AMT/dtF connection kit




Announcement of the Apple Media Tool / dtF connection kit which brings a powerfull SQL database engine (dtF database) into the Apple Media Tool.This kit was developed in cooperation between berens/partner information management GmbH, Duesseldorf and theta group, Karlsruhe.

The main user group of this product will be both Apple Media Tool programmer using the Apple Media Tool programming environment (AMT/PE) and multimedia project manager searching for a new more efficient way to produce multimedia titles.

Using the AMT/dtF connection kit the developer has the possibility to access multimedia data in the SQL dtF database from the Apple Media Tool using standard SQL commands. With this technique the Apple Media Tool developer can build high dynamically titles by seperating model structure or model layout and content information stored in the database. One of the
main favorite advanteges building titles like this is that the user or even the customer can manipulate the database information using a client tool or the dtF administration tools. Changing these information has direct effect to the Apple Media Tool title but without changing the title structure or reprograme one line of code.

For example displaying a product list in a Apple Media Tool title you just store the product list information in the dtF database and every time you launch the application the actual product list will be displayed by creating these list at the beginning of the application based on the database information..
Changing these product list (for example 2 new products) you just add these 2 records to the database and restart the application. No additional programming to bring the product list up to date. Further more the user can create template screens with a static background picture and a bunsh of different media typeplaceholders (one picture, one movie, several text media etc.).

For example creating an electronic product cataloge with very similar product information screens you just need only this one template screen and replace the placeholders with the depending product information from the dtF database by accessing these product info sending dynamically creatable SQL commands to the database. Even layouting-on-the-fly and linking-on-the-fly is possible depending on the interaction from the user with the multimedia title. Based on different and changeable information in the database the screen layout can be finally set when the screen is build up. Also the linking structure of the title can be switched dynamically for example by diplaying or not displaying a screen-linked button. Evaluating
user input data for searchable database information and diplaying the found data might be another usefull feature.
In which way the developer will use the AMT/dtF connection kit functionallity is very free and depends on the
individual projects.
But one point is clear if you use the connection kit. It'll save you time and money because of decreasing the developing time
rapidly and shorten update costs just by changing database information. Some of the traditional updating steps will be no longer necessary using the connection kit.

The AMT/PE developer has a powerfull and complete API of the dtF database functionality (DBStartDB(), DBIdentify(),
DBExecSQL() etc.) by using special Apple Media Language (AML) classes which support the developer accessing the database. The connection kit is available in a Macintosh and Windows version.

Check out the dtF database features and download a sample AMT Title with full documented AML source accessing the database.

If you have more questions about dtF and the AMT/dtF connection kit just visit the dtF web site. For more information, pricing etc. use the mail oppertunity on the dtF-site.


The full package contains:




(c) MS (b/p) 4/97