Tools

Below I have included a list of the leading high-end multimedia tools/ applications in particular areas of the multimedia industry. In most cases a cheaper substitute can be used. It will still do the job, but it will usually include less features and the finished product will not be of the same quality. However, it you don’t have hundreds of pounds to spend then the cheaper alternatives are a good way to introduce yourself to the types of things available in the leading high-end products on the market.

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Maya 6
£1,300

The most comprehensive 3D modelling/ animation/ rendering software for producing professional-quality graphics on desktop PCs or graphics workstations. Supports both polygon and NURBS modelling, as well as advanced physics simulation and paint effects to add special effects to your scenes quickly.

Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2003 website

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Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2003
£100

A development environment that allows you to program in a range of programming languages, including Visual Basic.NET, C#, C++, and J#, as well as develop web applications using HTML, XML, and ASP. It is said to be truly integrated as any type of document supported can be displayed/ edited in a single application, or grouped together in a solutions file.

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Adobe Photoshop CS
£360

The industry leading graphics editing package that allows you to create professional quality graphics/ images and edit photos. Another of its major features is an easy to use layering system that allows you to mix images together quickly and efficiently, as well as drop shadows and gradient maps that can be added to graphics.

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Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004
£225

The proffessional choice for building web sites. Includes a powerful WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) editor and code editing support, that can be switched between and edited in real time. It also allow developers to easily link up with the server technology of their choice to build powerful Internet applications.

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Macromedia Flash MX 2004
£275

The ultimate tool for creating interactive 2D animations that can be easily integrated into web pages, as well as imported digital video. Furthermore, also includes is a scripting language called ActionScript, which allows you to fully customisel the flash movie, and even create your own 2D games that can be played online!

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Macromedia Director MX 2004
£800

The leading multimedia tool for building rich, interactive content and applications. Also allows you to customize applications with its extensible plug-in architecture. Used mainly to edit video projects and author things like DVDs.

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Discreet Combustion 3.0
£450

The definitive creative solution for motion graphics, compositing and visual effects. At its simplest form it is a compositing package that allows you to mix 2D and 3D data together. This is mainly used to add 3D animation to 2D backdrops, giving the illusion that the 3D model was actually present in the picture when it was captured.