May 11, 2010
Apr 26, 2010
Apr 15, 2010
How to Make Animated Images on Photoshop
A tutorial on how to use the frame animation tool on Photoshop CS4. The sound quality in the begninng sounds terrible due to the electricity, but gradually gets better.
Apr 13, 2010
How to Customize Motion Paths in PowerPoint
- Press “Start” at the bottom left hand corner of the screen if you're on Windows XP, or the Windows Vista icon if you're running Vista. You will see a list there that shows recently run programs. Then press “All Programs,” which then opens up a column. From that list, find a folder that reads “Microsoft Office.” After clicking it, find Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or whichever version you have. Doing this should open up the program called PowerPoint.
- Next, you will see “Animations” at the top in a row beginning with “Home.” When you click it, you should see a slight change in the toolbar. Near the very left of the toolbar is an icon with “Custom Animation” beside it. When you click that, a sidebar should pop up on the right.
- Click the picture you want to make a motion path with. Then, click “Add Effect” from the sidebar on the right. A small list of four options with appear as a drop-down. The one you’ll want to click is Motion Paths. Then select the second last choice listed as “Draw Custom Path” and one last set of options will show up. Which one to use is entirely you choice. The first two – a line and curve are self explanatory. The line can only go straight while the curve allows you to make a smaller or wider loop. Freeform is used to draw shapes or just connect a series of straight lines. With this tool, however, you are also able to draw freely like the scribble option. To end the path, simply double click and the connection will end.
- After drawing in the motion paths, you can preview how the picture will show up. It is possible to disable AutoPreview by un-checking the setting in the bottom right. If the path is not to your liking, you can delete it by clicking the “Remove” beside “Add Effect.” Also, if you wish to make the path slower, you can change it by selecting “Very Slow”, “Slow”, “Medium”, “Fast”, or “Very Fast”. To preview this change, click “Play” on the bottom left of the Custom Animation sidebar.
- You are now done! If you want to remove the Custom Animation sidebar from your PowerPoint, press the x on the top right.
Apr 6, 2010
Peer Evaluation
Briefly describe the game, including its objectives.
I played Trials and Tribulations by Chris. The game is large and very well thought-out. Instead of one clear path to get to the finish, it uses a broad variety of features available in making the game itself and has many different alternate openings to explore different places. The objective of the game is to collect all 7 crystals, which are very well hidden and require the player to overcome many different obstacles and monsters.
List two strengths of the game.
List one weakness of the game.
I played Trials and Tribulations by Chris. The game is large and very well thought-out. Instead of one clear path to get to the finish, it uses a broad variety of features available in making the game itself and has many different alternate openings to explore different places. The objective of the game is to collect all 7 crystals, which are very well hidden and require the player to overcome many different obstacles and monsters.
List two strengths of the game.
The game's design is very unique from many of the other games, as it has paths and openings leading to other places. Having the crystals in different places across the map also ensures that people will have to explore the entire map so that they won't miss any crystals. A great deal of knowledge is displayed in the different obstacles that are set out, as they will take not only just controlling the character, but figuring out how to pass them.
Also, the game shows that lots of time has been spent into making it. There are several areas that have decorations spread all over the background. It also includes different components other than the typical stone block, which makes the game more interesting.
List one weakness of the game.
A weakness of the game would be that some of the "blocks" such as the windmill are sometimes too closed in with surrounding walls that it is extremely hard to get by. With the game's lag, this makes it possible to glitch through to the other parts of the map that are not supposed to be accesible. This occured to me when collecting a certain crystal and I got glitchd through the wall and got stuck, provided the three walls enclosing one side and the game boundaries making it impossible to get out.
Were the enemies/obstacles too much of a challenge?
I thought the enemies right off the bat and obstacles were extremely challenging. Perhaps it would have been different for a more advanced player, but the very first time I played it, I died within the first minute without collecting even one crystal. In my best game, I only managed to retrieve three crystals, so yes, it was a bit of a challenge for me.
Were the 'lags' induced by the size of the game much of an issue?
