Chapter 2

Multimedia Authoring and Tools

 What is Multimedia Authoring
Authoring is the process of creating multimedia applications.
An authoring system is a program which has pre-programmed
elements for the development of interactive multimedia
presentations.
 In multimedia authoring systems, multimedia elements
and events are often regarded as objects.
 Multimedia Authoring Tools provide tools for making a
complete multimedia presentation
Multimedia presentations can be created using: -
 simple presentation packages such as PowerPoint
 powerful RAD tools such as .NET, JBuilder;
 True Authoring environments.

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 Cont.….

Authoring Vs Programming

Authoring Programming

Involves low level assembly of

Assembly of multimedia
Multimedia

Construction and control of

High level graphical interface Design
Multimedia

Some high-level scripting e.g., Involves real languages like C,

Lingo, ActionScript and Java

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Characteristics of Authoring Tools

 integrate text, graphics,video, and audio to create a

single multimedia presentation
 Control interactivity by the use of menus, buttons,
hotspots, hot objects etc.
 publish as a presentation or a self-running executable;
on CD/DVD, Intranet, WWW
 Be extended through the use of pre-built or externally
supplied components, plug-ins

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Features of Authoring Tools
 The multimedia project you are developing has its own
underlying structure and purpose.
 When selecting tools for your project you need to
consider that purpose.
 Some of the features that you have to take into
consideration when selecting authoring tools are:
1) Editing Feature: The elements of multimedia need to
be created, edited and converted to standard file
formats. Editing tools for these elements are often
included in your authoring system.

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Features of Authoring Tools

2) Organizing feature: the organization of media in your

project involves navigation diagrams, or flowcharts, etc.
Some authoring tools provide a visual flowcharting facility. Such
features help you for organizing the project.
E.g. Icon-Author, and Author-Ware use flowcharting and
navigation diagram method to organize media.
3) Programming feature:-
some programming approaches are: -
i) Visual programming: It is done using drag and drop.
ii) scripting language: provide very high-level scripting
language and interpreted scripting environment.

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Features of Authoring Tools

4) Interactivity feature: offers end users to control the

content and flow of information.
5) Performance-tuning features: accomplishing
synchronization of multimedia is sometimes difficult
because performance varies with different computers.
6) Playback feature: Not waste time in assembling and
testing the project

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Features of Authoring Tools

7) Delivery feature: delivering project needs building

runtime version of the project using authoring tools.
8) Internet playability: web is significant delivery
medium for multimedia. so that output can be delivered in
HTML or DHTML format.
9) Ease of learning: is it easy to learn?
how to use it. Is it easy to use?

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Some Useful Editing and Authoring Tools

Authoring tools provide an integrated environment for

binding together elements of a Multimedia production.
Multimedia editing tools are categorized into the
following parts.
1. Music sequencing and notation
 cakewalk
 Cubase
 Macromedia sound-edit
2. Digital audio editing tools
cool edit
sound forge
Pro tools

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Some Useful Editing and Authoring Tools
3) Graphics and Image Editing tools
Adobe illustrator
Adobe photoshop
Macromedia fireworks
Macromedia freehand
4) Video Editing tool
Adobe premiere
Adobe after effects
Final cut pro
5) Animation Editing Tools
multimedia APIs
Java 3D
DirectX
OpenGL
Animation Package
Macromedia Flash
Macromedia Director
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Authoring Paradigms
Authoring metaphor = authoring paradigm
 for easier understanding of the methodology
employed to create multimedia applications.
A) Scripting Language Metaphor
 uses a special language to enable interactivity(button, mouse, etc),
and
 to allow conditionals, jumps, loops, functions/macros
B) Slide Show Metaphor
 by default a linear presentation
 However, tools exist to perform jumps/hyperlink – used
e.g., PowerPoint
C) Hierarchical Metaphor
 User-controllable elements are organized into a tree structure.
 Often used in menu-driven applications

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Authoring Paradigms
D) Iconic/Flow-control Metaphor
 graphical icons are available in a toolbox
 Authoring proceeds by creating flowchart with icons
attached. e.g., Authorware by Macromedia
E) Frames metaphor
 As in iconic/flow control metaphor, but uses C language
as the programming language
 rather than represent the actual flow of the program, links
between icons are more conceptual
F) Card/Scripting Metaphor
 index-card structure, good for hypertext/hypermedia
e.g. SuperCard, HyperCard by Apple

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KUMKUMO K.@DDIT