What is MacroMind Director 2?

Since coming on the market, MacroMind Director has defined both the high and tow ends of the Mac animation spectrum. Aside from Director's predecessor (VideoWorks II) and Electronic Arts' Studio/1 the animation world has been woefully lacking in applications offering an entry into multimedia. This deficit seems about to change, however, with the release of several new products, including Electric Image’s ElectricImage Animation System and Linker Systems' Animation Stand, and the distribution of the French package Film Maker by Paracomp. Still Director has carved out a significant niche for itself and it’s unequaled when it comes to interactivity.

Beyond Animation

MacroMind's latest version of Director, version 2.0, lets budding animators expand into the world of complex interactive programs. By writing routines in Director's scripting language, Lingo, animators can not only develop interactive animations that until now have been possible only through scripting in HyperTalk or SuperTalk or by programming in some other language but they can also control peripheral devices such as CD-ROM drives, VCRs, and videodisc players.

MacroMind Director uses two separate environments, Studio and Overview, to create its animations. Generally speaking, Overview is the shorthand version of Studio and offers an icon-based setting for sequencing various graphics and sounds. Overview offers the same range of transitions as are available in Studio, and you can import sounds from a sound application or opt lor several stock sounds that ship with Director.

You create complex animations in the Studio environment by generating images in the Paint window or by importing paint, PICT, PICS, or Scrapbook files and then sequencing them. Director's paint program compares favorably with many standalone paint applications and also boasts some unique features that specifically support the design and execution of animation, You can use ink effects, such us transparent, ghost, and reverse, in various combinations to produce exotic effects, including sparkles, glows, and reveals.

As you complete each graphic frame, the program automatically introduces it into the cast, an archive in which it stores all visual elements for immediate access. You then drag cast members onto stage and position them. What occurs on the stage, in terms of animated action, sounds, and transitions, is determined in the score.

You create Studio documents by layering graphics, text blocks, and sounds and adding timing and transitional cues to the editable score script You can then set your document in motion by employing one of Director’s several animation methods, You can move static images in real time across the stage to create motion, and the program automatically records the position of each step and enters it into the score. You can turn sequences of frames into a “film loop” and then dynamically place them on the stage while the loop runs. You can also slant, rotate, or otherwise distort individual frames over any number of frames, with Director providing the frames in between. In addition, you can add color cycling and palette animations to the frames.

The score looks like a spreadsheet and allows for layering of up to 24 different animated elements. Where an element shows upon the stage relative to other east members depends on where it resides within the hierarchy of the score. The more complex an animation, the slower it runs, so MacroMind offers Accelerator ($195), which lets you run even a complex animation at the speed you desire.

You can cut, copy, and paste score elements to other layers and positions on a time line with complete ease.

Speaking Lingo

You create interactive scripts in the score environment by using the HyperTalk-like language Lingo.The script determines which section of the score will run and what will happen when you trigger an event.

One channel of the Score menu, the Lingo Scripting channel, is for embedding commands. You can either script commands in the score so that they arc initiated at a given time or attach them to an object so that the desired action occurs when you click on that object. Director 2.0 includes several simple tutorials that demonstrate Lingo's basic operating principles. All commands, function keys, and operators are available from an extended pull-down menu. However, you do need to memorize the rigid structure that your scripts must hew to if they're going to do what you want them to. Because Lingo is very much like HyperTalk, the more familiar you are with HyperCard scripting, the quicker you’11 be able to start creating your own Director scenarios. The manual has full descriptions of all Lingo commands and functions, and if all else fails, the package includes a sampler. The Apartment, that contains models of different kinds of Lingo-driven animations.

One of Director's most satisfying aspects is that it lets you increase a script's complexity without abandoning the original, For example, you can present, discuss, and modify simple animated sequences; refine them into a finished linear presentations and then develop them further into a complex interactive presentation simply by building on the original score.

The Bottom Line

There are a few things wrong with Director. Its Paint layer creates bit-mapped images only (except for text blocks) — an additional Draw layer would be a big improvement. Also, because the Score and Cast windows can obscure the stage work space, ihe screen can get cluttered in a hurry — you would probably be better off if you were to use a multiple-monitor setup.

With those few complaints and until some upstart proves otherwise, MacroMind Director is still the only serious game in town.

Comenga, Bill. (March 1991). MacroMind Director. MacUser. (pgs. 72-74).

Download MacroMind Director 2 for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II