Technical Q&A's

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AMT/PE consists of two companion products, the Apple Media Tool and Apple Media Tool Programming Environment.

AMT is a visual object-oriented, cross-platform multimedia authoring tool. It allows users to quickly and easily assemble media elements (QuickTime movies, PICT files, text and sound files) and then easily add interactivity and navigation through a direct manipulation interface. Users do not have to deal with scripting or complex user interfaces to create a wide variety of event-driven (card-based) projects such as marketing communications pieces, educational titles, interactive catalogs, and portfolios. Once created on the Macintosh, Apple Media Tool projects can be converted to run in both Macintosh and Windows environments. A companion product (the Apple Media Tool Programming Environment) is available from APDA to allow programmers to extend and enhance AMT projects and to optimize large (more than 75 screens) AMT projects.

AMT/PE is the programming component of the Apple Media Tool. Unlike conventional scripting languages, AMT/PE is an object-oriented language and application framework that runs with the Macintosh Programmer's Workbench (MPW) and allows programmers to customize and optimize projects created with the Apple Media Tool. The Apple Media Language (AML) is efficient and easy-to-read, yet easy to maintain and modify. Programmers can extend the AMTPE class library to build reusable libraries; once objects are written they can be used in later projects. AML compiles for both Macintosh and Windows environments and provides access to the Macintosh and Windows toolboxes through a C language interface.

Differences Between the Tool & the Programming Environment

Q What's the difference between the Tool and the Programming Environment? Why do I need the P.E.?

A AMT offers the easiest way to create interactive multimedia projects, enabling creative producers, designers, and authors to create cross-platform, interactive multimedia projects with minimal learning and creation time. It is best utilized for basic projects with a maximum of 50 - 75 screens.

AMTPE is utilized for large and/or complex projects. It allows programmers to easily extend and enhance Apple Media Tool projects utilizing the benefits of object-oriented design.

AMT/PE Support Options

QWhat kind of support options are there for AMT/PE users?

A AMT: Up and Running Support - 800-SOS-APPL No fee, U.S. only. Fee based Technical Support - $495/year, U.S. only.

AMTPE: Visit the Developer Programs page for the latest breakdown of services and pricing availalable to developers world-wide.

Comparisons with other Multimedia Tools

Q How does AMT/PE compare to Director, HyperCard, etc?

A Director and HyperCard require user competency in Lingo or HyperTalk scripting languages to produce titles, not a common skill in the creative community. Hypercard can produce Mac only titles. Director developers must have both Mac and Windows versions to do cross-platform development.

AMT users do not have to deal with scripting or complex user interfaces to create a wide variety of event-driven projects. Once created on the Macintosh, projects can be converted to run in both Macintosh and Windows environment.

However, when project complexity requires programming, AMTPE is a rich object-oriented language and application framework, allowing the developer to easily extend and enhance with all the benefits of object-oriented design.

Availability & Titles

QHow long has AMT/PE been available? What kinds of titles have been done with it?

A AMT/PE has been available since September 1993. Over 100 commercial titles have been developed, covering a wide range of topics from art history and childrens edutainment to corporate training and interactive rock music.

Generating a Windows Title with AMT/PE

QHow do I generate a Windows title with AMT/PE? I understand all the authoring is done on the Mac?

AOnce created on the Macintosh, Apple Media Tool projects can be compiled using RunTime Maker to generate both Mac and Windows runtimes.

AMT/PE Developer Forums & Discussions

Q What's the best forum for AMT/PE discussions?

A AMKDEV is a mailing list for people interested in Apple Media Kit and related multimedia development tools, utilities, and for issues concerning the authoring of titles using AMK. Apple's Media Tool/Programming Environment promises to be a good multimedia authoring environment. If you are currently working with AMT/PE or intend to do so and and want to talk about issues concerning this environment, this list is for you.

This list was originally known as MMDEVX, but AMKDEV evolved due to high traffic in AMK related topics. MMDEVX still exists, and deals with various cross platform tools and authoring environments such as Macromind Director, Authorware, Kaledia ScriptX, Oracle Media Objects etc. To get more information about MMDEVX, send a blank email to: MMDEVX-info@knex.mind.org.

To subscribe to AMKDEV, send the following commands to: Mail-Server@knex.mind.org:

SUBSCRIBE AMKDEV FirstName LastName

Note that the Subject: header line is ignored. The command must appear in the body of the email text. Also note that the mail-server is an MS/DOS-based list server, NOT the VM LISTSERV or the Unix Listserv/ListProc, so the commands are unique to this server.