Navigation Systems, Architects and Engineers

Interactive multimedia (IMM) navigation systems rely on two key non-graphical components, a schematic or architectural framework and an associated programming solution. Two primary framework types are recognized – branching (structured) and referential (unstructured) – although most navigation systems include elements of both. Programmed solutions to navigational frameworks typically display varying degrees of independence from the frameworks they support, and the role of authoring tools in promoting such independence is discussed. The concept of an authentic navigation system, in which the navigational framework and associated programming are fully integrated, is introduced, and two IMM packages that employ such a system are described. Some advantages of authentic navigation systems are discussed.