I didn't find that there was much lag while playing the game, except for certain tiles that took a little longer to appear than the already existing ones. Occasionally, they alerted me and slowed me down to confirm that it was possible to walk past, but otherwise, there were no major problems.
Was the complexity of the caverns and canals (the orientation, passages, etcetera) too confusing?
The radar was a huge help in telling me which direction I had to head over to. At first, I was very confused in where I should go, as the map showed many different openings that I could take. Eventually, I picked a certain path and found my first crystal. Retracing my steps back to the beginning, I found my second crystal and so forth. There was a point, however, in which I was completely lost and wandered back to places I had initially passed already. Overall though, I didn't think the orientation was too confusing, and with the use of luck and the radar, it was easily passable.
Evaluation
Describe your game (including a title).
The title of my game is Risk it or Leave it. The reason for this is because it is a Platformer with many obstacles where receiving weapons or power-ups come with many dangers. You could risk getting the power-up to help you with the rest of the game or you could leave it to conserve your health, as helpful items such as railguns and armour are not completely necessary.
What is the objective of the game?
The objective of the game is to collect 3 different keys in which you’ll need to use in order to battle the “boss” that guards the crystal that you seek.
Discuss two strengths and one weakness of your game.
The strengths of my game are that you’ll need to strategize to get through. Once you fail one obstacle, you will need to start all over because you only have that one chance to get it right. Another strength is that it uses a variety of the different functions of a game. There are jump quests, fighting against monsters, and tricks that are hard not to fall for. A weakness could be that it is a little confusing because it is necessary to move all over the map to get keys to enter certain areas to get more keys. People could find it frustrating if they did not know the path they had to follow.
What improvements could be made?
I think at some points, the game could be too hard, so I could have removed a little of the monsters. Though the bats are of least danger, they are definitely most annoying. I put tons of these bats as alternatives for harder monsters, and that could have been changed, seeing as I have trouble completing my own game.
What difficulties did you encounter while creating your game?
I found it difficult to make sure people would use every single path I laid out for them. It was also hard to come up with the certain blocks for the jump quests to ensure that it wasn't impossible to get to the little room containing the key. The hardest part was making sure people couldn't get by into certain areas they were not supposed to be in, so I had to lock up lots of areas with doors that only opened with either blue or yellow keys.
What did you have to modify or change from the original design?
Instead of keeping two separate paths, I connected them together to make one whole path. Other than that, there was little change from the initial design of my game.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your performance during this assignment.
My strengths are that I was very focused into making the game. I spent a lot of time thinking through what could make it challenging, yet not impossible. I also implanted many obstacles that required time to come up with. My game continued to expand so much that it took many hours to complete, along with a minimum required playing time of 10-15 minutes, thus becoming a weakness in my performance.
What did you do well at?
I think I did really well with coming up with obstacles that required strategic thinking. I thought one of my best ones was where there were three wheels, and if the person playing it didn't get two of the wheels into the ditch, it would be impossible to get past.
What could you have done better at?
I think I could have done better with the overall design. I tried to use different varieties of blocks and colours, but I felt that the background design and additional decorations were lacking. I could have spent more time with making my game look more aesthetically appeasing.
Questions:
Was the game confusing as to where you were supposed to go, or which keys to get first?
Were the obstacles (i.e. three wheels, jump quest, perm blocks/rings) past the monsters you had to fight hard enough, too hard or did you not even get there?
Did you feel that after failing the game for the first time, you felt frustrated, or did you want a second go at it?
The title of my game is Risk it or Leave it. The reason for this is because it is a Platformer with many obstacles where receiving weapons or power-ups come with many dangers. You could risk getting the power-up to help you with the rest of the game or you could leave it to conserve your health, as helpful items such as railguns and armour are not completely necessary.
What is the objective of the game?
The objective of the game is to collect 3 different keys in which you’ll need to use in order to battle the “boss” that guards the crystal that you seek.
Discuss two strengths and one weakness of your game.
The strengths of my game are that you’ll need to strategize to get through. Once you fail one obstacle, you will need to start all over because you only have that one chance to get it right. Another strength is that it uses a variety of the different functions of a game. There are jump quests, fighting against monsters, and tricks that are hard not to fall for. A weakness could be that it is a little confusing because it is necessary to move all over the map to get keys to enter certain areas to get more keys. People could find it frustrating if they did not know the path they had to follow.
