XStream
Software Launches RapidBuilder® v3.0
New release includes a variety of new, sophisticated editing
tools, more options for creating multi-file courses, and
increased Flash™ support.
OTTAWA, Canada, January 28, 2002 - XStream
Software Inc., the leading provider of today's unmatched
Simulation and Exam Authoring tools, today released RapidBuilder v3.0,
the latest version of XStream's 100% programming-free simulation-authoring
software. This latest version of RapidBuilder has
been infused with new technologies and specifically designed
to power the development of a new generation of realistic
application simulations and online courses. RapidBuilder's ambitious
multimedia edit suite has been greatly expanded with a whole
new series of advanced editing tools and options. Its support
for high-level media integration has also been taken to the
next level with increased support for the popular Flash (SWF)
format.
RapidBuilder v3.0 enables any developer
to create, customize, and deploy Fully Interactive, Multimedia
Simulation (.RBX) files and Project/Course (.RPR)
files that realistically duplicate the functionality of the
live Windows environment. Real-time screen interactions (including
mouse clicks, keystrokes, and cursor/mouse pointer movements)
with any desktop or web-based software application may be
recorded to instantly create tutorials, demos, and presentations. RapidBuilder files
may be edited through a feature-rich multimedia edit suite,
which includes provisions for adding appended/inserted frames,
text, graphics, pre-defined screen templates, audio files,
recorded sound clips, embedded sound tracks, video, navigational
hyperlinks, links to external files and web pages, menus,
mouse pointer animations, highlighting actions, drag and
drop actions, special visual effects, colors, shapes, combo
boxes, instruction boxes, and more. After editing, RapidBuilder files
are highly compressed (80-97%), and they may be saved in
a variety of formats including RBX (RapidBuilder's native
file format), EXE, Flash (SWF) or different video formats
(AVI, ASF, MOV, MPEG). The files may be deployed on CD-ROM,
via the Web (Internet, Intranet, Extranet) or on LAN/WAN.
RapidBuilder v3.0 features increased Flash support,
with nearly all RapidBuilder objects now supported
in Flash format. Any RapidBuilder file may
be saved and compressed as a Flash (SWF) file that
is relatively small in size. New editing objects include
the Highlighter object, which enables the developer
to simulate the action of highlighting text, cells, or screen
areas, and the Drag and Drop object, which enables
the developer to simulate the action of dragging and dropping
an object from one area of the screen to another. New tools
for creating online projects (courses) include the Menu
Builder, which automatically builds course menus by
scanning the project and incorporating the index names of
all lessons, topics, and subtopics, and the Course Navigator,
which organizes and displays all the lessons, topics, subtopics,
and external files for the current project in a browsable
tree structure.
" RapidBuilder v3.0 represents a
true milestone in the evolution of RapidBuilder's technology," says Sunil
K. Sethi, XStream's President and CEO. "What
began as a unique simulation-building tool has rapidly grown
into a broad-based e-learning development package, which
not only builds the most realistic software simulations on
the market, but also boasts extensive support for the creation
and administration of comprehensive LAN and Web-based courses."
"In addition to its unique suite of editing
tools and development options, RapidBuilder v3.0 includes
greatly increased support for industry standards, which is
a key factor for most clients," adds Mahendra K. Agrawal, XStream's
Vice President of Technology. "The new, more intuitive
interface, increased Flash support, standard text-editing
options and Format Bar, and pre-designed screen templates
have all been added to increase the already wide-scale appeal
of RapidBuilder."
About XStream
XStream Software is an innovator in the
computer simulation, eLearning, and knowledge management
domains. Its first two products, RapidBuilder® and RapidExam™,
are already in use by a growing base of clients. RapidBuilder captures
real-time interactions between users and OEM software applications
to create tutorials, product demos, and courseware with minimum
time and effort. A powerful compression technology, paired
with a multimedia edit suite, allows customers to create
high-end, interactive demos and learning tools in minimal
time. RapidExam then enables customers to create
equally fast and feature-rich competency and/or certification
exams - a perfect way to close the training loop. LGP
Builder™ is our Live Guided Practice (LGP) technology
that enables developers to create and provide guidance to
users in real-time within the 'live' applications they are
using. Users are provided step-by-step multi-language instructions
(in audio or text format) along with animated laser pointers
that indicate to the user where they need to perform actions
within the 'live' applications they are using.
For more information, visit www.xstreamsoftware.com or
call 613-731-9443 or send an email to info@xstreamsoftware.com.
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