As always, the more tools you have, the easier your work. But if you learn to use what you have to its full potential, you can get by with just a few tools. This chapter mentions only software. Multimedia for the Internet needs to remain relatively small so hardware requirements aren't very demanding. A video display in thousands or millions of colors is good to have, as well as a sound card. Other than that, you'll need to check with the individual software package vendors for system requirements.
This chapter covers:
| Working with Good Tools |
A good tool makes a job easy, as any mechanic will tell you. The same holds true in the computer realm. In one of my first jobs in multimedia, I was hired to create images to be used as supplementary screens for a video production. Assuming the company had the necessary software to use, I went in on my first day and sat down at a computer. The project was explained to me, and my boss pointed to a clip art book for CorelDRAW! Version 3 (Version 6 had been released already). My heart sank as I thumbed through corny cartoon drawings and other useless clip art. I had no good tools to create with. In the end, I brought in my own version of Photoshop and scanned in some pictures to use, but I learned to find out ahead of time what tools I would have to work with. |
Some tools are essential for you as the developer and also for anyone to view your Web site. The Shockwave essentials can be divided into three categories: the Shockwave file, the Internet browser, and the Shockwave plug-in. Think of the Shockwave file as a movie (in fact, this is the term that Director uses for its files). The browser is like a movie theater, the place where you are able to load and view items from the Internet. When the browser receives a Shockwave HTML command, it recognizes the Shockwave file type and calls the appropriate plug-in. The plug-in is like a projector that plays the movie from within the browser.
The Shockwave file itself is not a tool; it is an end product.
Creating and implementing it is the focus of this book. The browser
and plug-ins are the tools used to view the file.
| Tip |
The success of the Shockwave file depends not only on how it's placed on the Web page, but more importantly how it was created. Because download time is such an important consideration, a good Shockwave movie loads quickly and packs a big performance into a small file. |
A supporting browser is necessary to recognize the Shockwave file type and HTML code. Currently, Shockwave is best supported using Netscape Navigator 2.0 or later. Netscape is one of the most popular Internet browsers, so creating web pages with Netscape viewers in mind will be ideal.
Another popular browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Support for Shockwave is currently limited, though installing Shockwave does give the option of using Internet Explorer by installing an ActiveX addition (figure 2.1). At the time this book was written, version 3 of Explorer was not yet released. I have tested Shockwave with a beta version and it appears to work, though certain network functions don't seem to be operating correctly (switching Web pages using Shockwave, retrieving text files from the Internet, and other network-related commands).
Figure 2.1 : Shockwave's installation menu lets you select your browser.
Other browsers that Macromedia claims to support Shockwave are Netmanage's Websurfer and Attachmate's Emissary. Others are sure to follow, though hopefully we will see more standardization in Web browsers. If you have designed many Web sites, you know how difficult it is to predict the appearance of a Web page because different browsers respond differently to the HTML code. Our suggestion is to stick to Netscape Navigator due to its popularity.
You can find Netscape and Internet Explorer in stores if you like, or you can download them from their Web sites. The locations are listed below for your reference.
Microsoft's Internet address:
http://www.microsoft.com
Netscape's Internet address:
http://www.netscape.com
| Note |
You must have the appropriate browser and plug-in for your system. Windows 95 users will need a different program than Windows 3.1 users, because Windows 95 supports 32-bit software while Windows 3.1 uses only 16-bit programs. Be sure when you download a browser or a plug-in that you have chosen the correct one for your system. |
To view the Shockwave movie, the browser must have a plug-in. Because Macromedia has developed Shockwave for Director, Authorware, and Freehand, there are three plug-ins to be installed. All three are automatically installed in the proper location when you run the Shockwave installation program.
The plug-ins are available for download at Macromedia's Web site and are also included on the CD-ROM with this book.
Macromedia's Internet address is:
http://www.macromedia.com
Once the plug-ins are in the correct directory for your browser, they will automatically be available when you run the browser. The Shockwave installer will automatically put the plug-ins in their proper location. To install the plug-ins supplied on the CD-ROM, run one of the following programs:
For Windows 95 or NT: N32Z0005.EXE, then run the extracted setup file.
For Windows 3.1: N16Z0005.EXE, then run the extracted setup file.
For Macintosh 68K: N68Z0005.SEA
For Power Macintosh: NPPZ0005.SEA
Your browser's preferences menu should give you an option for cache size, which must be at least 10M. A large cache size is to your benefit, anyway, because it allows you to leave a Web page and return to it without having to redownload everything. You'll soon see how file size and download time are major considerations with a Shocked Web site.
