Macromedia Authorware 7

By Dale Farris, Vice President Golden Triangle PC Club July 2004 Product Overview Authorware is the leading visual authoring tool for creating rich-media e-learning applications for delivery on corporate networks, CD/DVD, and the Web. Develop accessible applications that comply with learning management system (LMS) standards. Create content by importing Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and integrating them with other media, and then monitor student progress with data-tracking and database connectivity features. Top 10 New Features Common Macromedia User Interface Reduce learning time and speed development with the familiar Macromedia user interface. Dockable panels can be grouped together, collapsed, or expanded as needed, providing a smooth, highly configurable workflow. Microsoft PowerPoint Import Leverage existing PowerPoint presentations to create rich multimedia e-learning content. DVD Playback Integrate and play DVD video in Authorware applications. DVD video has replaced LaserDisc technology as the standard for interactive training and kiosk applications. Accessible Content for People with Disabilities Generate tab navigation and captions, and turn text into speech to comply with accessible software legislation. XML Import and Export Create dynamic, data-driven applications by importing or exporting web-standard XML files into other applications. JavaScript Support Authorware uses the same JavaScript engine found in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. Learning Management System (LMS) Knowledge Objects Create courseware that can connect to LMS systems and complies with standards from the Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) or the ADL Shareable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM). Users work with the wizard to decide what information to get or send to the LMS. Knowledge Objects handle all the complicated back-end communications with the LMS. LMS Knowledge Objects can communicate through ADL and HACP, as well as over LANs. One-Button Publishing to Learning Management Systems Deliver e-learning applications with the click of a button to an LMS. This feature integrates and automates all the steps in the packaging and uploading of your content to LMS systems, making deployment simple. Fully Scriptable Properties All properties within Authorware can now be scripted. This makes it easier for advanced developers to create commands, Knowledge Objects, and extensible content. Apple Mac OS X Playback Play back Authorware e-learning applications on systems compatible with Mac OS X. Key Features Easy To Learn And Use - Take advantage of time-saving features to create e-learning applications and publish them anywhere. Common Macromedia user interface - Reduce learning time and speed development with the familiar Macromedia user interface. Dockable panels can be grouped, collapsed, or expanded as needed, providing a smooth, highly configurable workflow. Intuitive workflow and tools - Speed development with drag-and-drop icons, templates, and wizards, as well as the flowline metaphor. Import PowerPoint files - Leverage existing PowerPoint presentations to create rich multimedia e-learning content. One-button publishing - Deliver applications with the click of a button to corporate networks, CD/DVD, and the web. One-button publishing integrates and automates all the steps in the publishing process, and offers such features as batch-processing and customizable settings. Optimized For Experts - Use popular programs and technologies along with robust scripting to develop a broad range of e-learning applications. Fully scriptable - All properties within Authorware 7 can now be scripted, so it’s easier to create commands, Knowledge Objects, and extensible content. JavaScript support - This familiar language gives you additional programming depth for creating powerful e-learning applications. Built-in data tracking - Authorware 7 provides the tools needed to track student results with built-in tracking functions and variables. Complies With Standards - Support for XML, accessibility, and LMS lets you create rich-media e-learning applications that are compatible with LMS standards. Reusable, interoperable content - Authorware 7 e-learning content complies with Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC), Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), and IMS standards. Accessibility - Generate tab-navigable content, use captions, and turn text into speech to comply with accessible software legislation. LMS Knowledge Objects - Create courseware that can connect to LMS systems and that complies with standards from the AICC or the ADL Shareable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM). LMS Knowledge Objects help you decide what information to get or send to the LMS, and handle all back-end communications with the LMS. They can also communicate through ADL, HACP, and over LANs. Intuitive Authoring Tools - Intuitive Flowline: The Authorware 7 visual interface lets you develop rich-media e-learning applications without scripting. Just drag and drop icons to create your application’s logical outline, and use menus to add content. Powerful Templates and Wizards - Take advantage of templates and wizards that address common learning functionality, such