Uploading the Video to YouTube

After creating my video, I was required to distribute it with other people, the easiest way to do this was to use YouTube. As I have never used YouTube to upload a video before, I was required to make an account and activate it. After the signing up was completed, I have uploaded the video from my hard drive, giving it a title, which will be used to help the audience find it when it is typed up onto the search bar of YouTube. I have used the website http://www.webvideozone.com/public/308.cfm to help me independently find out about how to upload the website correctly so no mistakes will occur. After uploading, it has taken several minutes to be processed.

Video

In class, we have started to create the video that will give a tutorial on how my game works, this was done firstly by opening up my Start Screen of my project. I then had to use a program called HyperCam to help record my project, as I have used HyperCam, it has cause a huge amount of lag on the screen making it difficult to work with. Our teacher then introduced the Smart Recorder program which has enabled me to record the project in the screen without any lag issues, although the program was simple to use, I did not know how to select the window I wanted to record so it does not record my whole screen, this was solved by me using the internet to search for help, I have found the website http://smarttech.com/recorder/ to help me understand how to do this. After the recording was complete, I had to place annotations onto it by using the Windows Movie Maker, this was my first time using it which required the teacher to explain the tools to use, to improve my further understanding I have used the website http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx to help me how to add annotations.

Talking with my Client and User Guide

As I have completed my project, I have spoken to my target audience which has played my game and has found it very fun and enjoyable, although he did find the games to be easy and not challenging. The user guide I had to make was needed to be smaller than an A4 page, preferably a size smaller than a DVD box. As my game is intended to be place on a CD-Rom, I will create the User Guide by using Microsoft Word. I had then created the user guide by using a Microsoft Publisher template at the size of a CD, this was new to me as I have never used a template in Publisher before, so I have used http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/FX100649121033.aspx to help me understand the use of templates.

Recording and Audacity

In order for me to record the sound, I was required to go to a recording studio so that the recording would be done in a quiet environment making the sound being recorded clear. I had used a microphone and headphones to help me do this. After the recording was complete, the files were transferred over to the computer which I then used a program called Audacity to help me, Audacity was a program offered by the school which limited my choices of programs, this required me to go to the internet to do research in order to learn how to use Audacity, I have found the website http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq which has given me the basics of using Audacity and how I can edit my sound using the Selection tool. I was then able to convert it to either WAV or a MP3 file, I have preferred to keep it as WAV as my original file was WAV as well.

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

When creating my template, the area in the center was left for my screen to be placed on top once it was complete, after testing the screen, I have found the animation to not stay inside the screen, this was because the center is not hollow. I also needed to rearrange the order on Macromedia Flash so that the main screen will be behind the template but as the center was not hollow, the main screen would not been seen, as a result, I will need to use Adobe Photoshop to help me remove the center of the screen making it hollow, I have used the website http://www.astahost.com/info.php/photoshop-tutorial-cutting-out-psd_t12610.html which explains the use of the "Delete" button on the keyboard, this can be utilised with the magic wand tool after selecting the part I did not want and remove it by pressing delete.

Wednesday, 1 April 2009


For my previous screens, I have learned how to link them together thanks to the help function as well as my teacher as she has given us a tutorial lesson. But in order to link the template to the login screen which is a new screen, we will require a new code as the login screen will not fit into the template. I have then done research over the inter net and found the website http://www.adobe.com/support/flash/action_scripts/actionscript_dictionary/actionscript_dictionary424.html, which explains the use of the code " loadMovieNum( " url ", level [ , variables ])", I have then tested this code in my project combined with "on (press)" and other codes so that it would work. In the end, I have successfully made this code work.

Script

Using Macromedia Flash to animate my characters was very confusing at first, using key frames as well as Motion Tween was new to me as I have not used it before. During my project I was introduced to many scripting language which I have never used, this has allowed me to understand how to use Macromedia Flash properly as well as the basics of script language. The scripts I have created are: drag and drop, turning page, linking to a new screen, printing the current page and quitting the application of my project. These codes could later be adapted onto my other screens saving me time when making similar screens. As I did not understand _level0, I have researched on the internet and found the website http://www.adobe.com/support/flash/action_scripts.html, which has helped me understand the difference between _root and _level0. When attempting the Exit code, I have used the help function on Macromedia Flash as well as the internet to help me create the code, on the inter I have found the website http://www.knowflash.com/content/view/102/27/ which contains a code but it did not work, this problem was soon later solved by my teacher.

Saturday 28 February 2009

The animation done for my window consists of a thunder animation which will appear and dissappear, this is the same for the ghost that appears on this screen. As my knowledge was limited, I had to use the internet to help me find out how to make images "dissolve". On the net, I have found the website: http://www.adobe.com/support/documentation/en/flash/fl8/samples.html, which has taught me that by changing the Alpha setting to 100%, i will be able to make my image completely invisible which is what I wanted, i can then link this with a motion tween that has an Alpha setting of 0%.

