Quark Inc is says the latest version of its QuarkImmedia multimedia design tool offers greater authoring capabilities, seamless web browsing and an extended range of plug-ins. The software is aimed at designers working with sound, video and animation who can publish either in print, on CD-ROM, or over the internet. The latest incarnation includes more authoring tools for easier manipulation of media content allowing users to assign actions to objects more easily. It also has a range of maths functions for performing tasks such as measuring the number of hits to a particular web page. The company’s also promising a new Xtensions interface which Quark claims will enable users to create customized visual effects for transitions between web pages and build in database connectivity. The other main addition is plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop, designed to let users create more complex media elements such as animation sequences. Browser plug-ins also provide support for multimedia formats such as Progressive Network’s RealAudio and Macromedia’s Shockwave from within the program’s QuarkXpress interface. The company, looking to diversify into new areas as its traditional Apple-based business is looking increasingly shaky, unveiled version 1.0 of the product in September last year, delayed from June (CI No 2957). Quark says the latest incarnation of the software is scheduled for beta testing with around 450 customers later this month but doesn’t yet have a confirmed date for the full release. QuarkImmedia is now a native Windows 95 and NT application and will be priced at $995 with an upgrade from version 1.0x to 1.5 costing $125.