Scenario Builder: editor overview

In this article, you will learn how to use the Scenario Builder 2.0 editor and its block types and properties. If you’re new to the Scenario Builder, we recommend watching the basic tutorial video below first.

Scenario Builder is a multipurpose tool designed for creating interactive scenarios. This article includes: 

• How to create a scenario
• Block types overview
• Next steps

Availability

The Scenario editor is available on all user accounts. However, only select subscription plans allow you to share scenarios:

• K-12 accounts: sharing scenarios requires a K-12 Enhanced or Staff Training license. K-12 Essential and Individual Teacher accounts cannot share scenarios.
• Higher Education accounts: sharing scenarios requires a College/School or Campus license. 
• Business/Public Sector accounts:  sharing scenarios requires a Create Enterprise, Elevate Starter or Elevate Enterprise license. 

If your license doesn't support sharing scenarios, please contact our team here, and we can provide you with trial access.

How to create a scenario

Select ‘Scenarios’ in the left side menu, click the blue ‘Create scenario’ button, enter a name for your scenario, and click 'Create'. You will be taken to the scenario editor, where you can select one of the options:

• 'Create blank scenario' allows you to create a new scenario from scratch.
• 'Create with AI' helps you quickly convert PDF training materials into an interactive scenario. Simply upload your PDF file, confirm the learning objectives, and let ThingLink AI pre-build the scenario for you. Learn more here.
• [Beta] 'Convert with AI' works similarly to Create with AI, but focuses on breaking well-structured PDFs into main topics and subtopics while preserving the original text and formatting.
• 'Use a template to start' allows you to select a ready-made template with blocks and paths. Simply add your content to the existing structure. This is useful if you don't want to start from scratch, but don't have materials ready. 

How to add a block

Scenarios consist of different blocks - media assets, branching paths, text blocks, and question blocks.

To add a new block, you can either:

• Click the blue 'New block' button at the top and choose the block type. A new block will appear unconnected to other blocks. 
• Click on an existing block without the right-side connection line, click on the plus icon appearing next to the block, and choose the block type. The new block will automatically connect to the previous block.

How to add connections

The scenarios flow from left to right, with the left side of a block representing the starting point and the right side representing the end. To connect one block to the next, click the small circle button on the right side of the block, then drag the line to the left side of the following block.

To link a block back to a previous one, click the right-side circle button and drag the line to the left side of an earlier block. This creates a dashed line, indicating that the block or its answer option leads back to the previous block.

Note that multiple blocks can lead to the same block. Unconnected blocks will not be displayed to viewers.

To delete a connection, simply click the line and then click the trash icon. 

Block types 

Scenarios consist of different blocks (click block name to view related support article): 

• Media block: Use this block to add interactive images, videos, and 360° content created in the ThingLink Media Editor. You can also embed third-party content via iframe, such as quizzes, presentations, maps, websites, and forms.
• Branching block: Allows you to create different pathways within the scenario. The viewer’s route changes depending on the answer they select.
• Question block: Supports open-ended or multiple-choice questions. If the learner answers correctly, they can continue. Incorrect answers can prompt a retry or move the learner to the next step, depending on your settings.
• Text block: Displays simple text messages to guide or inform learners. You can use text blocks to provide feedback or link to additional materials without creating a new ThingLink scene. Additionally, you can add images to text blocks.

Next steps

Now that you know what kind of content you can add, click here to learn about different tools you can use while editing a scenario as well as different settings you can use to control data collection, how much time a learner can spend on a scenario, how to assign points to learners, and more.