Whether you are creating content for CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, kiosks, digital signage, stand-alone Internet applications or even games, powerful multimedia authoring applications will help. Multimedia authoring programs, such as CD authoring and DVD authoring, can bring together myriad digital elements and functions — images, text, video, animation, interactivity — to create a professional, high-impact presentation.

When shopping for multimedia authoring software, consider the following:

1. Know your delivery method. The form in which the content reaches your consumer dictates the type of multimedia authoring software you need.
2. Do you need full-featured multimedia authoring applications or out-of-the-box solutions?
3. If you are producing content for the Internet, choose multimedia authoring programs designed for online content.
4. What multimedia authoring software is available for corporate and educational markets.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Delivery methods determine which type of multimedia authoring software you need

Multimedia content reaches the end consumer in many different formats, including DVDs, Blu-Ray, CDs, the Internet, kiosks, iPods, cell phones and other portable devices. The delivery form - or forms - the content will eventually take will help you choose the best multimedia authoring programs.

I recommend: For Blu-Ray and DVD authoring, Roxio’s DVDit Pro allows you to author a project once and output to both Blu-Ray and DVD. Adobe Device Central is a feature of all the design applications in Adobe’s Creative Suite (Dreamweaver, Director, etc) that simplifies the authoring process for mobile devices.

Full-featured multimedia authoring programs versus out-of-the box solutions

Professional multimedia authoring applications like Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Director support the most feature- and design-rich multimedia environments. These multimedia authoring applications are magic in the hands of design professionals, but they may be overkill for many purposes. Average users may prefer out-of-the-box multimedia authoring software solutions, which often provide image and icon libraries, templates and one-click links.

I recommend: For full-featured multimedia authoring programs, explore Adobe Creative Suite 3’s Design Premium and Web Premium. Adobe’s Macromedia Director lets you develop high performance games and other applications for the Internet, CDs, DVDs and kiosks. TribalMedia.com’s iShell 4.5 is an easy-to-use, out-of-the-box tool for CD authoring and DVD authoring and more. Runtime Revolution’s out-of-the-box multimedia authoring software solutions include a library of images, buttons, menus and fields.

Multimedia authoring programs for the Internet

Much of today's multimedia content is designed for the Internet. Multimedia authoring applications help you focus your energy on creativity and functionality rather than the tedious activity of writing the underlying code.

I recommend: Adobe Dreamweaver is the preeminent website design tool among professionals. One of this multimedia authoring application’s great selling points is its natural integration with other Adobe tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks and Flash. MGW Global offers competitive pricing on Dreamweaver CS3.

Multimedia authoring software for corporate and educational markets

Almost all of today's sales presentation, marketing materials and instructional programs are ultimately presented on computer screens, whether they get there from the Internet, a CD-ROM or a company server. The same is true of educational content. Several multimedia authoring applications are designed to serve these markets.

I recommend: Techsmith’s Camtasia Studio screen authoring software allows you to record and edit video, add audio and music and output it in various formats from widescreen monitors to cell phones. MatchWare’s Mediator Pro supports business applications (auto-running tradeshow demos, electronic catalogs and brochures, interactive manuals, web-based training) as well as educational needs (classroom presentations, electronic yearbooks, cross-curricular projects, field trip presentations, electronic reports).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't expect professional-level multimedia authoring programs like Dreamweaver to include an image library.
• •  For CD authoring and DVD authoring, make sure the finished product can run on all the major operating systems.
• •  If your content is intended for multiple mediums, save time by buying multimedia authoring programs that can optimize for different delivery methods and devices.
• •  Take advantage of free downloadable trial versions of multimedia authoring applications.
• •  Don't overbuy. Many multimedia authoring applications come in several versions from scaled-down basics up to full-feature packages. Buy only what you need.