Getting
Started
DirectMediaXtra is an AssetXtra. AssetXtras can be manipulated
using the design and presentation windows, and their properties can be adjusted
through scripting, just like Authorware's built-in media types.
DirectMediaXtra will take advantage of Microsoft’s DirectDraw
and DirectSound if they are available on the playback system. The Xtra
will always try to play the Media file using the fastest color depth and
method available on the machine. The result is that Media files can play using
thousands or millions of colors even if your Executable and Display are set
to 256 colors. The DirectDraw engine will use overlay technology to write
directly to the memory of the display adapter if this feature is available,
resulting in faster and enhanced playback.
To create a DirectMediaXtra cast member, go to your INSERT menu, select
TABULEIRO XTRAS->DirectMediaXtra. The standard DirectMediaXtra Properties
Dialog Box will appear. Select browse. Another Dialog Box will appear,
prompting you to choose the video file associated with this cast member.
You can select MPEG, AVI, Quicktime, WAV, AIF, MP2 and MIDI files. If
Windows Media Player is installed you can also select Windows Media files
compressed in the ASF, WMV or WMA formats. Select a file with the correct
type and extension. Click OK. You will return to the Properties Dialog
Box. The file information should be displayed correctly, indicating the
duration, height and width of the media file.
You can preview the file, mark cue points and set the playback options
(toolbar, volume, rate, balance, among others).
Leave the Playback options as they are, for now. Finish by clicking OK.
A new icon will appear in your Design Window in Authorware. It has
the DirectMediaXtra icon. Double-Click on it to adjust the position and
size of the video in the Presentation window.
IMPORTANT: if the menu bar is enabled, the position of the video
will be 20 pixels offset.
That's it!