What improvements could be made?
I think at some points, the game could be too hard, so I could have removed a little of the monsters. Though the bats are of least danger, they are definitely most annoying. I put tons of these bats as alternatives for harder monsters, and that could have been changed, seeing as I have trouble completing my own game.
What difficulties did you encounter while creating your game?
I found it difficult to make sure people would use every single path I laid out for them. It was also hard to come up with the certain blocks for the jump quests to ensure that it wasn't impossible to get to the little room containing the key. The hardest part was making sure people couldn't get by into certain areas they were not supposed to be in, so I had to lock up lots of areas with doors that only opened with either blue or yellow keys.
What did you have to modify or change from the original design?
Instead of keeping two separate paths, I connected them together to make one whole path. Other than that, there was little change from the initial design of my game.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your performance during this assignment.
My strengths are that I was very focused into making the game. I spent a lot of time thinking through what could make it challenging, yet not impossible. I also implanted many obstacles that required time to come up with. My game continued to expand so much that it took many hours to complete, along with a minimum required playing time of 10-15 minutes, thus becoming a weakness in my performance.
What did you do well at?
I think I did really well with coming up with obstacles that required strategic thinking. I thought one of my best ones was where there were three wheels, and if the person playing it didn't get two of the wheels into the ditch, it would be impossible to get past.
What could you have done better at?
I think I could have done better with the overall design. I tried to use different varieties of blocks and colours, but I felt that the background design and additional decorations were lacking. I could have spent more time with making my game look more aesthetically appeasing.
Questions:
Was the game confusing as to where you were supposed to go, or which keys to get first?
Were the obstacles (i.e. three wheels, jump quest, perm blocks/rings) past the monsters you had to fight hard enough, too hard or did you not even get there?
Did you feel that after failing the game for the first time, you felt frustrated, or did you want a second go at it?
Mar 9, 2010
Plan
What will you do first? Why?
The first thing I will do is create all the platforms that can be stepped on because it shows an outline of the entire game before I start putting in the obstacles.
How will you ensure that you complete the project on time?
Use class time to its fullest and work on it at home for the last day if it is not completed.
Who will test beta versions of your game?
Myself, classmates, and maybe my sister will test the beta versions.
Will you incorporate other people’s suggestions into your game’s design?
I will definitely consider other people’s suggestions. If there are things that can be improved, the “consumer” would be the one to ask.
How will you decide if you have created a good game of not?
I will decide if my game is good or not by asking opinions of other people. Also, self judgment on it would be very important.
The first thing I will do is create all the platforms that can be stepped on because it shows an outline of the entire game before I start putting in the obstacles.
How will you ensure that you complete the project on time?
Use class time to its fullest and work on it at home for the last day if it is not completed.
Who will test beta versions of your game?
Myself, classmates, and maybe my sister will test the beta versions.
Will you incorporate other people’s suggestions into your game’s design?
I will definitely consider other people’s suggestions. If there are things that can be improved, the “consumer” would be the one to ask.
How will you decide if you have created a good game of not?
I will decide if my game is good or not by asking opinions of other people. Also, self judgment on it would be very important.
Design
What type of game are you going to produce?
The type of game I’m planning to produce is a Platformer, because the Shooter games are a little confusing and I don’t find them very fun or hard.
What will it look like?
I wasn’t actually planning to have too much of the game in the dark, so it will probably be above ground where people won’t be completely dependent on a torch.
How will the characters be controlled?
The characters will be controlled with the standard arrow keys for moving and z, x, shift for items that can be picked up.
What will be the objective of the game?
The objective of the game is to collect crystals.
How are you going to test its functionality?
I will try playing it myself and also ask classmates to help test it.
How will it be evaluated?
The game will be evaluated by how entertaining and challenging it is.
How long will you need to create it? Give a timeline for its completion.
It will probably take a few days, as getting used to the functions of Sploder is a necessity in creating a game.
The type of game I’m planning to produce is a Platformer, because the Shooter games are a little confusing and I don’t find them very fun or hard.
