Authoring Tools:

The integration of audio, video, graphics and text on the desktop promises to
fundamentally challenge the centuries-old model of the printed document as the basis for
information exchange. Before this potential can be realized, however, systems must be
devised that enable the production and presentation of complex, inter-related media
objects. These systems are generically called multimedia authoring tools.
In this article, we consider the development of multimedia authoring tools,
examine the current state of the art, and then discuss a set of research challenges that
need to be addressed before the full potential of multimedia output technology can be
effectively utilized to share information.

Types of Authoring Tools:

1. Card- or page-based tools.
2. Icon-based, event-driven tools.
3. Time-based tools.

Card-based or page-based tools:

1. The elements are organized as pages of a book or a stack of cards.

2. Card-or page-based authoring systems
3. best used when the bulk of your content consists of elementsthat can be viewed
individually

4.the pages of a book or cards in a card file.

5. link these pages or cards into organized sequences.
6. jump, on command, to any page
7. play sound elements and launch animations and digital video.

Icon-or object-based, event-driven tools

1. multimedia elements and interaction cues ( events) are organized as objects in a
structural framework or process.
2. simplify the organization of your project
3. display flow diagrams of activities along branching paths.
1.In complicated navigational structures, this charting is particularly useful during
development

Time-based tools
1. Elements and events are organized along a timeline with resolutions as high as or higher
than 1/30 second.
2. Time-based tools
3. best to use when you have a message with a beginning and an end.
4. played back at a speed that you can set
5. Other elements (such as audio events) are triggered at a given time or location in the
sequence of events.
6. Jumps to any location in a sequence

1. navigation and interactive control.

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.

Editing and Organizing Features

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

Programming Features
1. Visual programming with icons or objects
1. the simplest and easiest authoring process.

2. Authorware and IconAuthor

3. suitable for slide shows and presentations.
2. Authoring tools offer very high level language (VHLL) or interpreted scripting
environment.
Interactivity Features

1. Interactivity
1. the end user control over the content and flow of information
2. Simple branching
1. go to
3. Conditional branching
1. IF-THEN decisions or events.
2. Structured language
1. complex programming logic, subroutines, event tracking, and message passing
among objects and elements.
Performance Tuning and Playback Features

1. Synchronization is difficult
2. Authoring system should facilitate precise timing of events.
3. It should enable developers to build a part of a project and then test it immediately.

Delivery, Cross-Platform, and Internet Playability Features

1. Delivering the project may require building a run-time version of the project, using the
multimedia authoring software.
2. Run-time version or standalone
1. allows a project to play back without the complete authoring software and all its
tools and editors.
3. Across platforms
4. Authoring systems provide a means for converting their output to be delivered within the
context of HTML or DHTML.