Saturday 7 March 2009

A new technique that was required for me to learn was how to input text when my SWF file loads, I did not how to do this which then required me to use the internet to help me do this, I have found the website http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=433756&seqNum=4 which explains and shows the use of static, dynamic and input. By allowing me to input text, the Login Screen of my game will be more interactive for the audience to use as it involves the user.

Critical Path Analysis

Today I have looked at another type of management technique called Critical Path Analysis. Looking at the diagram and thinking about the Critical Path Analysis diagram. I have also recognised the importance of “Total Float” which shows the total amount of time I have, and “Free Float” which shows the number of delays/can be delayed. These delays may have an affect on the overall planned project, resources and time, as I will complete my project before the deadline or after the deadline. This makes the critical path analysis important as by following the diagram I will be able to plan out and compensate for the free floats.

Importance of Consistency

Today, I have worked on completing my animation for my multimedia project. Improvements were made to the scenery and also to the background. For my background, some of the images were real life such as the stadium scene, this makes it not consistent with the clip art images I have used for the characters in my project. This means that it could cause an impact on my target audience as the children could get confused with the meaning of the real life pictures and relating it to the clip art images (fiction and non-fiction). This required me to change the background and other relating images into clip art type to avoid confusion.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Today I wanted to edit an existing image I have found using the internet so it can be used on my game; this was difficult as I wanted to remove the tree part in the image whilst merging it with the original background. This could not be done on Macromedia Flash due to the limited features it has; I have then used Adobe Photoshop to help me re-create this. By doing independent research, I have found the website http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/l/bllps508d.htm which talks about using the Stone Clamp tool to merge existing parts of an image onto another part of an image, I have then adapted the Eyedropper and pencil tool which enabled me to choose a colour on the image and use the pencil tool to remove any minor parts of the image.

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

I needed to find a suitable colour for my side characters, this was done by using the colour palette on Adobe Photoshop, as then colour of the turtle was very dark, it was not very appealing to my target audience, I needed to find a brighter green so that it would make it more attractive. To choose the correct green I have done research over the internet, the two website that has helped me was: http://html-color-codes.com/ and http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/l/bllps503b.htm. In the end I have chosen this green (#7BB539) over the other green (#639C31).

Wednesday 11 February 2009

To me, making the drag and drop game was the most fun aspect of the game. In order to create this code, a basic knowledge of scripting for Macromedia Flash was needed, our teacher has given us the basic knowledge of how to create a simple drag and drop game by explaining the code, we will then adapt the code into our own work so it can be used. As I required more information on dragging the images and to see other examples, I have used the internet which made me find the website: http://www.webwasp.co.uk/tutorials/A_IntAct-02-drag-drop/index.php which enabled me to see other existing drag and drop games which I could use in my project. As making the game was difficult, i have also used the "Help" function on Macromedia Flash to help me expand my knowledge and skill on the scripting of the drag and drop game.

Improvements to Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart is this weeks major issue as there were lots of information missing. By using the tools and techniques on Microsoft Projects, I was able to create dependencies within my work, showing what is needed to be done before the next can be started. I was also able to learn what lag time is and use it within my Gantt chart. Doing this Gantt chart has also enabled me to realise the amount of workload and deadline we have to do in order to complete the work. I have also extended my knowledge of Microsoft Projects by giong onto youtube and learn what the milestone does, this is the website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUlH_8C2raI.

Independent working was also established during the holidays as the work needed to be done was all required for ourselves to do, this includes images we will use, where it will be placed on the screen and the recording (script) of the characters.

In my multimedia project, I have started animating the dog and the basketball. I have learnt how to use scripting to stop a certain part of the animation on where you want it by typing in "stop()" in the action section, this allows me to time my project and plan out the the required space I will have on the screen. For further research into code, I required a code that I can use so I can time the parts of my project, this was done by using the internet as my knowledge with coding was limited, i have found the website http://www.justskins.com/forums/time-pause-33403.html which contained a code I could use.

Books!

In class, we have been told to find a children's book, so we can use it to analyse what features are used to make this a Children’s book. I have looked at the book John Patrick Norman McHennessy - the boy who was always late.

John Patrick Norman McHennessy - the boy who was always late

Synopsis

This story is about a boy called John Patrick Norman McHennessy, who sets of on a journey to school, on the way to school he meets lots of interesting things such as a crocodile, lion and tidal waves which delays him to school, the teacher does not believe him and makes him write lines. Then one day the teacher gets kidnapped by a gorilla which the boy does not believe him.

This Story contains lots of text but simple to read which can be seen to be aimed at a younger audience. Pictures are also used making it interesting. There is also a moral at the end saying that whatever goes around, comes around. I can incorporate some of these ideas into my multimedia project which could make it more appealing for my target audience.

Through analysing the book, I will look further into Sans Serif font by using www.dafont.com/ and the fonts available on the Microsoft Packages, Macromedia Flash and Adobe Photoshop, this will allow me to select a suitable font to be used in my project,and can be read clearly compared to serif fonts.

