Using Animations
Authors can insert animation effects into courses. Animations can be added to an entire content area containing text, a paragraph of text or an image within a course element (lesson or page). Simulations, assessments,Flash and video do not support animations.
The Animations tab is only visible in the Editor when working with courses.
The Animations tab allows authors to:
- Add and remove animations to courses by using entrance, emphasis, and exit animation options.
- Apply effect options for animations based on direction or sequence.
- Set animation triggers.
- Set animation durations and delays.
- Reorder animations.
The Animations ribbon toolbar displays the entrance animations by default. You can scroll through the animations by clicking the Move up and Move down buttons on the right side of the list. You can also view all available animations by clicking on the More drop-down button at the bottom-right of the list.
NOTE: |
If a content area has multiple animations applied that are not the same, the Multiple animation icon is highlighted on the ribbon toolbar. |
Numbers in boxes to the side of the course element indicate the presence of animations and the sequence in which the animations will be displayed after publishing. The sequence numbers can appear to the left or right of the course element. The first animation inserted will be designated with the “1,” the second, “2,” and so on.
You can click the animation sequence number to see the object and animation associated with it.
Multiple animations for an object are grouped together and only one animation sequence number displays. Hover the mouse over the group animation sequence number to view all of the animation sequence numbers in a vertical list.
NOTE: |
Animations in an imported PowerPoint may not function as expected. |
NOTE: |
For more information on which browser versions support animations, refer to the Technical Specifications. |
NOTE: |
You can use the undo/redo editing function with animations. |
Inserting an Animation
- Choose from the following options:
If You Want To
Then
Apply an animation to a paragraph of text
Select the text in the content area on the course element.
NOTE: If there are three sentences of text in a content area, you can apply a different animation to each sentence by selecting each sentence separately.
Apply an animation to an image
Select the image in the content area on the course element.
NOTE: The image must already be added into the course.
Apply an animation to an entire content area containing text
Select a content area on the course element.
NOTE: If the content area has multiple animations applied that are not the same, the Multiple animation icon is highlighted on the ribbon toolbar.
- Click Add Animation.
NOTE:
You can also click the More drop down to expand the Animation ribbon.
- Choose from the following options:
If You Want The Animation To Display
Then
When the selected object is first introduced during course playback
Go to Step 4.
While the selected object is displayed during course playback
Go to Step 6.
When the selected object exits during course playback
Go to Step 8.
- Select one of the following entrance animation effects:
Field
Description
Bounce
The selected object will have a bouncing effect as it enters.
Fade
The selected object will have a fading effect as it enters.
Slide
The selected object will have a sliding effect as it enters.
Zoom
The selected object will have a zooming effect as it enters.
Roll
The selected object will have a rolling effect as it enters.
Flip
The selected object will have a flipping effect as it enters.
- Go to Step 9.
- Select one of the following emphasis animation effects:
Field
Description
Flash
The selected object will flash.
Pulse
The selected object will pulse.
Shake
The selected object will shake.
- Go to Step 9.
- Select one of the following exit animation effects:
Field
Description
Bounce
The selected object will have a bouncing effect as it exits.
Fade
The selected object will have a fading effect as it exits.
Slide
The selected object will have a sliding effect as it exits.
Zoom
The selected object will have a zooming effect as it exits.
Roll
The selected object will have a rolling effect as it exits.
Flip
The selected object will have a flipping effect as it exits.
- Repeat steps 1 - 8 to add more animations.
NOTE: |
After the animation is entered, a number will appear to the left or right of the selected object. This number represents the sequence in which the animations will display. |
Changing an Animation
- Choose from the following options:
If You Want To
Then
Change an animation
- Select the animation by clicking the actual object or clicking the associated animation sequence number.
- Click the More button to expand the Animation ribbon.
- Select the desired animation.
Remove an animation
- Select the animation by clicking the actual object or clicking the associated animation sequence number.
- Click Remove Animation.
NOTE: When removing an animation, the sequence number for the animations are renumbered automatically. For example, if there are 5 animations and animation #3 is removed, then the #4 and #5 will become #3 and #4 respectively.
NOTE: Deleting text or images that have animations, deletes the animation.
Applying Effect Options to an Animation
- On the course element, select the animation by clicking the actual object or clicking the associated animation sequence number.
- Click the Effect Options button.
- Select one of the following:
NOTE:
The roll, flash, pulse, and shake animations do not have directional options available as there is only one way to have each of these animations to appear.
Field
Description
Direction: From Bottom
The animation will come in from the bottom.
Direction: From Left
The animation will come in from the left.
Direction: From Right
The animation will come in from the right.
Direction: From Top
The selected object will come in from the top.
Direction: Horizontal
The animation will flip horizontally.
NOTE: Flip animation only
Direction: Vertical
The animation will flip vertically.
NOTE: Flip animation only
Sequence: As One Object
All of the text within the content area will be animated at the same time and with the same animation.
NOTE: This applies to an entire content area of text only.
Sequence: All At Once
All paragraphs will be animated at the same time, but each paragraph can have different animations.
NOTE: This applies to an entire content area of text only.
Sequence: By Paragraph
Each paragraph will be animated.
NOTE: This applies to an entire content area of text only.
NOTE: |
When an animation is selected, the Effect Options button will display the effect for that animation. |
Setting Animation Triggers
- On the course element, select the animation by clicking the actual object or clicking the associated animation sequence number.
- Select one of the following in the Start field:
Field
Description
After Previous
The animation will start after the previous animation is completed.
This is the default value.
With Previous
The animation will start with the previous animation.
Right Arrow Key
The animation will start when the right arrow key is pressed when navigating through a course in html published output.
Setting Animation Durations and Delays
- On the course element, select the animation by clicking the actual object or clicking the associated animation sequence number.
- Select one of the following in the Timing section:
Field
Description
Duration
The amount of time in seconds the animation is displayed. The duration is from 1 - 59 seconds.
NOTE: The longer the duration is set, the slower the animation speed.
Bounce animations have a default duration of 2 seconds. All other animations have a default duration of 1 second.
Delay
The amount of time in seconds the animation is delayed once it is triggered. The delay value is from 1 - 59 seconds.
The default value is 0 seconds.
NOTE: |
Enter the duration and delay in seconds or use the up and down arrows to select the value. |
Reordering an Animation
- In the course content area, select the animation sequence number box.
NOTE:
Hover your cursor over the animation sequence number to view all animation sequence numbers if multiple exist for an item.
- Click the Move Earlier or Move Later button to reorder the animation.