as student logons, course frameworks, questions, quizzes, and more. Or create your own reusable models or Knowledge Objects. Built-In Interactivity - Interactivity is built right into Authorware 7. Add content, and then choose from 11 response types to bring your content to life. Authoring Power Knowledge Objects - Reduce your development time with Knowledge Objects—prebuilt templates with wizards. Use them to accelerate large and small authoring tasks, from creating application frameworks to installing fonts. Just drag and drop from the Knowledge Object gallery and then fill in the content. Custom Buttons - Create interactive graphical buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, and other user interface elements. Buttons can trigger sounds or text, and display custom cursors. You can assign up to eight states to each button. Window Controls - Choose from 20 interface controls—such as buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, combo boxes, list boxes, masked text fields, and tab sets—to create user interfaces and simulate other software applications. Authorware 7 offers powerful ways to manipulate these elements. Track Student Results - Automatically track student results with built-in tracking functions and variables. Rich-Media Support - Enhanced Rich-Media Support - Integrate a comprehensive array of media types, including Macromedia Flash MX and Microsoft Windows Media Player. Create dynamic, data-driven applications by importing external data stored in web-standard XML files. Macromedia Flash MX Support - Import Macromedia Flash MX animations into Authorware 7. Zoom, scale, play, and pause Macromedia Flash MX content within Authorware 7, and capture and respond to events. Media Synchronization - Cue content such as text, graphics, or animations to specific points in a narration, soundtrack, or video. Use sound and movie icons to trigger events based on media position or timing. MP3 Streaming Audio - Add narration, music, and sound effects to e-learning applications by incorporating MP3 streaming audio. DVD Playback - Integrate and play DVD video in Authorware 7 applications. DVD video has replaced LaserDisc technology as the standard for interactive training and kiosk applications. Anti-Aliased Text - Anti-aliasing smoothes jagged text edges, making it readable at any point size. It also decreases file size for faster application performance. Rich Text Editor - The RTF (Rich Text Format) Objects Editor allows you import RTF files; embed graphics, shapes, symbols, and linked text; and apply advanced text formatting. It also enables you to insert Authorware 7 expressions, such as functions and variables, into the text. Create rich text files that can be linked to the application at run-time. Apple Mac OS X Playback - Play back Authorware 7 e-learning applications on systems compatible with Mac OS X. Standards Support - Built-In Data Tracking - The data-tracking capabilities in Authorware 7 comply with AICC specification. Authorware also supports JavaScript URLs to communicate with LMS systems that use SCORM run-time API for data tracking. XML Import and Export - Create dynamic, data-driven applications by importing or exporting web-standard XML files into other applications. Learning Object Content Packager - Organize and upload content to LMS. Automatically compile metadata, Authorware files and resources, and an XML manifest into an ADL SCORM-compatible zip file. ActiveX Support - Use existing ActiveX controls or create your own to customize your application. Authorware 7 displays properties, methods, events, and other information for each control. Improved communications with ActiveX controls ensures that the full power of virtually any control is available to you. SCORM Metadata Editor - Describing and defining e-learning content with an XML-based metadata record makes it easier to manage, reuse, and deploy. The metadata editor enables you to create a SCORM-compliant metadata record that can operate with a standards-compliant LMS. Accessibility - Authorware Application Accessibility - Make your learning applications accessible to all users. Use Authorware 7 application accessibility to tap into Knowledge Objects, commands, models, and techniques to make text audible; run movies with captions; and create accessible user interfaces, menus, and quizzes. Text-to-Speech Xtra - Take advantage of templates and wizards that address common learning functionality, such as student logons, course frameworks, questions, quizzes, and more. Or create your own reusable models or Knowledge Objects. Flexibility - Powerful Navigation - Create complex paging and navigation structures with the framework and navigation icons. Import RTF text into the framework icon and Authorware 7 will automatically set up a multipage navigation system. Use the menu-driven interface to link to other pages, locations, or text in your application. Full-Text Search and Retrieval - Perform full text searches on any text within the application. End users can utilize search capabilities to navigate to the information they need. External Media - You can now store all application media—including rich-text files—outside of your application, so you update without modifying the Authorware application. You can also create hybrid applications that combine internal media