Multimedia Authoring ToolsMultimedia Authoring Tools

Lecture 13 Lecture 13

ByRazia Nisar Noorani

Multimedia Authoring Multimedia Authoring Tools Tools • Multimedia authoring tools provide

the important framework you need for organizing and editing the elements of multimedia like graphics, sounds, animations and video clips.

• Authoring tools are used for designing interactivity and the user interface, for presentation your project on screen and assembling multimedia elements into a single cohesive project.

Multimedia Authoring Multimedia Authoring Tools Tools • Authoring software provides an

integrated environment for binding together the content and functions of your project.

• Authoring systems typically include the ability to create, edit and import specific types of data; assemble raw data into a playback sequence or cue sheet and provide structured method or language for responding to user input.

Types of Authoring Tools Types of Authoring Tools Card or page based tools Icon based, event driven tools Time based tools

Card or page based toolsCard or page based tools• In these authoring systems, elements are

organized as pages of a book or a stack of cards.

• These tools are best used when the bulk of your content consists of elements that can be viewed individually, like the pages of a book or cards in a card file.

• The authoring system lets you link these pages or cards into organized sequences.

• You can jump, on command, to any page you wish in the structured navigation pattern.

• It allows you to play sound elements and launch animations and digital video.

Card or page based toolsCard or page based tools• Advantages–Easy to understand metaphore– 1 screen= 1 card= 1 page–Ease of use• Provide templates• Short development time

• Disadvantages–Some run only on one platform–Tools not as powerful as equiv stand

alones• Software–Hypercard

Card or page based toolsCard or page based tools

Icon based, event driven Icon based, event driven tools tools • Icon or event driven tool is the simplest and

easiest authoring system.• Simple branching is the ability to go to

another section of multimedia production.• Multimedia elements and interaction cues are

organized as objects in a flow chart. • Icon- base, event-driven tools simplify the

organization of your project and typically display flow diagrams of activities along branching paths.

• In complicate structures, this charting is particularly useful during development.

• Flowchart can be built by dragging appropriate icons from library and then adding the contents.

Icon based, event driven Icon based, event driven tools tools

Advantages◦Clear structure◦Easy editing and updating

Disadvantages◦Difficult to learn◦Expensive

Softwares◦Authorware◦IconAuthor

Icon based, event driven Icon based, event driven tools tools

Time based toolsTime based tools• In these authoring systems, elements and

events are organized along a timeline, with resolutions as high or higher than 1/30 second.

• Time based tools are best to use when you have a message with a beginning and an end.

• Sequentially organized graphic frames are played back at a speed that you can set.

• Other elements are triggered back at a given time or location in the sequence of events. The more powerful time based tools let you program jumps to any location in a sequence, thereby adding navigation and interactive control.

Time based toolsTime based toolsSoftwares

◦Macromedia Director◦Flash

Macromedia DirectorMacromedia DirectorA multimedia database, ‘cast’,

contains still images, sound files, text , shapes, script, movies and other director files.

Score is a sequencer for displaying, animating and playing Cast members.

Lingo is an object oriented scripting language that enables interactivety and programmed control.

Macromedia DirectorMacromedia DirectorAdvantages

◦Good for creating animation.◦Branching, user control interactivity

Disadvantages◦Expensive◦Steep learning curve for advance

features.

Macromedia FlashMacromedia FlashFlash is used for delivering rich

multimedia contents to the web.It allows the creation of of

simples static HTML with the flash player plug-in.

Macromedia FlashMacromedia FlashAdvantages

◦Easy to put animated and interactive movies.

◦Interactive menusDisadvantages

◦Increase in file size◦Music and sound files embedded in

flash movies increase file size and increase the file size.

Top seven Authoring ToolsTop seven Authoring ToolsAdobe CaptivateArticulate PresenterArticulate EngageAdobe ConnectTechSmith CamtasiaAdobe PresenterHarbinger Raptivity

Categories Categories Best Use: Can you use the product to create

applications of a certain type; e.g. software simulations?

Interface: Do you use the product online or in PowerPoint? Does it use wizards or a stage?

Can Insert: What media formats can you put in your eLearning by using the tool?

Platforms: Does the application run in Windows, on a Mac, or online?

Publish to: To which formats can you publish your eLearning?

Cost: What are the initial and update costs of the product?

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