Ribbons

Opens the New dialog, which lets you choose one of the many options for creating a new movie or collection. See New Dialog.

Opens a dialog, which lets you search for and select a movie or collection to open.

Click the face of the button to save changes to the active file. You can also click the arrow and choose the following.

• Save Saves changes to the active file.
• Save As Opens the Save As dialog, which lets you save the active file under a different name and/or file type and to a particular location. The new file is then displayed in the editor.
• Save All Saves changes to all of the open files.

Closes the active file.

Closes the collection.

Opens the Print dialog, which lets you print the active movie frame. See Printing Frames.

Opens the Recent Collections dialog, which lets you remove collections from the list of recently opened collections. This lets you keep the list shorter and more manageable. When you use this feature, the collection is merely removed from the list, but the actual collection is not deleted. See Recent Collections Dialog.

Displays a list of recently opened files. You can select one from the list to open it. You can also remove files from the list of recently opened files, which lets you keep the list shorter and more manageable. When you use this feature, the file is merely removed from the list, but the actual file is not deleted.

Opens the Recording Options dialog, which lets you set options pertaining to sound, callouts, and cursors before you record a movie. See Recording Options Dialog.

Opens the Options dialog, which lets you set various global options. For more details, see Options Dialog.

Converts the cursor to Hand mode, which lets you drag areas of the frame around. This is useful when you have zoomed in on a frame so much that you cannot see all of it in the editor. See Using the Hand Mode.

Converts the cursor to Select mode, which lets you select any objects or areas in the frame.

Activates Preview mode. This mode lets you preview actions that have been set on objects without having to build the output first. See Using Preview Mode.

Cuts the selection and sends it to the clipboard.

Copies the selection and sends it to the clipboard.

Pastes the selection from the clipboard to the place where the cursor is inserted.

Deletes the selection.

Selects all content in the file.

Opens a submenu which lets you create the following objects:

Rectangle

Converts the cursor to Rectangle mode, which lets you create a square or rectangle shape by clicking in the frame and dragging in any direction. When you release the cursor, the shape is created.

Polygon

Converts the cursor to Polygon mode, which lets you create a closed plane shape bounded by three or more line segments. After you select this button, you can click anywhere in the frame to identify the starting point for the shape. When you move the cursor, a straight line segment is drawn. If you click the left mouse button, it signifies the end of that line segment and the start of another line segment. When you move the cursor, another straight line segment is drawn. When you double-click, a final line segment joins your starting and ending points, thus closing off the shape.

Oval

Converts the cursor to Oval mode, which lets you create a circle or oval shape by clicking in the frame and dragging in any direction. When you release the cursor, the shape is created.

Polyline

Converts the cursor to Polyline mode, which lets you create a straight or angled line with an arrow at the end (which you can change or remove by using the Polyline section in the Object Properties window pane). After you select this button, you can click anywhere in the frame to identify the starting point for the line. When you move the cursor, a straight line segment is drawn. If you click the left mouse button, it signifies the end of that line segment and the start of another line segment. When you move the cursor, another straight line segment is drawn. You can identify the end of the line by double-clicking.

Text Rectangle

Converts the cursor to Text Rectangle mode, which lets you create a square or rectangle shape with text by clicking in the image and dragging in any direction. When you release the cursor, default text is shown in a popup editor. You can replace the text with your own and click outside the area to see the finished shape. In addition, this mode adds a background to the box (as opposed to a transparent background), which makes it easier to see the text.

Graphics

• Bubble Converts the cursor to Bubble mode, which lets you create a callout by clicking in the frame and dragging a rectangle area. When you release the cursor, a "bubble" shape is created, which consists of a rectangular or square area for holding text and a pointy area for pointing toward an area of the frame that you want to explain or emphasize. See Adding Callouts Manually.
• Loop Converts the cursor to Loop mode, which lets you create a "loop" shape by clicking in the image and dragging a rectangle area. When you release the cursor, a loop shape is created. This is a useful shape for circling parts of an image that you want to emphasize.
• Arrow Converts the cursor to Arrow mode, which lets you create a curvy arrow shape. After you select this button, you can click anywhere in the frame to identify the starting point for the arrow. When you move the cursor, a straight line shows where the arrow will be placed. When you release the cursor, an arrow is created.
• Cursor Converts the cursor to Cursor mode, which lets you add a cursor bitmap to the frame by clicking in the frame and dragging in any direction. When you release the mouse button, a cursor bitmap is added within a shaded oval shape. You can change the cursor type and adjust the color and transparency of the oval background from the Cursor section in the Object Properties window pane. See Adding Cursors Manually.

