Do you find yourself dreading the initial setup and endless revisions for innovative designs? Imagine being able to craft those flashy interactions effortlessly, without a complex mess of events. What if editing took minutes and not hours? If this sounds interesting, then get ready to step into the world of function layers.
With each review cycle your simple events can grow complex, demanding an increase in logical checks and a multitude of duplicates to be made throughout the course. While this can enable stunning visuals and improve user interaction, it causes headaches to develop and take ages to upkeep.
As I navigated the event-based development learning curve, I often duplicated events for various objects. Although this allowed rapid initial development it became time-consuming once updates were required, as these events demanded considerable time to modify and involved extensive debugging.
I knew there had to be a cleaner solution, a way to simplify the structure without sacrificing quality. Drawing from my coding background, I wanted to utilize the power of ‘functions’—a fundamental programming concept where specific tasks are placed into reusable pieces of code. This inspired me to innovate within Storyline’s event-based framework, leading to a transformative approach in building and managing complex interactions. By adopting this programming principle, I was able to streamline the development process significantly. Inspired by this, I tried using layers as organizational tools and separated out related events into different layers.
This organization not only simplified most event setups, but it also allowed for the quick implementation of what was once a tangled web of complex events had been elegantly simplified into a few master events. These master events act as managers, invoking a specialized function layer that contains the rest of the events in a cleaner, streamlined form. This architectural shift means that any future modifications are centralized, requiring updates at just single pivotal points rather than tediously adjusting each individual event.
I put function layers to the test while developing onscreen keyboard controls in storyline. The keys would only be visible under a certain set of conditions, which meant each one required multiple complex events to function properly. Typically, this is where development dread would start creeping in, but I knew that function layers could make this a breeze.
Key aspects of a function layer:
- Group of events triggered together
- Reusable
- No visuals on the layer
- A standard naming convention
Excited to dive into the challenge, I crafted three distinct layers—imaginatively named ()CheckKeys, ()ShowKeys, and ()HideKeys. Picture this: I set up three simple events, each awaiting a variable change. Upon this cue, they all show ()CheckKeys, which houses a singular event that decides the fate of what happens next: revealing the ()ShowKeys layer to bring the keys into the spotlight or the ()HideKeys layer to discreetly tuck them away.
As the project continued and more variable checks were needed, I just had to tweak a single central event. When an interaction required another key, I just had to create two straightforward events to do the trick.
This revolutionary approach took what would have been a development nightmare and turned it into a streamlined, almost effortless experience. And, the best part is, it drastically cut down the mental fatigue from endless event tweaking, freeing up my creative energies to tackle the challenges that mattered. The benefits are clear:
- Simplified Editing: One update, and you’re set. No more wading through complex events.
- Ease of Use: Adding new features is as simple as ever, encouraging more frequent and creative implementations.
- Mental Clarity: Say goodbye to the brain drain of repetitive tasks, and hello to focused problem-solving.
Function layers introduce a significant efficiency in the development process, particularly through their reusability. The ease with which these layers can be replicated across different slides allows for swift and dependable modifications. Additionally, the integration of feedback master’s for specific events further enhances this streamlined approach.
Exploring the realm of gamified interactions revealed an equally compelling application for function layers: managing timers and loops with precision. In a recent project involving a slot machine mechanic, the utility of function layers became immediately evident. I utilized a function layer for event management and controlled each reel’s stopping time through the timeline. This added an element of excitement for users, making the experience more engaging without complicating the backend.
Function layers are not just about reducing development time; they’re about opening new possibilities for creativity and innovation in e-learning. Their adaptability and ease of use invite a more dynamic approach to interaction design, enriching the learner’s journey and overall experience.
A slick interaction’s potential is only fully unlocked once it can be implemented and edited painlessly. Function layers are just one of many ways that we’ve improved our development pipeline at Smartfirm, allowing us to focus on what really matters, polishing the learners experience. Are you ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible in e-learning? Reach out to us, we’d love to turn your project ideas into an engaging reality.
