Chapter 2

Multimedia Authoring and Tools

What is Multimedia Authoring?
• Multimedia authoring is the creation of multimedia productions, sometimes
called “movies” or “presentations”.
• Since we are interested in this subject from a computer science point of
view; we are mostly interested in interactive applications.
• In addition, we need to consider still-image editors, such as Adobe
Photoshop, and simple video editors, such as Adobe Premiere, because
these applications help us create interactive multimedia projects.
• How much interaction is necessary or meaningful depends on the
application.
• The spectrum runs from almost no interactivity, as in a slide show, to full-
immersion virtual reality.
What is Authoring System?
• An authoring system is a program, which has pre-programmed
elements for the development of interactive multimedia
presentations.
• Authoring tools provide an integrated environment for binding
together the different elements of a Multimedia production.
• Multimedia Authoring Tools provide tools for making a complete
multimedia presentation where users usually have a lot of interactive
controls.
Cont’
• Multimedia presentations can be created using:
Simple presentation packages such as PowerPoint
Powerful RAD tools such as Delphi, .Net, JBuilder.
True authoring environments, which lie somewhere in between in terms of
technical complexity.
• Authoring systems vary widely in:
Orientation
Capabilities, and
Learning curve
Why should you use an authoring system?
• Can speed up programming i.e. content development and delivery
• Time gains i.e. accelerated prototyping
• The content creation (graphics, text, video, audio, animation) is not
affected by choice of authoring system
• There is big distinction between authoring and programming
Characteristics of Authoring Tools
• A good authoring tool should be able to:
Integrate text, graphics, video, and audio to create a single
multimedia presentation
Control interactivity by the use of menus, buttons, hotspots, hot
objects etc.
Publish as a presentation or a self-running executable; on CD/DVD,
Intranet, WWW.
Be extended through the use of pre-built or externally supplied
components, plug-ins etc.
Let you create highly efficient, integrated workflow
Have a large user base.
Multimedia Authoring Paradigms(model)
• The authoring paradigm, or authoring metaphor, is the methodology
by which the authoring system accomplishes its task.
• Most authoring programs use one of several authoring metaphors,
also known as authoring paradigms.
• There are various paradigms:
Scripting Language
Icon-Based Control Authoring Tool
Card and Page Based Authoring Tool
Time Based Authoring Tool
Tagging Tools
Scripting Language
• The idea here is to use a special language to enable interactivity
(buttons, mouse, etc.) and allow conditionals, jumps, loops,
functions/macros, and so on.
• Closest in form to traditional programming.
• The paradigm is that of a programming language, which specifies:
Multimedia elements,
Examples
Sequencing of media elements,
I. The Apples HyperTalk for HyperCard,
Hotspots (e.g links to other pages),
II. Asymetrixís OpenScript for ToolBook
Synchronization, etc. III. Lingo scripting language for Macromedia
Director
IV. ActionScript for Macromedia Flash
Iconic/Flow Control Tools
• In these authoring systems, multimedia elements and interaction cues (or events) are
organized as objects in a structural framework.
• Provides visual programming approach to organizing and presenting multimedia
• The core of the paradigm is the icon palette.
• You build a structure and flowchart of events, tasks, and decisions by dragging
appropriate icons from icon palette library.
• These icons are used to represent and include menu choice, graphic images, sounds,
computations, video, etc.
• The flow chart graphically depict the project logic
• Tends to be the speediest in development time.
• These tools are useful for storyboarding because you can change the sequence of
objects, restructure interaction, add objects, by dragging and dropping icons.
Cont’
• Examples:
• Authorware
• IconAuthor
Card and page Based Tools
• In these authoring systems, elements are organized as pages of a book or a stack of
cards.
• The authoring system lets you link these pages or cards into organized sequences.
You can jump, on command, to any page you wish in a structured navigation pattern.
• Well suited for Hypertext applications, and especially suited for navigation intensive
applications.
• They are best suited for applications where the bulk of the content consist of
elements that can be viewed individually.
• Extensible via XCMDs (External Command) and DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries).
• All objects (including individual graphic elements) to be scripted;
• Many entertainment applications are prototyped in a card/scripting system prior to
compiled-language coding.
• Each object may contain programming script that is activated when an event occurs.
 Cont’
• Examples
• Hypercard (Macintosh)
• SuperCard(Macintosh)
• ToolBook (Windows), etc.
Time Based Authoring Tools
• In these authoring systems elements are organized along a time line
with resolutions as high as 1/30th second.
• Sequentially organized graphic frames are played back at a speed set by
developer.
• Other elements, such as audio events, can be triggered at a given time
or location in the sequence of events.
• Are the most popular multimedia authoring tool
• They are best suited for applications that have a message with beginning
and end, animation intensive pages, or synchronized media application.
Cont’
• Examples
o Macromedia Director
o Macromedia Flash
• Macromedia Director:- is a powerful and complex multimedia authoring
tool, which has broad set of features to create multimedia presentation,
animation, and interactive application.
• Three important things that director uses to arrange and synchronize
media elements:
Cast
Score
Lingo
Some Useful Editing and Authoring Tools
• Since the first step in creating a multimedia application is probably
creation of interesting video clips, we start looking at a video editing
tool.
• This is not really an authoring tool, but video creation is so important
that we include a small introduction to one such program.
• The tools we look at are the following:
Adobe Premiere
Macromedia Director
Macromedia Flash
Dreamweaver MX
Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Premiere is a very simple video editing program that allows you to quickly
create a simple digital video by assembling and merging multimedia components.
• It effectively uses the score authoring metaphor, in that components are placed in
tracks horizontally, in a Timeline window.
• The File > New Project command opens a window that displays a series of presets –
assemblies of values for frame resolution, compression method, and frame rate.
• There are many preset options, most of which conform to some NTSC or PAL video
standard.
• Start by importing resources, such as AVI (Audio Video Interleave) video files and
WAV sound files and dragging them from the Project window onto tracks 1 or 2.
Selecting Authoring Tools
• The multimedia project you are developing has its own underlying
structure and purpose.
• When selecting tools for your project you need to consider that
purpose.
• Some of the features that you have to take into consideration when
selecting authoring tools are:
Editing Feature
 Playback feature
 Delivery feature
Organizing feature
 Cross platform feature
Programming feature
 Internet playability
Interactivity feature
Ease of learning
Review Questions
• Explain briefly about Multimedia Authoring.
• Can you mention different Multimedia Authoring tool with their
importance?
• Explain briefly the characteristics of authoring tool.
• What does it mean time based authoring tool?
The End!
Thanks