Interactive

Interactive objects include the following object types:

• Button Lets you create a button with text (e.g., "Click Here"). You can double-click the button to open the Object Properties window pane, which lets you assign an action to a button (e.g., go to next frame) that occurs when a user clicks the button in the final movie. You can also use the appropriate tabs in that dialog (Mouse Hover and Mouse Pressed) to change the look of the button when the mouse hovers over it or presses it. See Adding Buttons.
• Typing Box Lets you create an animated typing box. When you record a movie, Mimic captures any typing actions that you perform on screen. This typing is therefore animated in the movie output. In other words, each letter of the content is typed as the user watches it. Not only are these animated text boxes added automatically when you record movies, but you can also add them manually when you edit the movie. See Adding Animated Typing Boxes.
• Input Box Lets you create an input box. If you want the user to enter text at a certain frame in the movie, you can accomplish this by adding an input box. You can then enter the exact content that you want the user to type. You can also format the text, as well as specify captions and actions based on the user's input. See Adding Input Boxes.

Opens a submenu which lets you apply effects to objects. See Adding Effects.

Clip

Adds a clipping mask frame to the object, allowing you to hide the area inside of the clipping mask frame. You must have an object in order to use clip, but you don't have to center the clip on the object. You might use a clipping mask if you have an object that you want to slowly reveal to your users. You can apply clipping masks to any object.

Opacity

Adds an effect area frame to an image object, allowing you to add an opacity effect mask. This lets you see the frame background through the image object.

Gray Scale

Adds an effect area frame to an image object, allowing you to add a gray scale mask to the object. With this mask, you can apply gray scale to the parts of the image inside or outside of the effect area frame.

Blur

Adds an effect area frame to an image object, allowing you to add a blur effect mask to the object. With this mask, you can blur the image inside or outside of the effect area frame.

Click the button to initiate a region capture that will be inserted into the image that is currently open in the Frame Editor. You can also click the down arrow to select from the following:

• Insert Screenshot Initiates a region capture that will be inserted into the frame that is currently open in the Frame Editor. This is the same function that activates by clicking the face of the button.
• Captured UI Element Initiates a UI Element capture that will be inserted into the frame that is currently open in the Frame Editor.

See Capturing New Frames and Inserting Captured UI Elements as Objects

Click the button to open a dialog where you can search for and select an image to insert into the file currently open in the Frame Editor. You can also click the down arrow to select from the following:

• Image File Opens a dialog, which lets you search for and select an image. The new image will be added to the current frame as an object. You can then edit the overlay image. This is the same function that activates by clicking the face of the button.
• Cursor File Opens a dialog, which lets you search for and select a cursor image (i.e., a file with a .cur extension). The new image will be added to the current frame as an object. You can then edit the overlay image.

Opens the Add Sound to Frame dialog, which lets you insert audio as an object. See Adding Audio as Objects.

Lets you apply a shadow to or remove it from the selected object.

Lets you select and apply a color to the background of the selected object.

Lets you select and apply a color to the border or line of the selected object.

Lets you select a font type (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman), applying it to the text within the selected object.

Lets you select a font size, applying it to the text within the selected object.

Applies bold typeface to the text within the selected object.

Applies italic typeface to the text within the selected object.

Underlines the content within the selected object.

Removes local formatting in a selection of text or the entirety of the text in an object.

Lets you select and apply a color to the text within the selected object.

Horizontally aligns the text within the selected object to the left.

Horizontally aligns the text within the selected object in the center.

Horizontally aligns the text within the selected object to the right.

Vertically aligns the text within the selected object to the top.

Vertically aligns the text within the selected object to the middle.

Vertically aligns the text within the selected object to the bottom.

Click the face of the button to sink the selected object, sending it backward one level if at least one other object overlaps it (below it). You can also click the down arrow to select from the following.

• Sink Sinks the selected object, sending it backward one level if at least one other object overlaps it (below it). This is the same function that activates by clicking the face of the button.
• Sink To Bottom Sinks the selected object, sending it backward to the bottom level if at least one other object overlaps it (below it).

