Multimedia Authoring

- Tools for making a complete multimedia presentation where users usually have a lot of interactive controls.

Macromedia Director

• Movie metaphor (the cast includes bitmapped sprites, scripts, music, sounds, and palettes, etc.)
• Can accept almost any bitmapped file formats
• Lingo script language with own debugger allows more control including external devices, e.g., VCRs and video disk players
• Ready for building more interactivities (buttons, etc.)
• Currently in version 7.0, this popular general market product follows the cast/score/scripting paradigm, which makes it the tool of choice for animation content. Its roots as a cel- and sprite-animation program are unmistakable; and its inclusion of Lingo, its object-based scripting language, has made it the animation-capable program to beat. The AfterBurner compression Xtra creates Shockwave files, allowing Web playback.

Authorware

• Professional multimedia authoring tool
• Supports interactive applications with hyperlinks, drag-and-drop controls, and integrated animation
• Compatibility between files produced from PC version and MAC version

Other authoring tools include:

• Microcosm : Multicosm, Ltd. ; DOS, Windows Microcosm is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system.
• Question Mark : Question Mark Computing Ltd ; DOS, Mac, Windows; WWW (via Perception) Question Mark is optimized for Electronic Assessment production.
• Emblaze Creator : Geo International ; JavaScript, Mac, Windows95, WWW.

  Emblaze Creator 2.5 is a cast/score/scripting tool which is designed for Web-based playback of interactive multimedia.

• Flash : Macromedia ; Mac, Windows95, NT, WWW (via Flash Player).

  Flash 3.0 is a cast/score/scripting tool, which primarily uses vector graphics (and can create vector graphics from imported bitmaps). It is optimized for Web delivery, and is especially common for banner adds and small interactive web deliverables.

• HyperCard : Apple Computer ; Mac, WWW (via LiveCard!).

  HyperCard is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 2.4.1. It runs natively on both 68K and PowerMacintosh machines, and is widely used because of its easy availability at a low price. Its largest drawback is the lack of integrated color; current color implementation is via the ColorTools XCMD set (included) or via third-party XCMDs.

• HyperGASP : Caliban Mindwear.

  HyperGASP is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 3.0; the newest version no longer requires HyperCard. Supports export to HTML for Web authoring.

• HyperStudio ; Roger Wagner Publishing ; Mac, Windows, WWW (via HyperStudio plug-in).

  HyperStudio is a card/scripting paradigm authoring system, optimized for and focussed on the educational market.

• IconAuthor : Asymetrix ; Windows, NT, Solaris, UNIX, WWW (via Windows).

  IconAuthor follows the iconic/flow control paradigm. It is notable for its SmartObject editor, which tags content files (still graphics, RTF text, etc.) for interactivity. It has the option to either embed content files or leave them external in specified directories. The biggest strength of this program is its included data handling, which makes it unparalleled for CBT data tracking. The latest version should also provide WWW porting of existing content. Avoid its internal "Move Object" path animation feature due to jerky response - use a .FLC or .AVI instead