Before we can discuss how to make the most of BlackBerry’s rich media capabilities, it’s important to have a firm understanding of what rich media is and how it’s characterized. We'll start with an explanation of what it is exactly, and then go on to cover what you can do with the Plasmic Content Developer's Kit.
Essentially, the Plazmic composer is a graphic design tool that developers can use to create animated content, such as web graphics, app splash screens, and customized theme icons -- all of which of course are made specifically for BlackBerry handheld devices. This feature also enables developers to create content that utilizes rich content animation and sound, and even to make amazing interactive content, such as triggers, which start apps, hyperlinks, and object rollovers. This content can then be used to create fully customized screens that contain rich media content, which can also be adapted as web content in BlackBerry’s browser.
It should also be pointed out that the Plazmic composer can be used to customize lock and home screen themes using rich multimedia content.
Similar to the theme builder, the composer also has a workspace, which offers a view window to be used while manipulating content. The workspace also features a catalog for project resources, a tool box for drawing tasks, an animation editor for animating content, and windows for both working with and viewing layers and objects.
Much like the kit’s theme builder, the composer also has many benefits to offer developers looking to utilize rich media content in their apps. Some of these include:
The ability to develop content using animation and vector graphics. This content can also be used with themes you develop in Plazmic’s theme builder.
The ability to import .swf files into the composer for use in animated screens.
The ability to start apps using theme buttons featured in the composer.
The ability to test dynamic content for specific device types before distributing the content to other devices.
Incorporating rich media content into your apps and design will not only make you a better, more well-rounded developer, but it will also engage your users in a new and positive way. As you can see, BlackBerry has made it easier than ever to utilize rich media; now it’s just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the Plazmic Content Developer’s Kit and all it has to offer.
Smartphone Development 
