TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter five introduced the digital production process, beginning on page 98. This discussion focused on collaborative processing and digital workflow (Figure 5.06, page 99) and described software as falling into three general categories: (1) content creation applications, (2) content assembly applications, and (3) content distribution applications. This model of producing digital content has implications for managing digital work. A fundamental methodological concept regarding the production of e-graphics is that some applications are best used for producing individual graphic components, some are best used for combining and shaping the arrangement of graphical components, and others are best used for distributing and viewing assembled digital content. Workflow is about managing this interaction.
Content in this book was produced using CAD, GIS, 3D modeling, bitmap image processing, vector drawing, word processing, spreadsheet, audio processing, video processing, DTP, presentation, and Web authoring applications. The content creation applications produced individual elements of content, while, in some cases, content that was already composited together in one assembly application was output again as new, discrete pieces of content. All of this was then assembled in another content assembly application for the production of this document.
Some content can be produced and assembled all in one application without the need for interaction with other applications. This is somewhat true for certain kinds of technical content produced in CAD and GIS applications. However, even these often benefit from transportable content. Thus, the best software applications support easy movement of content from one...
