Changing Shape
Three modes of the arrow are first investigated in order to modify the circular shape of the symbol "your circles"(which is accessed through the red and green icon at the top right):-
Starting Flash with young students
Philosophy
We at Newbury Park Primary School have been very successful in teaching Flash to all the students in year 3 to 6 inclusive (ages 7 to 10). Each year students do a project in Flash lasting from 4 hours (in year 3) to 20 hours (in year 6).
We introduce students to the considerable facilities of Flash by stages through the use of templates. These are pre-designed files where a fair bit of programming has already been done, and where students take over an increasing amount of the programming in Flash. The facilities of Flash are introduced a little at a time.
The use of templates in the classroom ensures that every student succeeds. It also enables the capable student to take something that works and modify it to the extent of their ability providing an opportunity for each student to explore their creativity to their limit.
The first experience of Flash uses a file (square_circle) where no tweening or alteration of the time line by the student is called for. In fact the students are asked to only use three tools on the tool bar and nothing else. So that you can try this template out, you can download this file here (use "download to disc") and try it out using the lesson notes below (open it from within the version of Flash that you are using). This file is amongst a group of copyright templates which can be used in the classroom on payment of a small fee. Contact Geoff Dellow at geoff@tygh.co.uk
The three tools are the arrow, the paint bucket and the text tool, which are used to modify three symbols in the square_circle file. These are introduced one at a time. There is plenty to challenge the most capable student in these alone.
The results of a class of 30 Year 3 students (age 7) using this file can be seen here!
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Changing Shape Three modes of the arrow are first investigated in order to modify the circular shape of the symbol "your circles"(which is accessed through the red and green icon at the top right):- |
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First the arrow with the rectangle suffix which enables highlighting and removal of rectangular areas using the delete or backspace key. Next the arrow with the arc suffix which shows when the arrow is moved close to the perimeter of a shape and allows the student to drag this perimeter to form a new shape. This can be used repeatedly to very create attractive smooth shapes. It is worth mentioning that these shapes are created by Flash using vector graphics to produce a mathematical expression to represent the outline. This contrasts with Paint programs which use bitmaps where the colour of every individual pixel is specified. Lastly the shape can be moved by dragging with the arrow in the mode obtained by placing it over the interior of a shape (the suffix resembles a pus sign with little arrows at the end). Once the first shape at the first keyframe has been modified the next circle at frame 10 is changed, noting that the red indicator is dragged over the frame number 10 immediately above the next keyframe indicated on the timeline by the black dot. The next three shapes at keyframes 20, 30, 40 and 50 are then changed noting that unless the red indicator is immediately above the black dot of a keyframe, no changes can be made to the shape. Changing Colour Work now begins with the paint bucket tool. Pressing on the red square reveals a wide range of plain colours which can be selected and used to change the colours of the shapes at the keyframes, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. Once students are familiar with these fill colours they are shown the wide variety of gradient fills that can be achieved via the mini palette revealed at the top of the previous colour panel. The method of selecting colours for a gradient fill, the addition of a third and fourth colour to the gradient, the choice of radial and linear fills and finally the choice of transparent colours and their importance to the patterns achieved in the scene "dancers" of the main movie accessed via the clapper board icon, are all demonstrated. Work with the "your squares" symbol Repeating
the above procedures Students are encouraged to review their work by returning to the two scenes, "fireworks" and "dancers" to check the effect of their changes on the resulting movie by pressing return. Adjustments to the transparency of the colours can have a dramatic effect on the paterns achieved because of the effect of overlaping shapes. Adding their names Finally students go to the symbol "your names" and substitute their names for the existing text using the text tool by highlighting and changing the text. They are encouraged to make full use of the cours and fonts available with this tool. They are encouraged to stay within the rectangular guide if at all possible. Final Edit They can now access their final movie by Ctrl Return and make adjustments accordingly by closing the player file and altering the file they have been working on. |
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