TIJ1O_Flash_or_wood

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=Flash Animation and Wood Puzzles=

Everybody is to complete a simple Flash animation of a ball bouncing around inside a box and then you can choose either a more complex flash animation or a wood puzzle as a follow-up assignment.

1. Flash Animation
Flash is a powerful animation and interactive multimedia tool. You see flash in everything from your reading devices to online Flash games. It can be used for things as simple as [|a stick figure walking] around to a complex modeling program to see [|how objects interact in gravity]. We will be exploring how to use it in simple animations.

llusion of Motion
One of the keys to illusion of motion is that the object must appear to move smoothly between frames. Typically in TV, cartoons animation run at 12 frames per second (fps). Film runs at at 24 frames per second. So, the MOST any cartoon can be animated to is 24 fps (often referred to as [|24p]). The [|NTSC standard] is 23.97 fps (Don't think it matters that video is 30 fps- they are still shot on film...) As a matter of course, though, what is typically done, at least by big budget films, is 12 cels per second, each cel being shot twice. However, lower budget cartoons can and usually do use the same cel three or more times... the more a cel is used, the "jerkier" the final cartoon will look.

[[image:brush_tool.png align="left" caption="Basic tools"]]
Here we see some basic tools of flash that can help you to make your animations successful. #1 is the select tool, it treats the object you select as a series of pixels (a [|RASTERIZED]) object. This has it's benefits. #2 refers to the sub-select (or, as I call it the [|VECTOR] select tool). The difference between vector and raster graphics is that vector graphics are scalable without rasterization (often called pixelation). The vector tool allows you to alter the shape of an object to a high degree of accuracy. #3 is the brush tool, the difference between the brush tool and the pencil tool (above it) is that the brush tool places a vector around a fill, while the pencil tool essentially makes a line (a singular dimensioned vector).

The timeline (located at the top of the screen) has certain features that will help you to do basic animations. #1 refers to the layer name (which can be adjusted by either right-clicking on the layer and renaming it, or by simply double-clicking the layername). When making multiple layers (#4) the layer that is at the top of the timeline is the layer that appears 'furthest forward' on the stage (the area you see when you draw things). In addition to making drawings on the stage, you also can make drawings over time. By __pressing F6__ (which __copies the previous keyframe__) or __F7 (creates a blank new keyframe)__ you advance your animation by 1 frame (typically 1/12th of a second, depending on what your framerate is [#6 - can be adjusted]). In keyframe animation (where you draw cel by cel) it is often useful to click on #6 (onion skinning) which by default shows you the previous 3 keyframes. This allows you to see where your objects have been on the stage and thus allows you to plan out where they are going over time.

Exercise:
Your task now is to create a simple shape that bounces around **in a cartoon-like fashion (i.e. stretch and bounce)** the screen for 15 seconds. Bear in mind the principles of animation we talked about in class and make the motion 'cartoon realistic'. You are to export the animation as an SWF (the typical export filetype) called yourname_shape_animation and submit it into the handin folder. DO NOT SIMPLY MAKE A BARELY VISIBLE DOT ZIP AROUND YOUR SCREEN!!!!

Evaluation:

 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Uses prior knowledge to apply a realistic effect** || Judicious use of tools lead to an exemplary product || Small errors in the use of the tools results in a product that is completely acceptable, but does contain noticeable flaws || The piece has many distracting elements but the tool use is obvious. || Either in following the steps, or mistakes in the use of the tools, the work is largely flawed. ||
 * **Practical product produced** || Stylistic choice in tones, arrangement and colour choices in presenting the render show no errors. || Overall the piece is well constructed, but the some key steps have been missed. || Generally the piece is satisfactorily constructed, but the end result is lacking in many areas. || The render is incomplete, or shows signs of obvious neglect in process. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **Filetype and size** ||  || All relevant files are submitted. || There may be missing elements in the submission || There is a submission but that's about it. ||

a) More complicated Flash Animation - telling a story over 30s.
You will use basic flash tools (pencil, brush, pentool) and 'keyframing', create a complex shape (figure - it can be a person, an animal, an object) that tells a brief story over 30 seconds. You will export the final product as yourname_complex_animation.swf and submit both your *.fla file and the *.swf file to the handin folder.

You may use this as a reference in helping you to use the tools. Take advantage of onion skinning and the keyframe advance keys in making your animation smooth. Also don't forget that brushing your object with various tones will help to give believability to your final product (i.e. add light/shadows).

Evaluation:
shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Uses prior knowledge to apply a realistic effect** || Judicious use of tools lead to an exemplary product || Small errors in the use of the tools results in a product that is completely acceptable, but does contain noticeable flaws || The piece has many distracting elements but the tool use is obvious. || Either in following the steps, or mistakes in the use of the tools, the work is largely flawed. ||
 * **Practical product produced** || Stylistic choice in tones, arrangement and colour choices in presenting the render show no errors. || Overall the piece is well constructed, but the some key steps have been missed. || Generally the piece is satisfactorily constructed, but the end result is lacking in many areas. || The piece is incomplete, or shows signs of obvious neglect in process. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as
 * **Filetype and size** ||  || All relevant files are submitted. || There may be missing elements in the submission || There is a submission but that's about it. ||

b) Make a wood puzzle
You will use the tools available in the room to create a wood puzzle. Various options include: [source: [|Craftsman Puzzles]]

__Betelgeuse Puzzle__
[source: [|Craftsman Puzzles]]

Evaluation:
shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Uses prior knowledge to apply a realistic effect** || Judicious use of tools lead to an exemplary product || Small errors in the use of the tools results in a product that is completely acceptable, but does contain noticeable flaws || The piece has many distracting elements but the tool use is obvious. || Either in following the steps, or mistakes in the use of the tools, the work is largely flawed. ||
 * **Practical product produced** || Stylistic choice in tones, arrangement and colour choices in presenting the project show no errors. || Overall the piece is well constructed, but the some key steps have been missed. || Generally the piece is satisfactorily constructed, but the end result is lacking in many areas. || The piece is incomplete, or shows signs of obvious neglect in process. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as
 * **Filetype and size** ||  || All relevant items are submitted. || There may be missing elements in the submission || There is a submission but that's about it. ||