Some Examples Using Shockwave for Freehand

As I promised last week, this column presents a few examples of some of the things we mentioned in last week's column. If you have any questions about these examples, feel free to contact me via e-mail.

Example 1

Macintosh DB 15 Video Connector Pin Assignments

Although conventional Web pages can include GIF or JPEG images, it can be difficult to include the kind of detail that is often needed in technical illustration. The example above includes an illustration of the external video connector for most Macintosh desktop models. The function of each pin in the connector is labeled. This type of information is needed for creating custom cables and for certain types of troubleshooting training situations.

Shockwave for Freehand offers a new solution for Web-based imaging. Illustrations can include all the detail needed, and can be seen by zooming in to the appropriate region. I see tremendous potential for this technology in the areas of self-paced documentation, education, and training.

Example 2

Cross Section of the Earth

The illustration in this example is included with Freehand 5.0 (for Windows) and Freehand 5.5 (for Macintosh) in the Click Art directory on the software CD. This demonstrates that existing EPS artwork can be repurposed for Web publishing.

Illustrations of this type could be used in online materials for K-12 education. For example, a geology class could use a series of Web-based modules. One of those modules could provide an introduction to the Earth and could include the above illustration. Each module could be made up of a combination of text for factual explanations, JPEG for digitized pictures, Shockwave for Director for process animation, and Shockwave for Freehand for line-art illustrations.

Even schools that do not have Internet access can benefit from these technologies if Intranet methodologies are used for networking within each school or between schools within a district.

There are many new Web-based plug-in technologies that have become available recently. Specifically, Macromedia's Shockwave enables developers to publish multimedia content using Web technologies. Shockwave technology provides the bridge for publishing multimedia content electronically over networks.

Example 3

Welcome to Infinite Media's corporate offices. To view a map of a specific floor, click on the floor name. Floor Key Accounting Floor 1 Sales / Marketing Floor 2 Networking Admin. Floor 3 Advanced Technologies Floor 4 Training Floor 5 QA Testing Floor 6 Exec. Management Floor 7

NOTE: This example will not link you to the other floors. Also, thanks goes to Don Parsons of Infinite Media, Inc. for providing me with this example. If you would like to see the complete example, link to it on the Infinite Media Web site.

Maps can come in many forms and typically require a significant amount of detailed information. The example on this page is simple and demonstrates how Shockwave for Freehand can be used to create more than geographic maps. As shown here, maps can be included on Web pages to help customers find their way through a location, as well as to the location.

Past installments of Simply Shocking