Reflection Journal: Project 7 Flash Portfolio

Project 7 was about creating Flash Portfolio. I used Adobe Flash to complete this project. In order to make Flash Portfolio, I included all the labs I made in Flash. Since the target audience for this project was students who want to know about the Web Design Academy, I tried to apply different skills I have obtained in this academy to my work. First, I drew a wireframe to organize my idea for this project. After creating the wireframe, I made buttons and background and put the video with cue points into the Flash document for this project. In addition to the cue points in the previous lab (Lab 27), I added more cue points which include the Flash logo, a picture of html tags and the thumbnail images of the video game (Project 6) and interactive story (Project 5).  I then made 4 different scenes for each page and added frames. After making the four pages, I used action script to insert the swf files from the labs and projects. I tested the swf file for this project to make sure every element in my 

portfolio is working properly and has no mistakes in action script.

I learned how to include swf file within a Flash document by completing this lab. I also learned how to use cue points as well as action script to create an interactive content. Compared to September, I somewhat improve since I have obtained different types of skills and techniques, and used them to create unique and interactive websites. This project is relevant to Web Design because the designers might be required put all the work in one file just as I did for this project. In the future, I can use the techniques for this project when I need to generate a work or website that consists of swf files.

Reflection Journal: Lab 27

Lab 27 was about using cue points in the video to make it interactive. I used Adobe Flash to complete
this lab. First, I imported the video to the stage of the Flash document for this lab and logos of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Dreamweaver to the library. Next, I placed them onto the stage and gave instance name for each objects. After this, I tried to insert cue points by listening to my video and click on the plus sign in the properties panel. I then used code snippets, "On Cue Point Event", to make the cue points work. By using this code snippet, the Photoshop logo appears when I talk about Adobe Photoshop and the Dreamweaver logo appears as I discuss Adobe Dreamweaver. After completing all these steps, I exported this lab to a swf file and put it into the html document for this lab.

I learned how to create cue points and inserted them to my video by using the code snippet, "On Cue Point Event". I can apply the skills I obtained from this lab in the future when I need use cue points to make my video interactive.

Reflection Journal: Lab 26

Lab 26 was just about inserting video into a html document. I used Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Flash to complete the lab. First, I film the video by using my cellphone. Then I place the video and import it to the Flash document for this lab. After importing the video, I added background and exported the swf file in order to put it into the html document for this lab. By completing this lab, I learned that video will not work, if it is not in the same folder with the html document and Flash document. I can use the techniques I obtained in this lab in the future when I need to place a video by using Adobe Flash and Adobe Dreamweaver.

Reflection Journal: Project 6

Project 6 was about creating a Flash video game with the skills and techniques that I had obtained from Lab 24 and Lab 25. I used Adobe Photoshop to make some objects and Adobe Flash for the codes for the game. First, I used Photoshop to decorate the scanned images of treasure chest. Then, I imported them to the library in the Flash document for this project. Before I started coding, I created some movie clip and button symbols. The symbols are the character of the game, the treasure chest, the background, bouncing balls and a gray rectangle. The character is controlled by the keyboard arrows and the bouncing balls and a gray rectangle are the obstacles in the game. In my game, the character must go to the room with treasures. If he hits the obstacle, the user has to start all over. After creating all the symbols, I used action script to make the character and obstacles move. After I finished coding, I played my game to make sure all the things in the game work properly.

Compared to the previous project (the Interactive Story), this project was a lot harder because it took two weeks for me to complete this project. However, I learned that there are various kinds of action script are needed to make one video game. I also learned the importance of action script in a Flash game because without action script, the game will not function the way I wanted it to. In the future, I can use the skills that have obtained from this project when I need to create a video game in Adobe Flash by using action script.

Reflection Journal: Lab 25

Lab 25 was about converting the previous lab (Lab 24) into a simple game. In addition to what I did in the previous lab, I put obstacles. By adding obstacles, the user must avoid those obstacles in order to win the game. I then inserted action script so that the users can move the square and eventually win or lose the game. In this step, I had to get the exact value of "x" and "y" for obstacles. After doing all these procedures, I tested the lab and put it into the html document.

I learned that a simple game is not made easily since I had spent almost a week to finish this lab. I also learned the significance of action script in this lab because if the exact value of the position of the obstacles are not given, the game will not function properly. In the future, I can apply the skills from this lab to create a simple Flash game with obstacles.

 

Reflection Journal: Lab 24

Lab 24 was about making buttons that work together with the movie clip. I used Adobe Flash to complete this lab. First I drew a square and triangle using the shape tools. Then I used two different types of action scripts, "click to position" and "move with keyboard arrows". With these action scripts, the users can move the square by clicking the buttons or pressing the keyboard arrows. Finally, I exported the SWF file of this lab and put it into the html document for this lab.

I learned how action script works and how to use it. I also understand how to make a movie clip move with the use of keyboard arrows. I can use the techniques that I had obtained from this lab in the future when I need to create a work in Flash in which an object that moves by clicking buttons or pressing keyboard arrows.

Reflection Journal: Project 5

Project 5 was about creating an interactive story using action scripts. I used Adobe Flash to complete this project. First, I imported all the objects from lab 16 to the stage. Next, I made few more symbols and gave an instance name for each. Then, I inserted the objects such as the bear, rabbit, snowman, sky, moon, tree, grass and flowers. I also added texts so that the viewers can understand what is happening in the story. After inserting the objects, I used keyframes and action scripts to make the story interactive. I mostly used the action script, "click to go to frame and stop", because I needed something clickable to move to different scenes in my story. This project was little bit harder than the previous projects because action script was complicated to use.

I learned how to use action script to make my work in Flash interactive by completing this project.
Although this project was difficult, I understood different kinds of actions scripts. In the future, the skills I had obtained this project can be used when I need to make an interactive and enjoyable animation,