A supporting browser and the plug-ins are all you really need to get started. You can put Shocked files on your Web site or view them on someone else's. However, to create original Shockwave files of your own, you need to use one of Macromedia's products, as well as a few other tools.
Macromedia products are high-end multimedia tools useful in creating CD-ROMs, kiosks, other interactive media, print, and of course, Shockwave. They are not free and are usually not available in your local neighborhood software or computer shop. You can order them through a Macromedia distributor. Contact Macromedia for more information on how to order (800-457-1774). You can also order some products from Macromedia's online store:http://www.macromall.com.
For Internet multimedia, you need Director 4.0 or 5.0 (see figure 2.2). Director is a powerful tool used in creating multimedia products. You may use it only for animation and sound, but it also includes a detailed programming language that can perform a variety of complex tasks. Many CD-ROM and kiosk projects are authored using Director. Graphics, sound, animation, video, and other elements are all brought together using an authoring tool such as Director.
Figure 2.2 : Macromedia Director for Windows.
Multimedia is the most common application of Shockwave on the Internet. If you want animation and sound on your Web site, this is the product to use. Note that you can create most Shockwave movies using Director 4, but you must have version 5 to use the compressed and streaming audio features.
The retail price of Director 5 is $929, or it's available in a
package called the Director Multimedia Studio that includes other
software packages such as Extreme 3D and SoundEdit 16 for $999.
Director may sometimes be available through mail-order software
catalogs.
| Note |
Many examples in this book were done in version 4 so that anyone can use them, but certain example files were done in version 5. Anyone can view the movies using a browser with Shockwave, but you will not be able to open version 5 files in Director 4. |
For large-scale Intranet multimedia projects, Authorware 3.5 is the choice (figure 2.3). Authorware is a major multimedia production tool. It offers an easy-to-use interface for creating complex multimedia products. Authorware performs the same function as Director: compiling graphics, sound, video, and other pieces into a final interactive multimedia project. The advantage to Authorware is that it offers more organization and a faster, easier creation process for complex productions.
Figure 2.3 : Macromedia Authorware for Windows.
Shockwave for Authorware may be used on the Internet, but due to large file sizes, it is not as efficient as Director. Because Intranets have higher speed connections for their users, larger file sizes can be used. Shockwave for Authorware also supports streaming, which allows the user to download only certain parts at a time, as they are needed.
Authorware retails for around $4,800, putting it out of reach for most home users, though special offers are not uncommon. It is rarely seen in catalogs or stores, and usually is ordered through a Macromedia reseller.
For scalable images, use Freehand Version 5.0 or later (figure 2.4). Freehand is a vector graphics program that allows precise control in drawing an image. It is similar to other drawing programs such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW!.
Figure 2.4 : Macromedia Freehand for Macintosh.
Shockwave for Freehand is ideal for maps, charts, diagrams, and other detailed graphics that may be hard to see as a standard image file (GIF or JPEG). With Shockwave for Freehand, you can zoom, pan, and link to other Web sites with the Freehand graphics image.
Freehand sells for around $400, and is also available in package deals with other graphics programs. It is sometimes seen in mail-order software catalogs.
SoundEdit 16 is the audio editing tool that is used for streaming audio using Shockwave (figure 2.5). You may or may not decide to edit your sounds using this software, but it is essential to use it for the final step: compressing the audio file. An Xtra is used with SoundEdit 16 to export a special file type (called an SWA file) that is used by Shockwave over the web. Unfortunately, SoundEdit 16 is only available for the Macintosh at this time. It retails for around $200 or can be found in package deals.
Figure 2.5 : Macromedia ScoundEdit 16 for Macintosh.
Afterburner is the tool created by Macromedia to turn a standard
file into a compressed version to put on the Internet. It is included
on the CD-ROM and is also available from Macromedia's Web site
(http://www.macromedia.com). Using Afterburner is discussed more
thoroughly in chapter 3, "Putting It on the Web." There
are separate Afterburner programs for Director, Authorware, and
Freehand. Director 5 offers support for Afterburner as an Xtra,
so running a separate program is not needed.
| Note |
Shockwave will still recognize and load standard file types. Afterburner is a benefit to download time because it compresses the file, but it's not necessary. So a normal .DIR file created in Director can be viewed by Shockwave, though the same file might be half as big after being compressed with Afterburner into the .DCR format. |
Creating graphics is a big part of multimedia and Shockwave. You could just use clip-art and other pre-created graphics all of the time, but you would be missing out on customizing your Shockwave graphics (and missing out on a lot of fun, too).
