Authorware Macromedia Authorware is a multimedia authoring tool that was originally developed for building computer-based training applications. As such, it has special tools for creating instructional sequences, quizzes, etc.
To create interactive presentations, Authorware provides the user with a flow-chart like interface where you create interactions by adding icons for different functionality. These icons have parameters (or options) that the designer can set and change.
Authorware can import and play Director movies (making it possible to create animations in Director and then play them back in Authorware which is not really an animation tool.)
Authorware can also be used to create files that are played over the web using Shockwave. 'Shocked' Authorware files are compressed, and allow streaming and embedding of URLs.
Another advantage of Authorware over Director is that it is object-oriented; it's reasonably easy to copy sections from one Authorware presentation to another and have them work without changes. This is something that can be hard to do in Director.
Macromedia decided not to update Authorware for the Macintosh; they released Authorware 5 for Windows only. Personally, I'm of mixed feeling on this. Though I used Authorware briefly I never got the hang of it, or worked out why I'd want to use it. And it always seemed to be too expensive (though Macormedia's pricing of Director has virged on the outrageous.) Still, it's another application not available for Macintosh users...
<macweek.zdnet.com news update 'Authorware 5 off the Mac'>Macromedia's recent abandonement of the Authorware Mac market was hardly a surprise (I must admit, I've never been a big fan of the product) but it seems that Macromedia must have got some complaints from users. Only a few weeks after announcing Authorware 5 would not be available for the Mac they have announced a Mac Player which will be available in the first quarter 1999 (which suggests the decision was made only after the initial announcement.) Interestingly, only today we were on the phone to Macromedia because we needed QuickTime 3.0 support for an Authorware product and the only way to get that is by upgrading to Authorware 5 (or playing a Director movie from within Authorware 4; not a great solution.) Today, when we called Macromedia about this they didn't even mention this announcement, and we decided to switch development to Director -- maybe we'll have to go back and revisit that decision. The Mac Player will be available in two versions: as an Authorware Web Player for delivering learning applications via the Web, and as a stand-alone runtime player for delivery on LANs and CD-ROMs. The Mac Player will include support for: - Flash animations and Quicktime 3.0.
- Web-authoring and delivery through Knowledge Stream and Voxware support for high-quality low-bandwidth voice-overs.
The Authorware 5 Attain Mac Player will be freely available to all Authorware 5 Attain customers. It will ship during the first quarter of 1999.
<www.macromedia.com web page 'Mac Player info'> Authorware <www.macromedia.com/software/authorware/>
Macromedia's website has information, as well as a demo version. |
Authorware 4.03 updaterJan 14, 1998
Authorware 4.X to 4.0.3 Updates |
Books
The Official Guide to Authorware 4 : The Comprehensive Reference from the Multimedia Labs of Macromedia (Macromedia Press Series)
For the beginner to intermediate user, takes the beginner through projects while including tips for the advanced user.
<Information at www.amazon.com> Authorware 4 Authorized
This book and companion CD include the complete curriculum from the Training Centers' hands-on Authorware course.
Better for the complete beginner than for those who are already using Authorware.
<Information at www.amazon.com> |
last updated: 11/25/98 | 
