A stack, or series of stacks, are set up for the application and then cards are developed individually. The presentation of each card and its functionality are defined by the stack builder. Backgrounds, text, colours, sound, animation, movies, etc. can all be included. Text can be added to the background or can be included in a text field. This text field can be read only, can allow for new text entry, or can automatically scroll up the screen like cinema credits.
Text can be any size or style available on the users computer system.
Images can be taken into HyperStudio from a variety of sources - the resource CD, digital cameras or clip art resources. Animations created on many other animation applications can be imported into HyperStudio. QuickTime movies, AVI movies and Replay movies can be incorporated in the appropriate HyperStudio versions. Buttons are the main navigation tools within HyperStudio and can take many forms. HyperLogo, the scripting language of HyperStudio, can be built into stacks and allow for different responses to the answers given to questions.