In The Press
MadCap Mimic 4.0 Adds New Flash Compiler, Import of PowerPoint Files, and Support for XPS and PDF as First-class Output Types
MadCap Mimic Brings New Level of Performance, Flexibility, and Ease to Creating and Delivering Software Simulation Movies; Facilitates Reuse of Existing E-learning and Training Content
La Jolla, CA, USA – September 30, 2009 – MadCap Software, the leader in multi-channel content authoring and a showcase company for Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Visual Studio 2005 and Microsoft XPS, today announced that MadCap Mimic 4.0 is now available. Mimic is MadCap’s native XML, state-of-the-art software application used for creating software simulations and tutorials. The newest product version enhances performance, flexibility, and ease-of-use through direct import of PowerPoint files, a new Flash engine, print output options that support conditionalized publishing, and additional usability features.
PowerPoint Import Simplifies Reuse of E-learning Content
Mimic 4.0 introduces the ability to directly import files from Microsoft PowerPoint, one of the most widely used applications for e-learning and training materials. Now authors and trainers can either create a new movie from existing PowerPoint files or insert slides into an existing movie; Mimic 4.0 facilitates the process by converting master PowerPoint layout slides into master frames. The newest version of Mimic supports the “.ppt” and “.pptx” formats, as well as PowerPoint images, background images, shape groups, text boxes, and more.
Enhanced Flash
Mimic 4.0 includes a completely rewritten Flash Compiler that significantly improves the image quality of Flash movie output and reduces the file size by up to three times smaller than was possible with previous versions.
XPS and PDF First-Class Output Types
The newest Mimic version also enhances the print output experience. The Adobe Portable Document (PDF) and Microsoft XML Paper Specification (XPS) print formats are now available as first-class output types, rather than simple exports. As a result, various advanced features associated with first-class output types—such as condition tags—can now be used with PDF and XPS formats. Additionally, authors can use “Page Setup” options for PDF and XPS formats to specify information such as paper size and orientation.
Ease-of-Use Enhancements
Ease-of-Use is also enhanced with the addition of several new features in Mimic 4.0:
- Dynamic Help Window Pane Lock lets the translator keep the current Help topic frozen in place while moving around in the MadCap Mimic interface, making it easier to follow steps or other information placed in the relevant Help topic.
- Minimize to System Tray provides an option to place a shortcut button in the system tray (e.g., notification area) of the task bar when MadCap Mimic is minimized.
- Reorganized Frame Editor facilitates the creation and editing of images.
- Expanded Object Support includes the ability to rotate shapes, as well as add loop and arrow shapes to frames.
“With version 4.0, Mimic takes a significant step forward in usability as well as e-learning and training,” said Anthony Olivier, MadCap Software co-founder and CEO. “Our new Flash Compiler enables a vastly richer, high-performance video experience, while direct support for importing PowerPoint and exporting to PDF and XPS helps leverage existing training materials and slides and streamline the process of creating and reviewing the software simulation movies and tutorials. It’s one more example of how MadCap empowers documentation teams to bring greater value to their companies, customers and partners.”
Like all MadCap documentation and authoring solutions, Mimic offers Unicode support for all left-to-right languages; access to these XML files is especially useful for translating movies into a range of Western and Asian languages. Additionally, Mimic is fully integrated with MadCap Flare for multi-channel single-source publishing and with MadCap Lingo, the industry’s only fully integrated translation memory system and authoring tool for easy translation of multi-media elements. Mimic is part of the MadPak, the industry’s only fully integrated, true single-source suite for multi-channel publishing. Other solutions include MadCap Capture for screen capture and graphics editing; MadCap Analyzer for analyzing, reporting on, and recommending improvements to a project’s content; and MadCap Echo for Web 2.0 audio functions.
Availability and Pricing
MadCap Mimic 4.0 is available today, both separately and as part of the MadPak. A standalone Mimic package is priced at $299 per single-user license. Capture is priced at $89 per single-user license. The MadPak, which also includes MadCap Flare, X-Edit, Capture, Echo and Analyzer, is available for $1,299 per license. Support fees start at $199 per year for the Bronze Level, $299 for the Gold Level, and $499 for the Platinum Level. Discounts for multiyear support contracts are also available.
About MadCap Software
MadCap Software is a trusted resource for thousands of companies around the globe for single-source, multi-channel authoring and publishing solutions designed to streamline the process of developing and delivering training content, learning and development programs, technical documentation, online Help, knowledge bases, and more. From authoring, publishing and translation, to cloud-based content management system, to contribution and review in the cloud, you can streamline content delivery and manage the entire content development lifecycle with MadCap Software. MadCap Software’s services include product training, consulting services, translation and localization, and an advanced developer certification program. Headquartered in San Diego, California, with offices in Austin, TX, MadCap Software is home to some of the most experienced software architects and product experts in the content development industry.
