working with audio tracks on slide layers
Aug 29, 2013
I'm a beginner storyline user.
I have a main menu page (with several buttons linking to other slides) that will be revisited several times throughout the course. I would like a longer audio track to play on first visit and then a shorter audio track to play on subsequent visits to the main menu. I imagine there are different ways to do this, I tried the following which did not work.
The base layer has the longer audio track on it. I created a layer (more or less identical to base) with the shorter audio track. In slide properties for the layer, I clicked 'pause timeline of base layer' and 'resume saved state when revisiting'. I then set another trigger 'show layer' (with short audio) when the state of any of the buttons has been visited. My idea here is that none of the buttons will have been clicked on first visit and at least one will have been clicked on revisit. The layer is not appearing on revisit, it's the base layer each time.
In another attempt, I created a variable with default value of false and then trigger to change that variable to true when the timeline starts on the base layer. Then created a trigger, show layer (with short audio) when variable changes. That didn't seem to work either.
I have not previously used any trigger with play, pause or stop media- maybe this is the direction I need to go? I guess I could 'stop media' when user clicks one of the buttons?
Can someone recommend a solution? Please and thanks!
17 Replies
Hi Nicole,
Sounds like you're an advanced beginner maybe?
See if this will work for you...I just tested it on something rough I'd put together, and it worked, but that doesn't necessarily mean it would work in your situation.
So you said, "I have a main menu page (with several buttons linking to other slides) that will be revisited several times throughout the course. I would like a longer audio track to play on first visit and then a shorter audio track to play on subsequent visits to the main menu."
Here's what I did:
Audio Files
Placed both audio files on the base layer...for the sake of clarifying here, let's call them long and short.
Variable Creation
Created 2 T/F variables and named them long and short
Set the default value for the long variable to false
Set the default value for the short variable to true
Triggers
Set up a number of triggers...they appear in this order in the trigger panel
Play media LONG when the timeline starts (on the base layer) if long = false
Play media SHORT when the timeline starts (on the base layer) if short = false
Set variable long = true when media long completes
Set variable short = false when media long completes
Seems to be working. I've revisited the main slide from other slides a couple times and the short media is playing.
Please shout out with any questions.
Hi Nicole! Looks like Becky is taking good, step-by-step care of you here. Just let us know if you need anything further.
Thanks Becky, I really appreciate your feedback. I've set it up as you've laid it out but I'm still getting the long audio playing on every visit.
My audio tracks/object triggers are not displaying identically. When I click the long track in the timeline, I see a little speaker and 'long' appear in the trigger box under object triggers, the trigger is highlighted blue, with several active options available (copy, edit delete etc).
But when I click on the short audio track in the timeline, there is nothing highlighted in the trigger box even though the trigger is there. For some reason, the trigger is falling under the same speaker icon labeled long. It says 'set short equal to false when the media completes, there are no active options in the trigger box when I highlight the short audio in the timeline.
I do have other triggers and variables in action on this slide. Right now the 'play media long and short' are the 1st and 2nd triggers under slide triggers. Then the last two triggers are at the end of object triggers after the button triggers to other slides.
Any ideas? This is happening when I preview the scene.
Wait, now it's working! Thank you sooo much!
Haha! Glad to hear that Nicole! Thanks for the update
Now it's not working again :(
I'm going to publish and see what it does.
Nope, not working. Any ideas?
Ok, I get it now, the long track has to completely play through. I'm good, thanks again! Sorry for all the posts.
Not a problem Nicole!
Hi Nicole,
I didn't see all your posts until just now. I hope it's doing what you want it to do. From your last post, it sounds like it, but If not, please describe what you would like to have happen and one of us can jump in.
I think I figured out another way? Seems to be working.
Variable Creation
Created T/F variable named long
Set the default value for the long variable to false
Then the slide triggers:
Play media short when the timeline starts if long is equal to true.
Stop media long when long (variable) changes. (not sure if this is redundant?)
Object trigger:
Set long (variable) equal to true when the long media completes.
Hi Nicole,
If it works...it works! Good for you.
Thanks for sharing your updated solution Nicole.
Even though this was posted 5 years ago, it helped fix an issue I was having today. I have 5 layers to a slide. The learner returns to the slide after they listen to a layer. I needed the audio to not play when they returned and change the state of buttons. This thread helped me figure it all out. Thank you!
So happy to hear that you found the help you need Carolyn! One of the many reasons we keep even the oldest discussions around.
Wow, this even helped me out, in 2020! Thank you!
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