SOFTWARE AND MULTIMEDIAChapter 6

Created by S. Cox

OBJECTIVES Classify multimedia application software Describe software needed to create elements of a

multimedia production Identify the software used to make different kinds

of multimedia Describe the software needed to manage and plan

projects Understand the utility software used by

multimedia developers Identify image management procedures Describe the most popular software products used

for each purpose Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of

multimedia software

PROGRAMS USED IN MULTIMEDIA

Developing a multimedia production requires an array of software to create, edit, and combine text, sounds, and images.

SOFTWARE TO CREATE MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS

Multimedia is made up of several elements – Text Graphics and animation Audio Video

Not every multimedia project incorporates all of these elements, but all use at least two

TEXT EDITING SOFTWARE

Multimedia developers use word processing (allows you to create edit and print documents) software to include text in their projects and to create documents about their projects.

Full-featured word processors have text formatting capabilities which set the appearance of the text…Fonts and Point Sizes Font – a consistent design or look for al

alphabet, numerals, punctuation marks, and other symbols

Point Size – tells the height of a font

TEXT EDITING SOFTWARE

Full-featured word processing programs also allow you to: Search (and replace, if needed) for a word or

phrase Check spelling and grammar Use characters from other languages and

symbols that do not appear on the keyboard Locate synonyms Create tables, charts, and drawings Insert other files (pictures and sounds) Create simple Web pages

TEXT EDITING SOFTWARE

Full-featured word processing continued: Page layout and envelope printing Come with templates (a reusable pattern for

creating similar documents) Cut and Paste – delete text from one part of a

document and insert it in another position or into a different document (the original is moved)

Copy – copy text from one part of a document to another part or into a different document (the original stays)

TEXT EDITING SOFTWARE Desktop publishing software – similar to word

processing programs, but have more features for controlling the way text appears on pages…also called page layout programs

They are better at handling the placement of graphics and processing very large documents. Leading – lets you control the spacing between the

lines of text Kerning – the spacing between a specific pair of

letters or numbers Used to publish manuals, reports, and other large

documents that once required the services of printing companies

GRAPHICS SOFTWARE

Graphics software is used for creating, editing, manipulating, and storing graphics…also known as image management software.

It works with still and animated drawings, as well as photographs.

Features include: Resizing – increasing or decreasing the original

size Rotating – changing the angle at which an image

is displayed Cropping – cutting out unwanted parts Change colors, add shadows, and other

adjustments

AUDIO SOFTWARE

Most versions of Windows and Mac computers come with applications for playing music and sound files, but you may want to edit a file Could use SoundEdit to

eliminate or repeat some sections of a music file or use Finale from Coda to capture the notes from the instruments and add them to a score you can print

VIDEO SOFTWARE

Again, most versions of Windows and Mac computers come with applications for playing videos, but may need other software to edit a video

SOFTWARE TO CREATE MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS

Different kinds of software are used to combine the elements to create a multimedia production.

Embedded sound file Imported graphic file

WEB DESIGN SOFTWARE

Web pages are written in a markup language such as HTML or XML. Web design programs allow you to create Web

pages without learning markup languages. Many current word processing and desktop

publishing programs let you convert their files to HTML for use in Web pages.

Web browsers are needed to view and use the Web pages on the Internet.

PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

Presentations are sequences of slides that usually incorporate text, sound, graphics, and animation.

AUTHORING SOFTWARE

Authoring programs link graphics, text, and other objects. They are used to create:

Interactive tutorials Simulations Games

SOFTWARE FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS

Spreadsheet software - uses mathematical arithmetic formulas to calculate numbers arranged in tables…used to develop cost estimates, budgets, and reports.

Database software - sets of related information organized so that a computer can retrieve specific data. Databases are not multimedia tools, but many multimedia e-commerce web sites are linked to databases

SOFTWARE FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS CONTINUED

Project management software is used to coordinate the work of people and tasks to ensure that projects are completed on time.

Software suites is a group of programs from the same company sold in a single package.

UTILITY SOFTWARE

A Utility program is a small program designed for one specific task like capturing screen shots or help complete image management tasks (converting text and images or compressing files)

UTILITY SOFTWARE CONTINUED

Screen captures – images of computer screen displays

File compression – method of saving files in a compressed or smaller format so that the file requires less disk space and transmission time

File conversion – from Word to PDF Virus protection – also called antivirus software Optical character recognition (OCR) – used in

conjunction with a scanner