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Import Captivate Classic simulation projects into Captivate

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  3. Adobe Captivate releases
    1. Adobe Captivate 13
      1. Adobe Captivate (13.1) release notes
      2. Adobe Captivate (13.0) release notes
    2. Adobe Captivate 12
      1. Adobe Captivate 12 summary
      2. Adobe Captivate (12.6 update) release notes
      3. Adobe Captivate (12.5 update) release notes
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      5. Adobe Captivate (12.3 update) release notes
      6. Adobe Captivate (12.2 update) release notes
      7. Adobe Captivate (12.1 update) release notes
  4. Project setup
    1. Slide navigator
    2. Project dimensions
    3. Set preferences
      1. General preferences
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      3. Project preferences
      4. Quizzing preferences
    4. Themes
    5. Configure URL access for Adobe Captivate features
  5. Import from PowerPoint
    1. Import PowerPoint presentations into Captivate
    2. Select PowerPoint slides to import into Captivate
    3. Work with text on imported slides
    4. Work with shapes on imported slides
    5. Add media to imported slides
    6. Add interactions and animations to imported slides
  6. Import from Captivate Classic
    1. Import Captivate Classic projects into Adobe Captivate
    2. Import Captivate Classic simulation projects into Captivate
  7. Generative AI in Adobe Captivate
    1. Generative AI overview
    2. Generative AI FAQs
    3. Generative credits
    4. Generate text 
      1. Generate text overview
      2. Write effective prompts for text generation
      3. Generate text using quick prompts
      4. Generate text using custom prompts
      5. Provide feedback to improve text generation
    5. Generate images
      1. Generate image overview
      2. Generate images using prompts
      3. Choose image content type - Photo or Art
      4. Use reference images for Composition and Style
      5. Best practices for effective image generation
      6. Provide feedback to improve image generation
    6. Generate avatar
      1. Generate avatar overview
      2. Customize the avatar
      3. Create transcripts for avatar narration
      4. Generate avatar narration
      5. Provide feedback to improve avatar generation
    7. Generate transcripts
      1. Generate transcripts overview
      2. Generate transcripts for closed captions
      3. Best practices to use transcripts effectively
  8. Add and edit text
    1. Add text to a project
    2. Add Adobe fonts to a project
    3. Add quotes
    4. Author in right-to-left languages
  9. Add and edit images
    1. Add images to a project
    2. Edit the background image on a slide
    3. Add SVGs to a project
  10. Add and edit media
    1. Add videos to a project
    2. Add and edit audio
    3. Add audio for widget interactions
    4. Add closed captions
    5. Add web objects to a project
  11. Interactive components
    1. Add a button
    2. Add an input field
    3. Add a radio button group
    4. Add a dropdown
    5. Add a checkbox
    6. Variables in Adobe Captivate
  12. Create quizzes
    1. Add a Multiple-choice question
    2. Add a True or false question
    3. Add a Match the column question
    4. Add a Short answer question
    5. Add a Sequence question
    6. Add question pools and random question slides
    7. Import questions as CSV
  13. Add widgets
    1. Add a Card
    2. Add Tabs
    3. Add a Certificate
    4. Add a Carousel
    5. Add a Hotspot
    6. Add Drag-and-Drop
    7. Add a Timeline
    8. Add Click to Reveal
    9. Add an Accordion
    10. Add a slider
    11. Add a stack card
  14. Interactions and animations
    1. Add interactions to a project
    2. Create interactive video with overlay
    3. Create a slide-level interaction
    4. Create an object-level interaction
    5. Add animations to a project
    6. States in Adobe Captivate
  15. Enhance your e-learning project
    1. Add padding to content blocks and components
    2. Add a header to a project
    3. Add a footer to a project
    4. Create a long scroll project
    5. Add a conversation slide
    6. Add characters to your Adobe Captivate project
    7. Assets in Captivate
  16. Simulation projects
    1. Simulation overview and setup
    2. Demo mode
    3. Training mode
    4. Assessment mode
    5. Full-motion recording
  17. Timeline and TOC
    1. Timeline panel in Adobe Captivate
    2. Table of Contents in Adobe Captivate
    3. Lock and hide slides in Adobe Captivate
  18. Review and collaborate
    1. Share for review
    2. Create and manage reviews
    3. Add review comments and collaborate
    4. FAQs and Troubleshooting guide for sharing projects for review   
  19. Preview and publish
    1. Preview your project
    2. Publish your project
  20. Accessibility
    1. Create accessible eLearning content in Adobe Captivate
    2. Make a slide accessible
    3. Make slide objects accessible
    4. Make an interactive component accessible
    5. Make a widget accessible
    6. Make a quiz accessible
    7. TOC and Playbar accessibility
  21. Design options in Adobe Captivate
    1. What are design options?
    2. Parts of a design option
    3. Create custom design options
    4. Modify a custom design option
    5. Export a custom design option
    6. Import a custom design option
  22. Additional resources
    1. Top How-tos in Captivate
    2. Captivate Classic vs Adobe Captivate
    3. Upgrade older Captivate projects to the latest version
    4. Create and deploy Captivate packages in Admin Console

Adobe Captivate 13.1 now supports importing simulation projects created in Captivate Classic. This feature is currently available as a beta release to enable early evaluation and feedback. Supported scenarios are limited, and imported projects may require review and adjustment before production use.

