Method and engine for automating the creation of simulations for

Abstract

A simulation demonstrating or teaching a procedure used in a software program based on a script of commands that are executed by a script engine. The script engine interprets the commands using libraries of functions that interact with the software program and the operating system of the computer on which the script engine is executed. The commands are control actions implemented within the software to emulate the actions of an expert carrying out the procedure being simulated. For example, the commands cause a mouse cursor to select a specified item from a drop down menu list as if the cursor were being controlled by the expert in an appropriate display screen of the software program. A plurality of images are thus created showing the cursor in different positions as it moves on the display screen. Text is entered in response to the commands, causing images showing each letter (or phrase) being entered, as if by the expert. The images are converted into an animation that can be run from within the software program or as a stand alone demo. Author selected text and numeric tokens within the commands are added to a translation table and associated with text in a different language or other numeric values to create simulations in other languages. Modification of a simulation in response to changes in the software program or to correct errors is readily accomplished by editing the commands in the script and rerunning the creation of the images and animation file.