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      Lectora Desktop Release Notes

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      Lectora Desktop 

      Release date: 10/15/2024

      Version: 22.0.1_12607

      We’re excited to announce the release of Lectora Desktop 22.0.1, which includes important fixes and a new feature to enhance the user experience. Here’s what’s new in this update:

      Fix 1: Azure SSO Support for Lectora Desktop

      • Issue Resolved: Previously, launching Lectora Desktop using the "Login with SSO" link failed for Azure users due to Azure's Content Security Policy (CSP) restrictions. This issue was specific to Azure or any Identity Provider (IdP) with similar CSP restrictions. Solution: We've addressed this issue to ensure Azure SSO now works seamlessly when launching Lectora Desktop.

      New Feature: Studio Portal Convenience for All Users

      • Whether users log in with or without SSO, the Studio Portal interface now includes a Launch Button feature that will launch Lectora Desktop installed on the same machine.  If it is not installed yet, information about how to install will be provided.

      Fix 2: Chrome Browser Event Update

      • Issue Resolved: Due to Chrome’s deprecation of the browser's Unload event, Lectora Desktop has been updated to replace the Unload event with the Pagehide event.
      • Solution: This ensures that the LMSFinish command is correctly sent to the LMS when a user closes the browser, rather than relying on the user clicking an "Exit" button.
      • Action Required: Previously published content may need to be republished to ensure optimal operation for users who have upgraded to the latest version of Chrome.

      Lectora Desktop

      Released on: August 27, 2024

      Version:  22_12606

      We are excited to bring you the latest updates and enhancements in Lectora Desktop.  Our commitment to improving your experience is shown in these updates, based on your valuable feedback. This release includes accessibility support updates, technical improvements, new features, and several customer-requested improvements. 

      What’s New?

      Introducing the New Lectora Desktop: Always Current, Always Cutting-Edge.

      With Lectora Desktop’s transition to a SaaS model, say goodbye to version numbers and hello to a constantly evolving platform. As part of ELB Learning's Gold Suite subscription, you’ll always have access to the latest updates and features, ensuring you stay at the forefront of eLearning innovation without the hassle of managing multiple software versions. Enjoy seamless updates and continuous improvements—all under one powerful, unified name: Lectora Desktop.

      PowerPoint Import: Enhanced and Upgraded

      We're excited to introduce a whole new PowerPoint Import feature in Lectora! This brand-new enhancement ensures a smoother, more reliable process, allowing you to effortlessly bring your PowerPoint presentations into Lectora without needing a local install of PowerPoint. Experience seamless transitions, improved formatting, and enhanced compatibility, speeding up your conversion of PowerPoint content to dynamic eLearning modules. With these powerful improvements, it is easy to transform slides into interactive, professional eLearning content.

      SVG as Lectora Images

      Incorporate SVGs directly into Lectora projects to maintain your high-quality resolution at any size. 

      Lectora Online and Lectora Desktop support SVG images, allowing you to create content with crystal-clear, scalable graphics. Use the Insert Image tool to effortlessly add SVG files, ensuring your visuals remain sharp and professional at any size.  Read more in Sharp images with SVG support in Lectora.

      Object Alignment Guides: Precision Tools for Perfect Layouts

      Introducing our brand new Object Alignment Guides in Lectora! These essential tools help you position objects precisely on the canvas, ensuring your design is always neat and professional. As you drag objects, visual indicators appear when they align with the center, sides, or middle of other objects, promoting perfect consistency and symmetry in your layout. With this innovative feature, enjoy a flawlessly cohesive and polished design every time.  Read more in our Knowledge Base: How to Use Object Alignment Guides in Lectora

      Other Improvements

      Updated the published HTML files to remove source file paths from the comments, eliminating any potential for sharing Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

      Enhanced Transition labels for clearer directional understanding of To and From transitions.

      Accessibility Support Updates

      We've updated our Accessibility Checker to the latest WCAG 2.2 standards, helping you identify items that may not meet accessibility requirements. Plus, you'll receive proactive warnings if non-accessible Rank/Sequence questions are included in your project, keeping your content compliant and user-friendly!

      Frame Element Descriptions have been improved when published with 'Use Web Accessibility Settings' ON or with 'Publish for Seamless Play' OFF now use descriptive, short phrases in the title attributes, aiding screen readers in conveying frame purposes accurately. This enhances accessibility and usability for all users. 

      We've enhanced the structure of both numbered and bullet lists (OL and UL) to boost 508 compliance, ensuring your content is more accessible than ever. Plus, we've made additional improvements for smoother, more precise indentation management, making your lists look sharp and professional.

      We've resolved the transition issues for Wipe, Split Vertical (Out), and Split Horizontal (Out) types when using Web Accessibility Settings. Enjoy seamless, polished animations that enhance your content's visual appeal while maintaining top-notch accessibility standards!

      Technical improvements

      Publishing now assigns a 'short name' to all HTML pages, such as page123.htm. This means the HTML file name remains consistent (page123.html) regardless of any changes to the Project Explorer page name, ensuring stability and ease of reference.

      Updated Preview Page or Published Content to support Edge browser selection. 
      This helps authors preview content compatibility and performance across all major browsers. This addition can help authors identify and fix issues specific to Edge, ensuring a consistent and optimal user experience for a broader audience.

      ARIA-Label improvements for shapes and other objects when Accessibility mode is not enabled.
      ARIA-Label improvements enhance usability by providing clear, descriptive text for screen readers and other assistive technologies. This not only aids users with disabilities but also improves overall content clarity and SEO, benefiting all users by ensuring a more accessible and user-friendly experience.

      Button and Shape objects now include a fallback font of serif or sans-serif. 
      Adding fallback fonts (serif or sans-serif) to Button and Shape objects in Lectora ensures consistent text display across all devices and browsers, maintaining readability and design integrity even if the primary font isn't supported on a particular platform.

      Customer Issues Resolved:

      In addition to several improvements with this release of Lectora Desktop, we're excited to announce several software fixes you've been asking for! Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we're committed to enhancing your experience with our product. 

      [LD-8586] - Resolved an issue with Likert Scale formatting after editing.

      [LD-8542] - Resolved an issue where the video track bar was temporarily visible after closing a video within a group.

      [LD-8539] - Addressed a problem on iPads where shapes used as buttons did not appear on the next page without refreshing.

      [LD-8509] - Improved the Speed Control Setting property to be available when the controller has a Speed Control feature.

      [LD-8507] - Resolved an issue on iOS when switching between portrait and landscape views.

      [LD-8504] - Fixed an issue on iOS where the volume slider on media objects caused the entire media element to move.

      [LD-8498] - Addressed some object transitions that caused debug console entries.

      [LD-8470] - Fixed an intermittent issue when loading a video that caused the error message 'Media error: Format(s) not supported or source(s) not found'.

      [LD-8425] - Resolved an issue where the SCORM imsmanifest.xml file did not include all files from external folders.

      [LD-5803] -  Fixed an issue where objects in a group were not moving together evenly.

      [LD-1444] - Resolved an issue in Non-English languages where the Background Wizard Color Eyedropper would not select a color from the color picker.