Software and Multimedia

Chapter 6

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Programs Used in Multimedia Developing a multimedia production

requires an array of software to create, edit, and combine text, sounds, and images.

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Elements of Multimedia Different software is used to create the

various elements of multimedia. These elements are:

Text

Graphics and animation

Sound or audio

Video

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Programs for Managing Text Text can be created with many

programs.Multimedia developers use word processing 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.

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Desktop Publishing Programs

Desktop publishing programs are sometimes called page layout programs.

They are better at handling the placement of graphics and processing very large documents.

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Programs for Graphics Graphics software is used for creating,

editing, manipulating, and storing graphics.

Graphics software is also known as image management software.

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

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Programs for Sound or VideoMost operating systems have the capability of playing sound or video files.

Audio or sound software is used to create or edit music or sound files.Video software is used to edit video files.

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Creating a Multimedia ProductionDifferent kinds of software are used to combine the elements to create a multimedia production.

Embedded sound file Imported graphic file

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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.

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

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

Interactive tutorials

Simulations

Games

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Planning and Managing Projects

There is also software for planning and managing multimedia projects.

Spreadsheet software is used to develop cost estimates, budgets, and reports.Database software is used to control and retrieve information used in projects.Project management software is used to coordinate the work of people and tasks to ensure that projects are completed on time.

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Multimedia Software Suites A software suite is a group of

programs from the same company sold in a single package.

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Utility Software for Multimedia Multimedia developers often need

software for specific tasks. These tasks might include:

Screen captures File compressionFile conversionVirus protectionOptical character recognition (OCR)