with external links. Media Management - Manage media assets internally, externally, or in libraries. Authorware 7 libraries and the external media browser let you separate application content from logic and still effectively track your files. Enhanced Calculation Editor - The calculation editor provides syntax highlighting, formatting, and other useful features. Alpha Channel Support - Alpha channels let you add rich transparency effects to graphics for a more professional appearance. Versatile Delivery - Develop once and deliver across a broad range of platforms, including corporate networks, CD, and the web. Authorware applications maintain a consistent high-fidelity experience across browsers on both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh platforms. Extensibility - Nonmodal Commands - Nonmodal commands make it easier to write and use such commands as the improved spell checker, bug trackers, and importers. Xtra Extensions - Extend Authorware 7 with Xtra extensions, third-party plug-ins that provide such additional functions as printing, encryption, advanced database support, and text-to-speech. Extensible Commands Menu - You can now launch the RTF Objects Editor or the Find Xtras command from the Commands menu. Leverage over 35 new open properties to create custom commands. Authorware 7 recognizes any packaged Authorware file in the Commands directory, and automatically adds it to your Commands menu. Recommendations For Use This Macromedia product is not necessarily designed for novice computer users nor those that may be brand new to designing Web pages. The use of this important software application will require a high level of commitment, and in some cases, special training to learn how to maximize the many important features of the program. In addition to a purchase of the program, I think companies will likely also want to seriously consider the additional investment in the training their staff might need to implement the program. Authorware is one of Macromedia's oldest product lines, initially used to produce educational CD-ROMs for corporate and academic settings and later expanded to include extensive support for online delivery. The software lets designers combine text, images, video and applications into an interactive learning experience. The new version 7 includes a number of enhancements intended to streamline the process of putting together such presentations, most notably the ability to import files created in Microsoft's PowerPoint software. Many professional e-learning modules begin as PowerPoint slides created by co-workers. The new Authorware also includes support for creating applications in the JavaScript programming language and tools for integrating courseware with corporate data systems, so test scores and other data are automatically sent to the right department. Courseware created with Authorware 7 can also be played back on systems running Apple's OS X operating system, although the tools themselves will remain Windows-only. Over the long term you can consider Macromedia to continue to be a player in this business, even as the web site development approach continues to mature and adapt over time. Price $2,999 Full Edition $  399 Upgrade Price - from v. 6.5 $  899 Upgrade Price - from v. 5 and v. 6 The new Authorware will also be available as part of the eLearning suite, which packages the software with Macromedia's Flash MX application for creating animated Web content and Director MX for CD-ROM authoring. The regular version of the package sells for $3,499,while the academic version is priced at $600. System Configuration Requirements Authoring Pentium processor or higher Windows 98 SE, 2000, XP (XP preferred) 64MB RAM to open one application (128 MB recommended) Additional RAM to open multiple applications simultaneously 120MB free hard disk space 800 x 600 monitor resolution and higher Playback Windows Pentium processor or higher Windows 98 SE, Me, XP, NT 4, or later IE 4 or later, or Netscape 4 or later 32MB RAM Macintosh Apple PowerMac G3 or higher Apple Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later recommended) or 8.6 or later with Carbon Library 32MB RAM IE 5 or later, Netscape 4 or later, or Apple Safari About Macromedia, Inc. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Macromedia software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences—on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices. The Macromedia MX product family launched in 2002 with a challenge to the industry and to customers to make digital experiences better. Ever since, the MX family of products have continued to exceed these expectations, and these superior products have assumed the lead in all interactive Web site design applications. At this interactive Web site, http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/story, you can see and hear more about the fascinating story of this important company that today leads the market in technology that has enabled hundreds of thousands of Web site developers create super rich sites that keep their customers coming back for more. Contact Customer Service Macromedia, Inc. 600 Townsend Street San Francisco, California 94103 415-252-2000 FAX 415-626-0554 US and Canada: 1-800-470-7211 (Toll Free) Outside US and Canada: +1-415-553-7186 www.macromedia.com