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How to create zoom areas in Adobe Captivate Classic

Last updated on 27 October 2023 | Also applies to Captivate

Zoom areas help you draw the learner’s attention to important sections of a slide. For example, if you create a simulation that includes a step that might be easily overlooked, you can add a zoom area to highlight the step. After you add a zoom area, you can add timing, transition, and audio options to the zoom effect. Zoom areas consist of the following:

Zoom source

The area of the slide that you want to magnify.

Zoom destination area

The area in which the magnified portion of the slide is displayed.

Properties of zoom destination areas

You can set the properties for a zoom destination area using the Property Inspector.

Fill

Color of the area within the Zoom Destination Area box. To decide the degree of transparency for the fill color, select a value for the option Alpha in the Color menu. The value of 90% is less transparent (more solid) than a value of 10%.

Stroke

Stroke color for the Zoom Destination Area box.

Width

Thickness of the border of the Zoom Destination Area box.

Add new image

Image for the zoom destination area. Click the respective icon to add, crop, or delete image.

Note:

You can also change the size and position of the zoom area or zoom destination area directly on the slide. Select the box you want to change. When the hand cursor is visible, you can adjust the position of the box. When the double-headed arrow cursor is visible, you can adjust the size.

Properties of zoom source areas

You can set the properties for a zoom source area using the Property Inspector.

Zoom Source

Name

Enter a unique name for the object. You can use this name when defining the visibility conditions for the object.

Visible

Deselect this option if you want the object to be invisible on the slide. The object can be made visible using the Show option. For more information, see Controlling the visibility of objects

Style

Select a style for the Zoom source. To define a new style, select Edit > Object Style Manager. For more information on object styles, see Object style.

Fill and Stroke

Fill

Color of the area within the Zoom source.

To decide the degree of transparency for the fill color, select a value for the option Alpha in the Color menu. The value of 90% is less transparent (more solid) than a value of 10%.

Stroke

Stroke color of the area within the Zoom source.

Note:

You can observe the fill color around the zoom area only when you preview or publish the project.

Width

Thickness of the border of the Zoom Area box.

Timing

Display For [Time]

Specifies the duration for which the zoom area is displayed.

Appear After [#] Seconds

Delay between the first appearance of the slide and the first appearance of the zoom area.

Zoom For

The duration of the zoom, in tenths of a second.

Add zoom areas

In an open project, select the slide to which you want to add a zoom area.
In the big button bar, click Objects > Zoom Area.

The zoom blocks appear, which you can move according to your requirements.

Zoom blocks
Set the size and locations for the zoom area as required.

Zoom area in the slide
Select the zoom destination area and set its properties using the Property Inspector.