Macromedia has announced Captivate, a newly named and featured version of its recently acquired RoboDemo software.

The new Captivate leverages Flash to enable non-programmers to build interesting, interactive software demos and simulations, the company said.

Captivate, like RoboDemo, lets users record onscreen activity and create software demonstrations and interactive simulations. It lets designers include audio, animation and scored interaction within both types of e-learning material.

Unlike RoboDemo, however, the new Captivate now offers seamless integration with Macromedia’s Breeze online conferencing product. This means that any end user with Flash can now fully participate in a Captivate demo or simulation, without having to download or install any additional software, the company said.

Captivate also aims to make it easier for non-programmers to build demos and simulations. It includes several new visual tools, such as a new timeline tool, that let authors edit and rework demos and simulations simply by dragging items with the mouse.

"As more organizations invest in software as a critical component of their infrastructure, Captivate enables them to train users rapidly and more efficiently," said Tom Hale, general manager, Macromedia. "Instead of the time investment and cost of training users in person, Captivate lets anyone record actions, add annotation and voice, and create an experience as rich as having an instructor in the room."