Hello! I’m Maria, a student at the University of Washington and an Amazon Future Engineer. I’m passionate about computer science because it combines problem-solving with critical thinking. After dedicating time and effort, you can create something truly amazing and fulfilling.
You’ve already experimented with different dancers and programmed them to perform various dance moves. But have you ever wondered how these moves actually work? Every dance move is composed of a sequence of images known as frames. Each frame is slightly different from the previous one. When your program runs, your computer displays these frames in rapid succession, creating the illusion of movement. This is the fundamental principle behind all animations.
In addition to changing a dancer’s moves, you can also alter their properties. Properties define characteristics such as the dancer’s position on the screen, size, and color. To modify a dancer’s properties, you’ll use a tool called a Set block.
Let’s use a Set block to adjust the size of our dancers. Start by dragging the Set block into your program. Next, select the dancer you want to modify and specify the size you want them to appear on-screen. A full size is represented by 100. Choosing a smaller number will make the dancers appear smaller, giving the impression that they are further away.
With the Set block, you can also change a dancer’s dimensions, rotation, position, and color. By experimenting with these properties, you can create a variety of effects and synchronize them with different parts of the song. It’s important to note that you can only set the properties of a dancer that has already been created. Therefore, ensure that your Set block follows the Make A New Dancer block in your program. Don’t hesitate to experiment, unleash your creativity, and most importantly, have fun!
Understanding how animation works and how to manipulate properties can greatly enhance your programming skills. Animation is not just about making things move; it’s about bringing ideas to life. By mastering these concepts, you can apply them to various fields such as game development, user interface design, and even virtual reality. Keep exploring and pushing the boundaries of what you can create!
Join a hands-on workshop where you’ll create a simple animation using frame-by-frame techniques. You’ll learn how to design each frame and understand the timing required to create smooth motion. This activity will deepen your understanding of how animations are constructed and give you practical experience in creating them.
Participate in a challenge where you’ll modify the properties of a virtual dancer. Experiment with size, position, and color to create a unique dance routine. This activity will help you understand how changing properties affects the overall animation and visual appeal.
Attend a seminar that explores the application of animation principles in game development. Learn from industry experts about how animations are used to enhance gameplay and user experience. This seminar will provide insights into the broader applications of animation skills.
Work on a creative project where you design an animated sequence that tells a story or conveys a message. Use your knowledge of frames and properties to bring your ideas to life. This project will allow you to apply what you’ve learned in a creative and meaningful way.
Explore the world of virtual reality and how animation plays a crucial role in creating immersive experiences. Participate in a session where you can experiment with VR tools and understand the unique challenges and opportunities in VR animation.
My name is Maria, I’m a junior at the University of Washington, and I’m an Amazon Future Engineer. I love computer science because it incorporates problem-solving and critical thinking. After putting hours of work into something, you can create something really cool and rewarding.
So far, you’ve had a chance to play with different types of dancers and program them to perform various dance moves. But how do these moves really work? Every dance move is made up of a series of images called frames. Each frame is slightly different from the one before it. When your program runs, your computer displays one frame after another. They’re shown so quickly that it looks like the dancer is moving. This is the secret behind all animation.
Not only can you change a dancer’s moves, but you can also modify a dancer’s properties. Properties describe aspects like the dancer’s position on the screen, size, and color. To change the properties of a dancer, you’ll use a Set block.
Let’s use a Set block to make our dancers appear smaller. First, drag the Set block into your program. Then select a dancer you’d like to change and type in the size they will appear on-screen. Full size is 100. If you choose a lower number, that will make the dancers smaller. The smaller the dancer is, the further away it looks.
Using the Set block, you can also change a dancer’s dimensions, rotation, position, and color. By experimenting with these properties, you can make all kinds of changes and link them to different parts of the song. Remember, you can only set the properties of a dancer that already exists. Make sure that your Set block comes after the Make A New Dancer block. Feel free to experiment, be creative, and have fun!
Animation – The process of creating motion and shape change illusions by displaying a sequence of static images that minimally differ from each other. – In computer graphics, animation is used to simulate movement by rapidly displaying a sequence of images or frames.
Properties – Attributes or characteristics of an object in programming that define its state or behavior. – In object-oriented programming, each object has properties that determine its appearance and behavior.
Programming – The process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific computing task. – Programming requires logical thinking and problem-solving skills to write efficient code.
Dancer – A metaphorical term used in coding to describe an object or entity that performs actions or movements, often used in animations or simulations. – In the simulation, each dancer object follows a set of predefined movements to create a coordinated dance routine.
Frames – Individual images in a sequence of images that create the illusion of motion when displayed in rapid succession. – The animation was smooth because it was rendered at 60 frames per second.
Modify – To change or alter code or data to achieve a desired outcome or improve functionality. – The developer had to modify the algorithm to improve the application’s performance.
Size – The dimensions or magnitude of an object or data structure in programming, often affecting performance and storage. – Adjusting the size of the data structure can optimize memory usage in the program.
Color – An attribute in computer graphics that defines the hue, saturation, and brightness of an object or pixel. – The web designer used CSS to change the color of the text to improve readability.
Tools – Software applications or utilities that assist developers in writing, testing, and debugging code. – Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) are essential tools for programmers to streamline the coding process.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to solve problems or create innovative software solutions. – Creativity in programming can lead to the development of unique and user-friendly applications.
