interactive media authoring

Interactive Media Authoring Unit 60 Assignment 1

What is Multimedia Multimedia is media that utilizes a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun (a medium with multiple content forms) or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which only utilize traditional forms of printed or hand-produced text and still graphics. In general, multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, and interactivity content forms.

Audio

Video

Text Interactivity

Still Images

Animation

Multimedia Authoring (Definition) Multimedia authoring (sometimes called authoring software) is software specifically designed to help you create a multimedia application. Multimedia is the simultaneous presentation of information through many forms of media that you can control. Multimedia authoring is the process of adding graphics and interactive content to an audiovisual DVD. This will include an opening logo, main menu page, index, or scene selection. Multimedia authoring is usually only used on audiovisual DVDs and not on music disks. By defining the objects' relationships to each other, and by sequencing them in an appropriate order, authors (those who use authoring tools) can produce attractive and useful graphics applications.

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Multimedia Authoring in 4 easy steps: Create the pages you need Add contents Create interactivity Distribute with a mouse click

Interactive media authoring tools Definition

Planning

Multimedia Authoring Design

Production Development

Multimedia Authoring tools Typically authoring tools require less technical knowledge to master and are used exclusively for applications that present a mixture of textual, graphical and audio data. Multimedia authoring tools are Tools for making a complete multimedia presentation where users usually have a lot of interactive controls Mediator 9 is a premier multimedia authoring tool that allows you to create interactive CD-ROM presentations, dynamic HTML pages and Flash® projects. Recognized for its award-winning iconbased editing, Mediator remains the leading multimedia authoring software for creating highly professional presentations, without requiring any coding or scripting..

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Multimedia Authoring Programmes, Create multimedia Produce Content w/paint, text and animation tools. Design Screen layout. Create interactivity. Incorporate text, sound, video, animation and graphics. Create Hyperlinks. •Microcosm •Question Mark •Emblaze Creator •Flash •Flash 3.0 •HyperStudio

Example of authoring tools

Planning & Design When planning and designing a multimedia project we should think carefully about the following, Analysis Determining if multimedia is appropriate Selecting the best media Building the team Idea generation Designing multimedia components.

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Development & Production 

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Producing multimedia requires new tasks . skills for technical communicators. and Based on the authoring program of your choice, you need to make decisions regarding backgrounds, organization, audio and video, text and graphics, and navigation. You will also make decisions regarding media types such as text, graphics, images, animation, sound, and video. Make sure that you are aware that all your production team is in the right place at the same time, all the equipment is available ready for production, because if everything apart from your camera man is there then you cant develop your production these are very important issues you should take into consideration when developing or producing a multimedia production. Production •Collection and translating assets •Originating assets (graphic, sound, video) •Programming •Designing product packaging •Writing support materials •Action planning •Production Team (Who does what) •Scrum chart( to monitor development)

Multimedia Applications (Uses)     

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Multimedia applications are basically things that can either show or play multimedia, complex computer software which typically includes visual images, short video clips, animation and sound, often alongside large quantities of text ... for example, Television Multimedia can be used for Interactive information points entertainment, corporate presentations, Games consoles. education, training, simulations, digital Music players publications, museum exhibits and so World Wide Web much more. With the advent multimedia authoring applications like Flash, Hypermedia courseware Shockwave and Director amongst a host Video conferencing of other equally enchanting applications, Video-on-demand your multimedia end product is only Interactive TV limited by your imagination. Groupware Home shopping Games Virtual reality Digital video editing and production systems Multimedia Database systems

Presentations

Marketing

Product catalogues

Entertainment

Documentation

Multimedia Applications Assessment

Game s Education

Computer-based training

Multimedia application in entertainment The field of entertainment uses multimedia extensively. One of the earliest applications of multimedia was for games. Multimedia made possible innovative and interactive games that greatly enhanced the learning experience. Games could come alive with sounds and animated graphics. Multimedia application in presentations Multimedia presentations are a great way to introduce new concepts or explain a new technology. In companies, this reduces the Design and Training time of multimedia. Individuals find it easy to understand and use. Multimedia application in Product catalogue The company Logicom has produced various database driven catalogue applications. These enable users to access product information by either selecting from tree-type menus, or performing a search on the content. These products utilise Logicom's high quality interface design for CD-ROM and DVD, delivering a rewarding and fast user experience.

Multimedia application in Education For this section I found an example of this on out own intranet in college, they offer assignment help in text format, video format and also in some cases voice format.

