Articulate 360Reviews of articulate.com

I've been using Articulate products for 5-6 years having moved on from some of the competitors. When I saw the blank slate that Storyline provides I was thrilled. It doesn't do everything — no software does — but I find that I more limited by my imagination than anything Storyline can't do. UPDATE: Articulate has released a fabulous update called Articulate 360. This new cloud-based collection of applications adds some much needed (and appreciated) new functionality. Two standouts for me are Review, on online tool for collecting feedback from SMEs during the prototyping phase, and Rise, an all new fully responsive authoring tool. Lots to look forward to here!

As the only instructional designer for a large urban hospital, I am constantly challenged to do more in less time. I have always found Articulate Storyline to be the ideal software for me to create high-level, interactive work within a short timeframe. With the latest incarnation, Articulate 360, my work has become even easier. Whether it is using one of the many templates or assets to save time, the new Review feature for easy sharing with my subject matter experts, or the best device scaling options I have seen, the best e-learning product on the market just got better. As previously, a vibrant user community supports the product with both advice and tons of creative ideas. Each product in the suite is extremely powerful and intuitive. In no time at all you can do from idea to finished, interactive product.

While I have access to both Storyline 2 and Studio '13, I really only use Storyline 2. It has the look and feel of the Microsoft Office products, so it's easy for a beginner to transfer over to SL (Storyline). The ability to create different scenes makes it easy to create a branching-style eLearning course where the user can explore on their own instead of going down a linear path. Triggers and variables give the user the freedom to make things happen without needing a degree in computer programming. The built-in states for buttons saves the designer time when building a course. Layers enable the designer to really create some dynamic courses. And, lastly, eLearning Heroes (Articulate-owned Website) provides a lot of great information and assistance, plus some free downloads. One of the things I do not like is the way the course looks when you print it to Word. If you have a course that branches off and uses layers, it's tough for the SME to use this to review the course. And, while SL does have the same look/feel as PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office products, it does not have everything they have. For example, there is a limited amount of formatting you can do with shapes and such in SL. But, those are really my only 2 complaints. SL is really easy to use and you can produce some amazing eLearning courses. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a development software. There's a free 30 day trial, so you can give it a "spin" before you buy it. UPDATE: I took the new Articulate 360 for a spin. It's a subscription and cloud based software (much like Adobe Creative Cloud). Some of the things I like include: (1) Review - This app lets you share your course with as many people as you want, even if they are not Articulate users, so feedback about the course can be gathered quickly. (2) Rise - This app gives you another option outside of SL to create a eLearning course. I don't know how to describe it other than it's like creating your own web site with many different pages within that site. It's easy to use, and the end result looks fantastic. (3) Responsiveness - You can now publish courses for tablets and smartphones, and the course is displayed perfectly for that device. Before publishing, you have the ability to preview what the course would look like on each device. It's a great new feature. (4) Library - There are pre-built interactions, scenarios, timelines, etc. all at your fingertips. Even if you are a graphic designer and do not like pre-built templates, they are at least useful for giving you a creative jolt. The main thing that I do not like is the subscription model. Also, with Rise, it is not compatible with IE11. And, I do not see myself using one of the newer apps, Presto, but I would still have to pay for it with this subscription model. Overall, though, Articulate is on the right track. I would like to purchase the apps that I want, though, instead of being forced to go all or nothing.

I've been a software trainer for over 20 years, and in elearning for the past 8 years using Articulate. I have never worked with a product that has such great community support and selfless sharing of information and examples, and I'm amazed at what Articulate products in particular Storyline can do to rapidly develop SCORM compliant modules quickly and easily. No knowledge of programming is needed but you can extend the functionality by using JS and there is a whole community ready and waiting to help you do that. Storyline is my product of choice!

My search for the best authoring solution took me far and wide. I had some brief flings with others, but was set up with Articulate in 2013. We have been going steady ever since. But Storyline 2? You had me at "sliders." I have been long impressed with the versatility and utility of Articulate's software. Storyline 2's ease of use makes it a great entry point for the newbie ID, but its powerful tools and integration with JavaScript mean that it has staying power. It has so many built ins but also provides designers with the freedom to design outside of the box. You are only limited by your own imagination. The user interface is intuitive and the community is robust, providing guidance and coaching from basics to advanced use cases. Give Storyline 2 a chance; you won't go wrong.

The use of Storyline 1 and now 2 has been a game-changer for our organization. The interactivity that can be created to engage learners is excellent. The overall feel of the software, as well as the ease of use, makes Storyline 2 the best elearning development software out there today. I'd be lost without it!

Like the title reads, Storyline is fun to use (and easy too)! And if you're stuck, just post in the community and you'll receive a speedy reply either from staff or other community members. The community amazes me with the wealth of expertise and knowledge they share.

Articulate Storyline 2 is an alternative to Adobe Captivate 9 which some readers may know - except that it is so much more. Storyline 2 is very easy to use - I wish I could say that I learned to find my way in Captivate anywhere as easily as in Storyline! Storyline 2 allows me to do what I want - and more, giving me interesting ideas on what else could be done, or at least tried. Among the very helpful features are the timeline, layers, variables, flexible states and trigger conditions, and one free photographic character (more can be bought) and many illustrated characters. "Character" here means more than "one image" - there are many different expressions and poses that can be triggered by variables, among other things. Also, the online community is simply unbelievably helpful - another thing that many will agree Adobe does not master to the same degree. In short - give it a 30 day try, but be warned: if you really give it a try, you will be hooked!