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Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hecate.umd.edu!haven.umd.edu!news.umbc.edu!cs.umd.edu!info.usuhs.mil!outfeed1.news.cais.net!dca1-hub1.news.digex.net!digex!newsfeed.internetmci.com!199.0.65.142!news-feed1.tiac.net!posterchild2!jasiglar From: jasiglar@tiac.net (Jamie Siglar) Newsgroups: comp.multimedia,comp.answers,news.answers Subject: Multimedia Authoring Systems FAQ 3/3 Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 00:53:24 -0400 Organization: Multimedia Consultant Lines: 389 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Message-ID: <jasiglar-0607980053240001@domsol.tiac.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: domsol.tiac.net Summary: This is the FAQ list for questions about multimedia authoring systems addressed to news:comp.multimedia; it is not a comprehensive FAQ because of the omnibus nature of the newsgroup. X-Newsreader: MT-NewsWatcher 2.3.5 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.multimedia:83964 comp.answers:32012 news.answers:134151 Archive-name: multimedia/authoring-systems Posting-Frequency: monthly (first Sunday) Expires: 1998/03/08 Version: 2.15 URL: http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.HTML http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.TXT UNIX Authoring Systems: Gain Momentum <http://www.gainsoft.com/momentum.html>: Gain Software, Inc. <http://www.gainsoft.com/>; NT, UNIX IconAuthor <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/iconauthor/> : Asymetrix <http://www.asymetrix.com/>; Windows, NT, 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. MetaCard <http://www.metacard.com/>: MetaCard <http://www.metacard.com/> ; Windows95, NT, UNIX MetaCard is a card/scripting authoring system, now in version 2.1. This is one of the more powerful tools of its paradigm; the scripting language is especially robust. WWW-capable Authoring Systems: Authorware <http://www.macromedia.com/software/authorware/>: Macromedia <http://www.macromedia.com/>; Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave) Currently in version 4.0, this follows the iconic/flow control paradigm with a limit per individual file of 32,000 icons. Authorware supports jumping between files (the FAQ maintainer has worked on projects greater than 100 MB in content), jumping out to apps and even printing from them. This has unparalleled external media support, and can encapsulate all non-motion media content into apps and content libraries, or leave media files external for dynamic access. Authorware supports character-styled text and extensive navigation structures including hypertext. This tool is optimal for CBT and rapid prototyping; 4.0's big plus is (Win-32 only) ActiveX support for the Oracle Video Server. Dazzler <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/pages/prodcat1.htm> : Intela Media Ltd. <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/> ; Java, Windows, NT, WWW Dazzler is a Hierarchical Object paradigm authoring system. Digital Chisel <http://www2.pierian.com/dc3/dc3main.htm>: Pierian Spring <http://www.pierian.com/> ; Mac, Windows, NT, WWW Digital Chisel has been rewritten in Java for delivery to most platforms. It has moved from its card roots to a frame paradigm. Director <http://www.macromedia.com/software/director/>: Macromedia <http://www.macromedia.com/>; Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave) Currently in version 6.5, 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. Docent <http://www.docent.com/docent20.htm> : Docent <http://www.docent.com/> ; Windows95, NT, WWW Docent is a HTML Enterprise Training authoring tool; the tool uses both an outliner metaphor and a tool palette; it can be considered a cross between an iconic/flow control tool and a Hierarchical Object system. Emblaze Creator <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/creator.htm> : Geo International <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/home_.htm> ; JavaScript, Mac, Win95, WWW Flash <http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/> : Macromedia <http://www.macromedia.com/> ; Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave) Flash 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. Formula Graphics Multimedia System <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>: Harrow Software <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>; Windows, NT, WWW(via FG), Java (via FGX) This is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system, whose interface is more than vaguely reminiscent of Visual Basic; has a relatively powerful scripting language. Formula Graphics is available as shareware, with only the packaging functions disabled. HyperCard <http://hypercard.apple.com/>: Apple Computer <http://www.apple.com/>; Mac, WWW (Mac-only via LiveCard!) HyperCard is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 2.3. It runs natively on both 68K and PowerMacintosh machines, and is widely used because of its easy availability at $99. Its largest drawback is the lack of integrated color; current color implementation is via the ColorTools XCMD set (included) or via third-party XCMDs. mBed Interactor <http://www.mbed.com/interactor/interactor.html> : mBed <http://www.mbed.com/> ; Java, Mac, Windows95, WWW