Overview of Multimedia Software Tools

Digital Audio

Macromedia Soundedit -- Edits a variety of different format audio files, apply a variety of effects (Fig 2.5)

Macromedia Soundedit Main and Control Windows and Effects Menu

CoolEdit -- Edits a variety of different format audio files

Many Public domain tools on the Web.

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Music Sequencing and Notation

Cakewalk

• Supports General MIDI
• Provides several editing views (staff, piano roll, event list) and Virtual Piano
• Can insert WAV 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
  
  Cubase Arrange Window (Main)
  
  Cubase Transport Bar Window --- Emulates a Tape Recorder Interface
  
  Cubase Audio Window
  
  Cubase Audio Editing Window with Editing Functions
• Allows printing of notation sheets
  
  Cubase Score Editing Window

Logic Audio

• Cubase Competitor, similar functionality

Marc of the Unicorn Performer

• Cubase/Logic Audio Competitor, similar functionality

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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

Adobe Premiere

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

Macromedia Freehand

• Graphics drawing editing package

Many other editors in public domain and commercially

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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

Adobe Premiere

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

Macromedia Freehand

• Graphics drawing editing package

Many other editors in public domain and commercially

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Animation

Many packages available including:

• Avid SoftImage
• Animated Gif building packages e.g. GifBuilder

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Multimedia Authoring

- 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

Other authoring tools include:

• Microcosm : Multicosm, Ltd. ; DOS, Windows Microcosm is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system.
• Question Mark : Question Mark Computing Ltd ; DOS, Mac, Windows; WWW (via Perception) Question Mark is optimized for Electronic Assessment production.
• 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.
• HyperCard : Apple Computer ; Mac, WWW (via LiveCard!).
  HyperCard is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 2.4.1. It runs natively on both 68K and PowerMacintosh machines, and is widely used because of its easy availability at a low price. Its largest drawback is the lack of integrated color; current color implementation is via the ColorTools XCMD set (included) or via third-party XCMDs.
• HyperGASP : Caliban Mindwear.
  HyperGASP is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 3.0; the newest version no longer requires HyperCard. Supports export to HTML for Web authoring.
• HyperStudio ; Roger Wagner Publishing ; Mac, Windows, WWW (via HyperStudio plug-in).
  HyperStudio is a card/scripting paradigm authoring system, optimized for and focussed on the educational market.
• IconAuthor : Asymetrix ; Windows, NT, Solaris, UNIX, WWW (via Windows).
  IconAuthor follows the iconic/flow control paradigm. It is notable for its SmartObject editor, which tags content files (still graphics, RTF text, etc.) for interactivity. It has the option to either embed content files or leave them external in specified directories. The biggest strength of this program is its included data handling, which makes it unparalleled for CBT data tracking. The latest version should also provide WWW porting of existing content. Avoid its internal "Move Object" path animation feature due to jerky response - use a .FLC or .AVI instead

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