Learning Outcome 4.5 MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION Describe the stages involved in multimedia production

Stages of a multimedia project Planning and costing The needs of a project are analyzed by outlining its messages and objectives. A plan that outlines the required multimedia expertise is prepared. A graphic template, the structure, and navigational system are developed. A time estimate and a budget are prepared. A short prototype or proof-of-concept is prepared. 2. Designing and producing The planned tasks are performed to create a finished product. The product is revised, based on the continuous feedback received from the client. 3. Testing The program is tested to ensure that it meets the objectives of the project, works on the proposed delivery platforms, and meets the client requirements. 4. Delivering The final project is packaged and delivered to the end user.

Requirement Creativity 2. Organization 3. Communication In a multimedia project, being creative implies knowledge of hardware and software. 2. Organization It is essential to develop an organized outline detailing the skills, time, budget, tools, and resources needed for the project. Assets such as graphics, sound, and the like should be continuously monitored throughout the project’s execution. A standardized file-naming procedure should be followed for precise organization and swift retrieval. 3. Communication Communication among the workgroup and client is essential to the efficient and accurate completion of your project. Use quality equipment and software for stable and fast networking of the workgroup.

Requirement 4. Hardware The most significant platforms for producing and delivering multimedia projects are the Macintosh operating system and Microsoft Windows. The Macintosh as well as the Windows PC offer a combination of affordability, and software and hardware availability. Detailed and animated multimedia can also be created on specialized workstations from Silicon Graphics and Sun Microsystems. Projects must be tested to ensure proper performance in all target environments. Memory and storage devices Sufficient memory must be allocated for storing and archiving files. Memory requirements of a multimedia project depend on the project's content and scope. The two types of memory are random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). RAM enables the simultaneously running of many applications. ROM is non-volatile. The BIOS program that boots up the computer resides in the ROM. Hard disks are non-removable mass-storage devices and have a high data storage capacity and data transfer speed. Example:- Flash or thumb drives CD-ROM DVD-ROM Blue-ray disc

Requirement Hardware Software Input devices An optical character recognition (OCR) device is used to convert printed matter into ASCII text files. Voice recognition systems recognize spoken words and commands. Microphones and cables are used to capture audio. Digital cameras use charged-coupled devices (CCDs) to digitally capture images. Output devices For better quality audio, external stereo speakers are required. Many multimedia developers use more than one monitor by adding additional display adapters to the computer. Projectors are used when you have a larger audience than can be accommodated around a computer monitor. Color printers are an important part of any multimedia production department. Software Text editing and word processing tools Word processors such as Microsoft Word and WordPerfect are powerful applications that include spell checkers, table formatters, thesauruses, and prebuilt templates for letters, résumés, purchase orders, and other common documents. OpenOffice is a free, downloadable word processing program.

Requirement Software Text editing and word processing tools Word processors such as Microsoft Word and WordPerfect are powerful applications that include spell checkers, table formatters, thesauruses, and prebuilt templates for letters, résumés, purchase orders, and other common documents. OpenOffice is a free, downloadable word processing program. Painting tools allow you to create and modify bitmap images. PhotoShop, Fireworks, and Painter are examples. Bitmapped images provide the greatest choice and power for rendering fine detail and effects. Drawing tools allow you to create and modify vector graphics. CorelDraw, Illustrator, and Canvas are examples. Vector graphics are used by Adobe Flash to reduce download time and scaling problems with web graphics. Many authoring systems can only import bitmap graphics. 3-D modeling tools allow rendering of objects in a three-dimensional perspective. Examples : VectorWorks, AutoDesk Maya, and Strata 3D. Many applications allow you to export and save moving images as QuickTime or AVI animation files. 3-D graphics usually take a long time to render, so plan accordingly.

Requirement Software Sound-editing tools Enables the user to see music as a waveform as well as hear sound. This is done by drawing a representation of sound in fine increments. Animation, video, and digital movie tools Animation is a sequence of bitmapped graphic scenes or frames, rapidly played back. Animations can be made within some authoring systems by moving objects or sprites to simulate motion. Moviemaking tools take advantage of QuickTime and AVI formats to create, edit, and present digitized motion video segments. Helpful accessories Screen-capture software enables the user to move bitmapped images by placing them on the clipboard. Format converters are useful for projects where the source material originates on different platforms.

Requirement Authoring System 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. Types of authoring tools Card- and page-based authoring tools Elements are arranged like pages of a book or cards in a stack. These tools contain media objects such as buttons, text fields, and graphic objects. Icon- and object-based authoring tools Icon-based and object-based tools provide a visual programming approach to organizing and presenting multimedia. Multimedia elements and interaction cues are organized as objects in a flowchart. Flowcharts can be built by dragging appropriate icons from a library, and then adding the content. Time-based authoring tools Time-based tools are best suited for messages with a beginning and an end. Adobe’s Flash and Director are time-based development environments.

Summary The basic stages of a multimedia project are planning and costing, design and production, and testing and delivery. Knowledge of hardware and software, as well as creativity and organizational skills, are essential for creating a high-quality multimedia project. Macintosh and Windows are the two most common hardware platforms used in multimedia. Storage devices include hard disks, RAM, ROM, flash memory and thumb drives, CD-ROM, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. Input devices include keyboards, mouse, touch-screens, scanners, OCR devices, voice recognition software, and digital cameras. Output devices include audio devices, speakers, amplifiers, monitors, video devices, projectors, and printers. Word processors and OCR software are used to handle text in multimedia. Painting and drawing tools, 3-D modeling and animation tools, and image editing tools manipulate the graphical content of the project. Sound-editing tools manipulate the audio content of the project. Format converters and screen-capture tools are helpful accessories. Multimedia authoring tools provide the framework needed for organizing and editing multimedia elements in a project. The three types of authoring tools are card / page-based, icon-based or event-driven, and time-based. Choose an authoring tool based on editing, organizing, programming, interactivity, performance-tuning, playback, delivery, cross-platform, and Internet playability features.