Chapter 2

Multimedia Tools
Table of contents
● Requirements for Multimedia Project
● Hardware
● Software
● Peopleware
● Connectivity
● The Stages of a Multimedia Project

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.: Requirements for Multimedia Project
• Hardware.
• Software.
• Peopleware – Creativity and organizational skills.

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.: Hardware
• The most significant platforms for producing and delivering
multimedia projects are Macintosh operating system and
Microsoft Windows.
• These systems provide an easy-to-use graphical user interface
(GUI).
• Offers a combination of affordability, and software and hardware
availability.
• Macintosh Apple better suited for multimedia production and
better equipped to manage both, sound and video editing

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 Action camera
Compact Digital/Point and Shoot Cameras

Bridge camera Medium format camera

DSLR
360 camera
Rugged camera
(Source: https://www.adorama.com/alc/what-are-the-different-types-of-cameras-used-for-photography/)
(Source: https://studios.aalto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/foley-2100x900.jpg) 5/25
 Storage

Processing unit
Output device
Input device

Communication
device

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.: Software
• Multimedia software provides specific instructions to the
hardware for performing tasks.
• Software tools are divided into production tools and authoring
tools.

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Production Tools Authoring Tools
Adobe Illustrator Adobe Flash/Animate CC
Adobe Photoshop, Canva Adobe Authorware
Audacity, WavePad Adobe Director
Capcut, VideoPad Asymetrix ToolBook
ShotCut, InShot
Autodesk Maya
Ulead3D, InfiniD

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.: Peopleware
• A team of skilled individuals is required to create a good
multimedia project.
• Team building refers to activities that help a group and its
members function at optimal levels.
• The diverse range of skills required for a project is called the
multimedia skillset.

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.: Peopleware (cont.)
• In a multimedia project, being creative implies knowledge of
hardware and software.
• It is essential to develop an organized outline detailing the skills,
time, budget, tools and resources needed for the project.
• Assets such as graphics, sound and the like should be
continuously monitored throughout the project’s execution.
• A standardized file-naming procedure should be followed for
precise organization and swift retrieval.

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 A multimedia team consists of the following:

• Script Writer / Content • Video specialist

Expert • Videographer
• Multimedia designer • Video editor
• Graphic designer • Multimedia programmer
• Instructional designer • Producer for the Web
• Interface designer • Computer programmers
• Information designer • Project manager
• Audio specialist
• Sound Engineer
• Sound Foley Artist
• Animator
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The project manager is responsible for:
• The overall development, implementation, and day-to-day
operations of the project
• The design and management of a project
• Understanding the strengths and limitations of hardware and
software
• Ensuring people skills and organizational skills
• Conveying information between the team and the client

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Multimedia designer – This team consists of:
• Graphics designers, illustrators, animators, and image
processing specialists who deal with visuals, thereby making
the project appealing and aesthetic
• Instructional designers, who make sure that the subject matter
is presented clearly for the target audience
• Interface designers, who devise the navigational pathways and
content maps
• Information designers, who structure content, determine user
pathways and feedback, and select presentation media

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An interface designer is responsible for:
• Creating a software device that organizes content,
allows users to access or modify content, and
presents that content on the screen
• Building a user-friendly interface

A multimedia writer is responsible for:

• Creating characters, actions, point of view,
and interactivity
• Writing proposals and test screens
• Scripting voice-overs and actors' narrations
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An audio specialist is responsible for:
• Locating and selecting suitable music talent
• Scheduling recording sessions
• Digitizing and editing recorded material into computer files

A video specialist needs to understand:

• The delivery of video files on DVD, or the Web
• How to shoot quality video
• How to transfer the video footage to a computer
• How to edit the footage down to a final product using a digital
nonlinear editing system (NLE) 15/25
A multimedia programmer, also called a software engineer:
• Integrates all the multimedia elements into a seamless project,
using authoring systems or a programming language.
• Writes codes for the display of multimedia elements, and to
control various peripheral devices.
• Manages timings, transitions, and record keeping

Multimedia producer for the Web:

• Web site producers put together a coordinated set of pages for
the Web.
• They also co-ordinate updates and changes.
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.: Connectivity
• Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
• Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
• Universal Serial Bus (USB)
• FireWire (IEEE 1394)

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SCSI:
• Connects internal and external peripheral
equipment and devices
• Is preferred for real-time video editing, network
servers, and situations that require mirroring.

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IDE:
• Connections are also known as Advanced Technology
Attachment (ATA).
• These are usually internal devices such as hard drives, CD-
ROM drives, and DVD-ROM drives.

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USB:
• A standard for connecting devices to the computer using the
plug-and-play system.
• Uses a single cable to connect 127 USB peripherals to a single
PC

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FireWire:
• Introduced by Apple in the 1980s.
• The industry standard and provides support for high-bandwidth
serial data transfer, particularly for digital video and mass
storage.
• Can connect multiple computers and peripheral devices (peer-
to-peer).

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.: The Stages of a Multimedia Projects
i. Planning and costing:
• The needs of a project are analyzed by outlining its messages
and objectives.
• A plan that outlines the required multimedia expertise is
prepared.
• A graphic template, the structure, and navigational system are
developed.
• A time estimate and a budget are prepared.
• A short prototype or proof-of-concept is prepared.

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.: The Stages of a Multimedia Projects (cont.)
ii. Design and production:
• The planned tasks are performed to create a finished product.
• The product is revised, based on the continuous feedback
received from the client.

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.: The Stages of a Multimedia Projects (cont.)
iii. Testing
• The program is tested to ensure that it meets the objectives of
the project, works on the proposed delivery platforms, and
meets the client requirements.

iv. Delivery
• The final project is packaged and delivered to the end user.

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