What will it look like?
I wasn’t actually planning to have too much of the game in the dark, so it will probably be above ground where people won’t be completely dependent on a torch.
How will the characters be controlled?
The characters will be controlled with the standard arrow keys for moving and z, x, shift for items that can be picked up.
What will be the objective of the game?
The objective of the game is to collect crystals.
How are you going to test its functionality?
I will try playing it myself and also ask classmates to help test it.
How will it be evaluated?
The game will be evaluated by how entertaining and challenging it is.
How long will you need to create it? Give a timeline for its completion.
It will probably take a few days, as getting used to the functions of Sploder is a necessity in creating a game.
Investigate
What makes a good game to play?
A good game would be one that makes sense, where the objective is clear. It would have to be challenging yet not impossible. One that would involve strategizing is fun as well, even when you get to the harder stages or far into the game.
What makes a bad game to play?
A bad game would be one that was extremely boring or easy. Also, the nearly impossible games can get frustrating, where even by trying over and over again, you can only reach a certain point in the game.
A good game would be one that makes sense, where the objective is clear. It would have to be challenging yet not impossible. One that would involve strategizing is fun as well, even when you get to the harder stages or far into the game.
What makes a bad game to play?
A bad game would be one that was extremely boring or easy. Also, the nearly impossible games can get frustrating, where even by trying over and over again, you can only reach a certain point in the game.
Feb 25, 2010
Jan 31, 2010
Xtranormal Video Assignment
This is a video made by me from Xtranormal. It's about Suzie and her grandma who has ADD. Any notable parts would probably be her random ramblings and the irony implanted in her statements. Enjoy!
Jan 22, 2010
Soundtrack of My Life
1. Francesca Battistelli – It’s Your Life: The lyrics of this song tell about leading your own life and making important choices. Life is made up of choices, whether they are bad or good. In my life, I have made many good ones, as well as many bad ones. This also relates to me in the way of my parents telling me what I should become as I grow up.
2. Fergie – Big Girls Don’t Cry: This song reminds me of my Grade 6 summer vacation trip to China. On the plane to Vancouver, this was one of the only decent songs that was programmed into the touch screen TV. On the actual plane to China, my ipod had a limited number of songs, as I only recently got it, so I listened to Fergie over and over again.
3. Calixa Lavallee – O Canada: This is a representation of Canada. Being born here, I have lived in Canada my entire life. The anthem has been playing ever since I first heard it until now and it reminds me of how lucky I am to be here.
4. Avril Lavigne – Complicated: Complicated reminds me more of the people around me as the years pass by. People change so much when they grow up to try to fit in, and it's really not like them. Eventually, you lose the friends that you thought would stay with you forever.
5. Sister2Sister – Sister: As the song defines, this song reminds me of my sister. Many of the lyrics are really true. I can relate to many things that are sang: "But when I put on a face//She can tell//Cause she knows me so well" and how she would read my diary when I told her not to.
6. Will Smith – Parents Just Don’t Understand: This song describes a boy whose mom never understands that he doesn’t want to wear the clothes she picks out for him. He says his friends and the other kids always laugh at him, but his mom replies to him that if they were laughing at him, they wouldn’t be his friends. It relates to me because my mom used to pick out most of my clothes for me that I hated and said if I didn’t wear them to school, she wouldn’t buy any more for me.
7. Miley Cyrus – The Climb: The lyrics describe that the way you get to the top is more important than the results. This happens to me a lot as I always look towards only to the result, but when I get to the top there as fast as I can, I realize that it was “the climb” that was probably most fun, not what I receive at the end. Most of the time, I think that I can’t wait until it’s over, but when I look back later in life, it was probably the most fun.
8. Simple Plan – I’m Just a Kid: Although I may not like Simple Plan as much anymore, they were one of my favourite bands from a long time ago. My cousin gave me a CD of songs that she had on her computer. Listening through them, I found that this song was the only one I liked. From that point, I got into music and listened more and more to it.
9. Suzie McNeil - Believe: This song relates to me in the way that when I set my mind on something, there isn't any thing to look back on and I endure it until the end - or at least most of the time.