Adobe Captivate 13.1 supports importing projects created in Captivate Classic, including simulation projects (software demos and training simulations). Simulation projects are partially supported: highlight boxes, click boxes, input fields, and typing text objects are imported, but full-motion recording (FMR) content may not import as expected and some simulation formatting may require manual adjustment after import.

This article focuses on simulation-specific preparation, supported components, limitations, and workflows so you can successfully migrate Classic simulations into Adobe Captivate 13.1 (beta) and review results using the Import Logger utility.

Why use this feature for simulations?

Problem statement

Many organizations have software training and demos built as simulations in Captivate Classic (click boxes, text entry, highlight boxes, typing text). Re-recording every simulation is expensive, and staying on Classic is not sustainable.

Problem: You need to move Classic simulation projects into Adobe Captivate 13.1 (beta) without re-recording and with as much automation as possible.

Solution: Use the Classic project import with simulation-specific preparation: open and save the simulation in the latest Classic version and then import. Supported simulation components are converted; use the Import Logger to fix or redesign elements that need attention.

Prerequisites: prepare before import

Before importing a Captivate Classic simulation project:

What's supported and what's not supported

Project type: Simulation

Simulation projects are partially supported:

  • Full-motion recording (FMR) content may not import as expected.
  • Some simulation formatting may require manual adjustment after import.

Supported simulation components

Component

Support

Notes

Highlight boxes

Yes

Imported and editable.

Click boxes

Yes

Imported and editable.

Input fields

Yes

Imported and editable.

Typing text objects

Yes, with condition

Imported only if they exist in the original recording. Typing text objects are created only when you type text during the recording; that is the only time they can be created. Once the project is created, you cannot add a typing text object—they cannot be added manually after importing.

Partially supported or may need adjustment

  • FMR content may not import as expected
  • Some simulation formatting may require manual adjustment after import

Not supported

  • Virtual Reality (VR) slides
  • SWF or Flash-based content and widgets
  • Drag-and-drop interactions
  • Motion paths
  • Themes and master slides (master slide objects import as individual objects on slides)

Beta limitations (simulation impact)

  • Complex animations may not map accurately.
  • Objects set to display for the rest of the project import as separate objects per slide.
  • Multi-state objects are imported as view-only and cannot be edited.

Prepare and import a Captivate Classic simulation

  1. In Captivate Classic, create your simulation project.

  2. Open Adobe Captivate.

  3. On the home screen, select Import > Captivate Classic Import (Beta).

  4. Read the beta information if desired, then select Continue.

  5. Browse to and select your simulation CPTX file.

  6. Wait for the import to complete.

  7. Imported slides are marked with the Captivate Classic icon.

  8. Save the new project.

Review simulation project import with Import Logger

  1. After importing a simulation (Workflow 1), select the **Flag** icon to open the Import Logger panel.

  2. In the Active tab, review issues. Filter by error type, severity, or object type if needed.

  3. Select an entry to view details and navigate to the affected slide.

  4. For simulation-specific issues (for example, click boxes, input fields, FMR):

    • Apply the suggested workaround when available.
    • Or redesign the element using native Captivate 13.1 components.

  5. For typing text: Remember that typing text objects can only be imported if they existed in the original recording; they cannot be added manually after import.

  6. Archive resolved issues to keep the log organized.

  7. Resolve critical issues before publishing.

Import simulation, fix formatting, and publish

  1. Prepare and import the simulation (Workflow 1).

  2. Open the Import Logger (Flag icon) and address Active issues (Workflow 2).

  3. Manually adjust any simulation formatting that did not import as expected (for example, sizes, positions, timing).

  4. Preview the simulation (current slide, from current slide, or entire project).

  5. Go to Publish and select output (HTML5, SCORM, xAPI). Configure and publish.

  6. Test the published simulation in target browsers and devices.

Handle FMR or unsupported simulation content

  1. Import the simulation.

  2. In the Import Logger, identify any FMR or unsupported simulation elements.

  3. For FMR that did not import as expected: re-record in Captivate 13.1 or replace with supported media (for example, video).

