EXPERIENCING ICT

Unit 1: Introduction to Multimedia

Digital Arts 1

Lesson 4
Sources of Multimedia
Elements
Since multimedia is a combination of all the different elements, there are a lot of ways and resources
that can be used in creating such kind of presentation. These sources will depend on what kind of
multimedia will be created. Some presentations can be best described using more of still images
or pictures, while others are into videos and movie clips. In some cases, when one is passionate
about music and instruments, thousands of sound resources can be integrated in the presentation.

When creating a multimedia, it is necessary to identify the needed files or objects and their sources.
It is important to limit the time looking for unnecessary elements, which cannot be really used in the
presentation. Analyzing the quality and acknowledging sources are necessary later on.

Sources for Text

Text can be sourced out from various references. This may include information from print materials
such as books, articles, journals, and newspapers. Articles and information that can be downloaded
from the Internet are also good sources of information, but they need careful evaluation. Although
content found on the Internet is more massive than the books found in the libraries, not all
information here are relevant and true.

Some persons or individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced in their specific fields can also
be considered as resource persons.They are a rich source of honest and fact-based information.
Individuals as resource persons give depth to the content of a multimedia presentation.

Sources for Images

Graphics or images, when used properly in a multimedia presentation, can contribute greatly to the
better understanding of a concept and thought that the presentation wants to convey. The file format
is also a major factor to consider since the quality of the image should be able to show each detail
of the picture clearly.

These are the types of images and several methods of obtaining them for use in creating multimedia
presentations. However, when sourcing for images online, it is highly advised that a better
understanding of Copyright and Creative Common Licensing applications be considered and applied.

Unauthorized reproduction of this print material is strictly prohibited. Computer Assisted Learning Philippines Inc. All Rights Reserved.
21
 EXPERIENCING ICT
Lesson 4 Sources of Multimedia Elements
Digital Arts 1

Drawings
These are illustrations drawn by hand mostly in
two-dimensional form. Basic drawing materials
such as pencil, colored pens, charcoal, water
color, crayons, and many others can be used to
draw figures and objects. Drawing is the oldest
existing method of representing art.

Photos
These are representations of a person or scene
in the form of a print or transparent slide usually
recorded using a camera. These are sometimes
called photographs or pictures. Photos are
printed in different sizes, in colored or in black
and white.
Sample Charcoal Drawing

Image Capturing Devices

Scanner
A scanner is a device that converts hard copy information (printed page, graphic image, photograph,
etc.) into digital data, translating the information into a file that can be stored in a computer. Thus, it
is possible to make a digitized copy of a printed page, graphic image or photograph. Simple graphic
images are usually stored in a format known as GIF. Photographs are usually stored in a file format
known as JPEG or JPG and can then be printed on a color printer, sent as an e-mail attachment,
or incorporated into a website.

Scanners do not distinguish text from graphic images and photographs, so one cannot use a word
processor to directly edit a printed page that had been scanned. To edit text read by an optical
scanner, one needs an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to translate the image into
“real text”, i.e., a format that can be read by a word processor. Most optical scanners today come
bundled with an OCR software.

The most popular type of scanner is known as a Flatbed Scanner. This

looks like a photocopier and works in a similar way. Place the picture
or page containing the text to be scanned on a glass bed. Start the
scanning software and watch the digitized image appear on screen.
The image can then be saved as a file on the hard disk. Text saved as
an image can then be converted into ‘real text’ with the aid of an OCR
software. OCR software is not 100% accurate as broken and faded
characters are liable to be misread, but surprisingly good results can
be achieved and it certainly beats typing!
The Perfection 3200 Photo is said
to be the world’s first consumer
flatbed scanner with an optical
resolution of 3200 x 6400 dpi.

22 Unauthorized reproduction of this print material is strictly prohibited. Computer Assisted Learning Philippines Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 EXPERIENCING ICT
Unit 1: Introduction to Multimedia
Digital Arts 1

Some scanners are small hand-held devices that can slide across the paper
containing the text or image to be copied. Hand-held scanners are fine for small
pictures and photos, but they are difficult to use for scanning an entire page of text
or large images.

Handheld scanner

Camera
To capture live moments and events, the camera is the best tool to create a print or digital copy of
each moment. The camera allows users to capture two and three-dimensional objects, which makes
it realistic when inserted into a multimedia project.

A camera is a device that records images, either as a still photograph

or as moving images known as videos or movies. The camera stores
the captured images onto a photographic film or plate, while the digital
cameras store the images inside the computer’s memory.

Of earlier types of cameras, a still camera is used to capture single

images, while those that capture many images in sequence are known
as movie cameras. There are also some types like the video cameras,
Film camera which can capture both still and moving images, and can hold larger
number of photos and longer video time.

Moreover, a digital camera, which is a more convenient and advanced type is also a wonderful
tool for both image and video capture. Today, it is popularly known as “digicam”, short for digital
camera. It has an added feature of applying special effects to pictures in an instant. One does
not need to go through an editing process anymore just to achieve a black and white image, or
a picture as if taken from the past using the sepia effect. These effects are already integrated as
functions of the digital camera.

A digital camera immediately displays images or videos on screen. Most

of these cameras come with a storage device that can store thousands
of images, sounds, and videos which can also be deleted when desired.
This feature of the digicam allows the user to easily transfer the images
to the computer for processing or for uploading on the Internet.

There are currently several devices that incorporate camera in them.

Mobile devices like cellphones, commonly referred to as mobile cameras,
and portable video game devices have cameras installed with a resolution
similar to a still camera. This has become one of the components of almost
all mobile devices that is continuously improving. With these available
devices, capturing images and videos will never be a hard thing to do. Cellphone
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most common file format
for photographs, it uses (.jpg or .jpeg) as the file extension name.

Unauthorized reproduction of this print material is strictly prohibited. Computer Assisted Learning Philippines Inc. All Rights Reserved.
23
 EXPERIENCING ICT
Lesson 4 Sources of Multimedia Elements
Digital Arts 1

Video Camera
A Video Camera captures and records pictures in motion. Video
cameras can be used in two modes, one is for live broadcasting
where the images are captured and immediately presented
and displayed on a screen. The images involved are real time
images. The second video mode involves a storage media and
a playback process to view the captured video. Videotapes are
used for storage but later on storage memory cards were the
ones patronized. Such digital video recorders offer the users
convenience in terms of safety storing, easy retrieval and deletion
of videos, and a faster way for transferring data to a computer
for duplication and editing. Like still cameras, video cameras Video camera

are continuously upgrading in terms of video resolution, storage

capability, and style.

Acknowledging Sources
The best ways to acquire text, images, sounds, or videos to be used for multimedia presentation
is by creating them. Engaging oneself to making own materials lessens or actually frees someone
from plagiarism. It is also an advantage because lesser amount of materials will be gathered just to
look for those that would fit the objective of the multimedia.

In some cases where there is really a need to acquire materials from specific websites, books,
journals, video, and sound collections, it is a must to recognize the true owner of the works. Using
the works of others for personal benefit and production is strictly prohibited. Citing the persons’
profile and reference materials is giving credibility to the work and acknowledging the ideas of other
people. Citing sources and references is also relevant to easily locate the material when some
things are needed to be clarified. Such method avoids being charged with plagiarism. Plagiarism is
the act of copying someone’s work or idea and using them for personal benefit, with or without the
knowledge of the original author or owner. This can also be considered dishonesty and plagiarized
work is claimed not credible.

24 Unauthorized reproduction of this print material is strictly prohibited. Computer Assisted Learning Philippines Inc. All Rights Reserved.