eZedia World e-Newsletter

1. eZediaMX 3.0 Now Available!
eZediaMX 3.0 is now available as a 30-day demo download or for purchase. The eZedia online store offers a download purchase as well as worldwide shipping. In addition to the software, the eZediaMX 3.0 CD contains resources, tutorials and media from eZedia, Animation Factory and Videometry. Buy eZediaMX 3.0 for $239 USD or upgrade for $99 USD.

New Features

• Cross-platform editing and play back capabilites on Windows and Mac OS, including Windows XP and Mac OS X.
• Improved file format drastically reduces file size allowing for faster opening and saving times, and more complex projects.
• Draw vector shapes, build templates and report actions with the new Shape Object, Placeholder Object and Reporter Object.
• Annotate movies to create time-based text annotations as part of the Movie Object.
• Mask movies and graphics with other movies, graphics and shapes to create custom transparency effects with real-time compositing.
• And much more !

Download your FREE eZediaMX 3.0 Demo today

2. eZedia at Macworld 2002
eZedia will be debuting its new release of eZediaMX 3.0 for Mac OS and Mac OS X at Macworld in San Francisco January 8 - 11, the world's most comprehensive event for Macintosh users and developers, with a projected audience of 70,000+.

"Macworld is the ideal venue for us to introduce eZediaMX 3.0 to the Mac community," said Stefan Embleton, Chief Executive Officer and President of eZedia Inc. "With advanced features like non-destructive editing, movie compositing and path animation, and with powerful technology such as QuickTime™, Java™ and OpenGL™ supporting it, eZediaMX 3.0 becomes a tool for every Mac user, not just media and creative professionals. This version lays the foundation for the continued evolution of media technology."

Make eZedia your Macworld connection with daily updates, news and photos from the show!
eZedia at Macworld

3. The Mask of eZedia: Masking Media in eZediaMX
One of the hottest new features in eZediaMX 3.0 is masking. Masking uses the information from one graphic and applies it to another. This sets the transparency levels for the graphic resulting in a custom shape and effect.

For example, add a graphic to eZediaMX:

Add another graphic to use as the transparency mask:

Black and white (or grayscale) images have the most predictable results, but any image will work.

Position the graphics over top of each other, with the original image on the bottom and the mask above it. Now select Objects > Mask Object.



Now the original graphic is masked to the shape of the mask object. The mask object is still on the frame, so drag it to the side to see the effects of what you have just done.

Any areas in the mask that are black will become completely transparent, while areas that are white will become completely opaque. Any shades of gray will be partially transparent, depending on how dark or light it is.

Now try using a graphic to mask a movie. You can give any movie a custom border by masking it with a graphic. You can also mask a movie or graphic with a text object - this is an easy way to create interesting titles, with a movie or graphic showing inside the letters.

But wait, That's not all... You can also mask media with movies! Imagine an animated border for a movie, or moving spotlights illuminating your movie as the movie plays. All of this is done with a few clicks, and played back in real time!

The best way to understand how masking works is to see if for yourself. To get you started, eZedia has a variety of masks that you can download and use in eZediaMX. These include some excellent borders for movies, as well as some animated special effects.

Download Masking Wells

4. Leadership in Educational Technology
By Drs. Jane & Michael Madden
Francis Marion University

You're enthusiastic about the impact of multimedia on instruction! You know it's making a difference for your students. As they work on projects, you see them engaged in learning and excited to see their ideas coming together ­ a process that eZedia makes even simpler. As a professional, you also need to know whether others who are using multimedia projects are having similar results. There is a continually growing body of research that supports the power of multimedia in the classroom. However, as a practitioner, finding the time to locate these resources can be daunting.

