general

This book presents a broad overview of the field of multimedia production. The book describes the field at large, explaining the concepts, rather than focusing on minute details of using particular software packages. Separate chapters are devoted to the multimedia "building blocks", text, sound, images, and video, and the various special characteristics of these media (such as formats and how compression techniques work). A typology of multimedia authoring software is developed, and brief descriptions of individual authoring packages are provided to exemplify each type. The accompanying CD-ROM contains evaluation copies of many of the packages mentioned (such as Macromedia Director, Adobe Freehand, and SoundEdit) for further exploration by the reader. The book also provides extensive coverage of the multimedia development process, from the roles of the members of a multimedia development team, to planning, costing, producing, testing, and delivering products. I have found the book to be quite successful as a textbook for introduction to multimedia courses. It would also be useful for anyone who would like to understand what the multimedia business is all about.

This is THE book for serious multimedia producers and managers! Covers everything from hardware and software specs to design and production, to managing a project right down to final delivery in multiple formats and media. Read Designing Multimedia by Lisa Lopuck for novices and entry level multimedia producers. Read Multimedia Making it Work by Tay Vaughan for advanced and in depth material for the serious manager/producer. Would have been nice though if Macromedia could have kept there cd that came with the 3rd edition book in with the 4rth edition. I also reccommend the book Getting Started in Multimedia Design by Gary Olsen as a quick and comprehensive guide to designing multimedia and web projects.

I was given this book as a gift and it was invaluable. It's easy to read and provides helpful information. I especially liked the CD ROM. Among the things on the CD is a demo of Macromedia Director. Anyone going into multimedia must learn how to use Director. This demo helped me learn the software without investing $500+ in the software.