To create a software simulation in Adobe Captivate, choose a capture area, select Demo, Training, or Assessment mode, record the workflow, then review the generated captions and interactive objects before publishing. Pick the mode according to what learners should do: watch, practise with guidance, or complete the procedure without hints.
Choose the right simulation mode
Captivate records your actions as you interact with an application or system, then turns those actions into a software simulation. The three modes differ in learner participation and guidance.
| Mode | Learner experience | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Demo | Watches the procedure; no learner action is required. | A walkthrough or feature demonstration. |
| Training | Performs steps with guidance, hints, and success or failure feedback as configured. | Guided practice. |
| Assessment | Performs steps without hints; correct clicks can be scored. | Checking whether learners can complete the procedure independently. |
These mode descriptions are from Adobe’s Captivate simulation recording guide and its Assessment mode documentation.
Prepare the workflow and capture area
Before recording, decide which task the simulation teaches, who will use it, and whether the goal is demonstration, practice, or assessment. Keep the workflow focused: a short, coherent task is easier to follow and easier to edit than an entire application tour.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
On the Captivate welcome screen, select New simulation. Choose the capture area that includes the relevant controls:
- Application window: Use this when the lesson concerns one application and its window contains everything learners need to see.
- Full screen: Use this when the workflow needs broader screen context. For multi-monitor setups, the guide says you can select which monitor to record.
- Custom size: Use this to define a specific recording area around the workflow.
For a smaller recording window that cannot show every part of the workflow at once, use panning. Automatic panning follows pointer movement; manual panning requires you to reposition the recording area yourself. On macOS, grant Captivate the Accessibility, Input Monitoring, and Screen Recording permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security before recording simulations. These setup details are in Adobe’s recording guide.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Record the simulation
- Open the application and arrange its starting state. Close unrelated windows and navigate to the first screen the learner should see.
- Select the mode. Choose Demo, Training, or Assessment before you begin; the mode determines whether learners watch, receive guidance, or work without hints.
- Set audio options. Choose a built-in or external microphone if you want narration. System audio is a separate option and captures sounds from the computer, such as application alerts or audio playing during capture. Enable it only when those sounds matter to the lesson.
- Start recording and perform the task at a deliberate pace. Follow the same sequence a learner should use, pausing briefly after important actions so each step is clear.
- Stop the recording when the task is complete. Captivate’s recording pod includes pause, stop, screenshot, and cancel controls. Adobe documents Cmd+Return on macOS and End on Windows as stop shortcuts.
Some continuous actions, including mouse-wheel activity, can make Captivate switch automatically to video mode. Because these sections may look different from individual step-based captures, preview workflows that include scrolling or dragging. Adobe documents the controls and behavior in its simulation recording guide.
Review and edit the generated project
After recording, inspect the project rather than assuming every generated element describes the workflow accurately. Review captions, click boxes, mouse movement, highlights, and text-entry objects. Correct automatic labels and adjust captions so they name the actual controls and explain the action clearly to the intended learner.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For a guided exercise or assessment, also check that the interactive steps match the sequence a learner must complete. Adobe’s first software simulation tutorial covers editing click boxes, captions, and text properties.
Publish and check the result
Choose a publishing destination that fits how learners will access the simulation. Adobe’s introductory tutorial describes publishing output and posting it to an LMS, but export choices can depend on the Captivate version. Check the options available in your installed version, then test the published project in its intended destination before distributing it.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Set up LMS reporting for an assessment
If you want an Assessment-mode simulation to report scorable actions to an LMS, select Include in quiz in Reporting. Adobe says correct clicks can earn points and that each scorable unit receives a unique Interaction ID for LMS data tracking. Confirm the result in the target LMS; selecting the reporting option alone does not establish that every output and LMS configuration will work as intended. See Adobe’s Assessment mode documentation.
Keep current Captivate and Captivate Classic instructions separate
Adobe maintains separate documentation for current Captivate and Captivate Classic, and their interfaces and recording workflows differ. The steps here follow the current Captivate simulation guide; do not substitute Classic menu labels or assumptions. For example, Classic documentation describes its own automatic recording modes, including Custom mode. See Adobe’s Captivate Classic recording guide.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