mBed Interactor is a cast/score/scripting authoring system optimized for WWW delivery; it comes in Lite, Standard and Professional Editions. Quest <http://www.allencomm.com/p&s/software/quest/>: Allen Communications <http://www.allencomm.com/>; Windows, WWW (via QuestNet) Quest 6 for Windows is a frame paradigm authoring system. Its most notable feature is its scripting language, which is ANSI C. Question Mark <http://www.qmark.com/products/qmwin.html>: Question Mark Computing Ltd <http://www.qmark.com/>; WWW (via Windows), DOS, Mac, Windows Question Mark is optimized for Electronic Assessment production. Realimation STE <http://www.realimation.com/overview/ste.htm> : Realimation <http://www.realimation.com> ; Windows95, NT, WWW The Realimation Space-Time-Editor is a 3-D Virtual Reality authoring tool. SuperCard <http://www.incwell.com/SuperCard/SuperCard.html>: IncWell <http://www.incwell.com/>; Mac, WWW (via Roadster) SuperCard 3.0 shines among the card/scripting authoring systems. With built-in support for 24-bit color, hypertext, and external media handling (QuickTime, PICS, Filmstip, PICT, AIFF), this is the best of its paradigm. This is an excellent tool for hypermedia implementation. ThingMaker <http://www.thingworld.com/> : Parable <http://www.parablecorp.com/> ; Windows, NT, WWW (via ThingPlayer) ThingMaker is a cast/score/scripting tool, optimized for WWW multimedia production. This has one of the fastest-to-learn interfaces for multimedia-via-the-Web delivery. Toolbook II <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/toolbook2/>: Asymetrix <http://www.asymetrix.com/>; Windows, WWW Toolbook is a card/scripting authoring system now broken into components: Instructor, the standard tool; Assistant, the pre-built templates, and Librarian, a course-management system. Toolbook includes database linkage, MCI compliance and many examples (called "Widgets") of interactivity. This newest version exports HTML and Java for Web delivery. Platform-independent (Java, JavaScript) Authoring Systems: Dazzler <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/pages/prodcat1.htm> : Intela Media Ltd. <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/> ; Java, Windows, NT, WWW Dazzler is a Hierarchical Object paradigm authoring system. Emblaze Creator <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/creator.htm> : Geo International <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/home_.htm> ; JavaScript, Mac, Win95, WWW Formula Graphics Multimedia System <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>: Harrow Software <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>; Windows, NT, WWW(via FG), Java (via FGX) This is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system, whose interface is more than vaguely reminiscent of Visual Basic; has a relatively powerful scripting language. Formula Graphics is available as shareware, with only the packaging functions disabled. IconAuthor <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/iconauthor/> : Asymetrix <http://www.asymetrix.com/>; Windows, NT, 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. mBed Interactor <http://www.mbed.com/interactor/interactor.html> : mBed <http://www.mbed.com/> ; Java, Mac, Windows95, WWW mBed Interactor is a cast/score/scripting authoring system optimized for WWW delivery; it comes in Lite, Standard and Professional Editions. 16. What print magazines deal with authoring systems? AV Video and Multimedia Producer <http://www.kipinet.com/av_mmp/> CBT SolutionsMagazine <http://www.cbtsolutions.com/> EMedia Professional <http://www.onlineinc.com/emedia/> formerly CD-ROM Professional Interactivity <http://www.interactivitymag.com/> Lingo User's Journal <http://www.penworks.com/LUJ/index.html> NewMedia<http://newmedia.com/> 17. What books deal with authoring systems? Lingo Sorcery by Peter Small. Includes hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM. This is the best object-oriented Lingo book available; be sure to work your way through the problems! <http://www.wiley.com/compbooks/catalog/96302-X.htm> Macromedia Director Lingo Workshop by John Thompson, et.al. Includes Macintosh CD-ROM. <http://merchant.superlibrary.com:8000/catalog/mcp/PRODUCT/PAGE/15683/bud/1568302878.html> Macromedia Director Lingo Workshop by John Thompson, et.al. Includes Windows CD-ROM. <http://merchant.superlibrary.com:8000/catalog/mcp/PRODUCT/PAGE/15683/bud/156830269X.html> Multimedia--Making it Work by Tay Vaughan. Includes hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM. Now out in its 3rd Edition; essential if you're just starting out -- useful if you're breaking out on your own. <http://www.timestream.com/web/products/tsprod.html> Additional book pointers are collected at: Betsy Bruce's Authorware Books site <http://pobox.com/~bbruce/> 18. What software titles deal with authoring systems? Interactive Multimedia - Getting Started: A CD-ROM Hands on Guide to creating interactive multimedia by Interactive Media Corporation. Macintosh CD-ROM. <http://www.imcinfo.com/MMGettingStartedDataSheet.html> The Lingo(TM) Timesaver(TM) <http://www.updatestage.com/TLT.html>: UpdateStage <http://www.updatestage.com/index.html>; Hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM. Multimedia, Working