Adobe is announcing Tuesday an upgrade to its Director multimedia authoring tool for building interactive applications and rich content, featuring built-in Ageia PhysX technology to expand graphical display capabilities. Used for building interactive applications, e-learning and simulation as well as games, Director 11 features a customized publishing interface and functionality enabling users to convert files d Adobe is announcing Tuesday an upgrade to its Director multimedia authoring tool for building interactive applications and rich content, featuring built-in Ageia PhysX technology to expand graphical display capabilities.Used for building interactive applications, e-learning and simulation as well as games, Director 11 features a customized publishing interface and functionality enabling users to convert files developed in previous versions of the product. Ageia PhysX technology provides enhanced built-in physics, Adobe said. Real-life interactions can be developed, according to Adobe. Also featured in Director 11 are simplified authoring in multiple languages and cross-platform support. Adobe acquired Director when it merged with Macromedia. Version 11 is the first release of the product combining Adobe and Macromedia capabilities. With Director, users are able to bring in content from a wide variety of formats, said Rick Jones, Adobe director for Director and ShockWave.Director 11 can work with the ShockWave Player for developing content for desktops, CD/DVDS, kiosks and online playback. Corporate presentations can be developed using Director 11. Also, users can add Adobe Flash SWF files to Director projects. These files then can be played in Director and Shockwave and edited by launching Adobe Flash CS3 Professional.Also featured in Director 11 are bitmap filters to speed up the addition of characteristics such as shadowing to text or images. The JavaScript and Lingo languages are supported in version 11, with JavaScript now offering feature parity with Lingo. Director 11 is expected to ship March 8, priced at $999 for the full product and $299 for an upgrade from the prior three versions. Technology Industry