Module 3 dealt with each of the five elements of multimedia - text, graphics, animation, sound and video. For the most part, they were treated separately although sound and images were combined in creating a simple QuickTime video clip.

This final module considers how the elements of multimedia can be combined to create a single interactive multimedia product. Whether that product is to be delivered on CD-ROM or across the World Wide Web, the same general principles and processes of construction apply except that for delivery on the WWW particular care needs to be taken to control the volume of data to be delivered.

There are numerous software products that support the integration of multimedia elements into a coherent final product. For the purposes of this module Macromedia Flash has been selected as a product which is suited to development of multimedia for the WWW. It creates compact products which can incorporate a variety of multimedia assets. Although it is not currently possible to include QuickTime video in Flash it is possible to create hybrid products which combine Flash with QuickTime content.

If you do not have access to the full version of Flash for use in this module, a 30 day trial version can be downloaded from the Macromedia web site. It is a complete version but if you choose to use it you will need to ensure that you complete the necessary work within the 30 day period. If you are unable to obtain access to Flash or prefer not to use it, you are free to attempt the activities and assignments using alternative software that can produce equivalent integrated multimedia for the web.

NOTE: Some elements of this module use Flash content and require that you have at least version 5 (version 8 is current) of the Flash Player and plugin installed. Certain elements are not visible using version 4.

Objectives

At the end of this module you should be able to:

identify and operate the basic tools in Macromedia Flash
design and build simple multimedia products in Macromedia Flash, including use of text, graphics, animation and audio
design and build interactive products using Macromedia Flash.

Integrated multimedia for the WWW

Introduction

Objectives