[Multimedia Technology ] 

[BS(IT) part III & part IV, Second Semester] 

By: Zeeshan Bhatti 
 

[Lecture Handout]  [Institute of Information and Communication Technology, 
[Chapter 2]  University of Sindh, Jamshoro] 
[Multimedia Authoring] 
[http:\\iict.usindh.edu.pk\zeeshan] 
 
 Chapter 2: Multimedia Authoring  

Multimedia Technology 
Chapter 2 
Multimedia Authoring: Systems and Applications

2.1 What is an Authoring System?

An Authoring System is a program which has pre-programmed elements for the
development of interactive multimedia software titles. Authoring systems vary widely in
orientation, capabilities, and learning curve. There is no such thing (at this time) as a
completely point-and-click automated authoring system; some knowledge of heuristic
thinking and algorithm design is necessary. Whether you realize it or not, authoring is
actually just a speeded-up form of programming; you don’t need to know the intricacies of a
programming language, or worse, an API, but you do need to understand how programs
work.

2.1.1 Why should you use an authoring system?

It generally takes about 1/8th the time to develop an interactive multimedia project, such as
a CBT (Computer Based Training) program, in an authoring system as opposed to
programming it in compiled code. This means 1/8 the cost of programmer time and likely
increased re-use of code (assuming that you pass this project’s code to the next CBT
project, and they use a similar or identical authoring system). However, the content creation
(graphics, text, video, audio, animation, etc.) is not generally affected by the choice of an
authoring system; any production time gains here result from accelerated prototyping, not
from the choice of an authoring system over a compiled language.

2.3 Multimedia Programming vs Multimedia Authoring

It should be noted that a distinction should be made between Programming and Authoring.
Authoring involves the assembly and bringing togther of Multimedia with possiby high level
graphical interface design and some high level scripting. Programming involves low level
assembly and construction and control of Multimedia and involves real languages like C
and Java.

2.4 Issues in Multimedia Applications Design

There are various issues in Multimedia authoring below we summarise issues involved in
Multimedia content and technical design.
2.4.1 Content Design
Content design deals with:
• What to say, what vehicle to use.
”In multimedia, there are five ways to format and deliver your message. You
can write it, illustrate it, wiggle it, hear it, and interact with it.”

1. Scripting (writing)
Rules for good writing:
1. Understand your audience and correctly address them.
2. Keep your writing as simple as possible. (e.g., write out the full message(s)
first, then shorten it.)

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3. Make sure technologies used complement each other.

2. Graphics (illustrating)
• Make use of pictures to effectively deliver your messages.
• Create your own (draw, (color) scanner, PhotoCD, ...), or keep ”copy files” of art
works. – ”Cavemen did it first.”
 
3. Audio (hearing)
Types of Audio in Multimedia Applications:
1. Music – set the mood of the presentation, enhance the emotion, illustrate points
2. Sound effects – to make specific points, e.g., squeaky doors, explosions, wind, ...
3. Narration – most direct message, often effective

4. Interactivity (interacting)
• interactive multimedia systems!
• people remember 70% of what they interact with (according to latest study)

2.6 Overview of Multimedia Software Tools

2.6.1 Digital Audio
Macromedia Soundedit —- Edits a variety of different format audio files, apply a variety of
effects.

CoolEdit —- Edits a variety of different format audio files Many Public domain tools on the
Web.

2.6.2 Music Sequencing and Notation

Cakewalk
• Supports General MIDI
• Provides several editing views (staff, piano roll, event list) and Virtual Piano
• Can insertWAV files and Windows MCI commands (animation and video) into tracks

Cubase
• A better software than Cakewalk Express
• Intuitive Interface to arrange and play Music (Figs 2.6 and 2.7)
• Wide Variety of editing tools including Audio (Figs 2.8 and 2.9
• Allows printing of notation sheets

Logic Audio
Cubase Competitor, similar functionality

Marc of the Unicorn Performer

• Cubase/Logic Audio Competitor, similar functionality

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2.6.3 Image/Graphics Editing

Adobe Photoshop
• Allows layers of images, graphics and text
• Includes many graphics drawing and painting tools
• Sophisticate lighting effects filter
• A good graphics, image processing and manipulation tool

Corel Draw

Adobe Illustrator

Macromedia Freehand
• Graphics drawing editing package
Many other editors in public domain and commercially

2.6.4 Video Editing

Many commercial packages available

Adobe Premiere
• Provides large number (up to 99) of video and audio tracks, superimpositionsand virtual
clips
• Supports various transitions, filters and motions for clips
• A reasonable desktop video editing tool

Videoshop

Ulead

SGI MovieMaker

2.6.5 Animation
Many packages available including:

Avid SoftImage

Animated Gif building packages e.g. GifBuilder

3D Studio Max

Maya

Lightwaver

2.6.6 Multimedia Authoring

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– Tools for making a complete multimedia presentation where users usually have a lot of
interactive controls.

Macromedia Director
• Movie metaphor (the cast includes bitmapped sprites, scripts, music, sounds,
and palettes, etc.)
• Can accept almost any bitmapped file formats
• Lingo script language with own debugger allows more control including external devices,
e.g., VCRs and video disk players
• Ready for building more interactivities (buttons, etc.)
• Currently in version 7.0, this popular general market product follows the
cast/score/scripting paradigm, which makes it the tool of choice for animation content. Its
roots as a cel- and sprite-animation program are unmistakable; and its inclusion of Lingo, its
object-based scripting language, has made it the animation-capable program to beat. The
AfterBurner compression Xtra creates Shockwave files, allowing Web playback.

Authorware
• Professional multimedia authoring tool
• Supports interactive applications with hyperlinks, drag-and-drop controls, and integrated
animation.
• Compatibility between files produced from PC version and MAC version.

Microcosm : Multicosm, Ltd. ; DOS, Windows Microcosm is a Hypermedia Linkage

authoring system.

Emblaze Creator : Geo International ; JavaScript, Mac, Windows95,

WWW.
Emblaze Creator 2.5 is a cast/score/scripting tool which is designed for Web-based
playback of interactive multimedia.

Flash :
Macromedia ; Mac, Windows95, NT, WWW (via Flash Player).
Flash 3.0 is a cast/score/scripting tool, which primarily uses vector graphics (and can create
vector graphics from imported bitmaps). It is optimized for Web delivery, and is especially
common for banner adds and small interactive web deliverables.

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