Adobe Captivate 13: Editing Software Simulation Training & Assessments
In this video, I’ll show you how to edit software simulation trainings and assessments in the all-new Adobe Captivate. I’ll walk you through the key differences between training and assessment modes, including how to toggle instructions and manage hint captions. I also demonstrate how to use AI-powered text-to-speech to add professional narration and how to customize interactive components like click boxes and input fields to make your eLearning more engaging.
What Feature Parity Really Means for Adobe Captivate
Classic vs. the All-new Captivate—and what should come next
Adobe has been clear about the future of Adobe Captivate: the All-new Adobe Captivate is the future, while Captivate Classic remains available to support existing projects and legacy workflows.
That’s a reasonable strategy. But for experienced developers, the real question isn’t which version is newer—it’s whether moving forward means giving something up. Feature parity matters, but workflow parity matters even more.
And here’s the interesting part: when you look closely, the list of true feature gaps between Classic and the All-new Captivate is now surprisingly short.
The Only Two Genuine Feature Gaps
I know there are lots of little things such as spellcheck or unlocking content from content sections (two of my pet peeves) but if you use a broad brushstroke, there are really only two capabilities that exist in Classic and not yet in the All-new Captivate:
Virtual Reality (VR) Projects
Classic supports VR projects for 360-degree learning experiences. It’s a powerful capability—but also a highly specialized one.
In my own work, I’ve never had a project where VR was required. That doesn’t make it unimportant, but it does put it into context. For many developers, VR is a capability rather than a day-to-day need.
Video Demo (Screen Recording to MP4)
Classic’s Video Demo feature allows you to record a screen interaction and export a clean MP4—useful for watch-only software walkthroughs. I literally used Video Demo to record my early YouTube videos. I switched to Adobe Presenter Video Express and when that product was absorbed into Video Demo, I switched to Techsmith Camtasia for a number of technical reasons. As a result, the absence of Video Demo in the All-new Captivate has never been a blocker for me.
Video Demo Is Likely a Temporary Gap
It’s also important to acknowledge that Video Demo is almost certainly coming.
At the Adobe Learning Summit 2025, Adobe shared a sneak peek of a video-demo-style workflow being developed for the All-new Captivate. While it wasn’t a formal release announcement, it clearly demonstrated that this capability is already in progress.
Based on what was shown—and Adobe’s current release cadence—it’s reasonable to expect Video Demo support to arrive before the end of 2026, if not sooner.
That context matters. It suggests Adobe isn’t abandoning the use case; they’re rebuilding it to align with the new architecture, rather than porting the Classic feature forward unchanged.
Where Parity Is Really Missing: Workflow, Not Features
Once you set VR aside and accept that Video Demo is likely imminent, the parity conversation shifts.
The most meaningful gaps aren’t about what you can build—they’re about visibility, control, and efficiency while building.
1. A Proper Library Panel
Classic’s Library panel remains one of its most practical features:
A complete view of every image, audio file, video, and animation
Usage counts and slide references
Global replace and relink options
In the All-new Captivate, assets exist—but they’re largely invisible once imported. As projects grow, that lack of visibility becomes friction.
A centralized Library panel would immediately improve:
Reusing content
Multimedia optimization
Team collaboration
Long-term maintenance
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s project governance.
2. True Non-Responsive Projects (Without Workarounds)
Right now, creating a fixed-size project in the All-new Captivate requires importing a PowerPoint file first. It works—but it’s a workaround.
There are still valid reasons to choose non-responsive output:
Pixel precise placement of components
Organization doesn’t need responsive
Objects that display for rest of project
Classic lets you decide this at the project level. The All-new Captivate should too.
A simple **project-level option—Responsive or Fixed—**would remove unnecessary friction and make intent explicit.
3. Developer-Level Visibility
The All-new Captivate intentionally simplifies the interface, which is great for new users. But experienced developers often need visibility, not abstraction:
Bring back shared interactions
Streamline reuse of library content
Optional developer-view panels—disabled by default—would preserve simplicity while restoring power when needed.
What Adobe Has Already Signaled Is Coming
What makes this moment encouraging is that Adobe has already demonstrated:
Active development on missing workflows (like Video Demo)
Regular updates focused on stability, performance, and authoring speed
A willingness to rethink features instead of cloning Classic behavior
These signals suggest the remaining gaps aren’t philosophical—they’re iterative.