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Multimedia application in Computer-Based training computer based training services include training, assessment, content design, programming and implementation are the core in which ICS learning groups are now offering. They pay attention to your particular learning objectives, technical requirements and business environment to ensure that the software will deliver on all fronts. Computer based training covers the following, Software Simulation Manufacturing Processes Medical and Continuing Medical Education IT Security Awareness Professional Certification Sales Training Pharmacy Competence Assessment Financial Systems Multimedia application in marketing These are some of the key point in marketing a multimedia application,  Strategic & Tactical Consultancy  Corporate Identity  Tone of Voice / Copy  Company Literature  Design & Print Services  Corporate Presentation  Corporate Video Production  Voice Over / Narration  Interactive CD ROM / DVD Authoring  Website & Intranet  3D Visualization & Animation  Exhibition / Conference  Music Composition

CD/DVD ROM Information Kiosks

Web

Multimedia Format Handheld devices

Presentations

Interactive TV

Multimedia Format    

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CD ROMs Engaging sales and marketing tools. Interactive training and education solutions. Playable on PCs and Macs. Easy to replicate and inexpensive to ship. DVDs Excellent for lengthy, high-quality video programs A great alternative to laserdiscs and looped videotapes used for tradeshows, museums, and kiosks. Kiosks Perfect for Point-of-Sale encounters. Excellent sources of info at airports, trade shows, store and business lobbies, and museum exhibits. Displays products, promotes services, and engages customers. Digital Presentations

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Dynamic sales and marketing tools. Assist presenters with providing consistent messages. More than a PowerPoint presentation - they can include custom graphics, video, multiple audio tracks, complex 3D animations, web site links, multiple menus, and more.

Interactive TV Interactive television describes a number of techniques which allow viewers to interact with television content as they view it. An example of a company that does this is MX telecom, MX provides its customers with unified interfaces to the full spectrum of modern telecommunication, from SMS and MMS to Voice and Video. For those wishing to couple the interactive potential of these gateway platforms with the unique medium of television, MX Telecom offers the MX telecom interactive television platform.

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Hand held Devices A mobile device (also known as converged device, handheld device, handheld computer, "Palmtop" or simply handheld) is a pocketsized computing device, typically comprising a small visual display screen for user output and a miniature keyboard or touch screen for user input. HHCD are smaller than portable PCs. This makes it easy to carry around and fits well into ones' pocket. Users need less paper. Users can write on the HHCD or make sketches, and transmit this data onto a PC at a later time.

Interactive Multimedia can be used for 

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Structured sales messages designed for low cost mail shot, helping sales reps introduce your company or to close deals. Digital brochures that speak and create exciting experiences that people will genuinely enjoy receiving Interactive business and top corporate presentations designed to inform and impress Interactive training packages to replace old CBTs, or where intranet access is not available

How does Multimedia compare to the alternatives ? 

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It offers the power of persuasive presentations and professional training packages. It makes audiences react by involving them. Audiences learn. They appreciate what you have to tell them, and they remember it. Research shows that by combining sight and sound retention of information is doubled.

Text

Sound

Video

Multimedia Assets Vector Graphics

Image s Animation s

Multimedia Assets In multimedia, multimedia media assets are various components such as text, still images, and video these are all defined as assets, each asset has its own standard format, and trade-offs in size and quantity. Documents which include these such assets are called hyperdocuments.

Multimedia media assets in sound •The MIDI Format. •The RealAudio Format. •The AU Format. •The AIFF Format. •The WAVE Format. •The MP3 Format. (MPEG) •The SND Format.

Multimedia media assets in Video •The AVI Format. •The Windows Media Format. •The QuickTime Format. •The RealVideo Format. •The Shockwave (Flash) Format. •The MPEG format.

Multimedia Assets in animation 2D animation  Analog computer animation  Flash animation  PowerPoint animation

3D animation  Cel-shaded animation.  Morph target animation.  Skeletal animation.  Motion capture.  Crowd simulation.

Multimedia Assets in Text 

Text is the most widely used and flexible means of presenting information on screen and conveying ideas. The designer should not necessarily try to replace textual elements with pictures or sound, but should consider how to present text in an acceptable way and supplementing it with other media. Conventional upper and lower case text should be used for the presentation since reading is faster compared to all upper case text. All upper case can be used if a text item has to attract attention as in warnings and alarm messages.

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The length of text lines should be no longer than around 60 characters to achieve optimal reading speed.

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Only one third of a display should be filled with text.

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Proportional spacing and ragged lines also minimises unpleasant visual effects.

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12 point text is the practical minimum to adopt for PC based screens, with the use of 14 point or higher for screens of poorer resolution than a normal desktop PC

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If the users do not have their vision corrected for VDU use e.g. the public. It is recommended that text of 16 point is preferred if it is to be usable by people with visual impairments.

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Sentences should be short and concise and not be split over pages.

Multimedia Assets in Vector Graphics   

Vector graphics (also called geometric modeling or object-oriented graphics) is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and polygons, which are all based upon mathematical equations to represent images in computer graphics. Vector graphic (image) file extensions EPS AI FLA

Events

Hotspots

Scripting

Buttons

Multimedia Interactivity and control Timeline s

Effects Slideshow s

Multimedia Assets in Images Things to think about when we use images in our multimedia projects/documents ETC,  Copyright of the image  Cost of what the image would be for you to use.  Cost of the image you would sell to third parties.  File size of the image.  Image placement.

