We’re occasionally asked if a Storyline 360 project can be exported as a single video file rather than a traditional published SCORM or Web package. Like most things in Storyline 360, the answer is: absolutely! This is a great option for creating quick, micro-sized learning that can stand alone on your website or Learning Management System (LMS), or be added to another Storyline 360 or Rise 360 course. So, grab your popcorn and sit back as we answer the “as heard in training” question: “Can I Export a Storyline Project as a Video?”
First up … the Previews!
Before we get into the “How to” part of answering this question, let’s go over some key points from the Articulate team:
- First, remember that the video output will NOT be interactive. So, make sure that your Storyline 360 file doesn’t have any interactions that require the learner to interact with the content (since those triggers won’t work).
- Instead, use triggers that execute when the timeline reaches a certain point, an animation completes, or a media element finishes.
- Next, avoid any kind of looping. For example, if the last slide of your course has a trigger that automatically loops back to the first slide, the publishing process would never end.
- Keep in mind that some course elements won’t appear in your published video. This includes website videos, web objects, engage interactions, and the course player.
- Lastly, please note that the frame rate of the video output will be 30 FPS (frames per second). Therefore, object animations and transitions might not be as smooth as they are in other publishing formats where the browser controls the frame rate.
With these tips in mind, let’s get to the main event: exporting a project as a video!
But First, Download the Exercise File!
We created a sample video project in this Storyline 360 exercise file. Take a moment to download it to follow along.
This Is How We Do It!
(feel free to sing the Montel Jordan version of this phrase)
Okay, now it’s time to create your own video project in Storyline 360.
Step 1: Have a Plan. Ideally, your videos will be short and the point (think about the length of a movie trailer). Believe it or not, that requires a bit of planning. Just ask any public speaker: the shorter the time limit, the more difficult it is to prepare. To help, consider one or two key points, and then quickly map out what will be said and shown.
Step 2: Add Animations and Transitions. Think about how you may want to transition from slide to slide, as well as how your visual elements will appear in connection with any audio.
In our example, we duplicated the first slide to help create a smooth transition with animation and motion into the content of the next slide.
Tip: Remember that the 30 FPS on an MP4 is different from the 60 FPS you’ll see when you preview in Storyline 360, so be sure to check those animations again after publishing.
Step 3: Synch Your Animations. Add audio and synchronize your animation as needed. Don’t forget about cue points, which can really help you manage the exact timing of animation synching.
Tip: If you use layers in your design (as we did), make sure the triggers are set to show subsequent layers, and that the base layer timeline is long enough to allow all of the layers to display within that time frame.
Step 4: Add Closed Captioning or Subtitles. When publishing to video, adding closed captions is an excellent way to make your Storyline 360 courses more accessible to learners who have hearing impairments or are unable to play audio. Simply insert standard SRT, VTT, SBV, or SUB files, or create them from scratch using Storyline 360’s built-in editor.
Tip: When adding closed captioning to videos, make sure you’re working with the latest update of Storyline 360!
Step 5: Select the Publish to Video Options. After selecting Publish | Video, you’ll have a few more choices to make regarding the size, quality, and flow of the video (i.e., navigation).
Note: With the latest Storyline 360 update, any background audio you added will also export with the Publish to Video option!
Step 6: Sit Back and Enjoy! You now have a slick, animated video that can be hosted just about anywhere, and viewed by just about anyone on any device.
Want to watch our finished example? Go ahead and select the Play button.
And now that you know how to export a Storyline 360 project as a video, find out how you can distribute it to your learners!
What ideas do you have for using video in your e-learning projects? Do you have other strategies? If so, let us know! We’d love to hear from you!
Want More on this Topic?
Check out the following posts from Articulate and The Articulate Trainer blog for more about creating videos in Storyline 360:
How Can I Create a Video that Will Pause, Discuss a Point of Interest, and then Continue?
I Exported My Storyline 360 Course as a Video File—Now What?
Storyline 360: Closed Captions for Video Projects
Storyline 360: How to Adjust Video Compression
See you at the movies!
~ Ron
exporting to mp4 super speeds gifs. thought that this issue was fixed?
Hi Brian and thanks for the question! We aren’t able to replicate the issue you are describing. Please ensure you are on the latest version of the tool. If the issue continues, please reach out to Articulate Support.