it Out! by Tay Vaughan. Hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM. Invaluable resource for independent professional and would-be multimedia developers. <http://www.timestream.com/web/products/mmcd/mmcdpr01.html> 19. What USENET newsgroups deal with authoring systems? General Authoring: bit.listserv.edtech comp.infosystems.kiosks This moderated newsgroup deals with kiosk issues, including software development for kiosk delivery. comp.multimedia This unmoderated newsgroup is the omnibus multimedia forum; issues covered range from sound cards to authoring tools to C++ libraries. comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.multimedia comp.os.os2.multimedia comp.publish.cdrom.multimedia comp.sys.amiga.multimedia misc.education.multimedia Authorware alt.authorware Inundated with spam, this group is mostly oriented to newbie questions; more technical questioners tend to be pointed to the AWARE mailing list. bit.listserv.authorware This newsgroup has a uni-directional feed from the AWARE mailing list; posts to the newsgroup no longer bounce back to the list. Questions range from newbie to highly technical. Director alt.multimedia.director Fairly well spammed, this group is mostly oriented to newbie questions; more technical questioners are usually pointed to DIRECT-L. HyperCard comp.sys.mac.hypercard ToolBook II bit.listserv.toolb-l Windows Help and Multimedia Viewer comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.winhelp 20. What Independent WebSites deal with authoring systems? General Resources: Authorbase Cobweb site -- not updated for a couple of years. <http://wwwetb.nlm.nih.gov/authorb/irx/index.html> Gamasutra Sponsored by the same crowd that runs the Computer Game Developer's Conference; in the Production and Programming sections there are threads on authoring. <http://www.gamasutra.com/> In-Depth Reviews Roger Moncrief has written a number of excellent reviews of various multimedia tools. <http://www.indrev.com/> Maricopa Authoring Web Excellent authoring site; regular updates and new pointers. <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/authoring/> MediaBuilder <http://www.mediabuilder.com/> Multimedia Resources Page. This is the comprehensive multimedia site. <http://viswiz.gmd.de/MultimediaInfo/> News from the Field, by TRIA M EUROPE BV, a webmagazine aimed at authoring specialists. <http://www.tme.nl/> Picking a Multimedia Authoring Tool, article by Andy Oeftering, Data-Tech Institute <http://www.datatech.com/hot/s96_3.htm> CBT Resources: CBT Autorensysteme German (Deutsch) article about CBT Authoring Systems by Markus Beisser. <http://www.ifs.univie.ac.at/~c9303344/cbe1.htm> Apple Media Tool Resources: The Unoffical Apple Media Tool (AMT) Site <http://ccsmacinfo.ccs.queensu.ca/Mark/AMT2/> Authorware Resources: The Authorware Professional (AWARE list) Page. If you are doing any level of Authorware development, check out the AWARE mailing list and its USENET mirror at bit.listserv.authorware. <http://www.hvu.nl/aware> The Authorware Ring A linked group of sites belonging to professional Authorware developers. <http://www.euronet.nl:80/users/ix/authoring.html> Betsy Bruce's Multimedia page Includes the current list of Authorware books. <http://pobox.com/~betsy/> The Kinte Space This is Bryan Wilhite's demo space; check it out -- especially the Kinte FAQs! <http://users.aol.com/Wilhite213/kinte.html> The Media Shoppe Wade Wells' site, 3rd party Authorware UCDs. <http://www.themediashoppe.com/> Whirlwind Multimedia Tim Miller's site, 3rd party Authorware XCMDs and UCDs <http://www.whirlwind-media.com/> Director Resources: Director FAQ-in-progress. <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/director/faq/index.html> Director Web at Maricopa; Here is the Director resources site. Excellent! <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/director/> Great Bay Interactive, a New England Director shop <http://www.greatbayint.com/> LingoLand <http://www.horizon.nl/~gbrok/> UpdateStage; a fantastic Director site <http://www.updatestage.com/index.html> HyperCard Resources: The HyperCard Resource Page, maintained by GlassCat Communications <http://www.glasscat.com/hypercard> mTropolis Resources: mTroposite iXmedia inc. hosts the mTropo-List mTropolis mailing list and website listing third-party mTropolis scripts and modifiers. The mailing list archives are searchable. <http://mtrop.ixmedia.com/> Shockwave Resources: ShockeR Shockwave Sites Mailing List and Search Engine <http://www.shocker.com/> SuperCard Resources: Australian SuperCard User's Group <http://www.curtin.edu.au/other/supercard/> Fourth World Richard Gaskin's site; 3rd-party SuperCard tools developer/distributor <http://www.fourthworld.com/> Toolbook Resources: The Toolbook List <http://www.biocom.arizona.edu/tbook/> The Toolbook User's Web <http://www.ets.bris.ac.uk/tosolini/tbkwww/> Questions? Comments? Contributions? <mailto:jasiglar@domsol.tiac.net> Current Web HTML version at <http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.HTML> <<-- Multimedia Consulting and Authoring - ->> <<-- http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/ -->> <<-- Multimedia Authoring Systems FAQ maintained at: -->> <<-- http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.HTML -->> 
