Multimedia Technology
Multimedia Authoring
	An author of a written publication faces the challenge of putting together a group
of words, sentences and paragraphs to form a cohesive thought. But as we have 
discussed in previous lectures, multimedia development involves the incorporation of 
many forms of media types. These media types only become a harmonious production 
when properly orchestrated. 
Country
Production quantity tones/year
U.S.A.
10,000
H.K.
5,000
	The way these files become properly orchestrated is through authoring software. 
As the word authoring suggests, this software is used to develop a 'story'. Authoring 
software allows the development of a multimedia production by coordinating the 
various media types into a production. Instead of writing text for a book or 
publication, you are writing, composing and assembling files for presentation on a 
computer. HUI CHIT HIN HINSON

Role of Authoring Programs
	Authoring programs allow the following operations: 
	1)	produce content with paint, 	text & animation	tools; 
	2)	design screen layouts using 		templates;
	3)	create interactivity; 
	4)	incorporate text, sound, video, 	animation & graphics; 
	5)	create hyperlinks; 

	Basically, authoring software allows you to take previously-prepared graphics, 
sounds, animation and movies, and place them under the control of one software
program. 
	 
	Your external files don't necessarily become a part of the authoring software, but
rather are controlled by the authoring software. For example, digital movies are 
traditionally very large files; when a movie is placed into the authoring program, it is 
usually linked to the original file, not re-created. 

*End *


KCC CIT Module D Chapter 1 Activity 5



An extract from http://www.cpeg.ust.hk/~eeleung/elec001/mm-5.html on 7th June, 2004.