Macromedia Director is a powerful media application created by Macromedia. Its proprietary scripting language Lingo motivated some to use this application. Many companies deliver demonstrations or use it as a user interface (UI) for content on CDs and DVDs. It can incorporate many different formats (e.g. AVI, BMP, QuickTime, PNG, JPEG, RealVideo) thus making it possible to integrate without re-encoding files. It also supports vector graphics and 3D interactivity, which is great for producing games. Version MX and its successors are also easily linked with Flash animation. Since version MX 2004, one can use JavaScript instead of the Lingo.
Director started out under the title "VideoWorks", an application for the original Apple Macintosh. Its name was changed to "Director" with the addition of new capabilities and the Lingo scripting language, around 1988. A Windows version was available in the early 1990s.
By the mid-1990s, over 70% of CD-ROM multimedia titles were authored using Director.
The files created by Director can be viewed in a web browser using the Shockwave plugin.
See also: Revolution (development environment), Simple DirectMedia Layer, GLPro
Recent Versions
Updates from the last seven years, with a short list of notable changes:
- Director MX 2004 - Addition of Javascript as a syntax alternative to Lingo, ability to use Flash Components, and control of DVD-Video
- Director MX - Many authoring UI changes and additions, and ported (carbonised) to Mac OS X
- Director 8.5 - Shockwave 3D
- Director 8.0 - Imaging Lingo, enhancements to sound control, and multiple curve Vectors
- Director 7.0 - Introduction of Dot Syntax, a rewrite of the player engine, and introduction of the Vector member type
- Director 6.5 - Bundle of the existing Director 6.02 and the optional Flash, QuickTime 3, and Color Cursor Xtras
External links