Classic Project Import: The Missing Bridge
We also know from Adobe Learning Summit 2025 that Adobe is actively working on a feature that allows Classic Captivate projects to be imported into the All-new Captivate.
This may be the most important signal of all.
Migration—not just feature parity—is what ultimately determines whether long-time Captivate developers can move forward with confidence. The ability to bring existing Classic projects into the new authoring environment changes the question from “Should I switch?” to “When does it make sense to switch?”
While no public release date has been announced, based on what was shared and the pace of recent development, it’s reasonable to expect this capability to arrive in time for the Adobe Learning Summit in June 2026.
If and when this feature lands, it does more than close a gap—it removes the single biggest psychological and operational barrier to adoption.
Once Classic projects can move forward:
Legacy content is no longer frozen
Teams can modernize incrementally
New features become additive instead of disruptive
At that point, the parity conversation fundamentally changes.
A Measured Call to Action
This isn’t about rebuilding Classic.
It’s about ensuring that as Captivate moves forward, experienced developers don’t lose clarity, control, or confidence in exchange for speed.
The All-new Captivate already excels at:
Faster layout
Cleaner responsive behavior
A modern UI
AI-assisted workflows
Closing the remaining gaps—asset visibility, project type control, developer-level insight, and project migration—would make the transition not just possible, but compelling.
If parity is the baseline, workflow excellence is the opportunity.
And that’s a conversation worth continuing.
Adobe Captivate 13 Demo Simulation Editing: Fix Click Boxes, Text & Timing
In this video, I show you how to edit a software simulation in Adobe Captivate 13. I walk through my real workflow for editing a demo simulation—fixing steps after the recording, updating click boxes, adjusting mouse paths, correcting text captions, and cleaning up timing so your simulation looks polished.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Register for the Adobe Learning Summit 2026
If you’ve been thinking about attending the Adobe Learning Summit, this is the moment to stop waiting and register.
Right now, the full conference pass is only $299 — a $400 savings compared to the regular price. For a multi-day, Adobe-led event focused on learning design, development, and emerging AI workflows, that price point alone makes this an easy decision.
But the real value comes when you look at the certification option.
Adobe Captivate Certification
Add the Adobe Captivate Certification at a Massive Discount
If you choose the certification add-on, you can earn an Adobe Certified Professional: Adobe Captivate certification for just $299 — a credential with a $1,099 value.
That means:
Formal recognition of your Captivate skills
A credential you can immediately apply to current projects
A concrete takeaway you can justify to your organization
For many attendees, the Captivate certification alone makes the Summit pay for itself.
Enjoying lunch at the Adobe Learning Summit
Breakfast and Lunch Are Included (Yes, This Matters in Vegas)
Las Vegas is an incredible place to attend a conference — and an expensive one.
Adobe helps keep costs down by providing breakfast and lunch each day of the conference. That reduces daily expenses, simplifies budgeting, and keeps you focused on sessions and networking instead of hunting for meals.
When you factor in food, the overall cost of attending drops even further.
Getting that manager approval
Tips for Getting Manager Approval
If you need sign-off from your manager, here’s what typically works:
Position it as professional development
This isn’t just a conference — it’s targeted skills development using Adobe tools your organization already invests in.
Lead with the certification value
A $1,099 Adobe Captivate certification for $299 is a clear return on investment.
Emphasize cost efficiency
Low registration fee, meals included, and multiple days of focused learning is often cheaper than separate courses or external training.
Offer to share the learning
Commit to bringing back practical takeaways, templates, or even hosting a short internal walkthrough for your team.
The Bottom Line
With a deeply discounted conference pass, a heavily reduced Adobe Captivate certification, and meals included, this is one of the best opportunities Adobe has offered to level up your skills without stretching your budget.
If the Adobe Learning Summit has been on your list — now is the smartest time to register.
How to Record Demo, Training, & Assessment Simulations in Adobe Captivate 13
In this video, I walk you through using Adobe Captivate 13 to record software simulations, including demos, training, and assessments. If you're looking for a step-by-step tutorial on recording software simulations, setting up capture options, and using app regions in Adobe Captivate, you're in the right place! I cover everything you need to get started, including tips on choosing recording modes, adjusting preferences, and optimizing your simulation projects for eLearning. Whether you're a beginner or advanced user, this guide will help you master Adobe Captivate 13 for eLearning software simulations.
