This action is used to play a sound file and to set the relevant options for it. You can use the same action to start Midi, WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA or ASF sound files.
Note:
Midi is a different type of format to the others and you cannot play more than one midi file at one time. If you set up an action to play more than one midi file at a time only one of the chosen files will play.
Setting up the Play Sound action:
1. Add the Play Sound action to your trigger, as described in adding actions. The Play Sound tab will automatically appear when you add the action.
2. Click on the Browse button to the right of the Filename box to locate the sound file you want to play. The Open File dialog box will appear, which allows you to locate the file you want.
Alternatively; if you want to browse the sounds provided with Opus click on the Sound Browser button. The Sound Browser dialog will appear. This provides a very quick and easy way to access common sounds.
Note:
If you want to add your own sounds or categories to the Sound Browser, simply copy your files into folders in the Sounds directory wherever you installed your copy of Opus. Typically this will be in C:\Program Files\Opus Version - where Opus Version is the name of your version of Opus (i.e. Pro or Presenter)
3. Click on the Once option if you want to play the sound just once.
4. Click on the times box if you want to set a specific number of times the sound should play for. Use the spin buttons to set a specific number of times you want the sound to play.
5. Click on the Continuously option if you want the sound to play repeatedly.
6. Click on the Stop when page changes option if you want the sound to stop playing when the current page is closed and another page in your publication is opened.
Note:
For example, if the sound were specific to a particular piece of content you would not want it to continue on the next page. However, if the sound were intended as background music for the whole publication you would leave this option off.
7. If you only wish to play a section of the sound file, use the Start time and End time options to specify a start and end point for the sound. Use the spin buttons to add the time to the timings.
8. Click on the down arrow to the right of the Channel option if you want to specify a particular channel the sound should play on. By default this option is set to Auto.
Note:
Opus allows you to mix some sound formats using the channels. However, in most cases you will want to leave this set at Auto.
9. Click Initial Volume if you want to reduce the sound of the file from the default volume of 100%.
Note:
This option is useful for adjusting the sound levels across several sound files if they are too varied, or to play a sound as an underscore.
10. Click on the Fade In and/or Fade Out checkboxes if you do not want the sound to start or finish at the volume set in Initial Volume. Use the spin buttons in the Fade In or Fade Out boxes to set the time of the fade in seconds.
11. Click on the Wait for sound to finish checkbox if you want the sound to be exclusive. In other words, the sound must finish before the next action after this Play Sound action in your list of actions can start.
Note:
In most cases you will not want this option on but it will be particularly important to turn it off for long sound files or there will be a lengthy pause in your publication’s activity.
12. Click on the Preload the sound checkbox if you want Opus to load the sound in advance of it being required.
13. Click on the Apply button to save your changes.
Note:
This option is particularly useful for ensuring that small, quick sounds are ready for instant response, such as for button clicks.