Section 6.1 Text in Multimedia

• Text is an important component of most multimedia productions.• It is typically combined with other media.• Text can be saved in different formats for different purposes.

Use Text in Multimedia In multimedia, the role of text may be to inform, persuade, or entertain.

The role of text in a multimedia project should always be consistent with the goals, purpose, and audience of the project.

Whenever you use text in a project, you must plan what you want to say before you write it.

Web Pages and Online AdvertisementsEvery Web site contains text.Text can be used to explain the site’s purpose or promote the site in some way.

Type of Text Purpose

Hypertext Links within the site or on the Web.

Banner Ad Advertises a product or service.

E-mail and Text Marketing

Encourages repeat business; solicits new customers.

Use Text in Multimedia• Text is used for many things in games and applications.

• Most computer-based training relies on text to deliver lessons, exercises, tests, and user feedback.

• Multimedia presentations often include text on a projection screen or interactive media.

• The text used in a kiosk presentation is usually integrated with other media.

Use Text in Multimedia

What are eight types of multimedia projects that may use text?

Eight types of multimedia projects that may use text are Web sites, banner ads, e-marketing, mobile applications, mobile games, computer-based training, multimedia presentations, and kiosks.

Software for Working with TextYou might use the following types of programs to develop text for a multimedia project:

The following slide provides details about each type of program.

Software for Working with Text Type of Program Files

Word Processing Documents

Text Editing Text

Web Design Web pages

Applications

Desktop Publishing

Presentation

Multimedia Authoring

Graphics Editing

Video Editing

OCR

Word

WordPad

Dreamweaver

Composite

Slideshows

CBT

Images

Publisher

PowerPoint

Director

Photoshop

Video

Digital Text

Movie Maker

Scanner

Software for Working with Text

What are two popular desktop publishing programs?

Two popular desktop publishing programs are Microsoft Office Publisher and Adobe InDesign®.

Text File Formats File format determines which programs can open a file.

The chart at the right outlines text file formats, their uses, and their accessibility.

File format determines which programs can open a file.

The chart at the right outlines text file formats, their uses, and their accessibility.

Text File Formats

What does PDF stand for?

PDF stands for “portable document format.”

Section 6.2 Work with Text

• The way text is formatted contributes to its readability and impact in multimedia.

• Understanding the technology behind fonts helps you select and manage them effectively.

Typography and FontsTypography is the style, arrangement, and appearance of text and plays a role in how text communicates the message of a multimedia production.

A font is a design for an alphabet and is classified in the two following ways:

Serif fonts have additional lines or curves on the ends of letters; easier to read; used for printed text.

Sans serif fonts clean fonts commonly used in online multimedia projects.

Edit and Manage FontsFont substitutions can cause problems on Web pages.

To avoid these problems: Use a font manager, such as Extensis® Suitcase Fusion. Make sure the fonts you use work across platforms.

A font editor, such as FontLab Fontographer™, provides tools for making changes to fonts.

Typography and Fonts

What is the difference between a font editor and a font manager?

A font editor provides tools for making changes to fonts. A font manager organizes all the fonts on a computer system.

Format Text for ReadabilityReadable text is formatted with the purpose, audience, and goals for the multimedia project in mind.

Size

Style

ColorSpecial Effects

Alignment

Text Wrapping

Format Text for ReadabilityA typical multimedia production uses fonts as several point sizes:

The title or heading is usually the largest, 18-72 points. The next level of heading is usually two sizes smaller than the main heading. Body text is at least two sizes smaller than headings, 10-12 points.

Modify the size, style, and color of the font to convey meaning.

Format Text for ReadabilitySpecial Formatting and Effects

Desktop publishing software allows you to create special formats.

Use these formats in a manner that keeps text readable.You can use outline, shadow, and perspective to add

interest and draw attention to text.

Limit special effects to portions of the text you want users to read immediately.

ShadowShadow

Format Text for ReadabilityAlign, Space, and Wrap Text

Text can be left-aligned, centered, right-aligned, or justified; left-aligned is the easiest to read.

You can choose how much space appears between lines and paragraphs and between individual characters to make text smoother and more readable.

Wrap text to flow around

graphics in a multimedia

production.

Format Text for ReadabilityFollow these guidelines when formatting text:

Provide good contrast. Use increased point size to emphasize information. Use an appropriate amount of text on-screen to avoid scrolling. Use serif and sans-serif fonts appropriately.

Format Text for Readability

How does the contrast between text and background affect readability?

Some text colors show up poorly against certain backgrounds making readability difficult.

Section 7.1 Graphics in Multimedia

• Graphics help contribute to the meaning and impact of multimedia.

• Programs make creating and editing graphics even easy for a novice.

Using Graphics in MultimediaGraphics convey information quickly in a way that can be understood by many people and are often used in the following ways:

To advertise a product. To clarify information. To promote a name brand. To convey an idea or illustrate a concept. To demonstrate a process or procedure. To add visual interest or entertain viewers. To grab the viewer’s attention.

Find Graphics on the InternetOnline sources of graphics files include stock image sites and Clip Art providers.

Stock Image Sites Clip Art Providers

Providers include Corbis and iStock.