Stop Wasting Money! Why This $60 Mic Might Be All You Need.
Is it worth spending nearly $300 on a microphone when you can get professional results for a fraction of the price? In this video, I unbox and review the Maono A04 Gen 2 Podcasting Microphone Kit. I'll walk you through everything that comes in the box, show you the software setup, and most importantly, do a side-by-side sound comparison with my daily driver, the Shure MV7. The results might surprise you!
How to Convert FLV to MP4 (When Media Encoder Doesn't Work!)
In this tutorial, I'll show you the quickest and easiest way to convert old FLV (Flash Video) files into MP4 format so you can use them in the all-new Adobe Captivate. If you’ve been creating e-learning for years, as I have, you likely have a library full of legacy assets. Since Adobe has moved away from Flash, many modern tools—including Adobe Media Encoder—no longer support FLV files. I’ll walk you through using HandBrake, a powerful open-source tool, to batch-convert your videos without sacrificing quality. We will then import the newly captured MP4s back into Adobe Captivate Classic to ensure your projects are ready for the future.
What you’ll learn in this video:
Why does Adobe Media Encoder no longer support FLV?
How to export legacy video assets from your Captivate Library.
Step-by-step instructions for batch-converting files in HandBrake.
How to replace slide videos in Adobe Captivate with your new MP4s.
Tips for aligning and updating your e-learning courses for the latest version of Captivate.
How the Adobe Learning Summit Has Changed Over the Years
I’ve been writing about the Adobe Learning Summit for a long time now. Some of those posts were simple reminders to mark your calendar. Others focused on venues, schedules, or why the event mattered specifically for Adobe Captivate users. But when you read them together, they tell a much bigger story — one about how the Summit itself has evolved alongside the learning profession.
In its earlier years, the Adobe Learning Summit felt very much like a traditional user conference. The focus was squarely on tools, especially Captivate. Sessions went deep into features, workflows, and practical techniques for building eLearning. For instructional designers and developers working hands-on in authoring tools every day, this was incredibly valuable. The Summit was a place to sharpen skills and learn what was new or coming next.
Over time, though, the conversation began to widen. Captivate didn’t disappear — far from it — but it became part of a larger narrative about learning ecosystems rather than the entire story. Sessions increasingly explored how learning fits into performance, analytics, and organizational goals. The question shifted from how to build content to why that content exists and how it supports real outcomes. Learning stopped being treated as a standalone activity and started being framed as a strategic function.
Adobe employees celebrating the Adobe Learning Summit 2025
Along with that shift came a noticeable change in tone. Earlier Summits leaned heavily into demonstrations and how-to sessions. Today, there’s a stronger emphasis on impact. Discussions revolve around effectiveness, scale, and value — not just whether something can be built, but whether it actually makes a difference. The audience has grown beyond developers to include learning leaders, consultants, and decision-makers who care as much about results as they do about tools.
One of the clearest markers of this evolution has been the rise of artificial intelligence as a central theme. In the past, efficiency was often talked about in general terms. Now, AI sits at the heart of the Summit’s messaging. It’s presented as a practical response to the pressures learning teams face every day: tighter timelines, higher expectations, and the need to personalize learning without exploding budgets or workloads. The conversation isn’t about replacing people. It’s about amplifying human judgment with AI-assisted speed and consistency.
This evolution is also reflected in what Adobe now looks for in speakers. In earlier years, deep technical knowledge was often the primary requirement. If you knew the tools well, you had something worth sharing. Today, Adobe is far more interested in real-world stories — how learning was applied, what problems it solved, and what was learned along the way. That shift has made space for first-time speakers and practitioners who may not see themselves as experts, but who have meaningful experiences and insights to offer.
An AI imagined image of what the Adobe Learning Summit 2026 might look like
Even the structure of the Summit itself has become more intentional. Changes to dates, venues, and the way certification days are separated from conference sessions suggest a growing focus on the overall learning experience. Rather than trying to pack everything into a single overwhelming schedule, the Summit feels more deliberately designed, with space for both deep focus and broader inspiration.
