Timetable

This is a tentative timetable. It will be updated frequently. Check often!
Last updated: April 29, 2009

  Date Topics Class Materials Reminders
Week 1
W 01-14 overview ppt PPT fill out pandemic plan contact info form
  Lab 01 install Flash CS3 (Flash 9), Flash workspace, drawing tools ppt PPT

Reading: Digital Media Primer, Section 8.5

fla sample completed files for Lab 1: x-ray, hairstyle

 
F 01-16 vector graphics vs. bitmap images

symbol in Flash, master copy vs. instance, naming movieclip instances

ppt PPTs:
1. vector graphics vs. bitmap images
2. symbols in Flash

Reading Assignments:
Digital Media Primer:
- vector graphics vs. bitmapped images: Sections 2.3 and 2.4
- symbols: Sections 8.5 and 8.6.2

 
Week 2
M 01-19

MLK, Jr. Day (No class)

   
W 01-21 symbol in Flash, master copy vs. instance, naming movieclip instances (cont'd)

animation: keyframes, frame-by-frame, tweening

ppt PPT: animation basics

Reading Assignments:
Digital Media Primer:
- animation basics: Sections 8.3 -8.4

 

10-min quiz #1 on materials covered in lecture on Jan. 16 (vector graphics vs. bitmapped images, and Flash symbols) No quiz this week
  Lab 02a Animation Basics: onion skin, insert/remove frames/keyframes, frame-by-frame animation, shape tween, motion tween Lab02a instructions and example completed animation

fla example completed files for Lab 2a:
1. spinning coin
2. flying bird (part 1)

 
F 01-23 overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 1) ppt PPT: programming fundamentals (part 1)

Reading: Digital Media Primer Chapter 9

 

Homework #1: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises
-------------
- handout (you got this in class):
variables, assignment statements, operators, expressions, functions (due next class)

Homework #2:
identify programming constructs
-------------
- handout (you got this in class)
- fla Flash file of the game corresponding to the code in the homework

 
Week 3
M 01-26 overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 1) (cont'd)

overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 2)

ppt PPTs:
1. export your flash movie
2. programming fundamentals (part 2)
Homeworks #1 and #2 due in class (but turn in on Wed)
  Lab 02b mask Lab02b instructions and example completed animation

ppt PPT: Mask

fla example completed files for Lab 2b:
1. flying bird (part 2)
2. animated x-ray mask

 
W 01-28 overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 2) (cont'd)

variables vs. string literals

ppt PPT: variables vs. string literals
15-min quiz #1 on materials covered in lectures: Jan. 23-26, similiar to HW#2

turn in Homeworks #1 and #2 in class

  Lab 03b use of trace( ), learn to read syntax error report, locate and fix syntax errors, identify pairing curly braces and parentheses, variables vs. string literals, writing function definitions and function calls ppt Lab manual (handout given in class)

fla Flash file example used in the lab

ppt PPT

 
F 01-30 event handlers (part 1: mouse event and keyboard event) ppt PPT: events and event handlers (part 1)

Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 (Sections 11.1 to 11.6)

Homework #3: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises
-------------
- handout (you got this in class):
parameters, returning a value, if-statements, mouse event handler, keyboard event handler (due next class)

 
Week 4
M 02-02 event handlers (part 2: frame event)

controlling movieclip instances' properties

collision detection (built-in hitTestObject( ) and hitTestPoint( ) methods)

ppt PPTs:
1. event handling (part 2)
2. controlling movieclip instances
3. hitTestObject( )

Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 11 (Sections 11.7 and 11.9)

turn in HW #3 in class
  Lab 04a Program a Pong game: custom-define function, calling a function, mouse event handler method, frame event handler method, if/else, logical operator, hitTestObject( ), dynamic text Pong game:
- how the completed and in-progress files work
- extra credits
 
W 02-04 generate random numbers

work with text in Flash

ppt PPT: Math.random( )

Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 11 (Sections 11.10.1)

 
  Lab 04a   Finishing up the Pong game (see links on Feb. 02)  
F 02-06 controlling the playhead using gotoAndStop( ) and stop( )

arrays

ppt PPTs:
1. controlling playhead
2. arrays

Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 11 (Sections 11.7.3)

 
Week 5
M 02-09 loops (part 1): while-loop and for-loop ppt PPT: loops (part 1)

Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 11 (Sections 11.9)

 
  Lab 04b Interactive hairstyle customization: controlling the playhead using gotoAndStop( ) and stop( ) File #2: hairstyle customization:
- instructions & see how the completed file works
- fla Flash file: see how the movieclips are set up
 
W 02-11

 

   
  Lab 04b   Pre-lab 5: start a side-scrolling platform game:
- just the movieclips and set them up on stage (no coding)
- instructions
- see how the "?" box and stage are set up (Flash file)
 
F 02-13 hitTestPoint( )

modeling gravity

PPTs:
1. collision detection
2. modeling gravity

Homework #4: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises
-------------
- handout (you got this in class):
frame event listener code, controlling playhead, loops, arrays, collision detection, modeling gravity (due next Monday)

 
Week 6
M 02-16     turn in HW #4 in class
  Lab 05a Part 1. Program a continuous scrolling platform game: keyboard event handling, mouse event handling, if/else, modeling gravity, collision detection    
W 02-18      
  Lab 05b Part 2. Prevent the hero from jumping up at mid-air, make the coin and box reappear, make continuous scrolling instructions (handout given in class)

see how the completed file works

explanation of the code for recycling the coin

explanation of the code for continuous scrolling

 
F 02-20 loops (part 2): nested loops

more on programming concepts and constructs: scope of variables (global, local, and timeline)