Computer graphics can be divided into two categories: bit-map
and vector graphics, and it's essential to know the difference.
If you buy a program that creates one type of graphic, you will
be disappointed if you try to use it for a different purpose.
| Bit-Map versus Vector Graphics |
Bit map means just what it sounds like: a map of bits. Figure 2.6 shows a magnified view of a bit-map graphic. A bit-map image is divided into fragments, or single bits, each with color information. Each bit is called a pixel, from the term "picture element." The pixels are mapped horizontally and vertically. A bit map that is 400 pixels wide by 300 pixels high will contain 120,000 pixels, and each one has a color value. Color depth may vary for a bit-map image. An "8-bit" image contains 256 colors, so any particular pixel may be one of 256 colors. A 24-bit image contains over 16.7 million colors that each pixel may be. Obviously, the higher the color depth, the larger the file size. Scanned photographs are bit-map images. Most images intended to be viewed on a computer screen are bit-map images. Director and Authorware use mostly bit-map images. Vector graphics, on the other hand, are a series of computer commands to "draw" an image. Vector graphics are broken down into circles, lines, arcs, boxes, color "fills," and other instructions (figure 2.7). The file size of a vector graphic is usually much smaller than a bit-map graphic because it does not keep track of thousands or millions of bits of information. Most vector graphics are intended to be used in printing because they are scalable. Shown large or small, the angles and measurements the computer uses are the same. If a bit-map image were blown up too large, it would become blurry or "pixelated" due to the pixel data being spread out too far. Vector graphics are best used for crisp, hard-edged images, such as logos or diagrams. Shockwave for Freehand uses vector graphics. |
Figure 2.6 : A Magnified view of a bit map.
Figure 2.7 : Vector graphics use curves, lines, and other geometry.
A good image editing program is strongly recommended for creating or editing graphics. While Director has a paint window built into its interface that allows you to create and edit images, it is very limited compared to other products made with a focus on high quality graphics.
Adobe Photoshop is currently an industry standard in computer graphics. It sells for approximately $600, which is not too expensive considering its versatility and power. It's useful for everything from retouching scanned photos to creating completely original graphics. Various third party developers create filter plug-ins that work with Photoshop. Kai's Power Tools is an example of this.
The CD-ROM with this book contains a few public domain graphics programs that you may use in creating your Shockwave graphics. Paint Shop Pro and Graphics Workshop are two that you can try.
Photoshop is ideal for bit-map image editing (see note on Bit-Map versus Vector Graphics). You may also want a vector graphics program, such as Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, or CorelDRAW!. Usually, vector graphics programs are used for images intended for print, but they can also be useful for on-screen graphics, designing logos, maps, diagrams, and other precise drawings. You could even create a complex path in a vector graphics program, then import the path to a bit-map editor where detailed selections may be more difficult.
A 3-D graphics package can also be very useful, particularly if you want to animate an object moving or changing three-dimensionally. Kinetix 3D Studio Max, Macromedia Extreme 3D, and Caligari TrueSpace2 are a few examples. Animating three-dimensionally will increase file size because multiple angles are needed for an image; however, keeping physical size small can still offer reasonable file sizes for 3-D animation. Popularity of 3-D graphics is increasing rapidly, particularly in multimedia and video production.
To include sound in your multimedia, you may wish to have a sound editing utility. This will let you crop and reformat audio to fit your needs. Most audio cards come with some sort of sound utility, though some are more useful than others. To do intense sound editing, you'll want a good program, although this book doesn't go into detail on sound programs. Macromedia's multimedia bundle offers SoundEdit 16 and Deck II for the Macintosh, and SoundForge for Windows. Sound effects and music are available on various Web sites or from CD-ROM collections, or you may choose to record your own.
MIDI is not directly supported by Shockwave, though you may decide to create your own music using either built in MIDI instruments or an attached MIDI instrument. The audio will need to be recorded as a digital audio file. Several formats can be used, such as WAV or AIFF. For streaming audio, it will need to be compressed using a Shockwave Xtra for Macromedia's Sound-Edit 16.
The software listed here can add up quickly to a big bill. You may decide to purchase only Director and use public domain software for graphics and sound. And while it's true that the more resources you have the better your end product will be, there is really no tool to substitute for your own creativity and adaptability.
The following chapters offer more on how to use these tools: