Flash Projects

If you haven't finished the ActionScript 3 tutorial on youtube, then get to it soon.

If you've already accomplished that, then its time to start thinking about your big project.

Choices for this Project:
-Animation (needs a play and pause button)
-Flash-based Website
-Flash Game
note: the video link above shows you how to make a play and pause button, a go to start and go to end button, and merge the play and pause button. The only part I'm requiring is the play and pause button. You can merge them if you want, you can add go to start and go to end if you want, but it isn't required. There are other videos and tutorials out there as well, you don't have to use this one, I just thought it was pretty good.

You may want to look into how to play sound/music, too. It'll definitely make things more impressive. Some tutorials online use Actionscript 3 and some use Actionscript 2, you can't mix and match. Make sure you're only using one or the other. There is preference for Actionscript 3.

As with every project, you need to use all four parts of the design cycle AND document them. Look at the IB Criteria by which you will be graded, and see how to get the most points for your work. Don't forget, there are already quite a few resources in my previous posts, but there's a lot more out there! Don't feel limited to just what I provided.

As always, while you may use copyrighted material for the small learning exercises, for your finished big projects whatever you make needs to be original. You may use free stock imagery and sounds/music from free sound libraries and free music libraries.

Example of a Report
Your report 8-10 photos with description of whats going on and who's in it is due March 23rd.

Needs to be of something happening around the school currently. 

Doodle 4 Google

Today, you may take a break from Flash

Instead, you may spend the period to creating a Doodle 4 Google. About Doodle4Google Video by the Google Doodle Artists. Google Doodle artists reminisce on their childhood paths to becoming an artist. Tuesday, March 20th is the deadline, so don't be too ambitious unless you plan on coming in during lunch, or afterschool.

The theme is "If I could travel in time, I'd visit..."

You may hand draw, use photoshop, or combine the two (requires scanning, please allot time for the slow scanner!). Click the photoshop link to find out what size to set the document at. Click here for the forms (including the template). I have paper copies if you'd like, just ask!

It is a competition, there are prizes that can be won! What if your parents don't want you to enter the competition? That's fine, you can still do the assignment if you'd like :) You can use the assignment to replace your lowest daily grade this six weeks, or in addition to your other grades, or just for fun.

To enter the competition, you will need your parent's to sign the official entry form (unless you're 18 already).




We'll continue Flash next class and discuss your project options for it at that point.

One Year Later

We are nearing the anniversary of last year's terrible natural disaster in Japan.

Japan Challenge on StudentsRebuild.org

- Journey of Two Million Cranes

- Paper Cranes for Japan

Info from the USGS

Huffington Post Content

New York Times Content

CBC's Japan Rebuilds

Before and After Galleries

Destruction:

NPR's Before and After

ABC's Before and After

NBC's Before and After

Reconstruction:

NBC's Before and After

Boston Globe's Before and After

(click the image to see before/after)

InFocus Before and After

(click the image to see before/after)

Google's Memories for the Future

Image's from Professional Photojournalists

Atlantic's In Focus:

Earthquake in Japan, Aftermath, Rescue Recovery Reaction,

Two Weeks Later, Two Months Later, Six Months Later, One Year Later

Boston Globe's Big Picture

March 11, March 12, March 14, March 15, March 16,

March 17, March 18, April 13, June 15, Dec 28, March 9

Continuing Basics of Flash

Some of you are ready to move on, and some of you are still working on the first four flash assignments (a drawing, two motion tweens, one shape tween). If you are ready to move on, then it's time to start learning a bit about ActionScript3, or how you can program things to happen in flash.

For starters, let look at something really basic.

ActionScript3 Basics Tutorial:01
I'd like to see you be able to follow along this tutorial and make a graphic behave in the ways shown in this file. He makes it really easy, follow along and you should have very little trouble.
Through this tutorial, you should be able to show me three things using actionscript,
-make an image move across the screen
-make an image jump to a specific point on the screen
-make an image follow your cursor

From here on, I'd like you to think about what you'd like to do with Flash. Possibilities include making an animation, or a website, or a game. You'll need to pick up more skills on the way to get a product you're happy with. Below are a few more tutorials that use ActionScipt3 that may aid you in this.

Cool Examples of Pro Work with Flash

More Flash ActionScript3 programming:
Create dancing letters
More Lessons in Actionscript3

Some other simple examples of ActionScript3

More Advanced
Simple Avoider Game
Create a Space Shooter
Create a Brick Breaker Game
You're welcome to look up other things that can be done with ActionScript3 as well!

Yearbook

Current Assignments:

Report on a Current Event (with a club, organization, or just campus event)
With photos (use good composition) and text
Due: March 23rd

OoC Photos
50 Mediocre photos or 20 good ones
Due: Progress Report Deadline

Choice:
Do a Report on a Photojournalist
or
Spend your time creating App Icons for Clubs/Organizations
Quality matters, (both for you grade and the book)
Only the best ones will be used. Remember, they have to be BIG for printing, around 2 by 2 inches at 300 resolution. Use the same background color as these. Don't try to match the background color, use the dropper tool to take the EXACT same color.
If you can't or wont make one of good quality,
do the report on a photojournalist instead.
Due: March 8th/9th

Why is can't crossed out? The staff icon in the examples below was created by a ninth grader who isn't in yearbook and had only used photoshop for limited photo tough-ups. The programming club was created by an eighth grader who had never used photoshop before.

We already have good icons for Talent Show, Life Skills, Robotics, Student Council, Programming Club, Environment Club, Anime Club, Collegiate Challenge, Comedy Sportz, Interact, Model UN, Newspaper, Choir, Art Club, International Festival, Knitting Club, National Junior Honor Society, Dance, and grade levels and staff.

Examples of Good Icons: