Chapter Two
2. Multimedia Authoring and Tools
2.1 What is Multimedia Authoring
Authoring is the process of creating multimedia applications. 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. 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: how easy it is to learn how to use the application
2.2 Some useful editing and authoring tools
Multimedia Authoring Tools provide tools for making a complete multimedia
presentation where users usually have a lot of interactive controls.
Why should you use an authoring system?
Can speed up programming i.e. content development and
delivery
Time gains i.e. accelerated prototyping
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The content creation (graphics, text, video, audio, animation)
is not affected by choice of authoring system
Authoring Vs Programming
There is big distinction between authoring and programming
Authoring Programming
Involves low level assembly of
Assembly of multimedia
multimedia
High level graphical interface Construction and control of
design multimedia
Some high level scripting e.g. Involves real languages like C
lingo, ActionScript and Java
Table 1 Authoring vs. 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.
2.3 Authoring paradigms
Multimedia Authoring Paradigms
The authoring paradigm, or authoring metaphor, is the methodology by which
the authoring system accomplishes its task.
There are various paradigms:
Scripting Language
Icon-Based Control Authoring Tool
Card and Page Based Authoring Tool
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Time Based Authoring Tool
Tagging Tools
Scripting Language
Closest in form to traditional programming. The paradigm is that of a
programming language, which specifies:
multimedia elements,
sequencing of media elements,
hotspots (e.g. links to other pages),
Synchronization, etc.
Usually use a powerful, object-oriented scripting language
Multimedia elements and events become objects that live in a
hierarchical order
In-program editing of elements (still graphics, video, audio, etc.)
tends to be minimal or non-existent.
Most authoring tools provide visually programmable interface in addition
to scripting language.
media handling can vary widely
Examples
• The Apple’s HyperTalk for HyperCard,
• Asymetrix’s OpenScript for ToolBook and
• Lingo scripting language for Macromedia Director
• ActionScript for Macromedia Flash
Here is an example lingo script to jump to a frame
global gNavSprite
on exitFrame
go the frame
play sprite gNavSprite
end
Iconic/Flow Control Tools
In these authoring systems, multimedia elements and interaction cues (or
events) are organised as objects in a structural framework.
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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. Because of this, they are
best suited for rapid prototyping and short-development time projects.
These tools are useful for story boarding because you can change the
sequence of objects, restructure interaction, add objects, by dragging and
dropping icons.
Examples:
- Authorware
- IconAuthor
Card and page Based Tools
In these authoring systems, elements are organised 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;
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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.
Examples:
HyperCard (Macintosh)
SuperCard(Macintosh)
ToolBook (Windows), etc.
Time Based Authoring Tools
In these authoring systems elements are organised along a time line with
resolutions as high as 1/30th second. Sequentially organised 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.
Examples
- Macromedia Director
- Macromedia Flash
Macromedia Director
Director is a powerful and complex multimedia authoring tool which has broad
set of features to create multimedia presentation, animation, and interactive
application. You can assemble and sequence the elements of project using cast
and score. Three important things that Director uses to arrange and synchronize
media elements:
Cast
Cast is multimedia database containing any media type that is to be included in
the project. It imports wide range of data type and multimedia element formats
directly into the cast. You can also create elements from scratch and add to cast.
To include multimedia elements in cast into the stages, you drag and drop the
media on the stage.
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Score
This is where the elements in the cast are arranged. It is sequence for
displaying, animating, and playing cast members. Score is made of frames and
frames contain cast member. You can set frame rate per second.
Lingo
Lingo is a full-featured object oriented scripting language used in Director.
It enables interactivity and programmed control of elements
It enables to control external sound and video devices
It also enables you to control operations of internet such as sending mail,
reading documents, images, and building web pages.
\Macromedia Flash
Can accept both vector and bitmap graphics
Uses a scripting language called ActionScript which gives greater
capability to control the movie.
Flash is commonly used to create animations, advertisements, to design
web-page elements, to add video to web pages, and more recently, to
develop Rich Internet Applications. Rich Internet Applications (RIA) are
web applications that have the features and functionality of traditional
desktop applications. RIA's uses a client side technology which can execute
instructions on the client's computer (no need to send every data to the
server).
Flash uses:
Library: a place where objects that are to be re-used are stored.
Timeline: used to organize and control a movie content over time.
Layer: helps to organize contents. Timeline is divided into layers.
ActionScript: enables ineractivity and control of movies
Tagging
Tags in text files (e.g. HTML) to:
link to pages,
provide interactivity, and
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Integrate multimedia elements.
Examples:
• SGML/HTML
• SMIL (Synchronized Media Integration Language)
• VRML
• 3DML
Most of them are displayed in web browsers using plug-ins or the browser
itself can understand them.
This metaphor is the basis of WWW
It is limited but can be extended by the use of suitable multimedia tags
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:
1) Editing Feature: editing feature for multimedia data especially image and
text are often included in authoring tools. The more editors in your authoring
system, the less specialized editing tools you need. The editors that come with
authoring tools offer only subset of features found in dedicated in editing tool.
If you need more capability, still you have to go to dedicated editing tools
(e.g. sound editing tools for sound editing).
2) Organizing feature: the organization of media in your project involves
navigation diagrams, or flow charts, etc. Some authoring tools provides a visual
flowcharting facility. Such features help you for organizing the project.
e.g IconAuthor, and AuthorWare use flowcharting and navigation diagram
method to organize media.
3) Programming feature: there are different types of programming approach:
i) Visual programming: this is programming using cues, icons, and objects. It is
done using drag and drop. To include sound in your project, drag and drop it in
stage. Advantage: the simplest and easiest authoring process. It is particularly
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useful for slide show and presentation.
ii) Programming with scripting language: Some authoring tool provide very
high level scripting language and interpreted scripting environment. This helps
for navigation control and enabling user input.
iii) Programming with traditional language such as Basic or C. Some authoring
tools provide traditional programming tools like program written in C. We can
call these programs to authoring tools. Some authoring tools allow to call DLL
(Dynamic Link Library).
iv) Document development tools
4) Interactivity feature: interactivity offers to the end user of the project to
control the content and flow of information. Some of interactivity levels:
i) Simple branching: enables the user to go to any location in the presentation
using key press, mouse click, etc.
ii) Conditional branching: branching based on if-then decisions
iii) Structured branching: support complex programming logic such as nested
if-then sub- routines.
5) Performance-tuning features: accomplishing synchronization of multimedia
is sometimes difficult because performance varies with different computers. In
such cases you need to use authoring tools own scripting language to specify
time and sequence on system.
6) Playback feature: easy testing of the project. Testing enables you to debug
the system and find out how the user interacts with it. Not waste time in
assembling and testing the project
7) Delivery feature: delivering your project needs building runtime version of
the project using authoring tools. Why run time version (executable format):
It does not require the full authoring software to play
It does not allow users to access or change the content, structure, and
programming of the project.
Distribute-->run-time version
8) Cross platform feature: multimedia projects should be compatible with
different platform like Macintosh, Windows, etc.
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This enables the designer to use any platform to design the project or deliver it
to any platform.
9) Internet playability: web is significant delivery medium for multimedia.
Authoring tools typically provide facility so that output can be delivered in
HTML or DHTML format.
10) Ease of learning: is it easy to learn? The designer should not waste much
time learning how to use it. Is it easy to use?
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