See Floating and Sinking Objects.

Click the face of the button to float the selected object, bringing it forward one level if at least one other object overlaps it (above it). You can also click the down arrow to select from the following.

• Float Floats the selected object, bringing it forward one level if at least one other object overlaps it (above it). This is the same function that activates by clicking the face of the button.
• Float To Top Floats the selected object, bringing it forward to the top level if at least one other object overlaps it (above it).

See Floating and Sinking Objects.

Rotates the selected object 45 degrees clockwise. Click the down arrow to select from the following options.

• Rotate 90 Clockwise Turns the object 90 degrees clockwise.
• Rotate 45 Clockwise Turns the object 45 degrees clockwise. This is the same function that activates by clicking the button.
• Rotate Clockwise Turns the object 1 degree clockwise.

See Rotating Objects.

Click the button to rotate the selected object 45 degrees counter clockwise. You can also click the down arrow to select from the following.

• Rotate 90 Clockwise Turns the object 90 degrees counter clockwise.
• Rotate 45 Clockwise Turns the object 45 degrees counter clockwise. This is the same function that activates by clicking the face of the button.
• Rotate 1 Clockwise Turns the object 1 degree counter clockwise.

See Rotating Objects.

Returns the object to its original setting before it was rotated.

Horizontally aligns the selected objects so that the left border of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the left border of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Horizontally aligns the selected objects so that the right border of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the right border of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Vertically aligns the selected objects so that the top border of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the top border of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Vertically aligns the selected objects so that the bottom border of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the bottom border of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Vertically aligns the selected objects so that the center of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the center of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Horizontally aligns the selected objects so that the middle of each is at the same location on the image. The alignment is based on the middle of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Resizes the width of the selected objects so that they are all the same. The resizing is based on the width of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Centers the selected object(s) both vertically and horizontally on the canvas.

Resizes the height of the selected objects so that they are all the same. The resizing is based on the height of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Centers the selected object(s) horizontally on the canvas.

Resizes the width and height of the selected objects so that they are all the same. The resizing is based on the width and height of the first object that you select. The first object selected has orange handles, while the other selected objects have white handles.

Centers the selected object(s) vertically on the canvas.

Lets you use the default look for objects in a frame. In other words, you can remove the formatting from the selected object(s) and apply the default formatting for that particular type of object (e.g., oval, rectangle, bubble, line). For example, let's say you are drawing a rectangle on a frame. When you select the rectangle tool from the local toolbar, the default factory settings are such that the rectangle initially has a thin black border and no fill color. You can apply, say, a green fill color to that object. If you then decide that you want to return to the default setting (in this case, no fill color), you can select this option. See Using the Default Look for Objects.

Lets you set the default look for objects. For example, let's say you draw a rectangle on a frame and make formatting changes to the shape (e.g., color, border, shading). If you then select this object and set it as the default look, future rectangles will initially contain these same settings when you draw them. This option is enabled only if a single object is selected. See Setting the Default Look for Objects.

Gives all the objects of the same type the same formatting as the object that you currently have selected. See Making All Objects Look the Same.

Lets you pick a style for the selected shape. You can choose from factory styles or from any styles you've added to your palettes. See Selecting Styles for Objects..

Click the button to opes the previous frame in the movie. You can also select the following from the submenu:

• Previous Opens the previous frame in the movie.
• First Opens the first frame in the movie.

Click the button to opes the next frame in the movie. You can also select the following from the submenu:

• Next Opens the next frame in the movie.
• Last Opens the last frame in the movie.

Copies the selected frame.

Pastes the frame.

Removes the selected frame from the movie.

Copies the background image of the selected frame.

Pastes the background image of the frame.

Inserts a blank frame after the selected frame.

Duplicates the frame.

Opens the Import PowerPoint Wizard, which lets you import slides from a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. See Inserting PowerPoint Slides Into a Movie.

Minimizes Mimic and displays a capture rectangle the same size as the frames in the movie. This lets you capture a screen shot on your computer, thereby creating a new frame and inserting it immediately after the selected frame. See Capturing New Frames.

Minimizes Mimic and displays a recording rectangle the same size as the frames in the movie. This lets you record new frames, inserting them immediately after the selected frame. See Recording New Frames.

Inserts a video (MP4 or WMV) as a new frame. See Inserting a Video.