PPT  
Week 7
M 02-23      
  Lab 06a Tic-Tac-Toe (Part a) PPT

Flash file to show the stage and symbol setup

see how the completed Part a works

 
W 02-25      
  Lab 06b Tic-Tac-Toe (Part 1 of Part b) PPT

see how the completed Part b works

 
F 02-27 TEST #1 (Expectations and Practice Questions)
Week 8
M 03-02 SNOW DAY! (Campus was closed)
  Lab 06b
W 03-04 intro to OOP supplementary reading on OOP concepts

PPT

 
  Lab 06b Tic-Tac-Toe (Part 2 of Part b): finishing up the tic-tac-toe game lab PPT

see how the completed Part b works

 
F 03-06      
Spring break week
M 03-09 Spring break (No class)
W 03-11
F 03-13
Week 9
M 03-16

OOP review

Assigning a visual representation to objects

PPT: assigning a visual representation 20-min quiz #2 on materials covered in lectures: March 04 and March 16, similiar to today's in-class practice
         
W 03-18 static PPT: static  
  Lab 07 OOP Pong (Part 1) PPT: lab07 Part 1  
F 03-20 inheritance PPT: inheritance

HW05 (Due: 2:00pm Monday): Lab07 (Part 2)--Rewrite Lab07 (Part 1) to use static and keep score

 
Week 10
M 03-23 inheritance (continue)

create multiple instantiated objects with a visual representation using array and for-loop

linear perspective

PPTs:
- multiple objects using array and for-loop
- linear perspective
upload HW #5 before class
  Lab 08a 3d fly-through    
W 03-25 linear perspective (cont'd)

simultaneous key presses

PPT: simultaneous key presses 15-min Quiz #3 on inheritance and visual rep. of multiple objects (lectures of March 20 and 23)
  Lab 08b 3d-fly-through See how the completed file and extra credits work  
F 03-27 encapsulation

access specifiers: public, private, protected, internal

follow-up of Lab08

PPTs:
- access specifiers
- lab08 followup: focal length
- lab08 followup: wrapping
- lab08 followup: tree behind viewer

HW06 (Due: 2:00pm Monday): follow-up lab questions for Lab08

Sign up a project meeting time to discuss your project idea
Week 11
M 03-30 more on programming concepts and constructs: switch statement

more on programming concepts and constructs: scope of variables (global, local, and timeline)

Toggle

Shuffle

PPTs:
- switch statement
- scope of variables
- toggle
- shuffle

Practice Exercise for scope of variables

 
  Lab 09a Program #1: toggle

Program #2: shuffle a list of items, such as a deck of cards

See how the completed files work  
W 04-01 Tiling

Timer

PPTs:
- tiling
- timer
There are individual meetings to discuss your project ideas. Check your signup time; don't miss the meeting or points will be deducted from your project grade.
  Lab 09b Program #3: tiling objects on a grid

Program #4: randomize timing using Timer object to program a tortoise and hare race

See how the completed files work  
F 04-03 polymorphism PPT: polymorphism

See how the racer example works

There are individual meetings to discuss your project ideas. Check your signup time; don't miss the meeting or points will be deducted from your project grade.
Week 12
M 04-06 encapsulation (cont'd from March 27)    
  Lab 10a Start working on your project, based on what we have discussed in the individual meeting. Everyone must create at least one class (must be related to your project), instantiate one or more objects from the class, give the instantiated object a visual representation, write class method(s) and invoke the method(s) to make the object move or change on stage. PPT: About project

Project grading criteria (given out in class; if you lose your copy, you are responsible to get a copy from other classmates.)

 
W 04-08 sorting algorithms: selection sort, bubble sort, insertion sort PPTs:
- swap two variables
- selection sort
- bubble sort
- insertion sort
- adding mouse event listener code in .as files
 
  Lab 10b Continue working on your project    
F 04-10 Good Friday (No class)
Week 13
M 04-13 controlling sound playback using Actionscript

startDrag( ) and stopDrag( )

controlling masks using Actionscript

snapping to a grid

PPTs:
- coding practices
- sound
- dragging
- mask
- snapping
 
  Lab 11a Program #1: sound
Program #2: draggable mask
Program #3: snapping to a grid
See how the completed files work  
W 04-15      
  Lab 11b finish up the three programs if you have not done so    
F 04-17 TEST #2 (Expectations and Practice Questions)
Week 14
M 04-20 binary notation, binary-decimal conversion, hexadecimal-decimal conversion, representation of information on computers

setting color using ActionScript

PPTs:
- binary notation
- hexadecimal notation
- color representation on computer
- color using Actionscript (with lab instructions)
 
  Lab 12a Program #1: Adjust color using ActionScript: hairstyle again, but dye the hair this time! See how the completed files work  
W 04-22 filters PPT: filters Due at 11:00pm: project version 1 and write-up (what remaining to do)
  Lab 12b Program #2: Glow filter

Program #3: Blur filter

   
F 04-24 searching: linear and binary

debugger

PPTs:
- linear and binary search
- debugger

Flash files for practice predicting the search process:
- linear search
- binary search

 
Week 15
M 04-27 Debugger (cont'd)

Identify programming constructs in other programming languages

Java Example: Pong

C++ Example: Battleship

 
  Lab 13a      
W 04-29 Review

Wrap-up, teaching eval.

PPT: review Due at 11:00pm: project and project write-up
  Lab 13b      
S 05-02 Final Exam (9:00am, Manchester 241) About final exam