So my courses have to be timed for credit. I have an interaction which include several slides and pathways. I want to be able to make sure that the participants spend a certain amount of time going through the interaction or repeating the interaction to see different results. Is there a way to make sure an interaction takes a desired amount of time?

And here ..... is the storyline file! gOOd LucK!

Here's a quick and dirty example. I'm using a text variable to catch the value but you could just as easily use a number for logic inside of Storyline. Some cool concepts at work here. Noteable are the establishment of global functions that make it easier to start and stop the timer. It also continues to run between slides if you don't stop it.

I've extended Steve's code to add another variable that records elapsed seconds using the JavaScript Date() in addition to counting timer intervals. There shouldn't be much difference in the two unless other Storyline JavaScipts block the timer interval here and there. Maybe this would add up to something, maybe not, maybe accuracy doesn't matter in most situations. But using Date() doesn't cost anything additional, and you will get more accurate results. This demo shows both counting along. You can simulate another JavaScript blocking the interval timer by clicking the "Busy" button once to view the cumulative difference.

Hi Lance, I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for but this is how I implemented it. when the timeline starts I fire this JS: var d = new Date(); var player = GetPlayer(); var start = player.SetVar("gsStart", d.getTime()); when the interaction has finished: var d = new Date(); var player = GetPlayer(); var start = player.SetVar("gsEnd", d.getTime()); Using start and time you can perform the calculation you need.

I'm new to Storyline, and not familiar with JS. How would I go about doing that?

Timing how long an interaction takes. | Articulate

Bernovan-Soest
Community Member
12 years ago

Steve,

The global functions idea is great.

I've placed my Javascript in a seperate .js file.

It allows you to experiment / test the JS code after publishing. Just alter the code and refresh your browser.

Saves a lot of time compared to publishing after every code change.

And you could edit the code in a JS savvy editor.

You have to alter your story.html file and perform some post-publish copy actions

in the story.html find the place where other JS code is included:

and add your own:

After each publish copy the altered story.html over the newly published one and copy your .js file to the story_content folder.

Have a nice weekend!
SteveFlowers
Community Member
12 years ago
All of the trigger JavaScript is saved into a file called user.js. I'll crack this and save tinkers when testing. You're right, publishing every time isn't fun
Bernovan-Soest
Community Member
12 years ago
Didn't know that. Great tip!
RebeccaFleischC
Community Member
12 years ago

Steve, this is great! Thanks so much. Definitely s/b a verified answer IMHO.

I did change the Set function to when the timeline starts, and put it on the slide master. And the buttons are working. I'm contemplating making a Screenr on this at some point, with your permission, and of course referencing this thread and you, since all I did was copy and paste. But I'm thinking others might like to have this. It's beautiful! So clean. And cool that it will run between slides. Haven't looked at that part yet.

Sam, I haven't had a chance to look at yours yet. Tx for contributing.

Yeah!
SteveFlowers
Community Member
12 years ago
Sure, thing Rebecca. I'm not sure how initializing the functions on each slide (declaring, really) will affect the slide to slide timer. Should be OK (since I think it's just declaring the functions) but I haven't tested it. If it mucks up, let me know. I'll make an adjustment that'll help.
RebeccaFleischC
Community Member
12 years ago
"...If it mucks up, let me know..." Guess I'd best get my dibs in before SL911 begins . Tx again. Will post here if I ever get to this particular Screenr. Don't hold your breath.
SheriNelson1
Community Member
11 years ago

Hi,

I tried the solution and I noticed the Timer Tics falls behind the Elapsed Seconds. Anyone else had this happen?

Thanks!
AshleyT-Pollard
Staff
11 years ago

Hi Sheri,

This thread is from January 2013 (hard to believe, we're in 2014!) so I'm not certain that they're still subscribed. You may want to try try sending them a PM regarding this specific solution shared, or start a new thread and share your .story file and if you modified any portions of the Javascript.
KatieRiggio
Staff
6 years ago
Greetings, Laura!

I'm not sure if Berno is still subscribed to this discussion, but you could always use the Contact Me button on an ELH users' profile to reach out to them directly about the shared setup.

Wishing you success with your project, and we're here if you need anything else!
DavidFoster-3a7
Community Member
4 years ago
Yet again a historical answer has risen up to correct a current shortcoming of Storyline. I'm so glad this was here! Cross-linked to this thread.