Perhaps the most important change, though, is who the Summit is really for. What once felt like an event primarily aimed at instructional designers and eLearning developers now serves a much broader community. New Captivate users sit alongside seasoned professionals. Learning leaders share the same space as hands-on practitioners. Consultants, customer education teams, and talent development professionals all find relevant conversations and takeaways.
Looking back across years of blog posts, the pattern is clear. The Adobe Learning Summit has matured into a future-facing learning event — one that mirrors the evolution of our field itself. It’s no longer just about mastering tools. It’s about understanding how learning supports people, performance, and growth in an increasingly complex world.
And in many ways, that evolution feels familiar. It’s the same journey many of us have taken in our own careers — starting with tools, and eventually learning to see the bigger picture they’re meant to serve.
Rough Cuts - Visuals in Adobe Captivate
In this video, I'll walk you through my best practices for crafting standout visual designs in Adobe Captivate, so your eLearning projects don't look like everyone else's. I'll share where I find design inspiration, how I use "card" layouts like those used by leading brands (Microsoft, Google, Apple, Nvidia), and helpful tools for choosing colour themes and ensuring accessibility. I'll also demo how to use Quick Start projects, unique backgrounds, custom image effects, and creative buttons—so your slides break out of the standard mould! Whetheryou'ree just getting started with Captivate or want to elevate your course visuals, these tips will help you deliver modern, engaging, and accessible eLearning content.
🍽 Dining at the Adobe Learning Summit — Affordable & Healthy Options Near Bellagio
One of the nice perks of attending the Adobe Learning Summit is that Adobe has you covered for breakfast and lunch during the event.
Adobe Captivate Certification (1 day): Breakfast and lunch are provided
Adobe Learning Summit days: Breakfast and lunch are provided
That means your main planning will be around dinners, plus any meals before or after the conference. Since many attendees stay at or near the Bellagio, here’s a practical guide to affordable, convenient, and healthy dining options nearby—without Vegas sticker shock.
Casual & Convenient Options Inside the Bellagio
If you want to stay close after a full day of learning, the Bellagio has a few more casual spots that don’t require a fine-dining budget.
Sadelle’s
A solid option for breakfast or lunch outside conference hours, with classic fare and lighter options. It’s popular, so timing matters.Noodles
Asian comfort food with plenty of noodle and rice dishes, generally more affordable than Bellagio’s upscale restaurants.Bellagio Patisserie & Snacks
Good for quick breakfasts, coffee, or grab-and-go items if you’re heading out early or returning late.
💡 Tip: Bellagio’s signature restaurants are excellent but often priced for special occasions. Great experiences—just not everyday conference dinners.
Affordable Eats Within Walking Distance
If you’re willing to walk 5–15 minutes, your options expand quickly—and prices drop.
Secret Pizza (Cosmopolitan)
A favorite for quick, inexpensive slices—perfect after a long conference day.Hash House A Go Go (The LINQ)
Known for huge portions and comfort food. One plate can easily be shared.Yard House
A reliable option for burgers, salads, bowls, and lighter fare with predictable pricing.LINQ Promenade
Several casual restaurants and counters in one area—great for groups who can’t decide.Showcase Mall Food Court
Not glamorous, but practical, fast, and budget-friendly.
Healthy & Vegan-Friendly Options
If you’re trying to eat lighter, plant-based, or just balance out conference carbs, Vegas actually has some solid options nearby.
True Food Kitchen (Forum Shops)
One of the best nearby choices for healthy, vegetarian, and vegan meals. Grain bowls, salads, and seasonal dishes.Veggie House
A fully vegetarian Asian restaurant (short ride away) with generous portions and reasonable prices.Café Gratitude
Fully plant-based, organic, and popular with vegan attendees. Slightly higher prices, but very clean eating.Yard House & Sadelle’s
Both offer salads and customizable options that work well for vegetarian or lighter meals.
Smart Eating Tips for Summit Attendees
Take advantage of Adobe-provided breakfast and lunch — it reduces daily food costs significantly.
Plan dinners in advance if you’re going with a group; Vegas fills up fast.
Food courts and promenades are your best value on the Strip.
Portions are often large—sharing is common and smart.
Want to Splurge?
If you decide to celebrate the end of the summit, Bellagio and nearby resorts offer world-class dining experiences. Not budget-friendly, but memorable if you’re marking a milestone.