Multimedia Elements Dr Afendi Hamat Definition Multi Media

Multimedia Elements Dr Afendi Hamat

Definition • Multi. • Media – the medium or the hardware and software that delivers the information or the message • Advancement in technology also redefines multimedia. • Add to the definition: purpose.

Elements • • • Text Graphic Audio Video Animation

Text • • • The most basic element. Exists in almost every application. Consideration when using text: Position Length Legibility

Hypertext • • Text that are links to other resources. We also have the term ‘hypermedia’. Both are coined by Ted Nelson in 1963. Look those terms up.

Graphics • Not text and not sound. • So much a part of the computer that people use their computers without realizing they control is mostly via graphics. • A lot of efforts in the past 20 years has been spend on making computers display graphics better.

Graphics • Comes in various formats: jpeg, gif, bmp, tiff. • But there are only two kinds: raster and vector. • Vector: sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a given two-dimensional or threedimensional space.

Graphics • Raster – also known as bitmap. • Created by placing dots on a display space. • A dot is usually called a pixel.

Audio • Music, speech and sound effects. • Sounds are analog or digital. • Audio on computers are digital sampling of actual sounds.

Video • Combination of visuals and audio. • Powerful impact on viewers. • A very useful element in multimedia applications.

Animations • The process of creating movements from a series of still images. • Can be 2 D or 3 D. • Made famous by a lot of animated movies. • A powerful tool to simulate real life situations.

About Multimedia • Having all ‘media’ at the same time: • What does this do? • The factor that changes the equation is interactivity

Interactivity • Linear vs Non-Linear • True Interactivity.

Multimedia Tools • Two basic types: • Card-based • Timeline-based.