PGDEL/DECP03/01

E-LEARNING APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT Unit 3.1 Multimedia basics

= 3.1.2 Multimedia Componets =

Multimedia Components Let's take a quick glance at the key multimedia elements. Each of these elements will be shown in greater depth, but this should give you a feel for the most common elements used in multimedia applications. Multimedia refers to the creation of a multi sensory experience to convey messages and ideas. To create this multisensory experience, different multimedia elements are used. The key elements used in most multimedia applications include text, graphics, animation, sound, and video. Add a participatory environment and you have interactive multimedia. Keep in mind that even the most awe-inspiring multimedia presentation incorporating all of these elements is wasted if it doesn't also include content and purpose. It takes just the right combination of elements to portray and illustrate a message effectively. Text In the past, content was produced primarily via text. Though additional elements have been added, text remains vital to multimedia applications. This is because text is still an effective way to communicate. In multimedia, text is used as headlines, subtitles, and captions. In addition to supplying content, text is used to give directions and communicate information, text-based menus and buttons help guide users through the multimedia application, and electronic books, magazines, and reference materials still rely on text to inform and educate. Text doesn't have to be boring. Emphasis can be added by varying the font style, size, or color. Special effects and drop shadows that give the feeling of three dimensions can be added using tools like Microsoft WordArt. In fact, three dimensional, animated text can also be created using modeling and animation programs. There really are no limits because text can be treated like any other graphic element. Text can also serve as a link that allows the user to expand the existing text and learn more about a topic. Hypertext is text that allows you nonlinear access to information. In other words, hypertext links automatically transport you to related information without requiring you to get to that information by following a set path. These links are similar to a cross-reference. By clicking on a hot word or link, you have access to information on the topics you are most interested in exploring. Hypertext gives you immediate access to an entire macrocosm of related and connected information. Once you have used hypertext and had a wealth of information at your fingertips, reverting back to linear text can be quite dull. Therefore, in addition to standard text, hypertext also plays a significant role in multimedia applications.