it appears to cause a swf file to appear in the published HTML5 Only output. I've attached an example with nothing other than a 'zoom region' on a blank slide and it creates a single swf in the published HTML5 Only output - both in the 'web' and 'LMS' settings that I've tried.

I would appreciate it if someone could test this and see if they experience the same behaviour?

Cheers

Steve 

Tested and confirmed Steve.

(swf file in output folder HTML5 only - "620BxW9RnsI_6641SGCCV7L.swf"

Good investigation work (I assume there was swearing to get that little nugget of info!)

This is very important to know, and thanks for your work on this and posting the result.

Thanks for testing and confirming the issue Andrew. This has had me driven nearly demented recently! I'll submit an official support case as it certainly looks like a bug. 

Cheers

Steve

100% agree. Got to be a bug.

Hi there Steve,

Do you happen to have a case number you can share with me? I'm not finding your case using a simple name search.

I'll keep an eye on your case and share updates here for others who are following along.

Thanks Alyssa,

Case Number: 01359737

Steve

Thanks, Steve. I took a peek into your case, and I see that Ryan did log this problem as a software bug. 

For others following along, we found that a SWF file is created, even if you publish a file for HTML5 only.  Specifically, this happens only when there is a "Zoom Region" on a slide.

I really appreciate you bringing this problem to our attention, and we'll be sure to notify everyone in this thread as soon as the issue is resolved.

i am getting the same error in the storyline 360 publish to html 5 my course has a lot of interactivity but no zoom region. And my LMS is refusing to upload the SWF files. the files are under story_content folder

Thanks for chiming in to share Anuj.

Would you be able to share your .story file with our team here as well so that we can take a closer look?