  4. For unsupported interactions: replace with native Captivate 13.1 interactions on new or existing slides.

  5. Save, preview, and publish.

Limitations of the feature

Simulation-specific limitations

  • Simulation projects are partially supported. Not every simulation behavior will have a one-to-one equivalent.
  • Full-motion recording (FMR) content may not import as expected.
  • Some simulation formatting may require manual adjustment after import.
  • Typing text objects are imported only if they exist in the original recording; they cannot be added manually after importing.

General beta limitations

  • Complex animations may not map accurately.
  • Objects set to display for the rest of the project import as separate objects per slide.
  • Multi-state objects are view-only and cannot be edited.

Best practices

Before import (simulation-specific)

Practice

Why

Open and save in latest Captivate Classic version

Reduces import errors and improves conversion.

Back up the original CPTX

No round-trip to Classic after import.

Verify external assets

Prevents missing media in the simulation.

After import (simulation-specific)

Practice

Why

Review Import Logger after every import

Catch FMR, formatting, and component issues early.

Do not ignore warnings

Simulation behavior may differ even if the slide looks okay.

Adjust simulation formatting manually

Sizes, positions, and timing may need tweaks.

Re-record or replace FMR if needed

When FMR does not import as expected.

Archive resolved issues

Keeps the log focused on what's left to fix.

Resolve critical issues before publishing

Ensures reliable simulation behavior.

Typing text and components

Practice

Why

Ensure typing text exists in original recording

Typing text objects cannot be added manually after import.

Verify click boxes and input fields

Check actions and validation after import.

Test highlight boxes

Timing and appearance may need adjustment.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Simulation projects are partially supported. You must open and save the simulation in the latest Captivate Classic before importing. Then use Import > Captivate Classic and select your CPTX.

Highlight boxes, click boxes, input fields, and typing text objects. Typing text objects only if they existed in the original recording. You cannot add typing text objects after import; you can add highlight boxes, click boxes, and input fields after importing.

FMR content may not import as expected. Use the Import Logger to identify issues. Re-record in Captivate 13.1 or replace with supported media (for example, video) if needed.

No. Typing text objects are created only when you type text during the recording in Classic—that is the only time they can be created. They are imported only if they exist in the original recording. Once the project is created, you cannot add a typing text object; they cannot be added manually after import.

After import, select the Flag icon to open the Import Logger. Review Active issues; use filters and slide references to find simulation objects that need workarounds or redesign.

Some simulation formatting may require manual adjustment. Use the Import Logger to locate affected slides, then resize, reposition, or adjust timing as needed.

Troubleshooting

Issue

What to do

FMR slide is blank

FMR (full-motion recording) content is not supported; FMR slides may appear blank. Review Import Logger; re-record in Captivate 13.1 or use alternative media (for example, video).

Click boxes or input fields broken

Verify in Import Logger; reattach actions or validation. Manually adjust formatting if needed.

Typing text missing

Typing text is imported only if it existed in the original recording. It cannot be added manually after import. Re-import from a Classic project that includes the typing text, or recreate with native Captivate text or effects.

Simulation formatting off

Some simulation formatting requires manual adjustment after import. Use slide references in the Import Logger and fix sizes, positions, and timing.

Issue

What to do

Missing media

Verify external assets are available and relink if necessary.

Advanced actions behave differently

Review triggers, variables, and timing in the new project.

Animation differences

Replace unsupported effects with supported alternatives.

Report issues and provide feedback

When reporting a simulation import issue, include:

  • The original CPTX file (if possible)
  • A brief description of the import behavior observed
  • Screenshots of Import Logger entries, if available

Use community forums or feedback channels (for example, User Voice) to report findings.

Reference tables

Benefit

Description

Reuse simulations

Bring highlight boxes, click boxes, input fields, and typing text from Classic without re-recording.

Transition to new authoring

Maintain and publish simulations in the current Captivate environment.

Identify simulation issues

Use the Import Logger to view which simulation elements need workarounds or redesign.

Prerequisite

Details

Latest Classic version

Open and save your simulation in the latest version of Captivate Classic before importing. 

Backup

Keep a backup copy of the original CPTX file.

External assets

Ensure all external assets (images, audio, video) are available.

Area

Details

FMR (full-motion recording)

FMR content may not import as expected; FMR slides can come as blank because FMR video is not supported in the import. Review in Import Logger and re-record or replace with supported media if needed.

Simulation formatting

Some formatting may require manual adjustment after importing (for example, caption background transparency may not be fully compatible).

Additional objects on simulation slides

After importing, you can add additional objects on simulation slides in Captivate (for example, text caption, images, video, media), unlike in Captivate Classic, where simulation slides had limited editing.

Advanced actions

Imported but must be verified (triggers, variables, timing).

Animations

Map to nearest supported effect; complex sequences may lose fidelity.

Adobe, Inc.

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