Create interactive multimedia projects

"Apple Media Kit, an object-oriented developer authoring tool designed
to produce cross-platform multimedia CD-ROM titles" ? Dr. Sally A.
Applin, an Apple Computer UI Designer from 1991 May to 1994 June

Dr. Applin later wrote that "AMK was a third party app that Apple sort
of purchased/acquired, and then added to for consumer release." via
LinkedIn messaging, received 2021-12-27

Two non-Apple products that used this kit were "[Alarm f�r Cobra 11:
Die Autobahnpolizei][1]" and Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Interactive.

> [In 1993], however, Apple came out wit its own authoring tool, Apple
> Media Kit, which consists of Apple Media Tool (an authoring
> application) and Apple Media Tool Programming Environment. Apple
> Media Kit is aimed at would-be multimedia developers who just can't
> make sense of ? or can't be bothered with ? Director's complex
> interface and scripting language, Lingo. [?]  [?] But be forewarned:
> These tools aren't for the faint of heart ? multimedia authoring
> doesn't mean simply sticking a few sounds or QuickTime movies into a
> business presentation. We're talking about serious multimedia
> product creation: CD-ROM titles, games, corporate training
> materials, sophisticated interactive kiosks, and so on. [?] Apple
> Media Kit was deliberately designed to have an interface that would
> be simpler than Director's. [?] | The Bottom Line
>  [?] [4-of-5 mice] Apple Media Kit 1.1
>  A novice can create fairly sophisticated interactive pieces with
> Apple Media Kit, and a programmer is treated to a programming
> language and an interface superior to Director's. You'll most likely
> have to split complex creative tasks between artists and
> programmers, however.
> ---
>
> [?] Apple presupposes a DTP-like production cycle, in which creators
> of the media elements hand off their work to integrators and
> programmers. [?]
>
> [Apple Media Tool] itself was written in with [Apple Media Tool's]
> Programming Environment. [?] The AMT portion of Apple Media Kit is
> remarkably easy to use. [?] Documentation for AMT Programming
> Environment is hefty, extensive, and aimed at experienced
> programmers. [?]
>
> | Report Card
>  / what's good, what's bad
>  Apple Media Kit 1.1
>
>  What's Good:
>
>
>   1. Simple but powerful drag-and-drop interactivity.
>   2. Cross-platform media-conversion tools.
>   3. Interface facilitates rapid prototyping and storybording.
>   4. Automatic playback optimization.
>

>  What's Bad:
>
>
>   1. Lacks palette support ? including support for multiple custom
> palettes, palette cycling, fades, and animations. [Macintosh Garden
> Editor: This should only be limiting if developing media for
> 256-colour or 16-colour display modes.]
>   2. Memory management is controllable only through AMT Programming
> Environment.
>   3. Background sound plays only within screens, not across screens.
>   4. Technical support is difficult to obtain.
>   5. Licensing fee is required for commercial projects.
>

>  What's Missing From [Director and AMK]:
>
>
>   1. Alpha-channel masks for better composited graphics.
>   2. Better text options, including anti-aliased text, broader
> variety of formats, and text on a path.
>   3. Full AppleScript support to facilitate production automation.
>   4. The kind of accurate and powerful placement tools found in
> page-layout programs.
>

> ---
>
> [?] Both Director and Apple Media Kit offer Mac and Windows players.
> Apple Media Kit requires that you author on the Mac, [?]
>
> If you feel more comfortable with a traditional desktop-publishing
> production process, in which team members work within their own
> talent areas, Apple Media Kit is your best bet. [?]

? [MacUser, 1994 October, pp.82-88][2]


At least one add-on for the Apple Media Kit was called "TextPak". This
was a set of classes and objects, providing things like:

 * Live anti-aliasing of on-screen text
 * Complete style-based formatting control
 * Full hyperlink support
 * Automated glossary support

(according to Dan Crow's release announcement of TextPack
Demonstration 1.4)

Apple Media Kit v1.2 was used in development of the CD-ROM versions of
[Balkan Odyssey: Experience the Struggle for Peace in Bosnia][3]. The
disc also made use of TextPack for enhanced text handling and
hypertext. Lord David Owen, Balkan Odyssey (The Electric Company,
1995)

> Alongside the book, but sold separately, was [this CD-ROM][4] which
> in addition to the entire text of the book contains documents, maps,
> photographs, video clips - an absolute gold mine of information
> which adds greatly to the story. Much of this material was available
> publicly nowhere else. In a far-sighted move, the CD-ROM was made to
> run equally happily on a PC or a Mac.

? John Campbell


DL #1 V. Special K 1.0a8

Compatibility
Architecture: 68k PPC

Apple Media Kit requires a 68030 or better

  [1]: https://www.mobygames.com/game/alarm-fr-cobra-11-die-autobahnpolizei-included-games
  [2]: https://vintageapple.org/macuser/pdf/MacUser_9410_October_1994.pdf
  [3]: https://www.amazon.com/Balkan-Odyssey-Experiencie-Struggle-Bosnia/dp/0788154524
  [4]: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-David-Owen-Odyssey-Academic/dp/B0009A1FNM

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