Creating Inactive Buttons
To create next or previous buttons that remain inactive until an action, video, game, or other item is completed simply add a Hide action to the button and set it to Show when the previous action has been completed. This will save the time and work from disinheriting object.
Inserting video files from the Internet into Lectora
To insert a video file from the Internet other than YouTube, such as Vimeo or Hulu, start by accessing the embedding code for the specific video you wish to use and copy the code. Then within your Lectora page choose, “Insert External HTML object.” Next, select Other from the object type drop down and paste the code you got from the video site into the Custom HTML box. Then, publish the Lectora project and check it in your browser (NOTE: You must publish to see the results of an ‘External HTML’ code).
Copy and Paste Text
When you copy text from a document, you can paste it into your title using the CTRL + V shortcut. This retains the formatting in the original document. Alternatively, paste text using the CTRL + SHIFT + V shortcut to abandon the formatting and use the default text style established in your title.
Customizable toolbars
Streamline your workspace by taking advantage of Lectora’s customizable toolbars. Hide any unwanted or unused toolbar icons so that your Lectora interface is more efficient. Use the drop down menu associated with each toolbar to add or remove icons.
Page Layouts
Not sure how to design your course layout for maximum efficiency? Take advantage of Lectora’s predetermined page layouts. Choose from over 20 layouts to position text columns, videos, animations, images, etc. in an aesthetically pleasing and engaging fashion. To use the page layouts in Lectora, select a layout from the drop down list on your toolbar. Once the layout has been selected, add a new page to your course. When the page is added to your title, it will automatically be created with placeholders based on the layout design you selected.
Theme
Enhance and modify your Lectora interface by utilizing one of the numerous themes available from the View menu. Choose from several different Windows themes in addition to a variety of colors. In Lectora select the View Menu > Theme.
Easily Copy and Paste Actions
For easier copying and pasting of actions from object to object, utilize the target “This Object”, which eliminates the need to list a specific object name as your target. For example, if you wanted your users to click on various objects on your page to hide them, you can create one action that utilizes the "This Object" target, and copy and paste this action to all of the objects in which you want this functionality. Your action would be set up with the following: On: Mouse Click Action: Hide Target: This Object
Creating True/False Questions
When utilizing the variable from a True/False Question, the values associated with the variable now behave the same as a multiple choice question. In previous versions of Lectora, a True/False question's values were always recognized as "True" and "False", regardless of the text created with the question. For example, if you had a True/False question that asked the learner, "Are you taking this course for credit?", and the response text was "Yes" or "No", the values were still being recognized as "True" and "False". With Lectora X, the values associated with a question variable are based on the text associated with the response. So the question used in the example above would now respond to the variable values of "Yes" and "No".
Custom Shortcuts
Create customized shortcuts within Lectora to maximize development time. Use shortcuts to: add objects to your title, edit, modify the layout, publish, group/ungroup objects, convert media to FLV, and even expand and collapse all organizational levels in your title explorer. To create customized hotkeys go to: File>Preferences> HotKeys Tab. Choose from over ten categories to create your own shortcuts.
Customizing Your Lectora X Workspace
Lectora X enables you to choose the look and feel of your workspace. Use these tips to customize Lectora to your desired settings:
Themes
Pick your own theme within Lectora X by going to the View drop-down and selecting Theme. There, you can choose from nine different themes and even make your workspace blue, black, silver or aqua.
Title Explorer
You can now move around or dock your Title Explorer (previously known as your Left-Hand Pane). Simply drag the Title Explorer to the left, right, top, bottom, or any other desired location.
Lock Objects for Greater Security
You can lock an object on a page so you cannot accidentally move or resize it. To lock the object, select the object, right-click, and select Size/Position locked. Make sure that you have the object in its desired position first. With this option selected, you will not be able to reposition the object on your page. You can also lock border images that reside at the title level to ensure you don't accidentally move them out of place when developing the rest of your title.
Collaborate with Course Notes
You can create notes within your title to serve as reminders or provide feedback to various team members. Notes will only appear within the Lectora title and will not be visible in the published content. To add a note to your title, select Add a Note from the Tools Menu. You can customize the appearance of your notes by accessing the Preferences from the File Menu. Here you can assign a specific color to the note. If you are working with team members, each member can be assigned a specific color or you can develop your own custom color code. Yellow notes, for example, could be feedback from the SME.
Render Text as Images
You can render text blocks as images. This enables you to use fancy, unique fonts within your title, without being concerned about the user having the same fonts installed on their computer. Within the text block's properties, select Render text as image when published. If you choose not to render text as images, you should always utilize web-friendly fonts within your title which will ensure that your user's see the content as you intended them to.
Adding Objects to a Group
To add existing objects to a group, select them using your Ctrl key, right-click and select Group from the menu. One object can be moved from that group using the Alt key.
See the Adding Objects to a Group Step-by-Step Illustration
Background Wizard
(Lectora 2007 Tip)
The background wizard contains additional colors and patterns in Lectora 2007. Use the Background Wizard (available within the Tools menu) to create new and improved backgrounds for your titles.
See Sample Screen Shot
Creating Action Groups
There are many uses for Lectora's action groups, but they are especially handy when you need a text hyperlink or an On Select/Change tab to do multiple actions. Create the action group, with multiple actions, and then set the hyperlink or the On Select/Change tab within a form property to run that action group.
Learn How to Create an Action Group
Creating Review Questions and Processing Them Outside of a Test
When creating a review question outside of a test, build a button with the On Click action set to Process Question. This will mark the question as correct or incorrect and display the feedback for that question, if there is any defined.
Lectora's Layering Order
Lectora's objects are layered according to the order of the left-hand pane, starting from the topmost object. Therefore, the first image beneath a page in the left-hand pane will be the furthest back, since it is the first to show.
See an Example of Lectora's Layering Order
Moving Objects in a Group
(Lectora 2007 Tip)
A new feature of Lectora 2007 allows users to move a single object within a group. To move the single object, hold the ALT key while dragging the object with your mouse to its new position. Otherwise, moving a single object in the group will result in all objects moving in the group.
See an Example of Moving Objects in a Group
Move To Action
(Lectora 2007 Tip)
A new 2007 feature of Lectora is the "Move To" action. This action moves a particular object (image, text block, etc.) to different coordinates on a page.
Learn More About the Move To Action
Pasting Unformatted Text
Pasting text from the clipboard without using the formatting (associated with the text) can be completed through the right-click menu (select "Paste Unformatted Text") or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+V. This will bring the text into the title and apply the default text style selected.
Randomized Tests
When creating a randomized test, ensure that there is not a Done button on the last page. Lectora randomizes all pages so it's possible that the last page of the test will not be the page with the Done button on it. Since Lectora submits randomized tests upon exiting the test, a Done button is unnecessary.
Resizing Drag and Drop Images
Resize Drag and Drop images prior to adding it to a question page. If you place a drag image in a certain x - y coordinate and then resize it, the drag image will not to "stick" to the location it was intended.
Right-Click Menu Shortcut Key
The right-click menu for any object can be displayed by selecting the object and pressing Shift+F10.
Status Bar
Use the status bar to show the current x- and y- coordinates of the position of your mouse. The status bar will appear at the bottom of the Lectora application. Use the View menu to show the status bar.
See Example
Using Flash Commands
Using the Flash command action provides the option to manipulate a Flash object in Lectora, which can be highly beneficial for games and interactivity.
Learn More
Visibility Icons
When working with layers of objects on a single page, use the visibility icons (the eyes in the left-hand pane) to turn the display of objects on and off. Showing the visibility icons is a Preference, available by selecting Preferences from the File menu.
See Example
