To be able to create new components in SuperMemo, you have to make sure that full SuperMemo is activated (press Ctrl+Alt+F12 if that is not the case) and that Tools : Options : Data access : Access mode is set to Full Access.
To drag and drop components onto the element window click three spots in turn: (1) selected component on the editing toolbar (Edit tab at the top of the element window), (2) top-left corner of the component’s desired location in the element window, and (3) bottom-right corner of the component’s location.
The following are components available on the edit tab in the element window:
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text component
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Spell-Pad component
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image component
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sound component
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video component
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script component
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binary component
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circle
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rectangle
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rounded rectangle
- line
Each of the components can be placed in three of the following modes:
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editing mode, in which parameters of the component can be changed (e.g. text typed in, size of the component changed, etc.)
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dragging mode, in which the component can be dragged with a mouse to a new location (or resized)
- presentation mode, in which the component is displayed read-only in the form as it will be seen by the student at repetitions
You can switch components between the three modes individually (by choosing an option on component pop-up menu activated with right-click), or all of them at once by clicking one of the mode buttons: editing, dragging and presentation mode buttons.
Text components are used to display text in topics or items. To create a text component (1) click on the text component button, (2) click the top-left corner of the created text component area, (3) click on the bottom-right corner of the text component area, (4) type in the text of the text component. To see the text as it will appear to the student, click the presentation mode button (pie-chart button presented rightmost above). You can change the properties of a text component by choosing options on the component pop-up menu. To open the menu, right-click the component. To see the function of particular pop-up menu options, drag the mouse over the option in question. See below for a general description of pop-up menu options for different components.
Spell-Pad component is used to test the student’s ability to spell (type-in) a given text. To create the Spell-Pad component, repeat the three-click actions as in creating the text component, and type in the text which the student should practise at repetitions. To test the Spell-Pad, click the presentation mode button (pie-chart button presented rightmost above). To change it properties, right-click the mouse to open the component pop-up menu. To provide several optional correct responses, separate them with slash characters. For example: color/colour.
Image component is used to present a graphic bitmap to the student. Top create the image component, repeat the three-click placement actions and import a desired bitmap file (right-click to get the pop-up menu, and choose Import file).
Sound component is used to illustrate topics and items with sound. To add sound to a newly created component, choose Import file from the component pop-up menu.
Video component is used to illustrate topics and items with video. To add sound to a newly created component, choose Import file from the component pop-up menu and import a previously captured AVI files.
Script component is used to move, hide, and otherwise affect other components through simple script language programs. To learn how to write scripts see Writing scripts
Binary component is a user-written executable module (EXE or DLL). Writing EXE and DLL files requires some programming knowledge.
Shape components: circle, rectangle, rounded rectangle and line are useful in creating mind-maps and can form graphic background for the remaining components. Note that shape components in presentation mode do not have pop-up menus. To change shapes to editing mode click the editing mode button on the toolbar.