Recently, while doing some research of our own on the impact of multimedia on instruction, we came across a terrific online presentation by Harvey Barnett, a former principal and now a Senior Research Associate for one of the nation's Regional Educational Laboratories serving the western states. In less than twenty minutes, Mr. Barnett's presentation can provide you with a concise, well-researched summary of how technology can be integrated into classrooms and why multimedia projects remain one of the most powerful tools available to educators. So, whether you're talking to School Board members, developing a grant proposal, or planning technology applications for your school, spend a few minutes with Mr. Barnett at: http://www.portical.org/barnett1.htm

Harvey Barnett's presentation is just one of the gems available at portical.org. In fact, if you're an administrator reading this article or you know an administrator who is short on time and long on responsibilities, then share portical.org with them. Rather than trying to explain this ourselves, we took the liberty of asking Michael Simkins, the site's Creative Director, to explain how this resource came about and what the plans are for its continued development. Here was his reply:

"The Internet offers a tremendous range of information, tools, and resources that can help administrators lead their schools and districts to excellence. But what administrator has time to search and sift through hundreds of web pages to find the right resource for right now? Seeing this problem, the California Department of Education (CDE) commissioned the Santa Cruz County Office of Education to develop a centralized repository of technology-related resources and professional development opportunities for the state's administrators. The Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership (TICAL) and portical.org were born!

Information at portical.org will help administrators find resources to assist in the day-to-day needs of their jobs, whether they are site-level principals or district superintendents. These resources have been collected and organized by practicing administrators and have met criteria judged to be of value to other administrators and organized in a large database. The matrix for the database has been developed around skills and resources identified as critical for administrators to show leadership in six educational technology components:

- Data Driven Decision-Making;
- Integrating Technology into Standards-based Curriculum;
- Technology Planning;
- Professional Development Needs of Staff in Technology;
- Financial Planning for Technology; and,
- Operations and Maintenance.

Anyone taking a leadership role needs vision, as well as sound knowledge and information. With our hectic schedules, sites that provide quality resources can make a tremendous contribution to effective decision-making. Take the time to listen to Harvey Barnett's presentation or read his printable version available at the portical.org site. You'll discover that your decision to incorporate multimedia projects in instruction was an excellent choice. While visiting the portical.org site, check out the additional resources and share them with your friends."

Authors' Notes
Dr. Jane Madden is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Francis Marion University and is the Director of the Grants Development Program on campus. Dr. Michael Madden is a Professor in the School of Education. Both are the co-authors of two successful Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) grants. eZedia has been a research partner in both federal grants. Michael Simkins is the Creative Director for the portical.org site and is with the Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership (TICAL). No remuneration was received for the writing of this article.

5. What's New At eZedia
With the recent release of eZediaMX 3.0, you will find new and updated showcase files, object wells and tutorials on the eZedia web site.

Let us know what you think of eZediaMX 3.0 - info@ezedia.ca

Zoom-ed™ Contests
Multimedia Mania 2002
An Award for classroom excellence by HyperSIG Multimedia Special Interest Group of ISTE and sponsored in part by eZedia.

EdTechQuest 2002
Give your students an opportunity to study collaboratively and demonstrate their learning through multimedia projects.

Events
Macworld Conference & Expo 2002 - San Francisco, California
January 8 - 11, 2002

Press Release
eZediaMX 3.0 Released Today!
January 3, 2002

eZediaMX 3.0 for Mac OS X Debuts at Macworld San Francisco 2002
January 7, 2002

Training
eZedia Introductory & Advanced Workshops
Corning, Arkansas
Jan. 11, 2002

eZedia Introductory & Advanced Workshops
Monthly 2002
Winnipeg, Manitoba


Online Opinion
Your opinion counts. In the bottom right hand corner of every page on the new eZedia web site, you will see a [+] icon. Click to rate the page, then fill out the comment card. Your feedback will help us further improve our eZedia web site and satisfy our users.

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Look for the next issue of eZedia World in February 2002.

eZedia World welcomes subscriber feedback, story ideas as well as editorial contributions to our monthly newsletter. Please e-mail us your ideas at ezediaworld@ezedia.ca.

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