This document provides an overview of different categories of multimedia software tools, including music sequencing, digital audio, graphics/image editing, video editing, animation, and multimedia authoring tools. It describes popular software in each category, their main features, and purposes. The main platforms for developing and delivering multimedia projects are Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems. Specialized workstations were traditionally used for creation, while delivery occurs via computers, TVs, and game consoles.

1. Overview of MM Software Tools
Categories of software tools :Categories of software tools :
o Music sequencing and notationMusic sequencing and notation
o Digital audioDigital audio
o Graphics and image editingGraphics and image editing
o Video editingVideo editing
o AnimationAnimation
o Multimedia authoringMultimedia authoring
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2. Overview of MM Software Tools
Music Sequencing and NotationMusic Sequencing and Notation
o CakewalkCakewalk
 previous name - Pro Audioprevious name - Pro Audio
 produced by Twelve Tone Systemproduced by Twelve Tone System
 store sequences of notes in the MIDIstore sequences of notes in the MIDI
 possible to insert WAV files & Windows MCIpossible to insert WAV files & Windows MCI
commandcommand
o CubaseCubase
 sequencing/editing programsequencing/editing program
 includes digital audio editing toolsincludes digital audio editing tools
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3. o Macromedia SoundeditMacromedia Soundedit
 creating audio for multimedia project and webcreating audio for multimedia project and web
 integrates well with other Macromedia productsintegrates well with other Macromedia products
(Flash and Director)(Flash and Director)
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Overview of MM Software Tools

4. Overview of MM Software Tools
 Digital AudioDigital Audio
o Cool EditCool Edit
 powerful, popular digital audio toolkitpowerful, popular digital audio toolkit
 emulate professional audio studioemulate professional audio studio
 include multitrack productionsinclude multitrack productions
 sound file editing, along with digital signal processsound file editing, along with digital signal process
o Sound ForgeSound Forge
 sophisticated PC-based program for editing WAVsophisticated PC-based program for editing WAV
 permits adding complex special effectspermits adding complex special effects
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5. Overview of MM Software Tools
Graphics and Image EditingGraphics and Image Editing
o Adobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator
 powerful publishing tool for creating and editingpowerful publishing tool for creating and editing
vector graphicsvector graphics
o Adobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop
 standard in tool for graphic, image processing &standard in tool for graphic, image processing &
image manipulationimage manipulation
o Macromedia FireworksMacromedia Fireworks
 making graphics specifically for the webmaking graphics specifically for the web
 includes bitmap editor, vector graphic editor &includes bitmap editor, vector graphic editor &
JavaScript generatorJavaScript generator
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6. Overview of MM Software Tools
o Macromedia FreehandMacromedia Freehand
 text & web graphics editing tools, support manytext & web graphics editing tools, support many
bitmap formatbitmap format
 support vector-based formatsupport vector-based format
 can read Photoshop formatcan read Photoshop format
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7. Overview of MM Software Tools
 Video EditingVideo Editing
oAdobe PremiereAdobe Premiere
 simple, intuitive video editing tool for nonlinearsimple, intuitive video editing tool for nonlinear
o Adobe After EffectsAdobe After Effects
 powerful video editing tool that enables users topowerful video editing tool that enables users to
add and change existing movies with effectsadd and change existing movies with effects
o Final Cut ProFinal Cut Pro
 video editing tool offered by Apple for Macvideo editing tool offered by Apple for Mac
 Allows the capture of audio and video fromAllows the capture of audio and video from
numerous sourcesnumerous sources
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8. Overview of MM Software Tools
 AnimationAnimation
o Multimedia APIsMultimedia APIs
 Java3DJava3D
 DirectXDirectX
 OpenGLOpenGL
o Rendering ToolsRendering Tools
 3D Studio Max3D Studio Max
 MayaMaya
 RenderManRenderMan
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9. Overview of MM Software Tools
 Multimedia AuthoringMultimedia Authoring
o Macromedia FlashMacromedia Flash
 create interactive movies using score metaphorcreate interactive movies using score metaphor
 timeline arranged in parallel event sequencestimeline arranged in parallel event sequences
(musical score)(musical score)
 element in movies called –element in movies called – symbolssymbols
 stagestage
 used to show movies or games on the webused to show movies or games on the web
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10. Overview of MM Software Tools
o Macromedia DirectorMacromedia Director
 use movie metaphor to create interactiveuse movie metaphor to create interactive
presentationpresentation
 includes built-in scripting language – Lingoincludes built-in scripting language – Lingo
 cast – bitmapped, scripts, music, soundscast – bitmapped, scripts, music, sounds
 can read bitmap file formatcan read bitmap file format
 good deal of interactivitygood deal of interactivity
 web authoring features availableweb authoring features available
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11. Overview of MM Software Tools
o AuthorwareAuthorware
 easy learning curve for CS studenteasy learning curve for CS student
 iconic/flow-controliconic/flow-control metaphormetaphor
 hyperlink to link text, digital movies, graphic &hyperlink to link text, digital movies, graphic &
 soundsound
 Shockwave – Director movies, Flash animationShockwave – Director movies, Flash animation
 & audio& audio
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13. • platform for producing and delivering multimedia projects
 Apple Macintosh (OS)
 Microsoft Windows (OS)
• commonly used today for development & delivering of MM
• created on specialized workstations (Silicon Graphics, Sun
Microsystem)
• delivery vehicle for MM – on computer, television (set-top
box) eg. Sega, Nintendo or Sony

14. • peripherals – monitor, disk drives, scanner, network gear,
VGA card, and etc
• basic principles for creating & editing multimedia for both
OS are same
• platform-independent : annoying failures on both
platform
• failures in cross-platform compatibility consume great
amount of time