Software Simulation: Zoom in Effect

Jun 16, 2011

Hi, there

I lately saw a lot of software simulations (step-by-step tutorial on a software) that use "Zoom In" effect. This works really well when we want to show only the details of a part of the screen, after the entire screen is explained.

What are the applications/eLearning Tools that can enable this Zoom In effect automatically?

Thanks for your insights...

11 Replies
David Anderson

Hi JW!

Here are some good resources for doing what you're looking for.

Joe Deegan has a post and some screencasts on creating zooming software sims:

http://joedeegan.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-create-zoom-and-pan-effect-in.html

https://player.vimeo.com/video/148901030

Motion Path example forum thread:

http://community.articulate.com/forums/p/2790/14948.aspx

Combination of Joe's technique and perspective effects:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/204930178

Jenny Wang

Hi David

Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful resources. I really like the combination of Motion Path and Grow/Shrink effect. I will try to apply it in the software simulation.

The only thing that may not be "perfect" in software simulation is that: When using Grow/Shrink effect, the original screenshot is grown. This makes the image blurry. Is there anyway to improve this?

Thanks again! This is very helpful!

Adam Hopkins

Hi Helena,

I use it for software training, when you need to show a close up of a menu item, or anything else on the screen. It works better than a full screen shot as you can get in really close. it's great! I'll zoom in, and then do a print screen of that image. Works much better than trying to manipulate the image after you've taken a  full screen shot.

I also use it during WebEx training sessions for the same purposes. The end users like it a lot because the WebEx sharing screen is typically smaller than the actual computer screen. This allows the users to see exactly what you are trying to show them.

I also enjoy the ability to annotate directly on the screen.

This little program has tons of uses.

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