Item: Adobe Captivate
Rating: 7
Author: Richard Avenius

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Within our organization, we used Adobe Captivate to create eLearning modules as well as a sort of video and animation system. In the latter case, we essentially took pre-recorded video clips and used Captivate to put all of the clips together. We would then use the program to create animations that would play in between the actual pre-recorded video.

This program was only used by the training department within our organization, and allowed us to use one program (rather than a suite of programs) to meet both our eLearning and video creation needs. Captivate itself is so versatile, though, that we could have expanded its use to a host of other functions if the need arose.

Pros and Cons

Adobe Captivate has perhaps the largest array of functionality and the greatest versatility. It will allow you to create everything from standard card-based eLearning modules all the way to virtual reality lessons. It's really impressive in that regard.
Adobe Captivate functions like many of the other tools in the Adobe Creative Suite. By that I mean that the hotkeys, layer-based interface, and overall asset-selection process is the same. If you already like and use parts of the Adobe creative suite then this will tool will feel familiar.

While it is hands-down the most robust eLearning program on the market, it doesn't always look like it. The UI feels a little early-2000s, especially when compared to major competitors like Articulate. This is a minor issue for the most part, though.
If you haven't used Adobe products before, and I mean really used them, then this program can feel a little bit overwhelming. To have it function appropriately you will need to not only understand layers and timelines, but also some of the peculiar Adobe only terms like object, keyframe, tween, etc. Also, as with all Adobe products, there are some small issues and work-arounds that you will have to get comfortable with. (For example - being able to only layer in one line of audio seems like a deal breaker until you realize you can attach audio to each individual object.)

Return on Investment

Captivate's broad functionality allowed us to avoid purchasing a host of other software packages including video editing and animation software.
With Captivate's broad range of export options, we were able to avoid having to find a new LMS as I export files in a format that worked even with our older LMS.

Alternatives Considered

Articulate 360, Articulate Storyline and Lessonly

Adobe Captivate has more robust functionality than any of its competition. It is truly an all-in-one content creation tool that lets you create everything from the most simple to the most advanced eLearning modules. Moreover, it allows you to have more minute control over every element that you put on the screen. That level of functionality, though, comes with a certain barrier to entry. It is not as easy to use as Articulate, and doesn't let you create things as quickly as Lessonly. With that in mind, it is essential that before purchasing a program like Captivate that you take the time to thoroughly evaluate what your team needs and what your overall business needs are.

Support Rating

I used Captivate at two different positions. The first company that I worked with was one of the largest companies in the world. When I had issues with the program at that time I felt like the Captivate support team was responsive and eager to help. After I transitioned to a smaller company, I have had a few more problems getting responses and having the team at Adobe make time for us. In general, this has been across their products including when we were looking at adopting their LMS. While this is to be expected, all companies have to prioritize based on account size, it did cause some frustrations on a few occasions.

Key Insights

Do you think Adobe Captivate delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Adobe Captivate's feature set?

Yes

Did Adobe Captivate live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Adobe Captivate go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Adobe Captivate again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Articulate 360, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Flash

Likelihood to Recommend

When you need to create big, unique eLearning projects Captivate is definitely the way to go. Captivate is also perfect if you are part of a smaller team that is asked to develop a variety of different eLearning materials as it provides more versatility and functionality than any other. Indeed, it will let you replace various other video creation tools, and consolidate them all in one place.

If your team only does one kind of eLearning (i.e. - card based eLearning) or if you have incredibly aggressive timelines that require extremely rapid development than you might be better served by a less feature-rich, but more agile, alternative. Also, if you have no Adobe experience but are needing to hit the ground running with content development, than another design program might be more appropriate.

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Gary Phelps
commented 3 years ago
Hi Richard. I just wanted to clarify that "key frame" and "tween" are standard animation terms, and thus Adobe adapted them into their software. Back in the days of traditional/hand-drawn animation, master artists (the higher-ups if you will in an animation studio) would draw the key frames. These were the start and end images of an animation, such as Mickey Mouse starting from a neutral facial expression, to the end result facial expression of becoming surprised. These 2 drawings would then be passed to an "in-betweener," or an artist that draws the images inbetween those images, so the animation is a smooth transition rather than an instant swap between the start and end images. That term was later shortened to "tweening." Computer animation software these days still call it tweening.

Captivate: So much you can do, if you know what you're doing.

Overall Satisfaction with Adobe Captivate