Providers include Microsoft Office Online.

Stock photos are often royalty-free.

Images are offered for free.

Other images require a fee depending on intended use.

Use Graphics AppropriatelyUse the checklist below to help you analyze the use of graphics in your multimedia project.

Also keep in mind accessibility guidelines.

Using Graphics in Multimedia

List three ways graphics can be used in multimedia projects.

The ways graphics can be used in multimedia projects include to advertise a product, clarify information, promote a brand, convey an idea or illustrate a concept, demonstrate a process or procedure, add visual interest or entertain viewers, or grab the viewer’s interest.

Types of Graphics Raster Graphics How is it made?

Other names

Examples

Tips for use

Software programs

Capabilities

Pixels

Bitmapped graphic, bitmap

Continuous-tone images, photo-realistic images

• Lose clarity when reduced.• Good for complex images.• Large file = large download.

Photoshop®, PaintPro®, PaintEdit individual pixels or large areas, draw new illustrations

Types of Graphics Vector Graphics How is it made?

Examples

Tips for use

Software programs

Capabilities

Image drawn in lines, curves, and shapes

Logos reproduced in many sizes

• Easily resized.• Small file size.• Not good for photographs.

Illustrator®, Draw®, Visio®

Create artistic and technical illustrations, logos, charts.

Graphic File FormatsResolution is a key factor in choosing a file format.

The higher the resolution, the crisper the image. Higher resolution means larger file size, which means longer download time.

The best file format is determined by how it will be used. Standard image formats for the Web are the GIF and the JPEG. The TIFF, which has a higher resolution, is a better choice for print products.

Graphic File Formats

What is the difference between a native file format and a standard image format?

A native file format is specific to the software used to create the file. A standard image format is a format supported by most graphics applications.

File CompressionYou must weigh the advantages and disadvantages below for choosing how to compress graphics.

Lossy vs. Lossless Compression

Type of Compression Sample File Formats Use when…

Lossy JPEG • A smaller file is required.

• Image quality is not as important.

Lossless GIF, TIFF • A larger file is acceptable.

• Image quality is very important.

File Compression

What are lossy and lossless compression schemes?

Lossy compression reduces file size significantly but loses some data and image quality in the process. With lossless compression the graphic does not lose data, or detail, when it is compressed.

Edit GraphicsGraphics editing programs let you adjust the size, color, texture, and

other attributes of graphics.Tools in graphics editing software programs let you accomplish specific

tasks, such as transforming, drawing, or focusing an image.Many programs have tools that allow you to create dramatic effects

including 3-D effects.The more complex the software, the more tools and features will be

included for you to transform your project.

Edit Graphics

What does it mean to crop, resize, and rotate a graphic?

Cropping is eliminating unwanted parts of an image from the top, sides, or bottom. Resizing a graphic is changing the height and width of an image to be larger or smaller. Rotating a graphic is changing the angle at which the image is displayed.

Section 7.2 Animation in Multimedia

• Animation can deliver a big impact in a multimedia production.• Understanding how animation is formatted and created helps you

integrate it effectively into multimedia.

Use Animation in MultimediaAnimation might play various roles in multimedia, including telling a story, entertaining, advertising, illustrating a concept, demonstrating a process, adding visual interest, or grabbing attention.

When using animation in multimedia projects, keep in mind the following guidelines: Obtain permission to use animation files. Follow the terms and conditions of use. Animation has a purpose and is not distracting.

Use Animation in Multimedia

Name three roles of animation in multimedia.

Animation might play various roles in multimedia, including telling a story, entertaining, advertising, illustrating a concept, demonstrating a process, adding visual interest, and grabbing the viewer’s attention.

Types of AnimationTwo-Dimensional AnimationTwo-dimensional animation has the flat look of paper and has the following characteristics.

Height Width

Can use raster graphics Can use vector graphics

Defines movement by formulas

Used on the Web because it loads quickly

Also called vector or path animation

Three-Dimensional AnimationTwo-dimensional animation seems to bring inanimate objects to life and has the following characteristics.

Height

Width

Depth

Developed by modeling, animating, and rendering

Used in video games, movies, and special effects

Also called computer generated imagery (CGI)

Types of Animation

Dimension Software Uses and Features

File Formats

Two Adobe Flash® and Director®, Microsoft PowerPoint

Movies, simple animation for the Web, simple movement for text and graphics

GIF, SWF, and FLA

Three Autodesk Maya® and 3ds Max®, Maxon Cinema 4D

Rotate or bounce an object, zoom in or out of a scene, fade text or graphics in or out

SWF, AVI, FLV, and MOV

Types of Animation

Which type of animation is developed with width, height, and depth?

The type of animation developed with width, height, and depth is three-dimensional animation.

Edit AnimationAlthough 2D and 3D animation are created using different types of images, both are edited using the same techniques of frame-by-frame and tweening.

The quality of frame-by-frame animation depends on quickly the frames are changed.

Tweening automatically generates in-between frames to give the appearance of a smooth transition between two keyframes.

Edit Animation

How does the technique of tweening create the illusion of motion?

Tweening generates transitional frames between two keyframes. These transitional frames blend with the keyframes so that one appears to change into the next.