Another Project Management

10/12/08
We looked at how a professional company, Bouygues UK, uses project management techniques to help them complete their work on time. Their techniques were using Microsoft Project to create tasks and sub-tasks to complete their overall project before or on the deadline date. This is similar to our coursework as we also used Microsoft Project to create Gantt chart giving us a realistic idea of what we need to do and how to complete it on time. There was three major milestones in their project to refurbish St Marylebone school, start date, end date, and overall completion of the project, I will also need to put this into my Gantt chart so I can have a clear idea of what to do and when it will be done. They have also worked on tasks and completed it before deadline as well as missing deadlines and catching up, this is also one of the main points of have a Gantt chart as it shows user what they clearly have to do, this will also be needed to be calculated into the actual making of our projects.

Animation

Today, we looked at animation by creating our own stickmen and text. The stickmen we created can walk across the screen enabling us to use this technique in our coursework. The text will appear on and off the screen which make it interesting, it can be used for out introduction page. I have also done independent research on existing flash animation, http://www.flashwebmaster.com/portfolio/flash.web.site.designer/flash_animation_2D_sickfish.html, looking at the fish animation, I can see how simple animation makes a movie complete.

Elements of Project Management

2 weeks ago we looked at three basic elements: tasks, resources and time. They are interrelated meaning when one changes it will have an effect on the other two. One of the Programs we can use is Microsoft Project which lets us create a plan revolving around the tasks, resources and time, and presents it in a graphical way for my project.

There are typical tasks such as for Task – individual pieces of work which need to be done:

• Reports to management
• Pieces of code for an application
• Project definition documents
• Any small (or large) item that contributes to reaching the stated goal of the project.

Resources – anything used to meet the stated goals:

• People
• Machinery
• Money

Time: time is very important as it is the main thing that makes us follow deadlines and complete the task. Estimating the time needed to complete each task until the stated goal of the project is one of the main points. Whilst the project progresses, improvements and changes will need to be made, therefore estimated time will change. Milestones and deadlines will make one of your ways to structure time. This is important in our coursework as we have to complete set task on time so our Macromedia Flash Project can be completed on time.

With Tasks, Resources and Time being interrelated, it will effect each other, adding a new task will mean using resources, where time may be needed to change to cope with the work load. Microsoft Project will help me create a Gantt charts so I can complete my work on time efficiently.

Project Management and Adobe Photoshop

We have looked at Gantt Chart as a group as well as other planning methods such as using a calendar with posted notes. As a class, we have looked at the main production system where a products life begins. From Design, Implementation, Testing, User feedback all the way to Evaluation. I guess the Design stage will be the most enjoyable as I will be deciding the number of characters along with their design using Adobe Photoshop. I have also created thumbnails for my application whilst testing the effectiveness i.e. colour, easy to recognise, the amount of detail on the image, the thickness of lines, and the likeliness of being able to recognise straight away as what it is meant to represent.

Flash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, we worked in Macromedia Flash 8 to create a simple animation which consists of movement of thunder and the enlargement of the sun. We then had to use Adobe Photoshop to crop out the different doll parts and saving it as a GIF file which will make the background transparent. Importing the file into Macromedia Flash 8 will allow me to manipulate the file so I can create a drag and drop application, by scripting. Scripting is new to me as I have never done scripting before, the coding was different yet similar to HTML.

On Macromedia Flash 8, understanding the key frames was very difficult as I needed to know why we needed it, why we needed to lock the layer and using shortcuts such as using F6 so we can work efficiently and quickly without wasting time.

Using Macromedia Flash 8 has allowed me to understand the use of the application in this software which has enabled me to work easily. This exercise set for us did not include many key skills apart from listening, understanding, and technical skills on the computer. I have also looked at the website http://www.flashtutorials.us/flash-basics/3/ which has given me the basics of Macromedia Flasg enabling me to work more efficiently with the program.

My Project

I have found the image of my dog which will be the main character for my story, the image of the dog is found on the internet which has made researching very simple. He will have super powers as well as a favourite sport, as mentioned in the specification, I have named him Spring. I will need to manipulate this image using AdobePhtotshop as I have taken it from the internet. This involved me in using a series of tool: ie Pencil Tool, Paint Bucket, and using the Colour Palette.

The importance of Project Management

In class, we looked at how companies and schools, plan out their work. There are many ways such as using a calendar and writing out important dates. The use of Gantt charts are the most popular way of planning ahead, this uses colour coding so you can easily tell what the deadlines are. We will work independently so our coursework can be done in our best quality. I will plan out a list of tasks for our coursework, so I can use time efficiently. On Microsoft Project Management, we have started to look at using mile stones and setting target dates so work can be completed in time.

The Superpower Dog

I have planned my storyline and characters for the coursework. The dog will have the power to jump very high or transform.

The Planning Cycle

Today, we have looked at travelling to a certain destination, recognising important places that lets us know we are going in the correct direction, this has made me realise the amount of work we have to do before the deadline, the use of the planning cycle (the image above) is to help me have a structural way of completing my work on time, due to the limitation of time, I must stick to the plan that I have made and use time efficiently.

Beginning

1. I have started Section A of my coursework. Analysing Origami Master.