10. Octavio Pinto – March Little Soldier (Piano): This was the first piano piece that I played in the music festival and won. I still remember how nervous I was when I went up to play, and the joy I felt when I was announced winner. There was an unforgettable sense of pride that I'll remember for a pretty long time.
Dec 16, 2009
Radio Commercial
This is a radio commercial done for a company called Evanix that sells futuristic items.
Credits: Merry Surf Time (60 sec.) from freeplaymusic.com, Audacity, Windows Movie Maker
Dec 2, 2009
Interview With...
This is an audio clip recorded using my own voice. Diane Sawyer's voice was made to be a pitch higher, while Rihanna's was one lower than the original. True facts are stated in this made-up interview, and many of the lines were derived from and changed from the original interview that actually took place.
Credits : Audacity, Windows Movie Maker
Nov 9, 2009
Photoshop Collage
Oct 26, 2009
Oct 16, 2009
Filename Frenzy
This is a chart of file extentions. On the left are the extensions themselves, and next to it is what the extention actually stands for. The type of file is what a certain file is saved as, and on the very right shows which programs can open the file. For JPEG, HTML, and AVI, there are many programs that are associated with the file, but only a few are selected.
Source : FILExt.com
Oct 8, 2009
Biography - Photo Story
This is my Photo Story Biography.The photo descriptions are listed below with the corresponding number.
1) This is a photo of my house. It was bought when I started kindergarten, so I guess its been 9 years since I've begun living in it. The neighbourhood in which I live in has expanded quite a bit. It used to be surrounded by soil, and no other houses were near it.
2) Here's the school in which I have spent 2 years in. I'm on my third, in grade 9 at the moment. I have learned many things in school, which is why it has meaning in my life.
3) This photo depicts a pool to express my love for swimming. It is just about the only sport that I'll ever ask to participate in. It's fun, and I love doing it. Being taught by my dad, I began swimming way back in the day. I also took swimming lessons for a few years to further enhance my skills.
4) This one's the keyboard from a piano. I began piano lessons in grade 2, and played for a year or so before I quit from loss of interest. After beginning again a few years later, I played for 3 more years and got myself up to level 8. Although I no longer play the piano, I continue to play clarinet in the school band. Music has never disinterested me - ever.
5) This is... candy! Jelly beans in particular. It's important for obvious reasons. :) :)
6) Here's a picture of a computer. I spend the majority of my free time on it, causing it to become the first thing I resort to when boredom is needing to be cured.
7) A pile of books show how important books are to me. I read a book a week on average for entertainment. My favourite genre of books is basically action, but I also like the ones that deal with life issues.
8) This is a photo of my family and family friends in New York, the month before the World Trading Center was "taken down". The bottom left is me, on the right is my sister, Jessica, and to the right of her is Joey. Jess is 2 years older than me, Joey's 1, and we've known each other since we were born. My mom's on the top right, obviously not ready for the picture to be taken, my dad on the left, and Joey's mom on his left. Joey's dad was taking the picture.
9) This is a picture of my team and I holding up a 2nd place ribbon. Running was my most favourite thing to do in elementary. I ran before school at the practices, and ran on my own after school. The ribbons were an addiction. They kept me going for 3 years, but I'm over them now.
10) In the middle is a photo that was taken of my friends and I at a camp in which the grade 6 classes of my elementary school went to. Although not all of us from that picture remain in Winnipeg to this day, we are all close to each other, and not one will be forgotten.
Credits : Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, Adobe Photoshop CS4
Thanks to : TemplatesWise.com for the background of my collage, Unprofound.com for photo #5, Microsoft Clipart for photo #7, and Catherine for photo #10
Sep 30, 2009
Computer Schematic
Here it is, a very "detailed and labelled" diagram of the back of a computer. The model that I used for mine was Acer. Everything except for the fans should be there. Definitions of the parts of the computer are found on the left, and though very few, the parts of a moniter are displayed on the right
If you are having trouble viewing the image, simply click on it, and it should enlarge in a new page.
Credits : Windows Paint, Microsoft PowerPoint 2003
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