CD rom info format design

**martin ewen** · Oct-17-2002, 10:38 AM

The solution i found was to put quicktimes for my .mov's up on the disks and use iPhoto's software to also convert as many pics as i need into a simple presentation which fades between pics and allows you to put whatever soundtrack you wish on top. ( I found an appropriate gentle lute solo)
Next question, I've heard that some of the cd labeling can cause problems with drives you have to slot the CD into as the stickers make them either a little too thick or the drives heat messes up the stickers and then possibly leaves a prospective employer with a gunked up cd drive thus losing the gig you've worked so hard for. ( They're employing street performers in carparks and gas stations as sniper-bait round washington to give the legitimate shoppers a chance, -the only silver lining is that if some kid shines one of those lazor penlight things in your face you can shoot him in self defence-)
Sorry...seem to have strayed, Cd labelling kits, any favorites?

**scot** · Oct-17-2002, 10:41 PM

Martin,
You could create a website that runs well on your cd with larger files and crap. That would probably be the cleanest way to do it. Also you can create stand alone flash apps that do it all. If you want something that looks nice it will take work as far as I know.

**Kim** · Oct-18-2002, 11:31 PM

Hey Martin.

You can plonk your whole website onto a CD and add a link to the videos (quicktime, avi, mpg etc...) and they'll open using whatever video viewing software the user has installed.

If you want more control over how the movie is viewed, you can 'imbed' it inside an html page, or flash website. That allows you to place it exactly where you want it, and make it fit with the rest of the site.

The industry standard for building interactive CD Roms is 'Director' by macromedia. It makes the presentation appear to be it's own entity, rather than playing inside your web browser and looking like just another website.

What Scott said about Flash was right, it allows you to dictate exactly how the page/site will look, but a flash movie won't play on it's own.

(boring explaination - A flash movie (.swf) will only play on its own if you have the Flash software installed (not just the flash plugin). For Joe average to see it, you must place it in an html page or Director movie.)

When it comes down to it, a CD is just another container for the same old info, but the info doesn't have to come down a 56k modem, so it can be a lot larger, cos it's right there on the disk - no wiating.

A final couple of things that I try to do whenever I build one...

-include plugins and players (quicktime, flash etc...) whatever the user might need to actually play your disc.
-include a "readme.txt" file, with dummies instructions on how to work the thing.

I just finished a CD for the Silly People, which I'm sure you'll see before too long, which uses a little of all the things I mentioned.
Also, I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to these things, and I know a little about a lot, so if you (or anyone else) have any questions, fire me an email... entertainer@kimpotter.co.nz

Cheers - Kim

[ 10-19-2002: Message edited by: Kim ]</p>

**Thom** · Oct-27-2002, 12:06 PM

Kim,

If you want flash to be a stand alone player, just export it to the executive formats for mac and windows. Tah-dah! Now link the video in quicktime format and add an autorun menu for windows.

Now your disk crosses platforms and is idiot proof.

Good luck Martin.

Thom

**Kim** · Nov-04-2002, 10:41 PM

Hi Thom...

That's true, but depending on the screen resoloution at the user's end, the executable file may not fill the screen, or end up sliding off the edge of the screen.
Imbedding a swf inside a director built executable will give you the 'full screen' experience.

(I don't think Flash has a 'full screen' export option, but I might be wrong...)

Cheers - Kim

CD rom info format design

CD rom info format design

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