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Buttons This control provides push buttons that issue MCI commands to supported devices. The application should have the MCI device open before the user is allowed to push buttons. When recording audio, open a new file to be sure that the data file is in a format compatible with the system's recording capability. Issue the MCI Save command before closing the device to store the recording in the file. General  DeviceType  FileName  MousePointer  Orientation  BorderStyle  Frames ETC Controls  Button  button Enabled  button Visible Picture  MouseIcon

Example of buttons

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Events Example of SVG Events  On load  On click  On activate  On mouse down  On mouse over  On mouse move  On mouse up  On mouse out

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Hotspots An image map is a graphic object that has many hotspots or transparent hyperlinks to other objects or websites. For example - in a photograph showing a variety of women's clothing, if you clicked on the dress, you would be sent to another slide or website containing all the info about the dresses; when you clicked on the hat, you would be sent to the slide or website. 10 steps to make a hotspot, 1. Decide Where to Place Hotspots on the Image Map 2. Use Action Buttons to Make Hotspots on the Image Map 3. Draw a Rectangle Around the Area That Will Be the Hotspot on the Image Map 4. Link the Hotspot on the Image Map to a Specific Slide 5. Select the Slide That the Hotspot Will Link To 6. PowerPoint Action Settings Dialog Box Options 7. Format the Image Map AutoShape to Make the Hotspot Transparent 8. Rectangle Hotspot on the Image Map is Now Transparent 9. Check the Hotspot on the Image Map in Slide Show View 10. Test the Hotspot on the Image Map

Multimedia Interactivity and control Scripting Scripting allows you to control the movement within the multimedia product, allow you to quickly add interactivity to your movies. A programme which allows this is Macromedia director, Scripts in Macromedia Director MX 2004 support all kinds of functionality in movies that would not be possible otherwise. As you write scripts, you may find the need for increasingly advanced scripts to support complex interactivity in your Director movies.

Example of scripting

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Timelines The Timeline is one of the most important areas which can be compared to the editing area of the movie set. Flash uses Timelines to plan and lay out the movie, allowing you to choose where and when a particular object starts, how long it runs, and where and when it ends. A timeline consists basically of blocks laid in a linear pattern - each block or frame represents a moment in time. Just like the frames in a movie reel, only laid out flat for you to work with. The major components of the Timeline are layers, frames, and the playhead. Special frames called key frames mark significant changes in the timeline. Key frames are used to designate a special effect such as a motion change, morphing, a change in scenery or alpha blending. A key frame span have a light-gray background and consist of a single key frame followed by one or more frames of identical content.

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Slideshows Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most popular tools for creating slide show presentations. It is a popular way to organize thoughts for a meeting or lesson, to attractively present key points in a live presentation, and even to create handouts. Even though PowerPoint files are normally used in live presentations, they are extremely common on the web. For example, teachers may use them to organize lesson plans, or online conference proceedings might link to the files used during keynotes and workshops.

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There are three main ways to deploy a slide show presentation on the web: Post the original PowerPoint (PPT) file. Convert the original file to HTML and provide this in addition to or instead of the PowerPoint file. Create an original slide show in HTML.

Advantages of PowerPoint to create slideshows, 1. enhances the level of learning, enjoyment, and excitement in the classroom. 2. offers teachers a new way of presenting information to the students. 3. stimulates students. 4. gives an alternative to overheads, easels, and blackboards.

Multimedia Interactivity and Control Effects       

There are many effects which can be used to create various presentations and projects for example the software Adobe Photoshop has many effects, Neon Glow. outer glow. linear burn. Lighting effects. Wind. luminosity. Fibres ETC.

And much more, all the effects give a professional and more pronoun feeling and look to the product.

Download Time

Size

Type of content

Limitations of Multimedia Requirement for plugins

Limitations of Multimedia Limitations in size In multimedia there are all kinds of limitations which cause us to change the size of our multimedia component for example when we try and transfer a component to a USB drive if the size is left is limited transfer will not take place, this is imitating us to how much can be transferred, the alternative to this is to change the size of the component or purchase a bigger USB.

Limitations in type of content again this is quite simple depending on the type of content you want to download it may be accepted for example, in a school they have blocks which prevent children download obscene content from the internet, and because of the blocks and firewall it limit's the content in which can be downloaded.

Limitations in download time this section is quite simple as the download time depends on how large the file is you are trying to download is, for example if the file was 5gb it would take a lot of time to download whereas a 1gb file would be quicker, when downloading take in consideration the size of the file you are downloading.

Limitations in requirement for plug-ins plug-in (plug-in, adding, add-in, add-on, or add-on) is a computer program that interacts with a host application (a web browser or an email client, for example) to provide a certain, usually very specific, function "on demand". Applications support plug-in for many reasons. Some of the main reasons include: enabling third-party developers to create capabilities to extend an application.