Article Abstract:
Quark's $995 QuarkImmedia multimedia authoring software adds interactive multimedia functions to QuarkXPress that are powerful yet easy to use. QuarkImmedia becomes another Xpress menu item, but it also provides a multifunction palette of tools. The palette interface is comprised of context-sensitive pop-up menus that ask the user for information necessary to complete the selected function. Although the menus expedite mastering the numerous available options, the required pointing and clicking make the interface rather slow, particularly because the program does not have keyboard shortcuts. QuarkImmedia facilitates scripting with its Actions macro list. The program has button, cursor and animation editor miniapplication windows in addition to the palette. It comes with the QuarkImmedia Viewer, a Web browser that allows users with Internet access to view Immedia Web pages.
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Article Abstract:
Today's design shop must come to grips with a disorganized bevy of digitized images on a variety of hard drives, CD-ROMs and SyQuest cartridges. The solution is to get organized with an image database. An entry in an image database includes a thumbnail version of the visual, plus conventional database information in words or numbers. Image databases import visuals, either one at a time or in batches; create thumbnails; and provide fields for entering relevant textual and numeric data about the visual. Because an image database can be searched by descriptive information, users will not waste their time trying to remember cryptically short Windows or Macintosh filenames. The images in many photo-stock CDs come already tagged with keywords, which can then be exported to a design shop's image database.
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Article Abstract:
The Macromedia Flash 3.0 vector animation tool, earned a 4-star, highly recommended review for its release as an open, faster Web standard. Flash 3.0 has added a list of new effects including shape-morphing, animated sprites, and transparency. The script-free, designer-friendly approach to interactivity and options make it accessible. Transparent vector objects and shape tweening are simple to create. An object's properties of position, rotation, size, transparency and tint can be tweened as well. The movie clip allows you to create animated elements within larger animated scenes. The browser-based tutorial makes it easy to learn the program. Drawbacks include the interface, and the awkwardness of working with tools so different from other vector applications.
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