How to Package an Authorware Lesson

The basic procedure for packaging a lesson is found in the

"Authorware Academic User Guide" on pages 3-13 and 3-14.

important Guidelines and Information:

1... In order for a packaged Authorware file to play external AVI

files the driver APDGV.VDR must be located in the same directory as

the packaged file.

2... In order for a packaged Authorware file to play an external MOV

file (also known as a Quicktime movie) the driver APQT.VDR must be

located in the same directory as the packaged file.

3 ... Out of consideration for system resources, it would be highly

advisable to use the MCIExecute function for playing sound files.

The reason for this is that if the sound icon is used, Authorware

includes the sound file being used with the ASW/AWP file, and thus

it is also included in the packaged form. By using the MCIExecute

function, the sound files may be kept separate from the Authorware

file. As a general rule, it is a good idea to use MCI functions

wherever possible. As mentioned earlier, this will help conserve

system resources. In addition, if the locations of external files

needed for the program are changed, the paths can easily be

redesignated.

4... If. it is possible, and if it is feasible, use the function

PRELOAD in your program before playing a movie or displaying a

large graphics file. PRELOAD will allow the icon designated to be

accessed much faster, thus speeding up the execution of the

program. The problem with. PRELOAD, however, is that system

resources may not be capable of supporting this option.

5 ... Especially where graphics are concerned, Authorware will

exhibit its tendency to include external files in the Authorware

program itself. Unfortunately, there is no way around this

feature. The best thing to do, then, as far as the issue of system

resources is concerned, is to try and make the original graphics

file as small as possible. one way to do this is to take careful

notice of the type of graphics format to which the file is saved.

A PCX format, for instance, is generally smaller than the BMP

format. Aside from the format chosen for the file, there are many

compression algorithms available to decrease the size of the

graphics even further.

6... Compress your files whenever possible. This is especially true

of AVI and WAV files. The optimal compression for AVI files seems

to be INTEL INDEO R3.2 while the optimal compression for WAV files

is most often CREATIVE ADPCM. Keep in mind, however, that in order

to compress an 8-bit WAV file, you must first convert to 16-bit:s.