Adds the selected frame as a master frame.

Adds the selected frame to a frame library.

Minimizes Mimic and opens a recording area so you can record a new movie. See Recording Movies.

Generates the output files for the active movie. This option is enabled only if you have a standalone movie open (rather than a collection).

Click the button to build output files for the active movie using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to build the active movie's output files using either of Mimic's output types. See Building Movie Output Using the Interface.

Opens the movie output. This option is enabled only if you have a standalone movie open (rather than a collection).

Click the button to view the movie output using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to view the movie output using either of Mimic's output types. See Viewing Movie Output.

Opens the Publish Movie dialog, which lets you publish the output files for a standalone movie, sending them to the destination that you specify. If the movie has not yet been generated or is not up to date, you are asked if you want to build the movie before publishing. This option is enabled only if you have a standalone movie open (rather than a collection).

Click the button to publish the output files for the active movie using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to publish the active movie's output files using either of Mimic's output types. See Publishing Output.

Opens the Build Targets dialog, which lets you generate movie output for multiple targets. See Targets.

Deletes the Output folder for the movie and all output files inside. The next time you build the movie, the Output folder will be created again to hold the new output files. This option is enabled only if you have a standalone movie open (rather than a collection).

Opens the movie Output folder in Windows so that you can see the output subfolders and files. This option is enabled only if you have a standalone movie open (rather than a collection).

Opens the Start New Collection Wizard, which lets you create a new movie collection. See Creating a Movie Collection.

Opens the Import Movie dialog, which lets you import a new movie into the collection. See Importing Movies Into Collections.

Generates the output files for all of the movies in the collection. This option is enabled only if you have a collection open.

Click the button to build output files for the active collection using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to build the active collection's output files using either of Mimic's output types. See Building Movie Output Using the Interface.

Opens the movie collection output. This option is enabled only if you have a collection open.

Click the button to view the collection output using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to view the collection output using either of Mimic's output types. See Viewing Movie Output.

Opens the Publish Movie dialog, which lets you publish the output files for a movie collection, sending them to the destination that you specify. If the collection has not yet been generated or is not up to date, you are asked if you want to build the collection before publishing. This option is enabled only if you have a collection open.

Click the button to publish the output files for the active collection using the output type that is selected as the primary target. You can also click the drop-down arrow and select to publish the active collection's output files using either of Mimic's output types. See Publishing Output.

Deletes the Output folder for the collection and all output files inside. The next time you build the movie collection, the Output folder will be created again to hold the new output files. This option is enabled only if you have a collection open.

Opens the collection Output folder in Windows so that you can see the output subfolders and files. This option is enabled only if you have a collection open.

Opens the Timeline window pane, which lets you control the timing of individual objects in the current frame. See Timeline Window Pane.

Opens the Frames window pane, which displays all of the frames in the active movie. See Frames Window Pane.

Opens the Start Page, which provides links to high-level tasks and information. See Start Page.

Opens the Messages window pane, which displays important information as you work. For example, if a necessary file is missing, this window pane lets you know.

Opens the Palettes window, which lets you add objects for future use or drag stored objects to an image. See Palettes.

Opens the Master Frames window pane, which displays all of the master frames that you have created. See Master Frames.

Opens the Frame Libraries window pane, which displays all of the frames that you have added to the open library. See Frame Libraries.

Opens the Movies window pane, which lists small snapshots of the movies in the collection. See Movies Window Pane.

Opens the Video Services window pane, which lets you upload movies to YouTube and Vimeo. See Video Services Window Pane.

Opens or closes the status bar at the bottom of the program window.

Increases the scale of the image each time you select the option.

Reduces the scale of the image each time you select the option.

Resets the scale of the image to 100%.

Resizes the frame to fit the width of the current size of the Frame Editor.

Resizes the frame to fit the height of the current size of the Frame Editor.

Shows or hides the colored shading of objects to which condition tags have been applied.

Lets you see what the frame will look like with condition tags included or excluded in the output. In order to use this preview feature, you need to include or exclude certain tags ot the movie, collection, or target. Then when you click the Preview Conditions button, the objects that have condition tags set to be shown will still appear, but the objects that have condition tags set to be excluded will be hidden. This is simply a way to test your conditions before generating the output. See Previewing Conditions.

