MULTIMEDIA DEVELOPMENT 4.3 : AUTHORING TOOLS

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: 1. Describe different types of authoring tools Learning Outcome:

What is authoring tools? The tools by which various media components are brought together (integrated) into a structure and flow. Introduction

Also refers to the program used to create/develop a multimedia product Multimedia authoring tools provide the framework for organizing and editing the elements of a multimedia project. Authoring software provides an integrated environment for combining the content and functions of a project. It enables the developer to create, edit, and import data.

Authoring System in Multimedia In multimedia authoring systems, multimedia elements and events are often regarded as objects. Objects exist in a hierarchical order of parent and child relationships. Each object is assigned properties and modifiers. On receiving messages, objects perform tasks depending on the properties and modifiers.

Four basic functions: 1.Import Import the multimedia element such as text, graphic, animation, audio and video file that created by support software. 2. Create  Design  Edit  Paint  Draw  Develop charts  Capture sounds  Program mathematical operations  Input text. 3 Integrate o To sequence time o Link o Script o provide feedback o keep databases of user responses o call other applications and resources into the multimedia application. 4 Deliver. Provide for the development of self-running applications and application encryption.

With Multimedia Authoring Tools You Can Make: Video productions Animations Games Demo disks and interactive guided tours Presentations Interactive kiosk application Interactive training Simulations, prototypes, and technical visualizations What we can do with Authoring Tools

Features of Authoring Tools 1.Editing and organizing features. 2.Programming features. 3.Interactivity features. 4.Performance tuning and playback features. 5.Delivery, cross-platform, and Internet playability features.

1. Editing and Organizing Features Authoring systems include editing tools to create, edit, and convert multimedia elements such as animation and video clips. The organization, design, and production process for multimedia involves storyboarding and flowcharting. Visual flowcharting or overview facility illustrates project structure at a macro level.

2. Programming Features Visual programming with icons or objects is the simplest and easiest authoring process. Visual authoring tools such as Authorware and IconAuthor are suitable for slide shows and presentations. Authoring tools offer ‘very high level language’ (VHLL) or interpreted scripting environment.

3. Interactivity Features Interactivity gives the end user control over the content and flow of information in a project. Simple branching is the ability to go to another section of the multimedia production. Conditional branching is an activity based on the results of IF-THEN decisions or events. Structured language supports complex programming logic, subroutines, event tracking, and message passing among objects and elements.

4. Performance Tuning and Playback Features Achieving synchronization is difficult, considering that performance of the different computers used for multimedia development and delivery varies. Authoring system should facilitate precise timing of events. It should enable developers to build a part of a project and then test it immediately.

5. Delivery, Cross-Platform, and Internet Playability Features Delivering the project may require building a run- time version of the project, using the multimedia authoring software. Run-time version or standalone allows a project to play back without the complete authoring software and all its tools and editors. It is important to use tools that facilitate easy transfer across platforms. Authoring systems provide a means for converting their output to be delivered within the context of HTML or DHTML.

Metaphor All multimedia tools are based on a metaphor. How authoring tools are classified : the way the program organizes the different elements the way the program sequences events that happen the way the application is delivered Classification/types of authoring tools by metaphors:  Time-based  Card/page-based  Icon-based

Time-Based The way program organizes the element The way program sequences the event Example of authoring tools The element and event are presented and organized along a time line The tools coordinates: - the time each element played - the speed - the length of time its remain on screen - Macromedia Director - Adobe Flash

Macromedia Director: A multimedia database, ‘Cast’, contains still images, sound files, text, shapes, scripts, 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 interactivity and programmed control. Time-Based

Macromedia Flash: Flash is used for delivering rich multimedia content to the Web. It allows the creation of simple static HTML pages with the Flash Player plug-in. Time-Based

Card-Based or Page-Based The way program organizes the element The way program sequences the event Example of authoring tools Organize the element by using a facility for linking objects to pages or card. - 1 screen = 1 card = 1 page - each pages contain an object (element) which is view when a card/page played - OpenOffice.org Impress - Toolbook - Hypercard - MS Powerpoint

Card-Based or Page-Based

Icon-based The way program organizes the element The way program sequences the event Example of authoring tools - An icon (element) are organized in a structural framework called flowchart. - flowchart show the organization of icons - us a visual programming approach to sequencing the event. - an icon drag along the lines. - each icon represent a particular event – button, graphic, text, audio, video - Macromedia Authorware - iconAuthor

Icon-based

Cross-Platform Authoring Notes Macintosh and Windows computers use different schemes to manage text and colors. While using text fields, ensure that the text displays correctly on both platforms. Outline and shadow styles on text should be avoided on Macintosh since they are not currently supported in Windows.

Selection of an Authoring Program To find the answer, ask yourself these questions: What is my expertise in programming? What is the expertise within my team? What is the purpose of the proposed application? How fast does my client want this project done? What is the budget? How fancy does the application need to be?

Summary Multimedia authoring tools provide the framework needed for organizing and editing multimedia elements in a project. Classification of authoring tools by metaphors: Time-based Card/page-based Icon-based Text and color compatibility must be verified before moving multimedia projects across platforms.