Shows arrows on each side of an object when you click it. You can then click any of the arrows to set the anchors. This lets you lock the position of the object in place. See Setting Object Anchors.

Makes the grid "sticky," so that when you drag objects around the Frame Editor, the edge is automatically attached to the frame in relation to the nearest vertical or horizontal line of dots. Otherwise, if you do not have this option set, the position of the objects will be "loose" on the frame.

You can show or hide the grid on your image. Grids help you more accurately place images and objects. The grid does not display in the output; it is only shown in the Frame Editor. By dragging and placing the edges of an object along those dots, you can be assured that the object is positioned more accurately and aligned with other objects and images. See Working With Grids.

Lets you specify the number of pixels between dots on the grid.

Opens the Spell Check window pane, which lets you check the spelling in your movies. See Spell Checking Movies.

Opens the Open Dictionary dialog, which lets you access a custom dictionary so that you can edit it. See Spell Check and Editing Dictionaries.

Opens the Manage Windows dialog, which lists the files that are currently open and lets you activate (i.e., switch to), save, or close a particular file.

Closes open files. You can select the following from the submenu:

• Close All Documents Closes all files that you have opened in the workspace.
• Close All But This Closes all files that you have opened in the workspace, with the exception of the document that is currently active.

If you select the Dock option when a window pane is active, the Drag Pane area is shown or hidden in the window pane accordingly. The Drag Pane area lets you move the window pane and dock it elsewhere in the program window.

"Pins" the active window pane or editor to the side of the interface so that you have more room for your workspace. You can show the window pane by hovering over the thin bar on the side of the interface. If you select the pin button at the top-right of the window pane, the window pane returns to its previous state (no longer pinned to the side of the interface).

Converts the active window pane or editor to a floating window, which means it is no longer attached to the interface. This is a good option to use if you want to work on two topics side-by-side. If you do not want a window pane or editor to be floating anymore, you can right-click in the title bar and select Dock.

Opens a submenu that lists the layouts. Select a layout to display it in the interface.

Saves the window layout. You can select the following from the submenu:

• Save Window Layout If you are working in a particular layout and have opened different interface elements or moved interface elements around, you can select this option to save the changes to the layout.
• Save Window Layout As Opens the Rename Window Layout dialog, which lets you save the current interface configuration as a layout.

If you are working in a particular layout and have opened different interface elements or moved interface elements around, you can select this option to return to the saved configuration of the layout.

Returns the current configuration of the interface to the factory layout settings (the original layout when you first installed and launched Mimic).

Opens the Dynamic Help window pane, which automatically displays the Help topic related to the active element in the interface.

Opens Help topics. You can select the following from the submenu:

• Help Topic Opens the Help topic related to the active element in the Mimic interface.
• New Help Topic Window Opens a new instance of a Help topic in another window.

Opens the Help TOC window pane, which lets you locate and access topics in Mimic's online Help.

Lets you manually synchronize the current Help topic with the TOC. In other words, the TOC book containing that topic also opens to show you where the topic resides in the TOC hierarchy.

Automatically synchronizes the current Help topic with the Help TOC. In other words, when a particular Help topic is displayed, the TOC book containing that topic also opens to show you where the topic resides in the TOC hierarchy.

Opens the index. You can select the following from the submenu:

• Index Opens the Help Index window pane, which lets you search for information using the index in Mimic's online Help.
• Index Results Opens the Index Results window pane, which displays links to related topics after you perform a search in the Help index.

Opens the Help Search window pane, which lets you search for information in Mimic's online Help.

Opens the Help Favorites window pane, which lets you quickly access your favorite Mimic Help topics.

Opens the Help Glossary window pane, which lets you view glossary terms and definitions in Mimic's online Help.

Opens a Help topic that lets you access one of the printed guides related to Mimic. See PDFs.

Opens a website containing videos about Mimic.

Opens the MadCap Forums website, where you can obtain additional information about Mimic and communicate with other Mimic users.

Opens the Activate Product Wizard, allowing you to activate or renew the product.

Deactivates the currently used license for the machine running Mimic.

Lets you register your version of Mimic if you have not done so already. This option is enabled only if you are using a trial version of the software.

Opens the New Updates Available dialog, which lets you download Mimic updates from MadCap Software.

Displays a popup that shows information about the current version of Mimic. Click the popup to make it disappear.