Scientific Visualization

1. Scientific Visualization January 18, 2006 3 open positions Internship with Physical Plant Energy data analysis Web page work InterAct Public Safety Systems Database and Visual Programming EA

2. Agenda • MMAS Accounts • Server name: mmas.unca.edu • File transfer protocol: sftp • Login: yourBulldogLogin • Matching Quiz - online at pipeline • Review Homework files • ActionScript 2.0 • Escaping Flatland

3. Agenda (continued) • Groups of 3 • Project demo and storyboard • Classwork & Homework Assignments

4. ActionScript 2.0 • Why the name ActionScript? • Macromedia calls statements actions. • i = 5; // is an example of an action • File formats • Movie Clips Hierarchy • Performance Issues • Programmer tools: debugger, code hints, help • Online lab covering file formats, movie clip hierarchy and addressing • Programming style

5. Flash File Formats • .fla file • File used to develop flash application • Projector files - platform specific • .exe for windows os’s • .hqx if windows creates mac projector (not a good idea since it still needs to be converted using binhex or other converter before executing on a mac) • The projector created on a mac for a mac will not have an extension by default.

6. Flash File Formats (cont) • .swf -- an open standard -- file • In an Internet browser such as Firefox, Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer that has the current Flash Player • In Director with the Flash Xtra • In Microsoft Office and other ActiveX applications with the Flash ActiveX control • As part of a QuickTime video • As a stand-alone video called a projector

7. Where is Your Code? • Actions can be attached to button instances, frames and movie clip instances. • Code should be in frames. • Code should always be separate from imagery in its own layer, located as the first layer (at the top of the layer list). • While code on buttons and movie clips is supported, the unfortunate result is that those scripts are difficult to find.

8. Movie Clip Hierarchy • Timelines • Main timeline • Movie clip timeline(s) • Scripts associated with an instance act as though they are executing within the button or movie script timeline. (ex advance playhead) • Addressing • this (current timeline) • _parent (up a level) • _parent._parent (up two levels) • _root (main timeline)

9. Performance Issues in FlashMX 2004 From the Flash Help documentation. • Avoid using gradients • Keep the amount of alpha or transparency you use in a SWF file to a minimum. • Animating transparent graphics over bitmaps is a particularly processor-intensive kind of animation, and must be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. • The best bitmap format to import into Flash is PNG, which is the native file format of Macromedia Fireworks.

10. Performance Issues in FlashMX 2004 (cont) • Optimize bitmaps as much as possible without overcompressing them. • A 72-dpi resolution is optimal for the web (Ask Jim kiosk resolution). • Compressing a bitmap image reduces file size, but compressing it too much compromises the quality of the graphic. • If outputting to JPG files, check that the settings for JPEG quality in the Publish Settings dialog box do not over-compress the image. • If your image can be represented as a vector graphic, this is preferable in most cases. • Limit the number of colors in your image as much as possible while still retaining quality. • Note: Avoid scaling bitmaps larger than their original dimensions, because it reduces the quality of your image and is processor-intensive.

11. Performance Issues in FlashMX 2004 (cont) • Set the _visible property to false instead of changing the _alpha level to 0 or 1 in a SWF file. • Instead of unloading and possibly reloading assets, set the _visible property to false, which is much less processor-intensive. • Try to reduce the number of lines and points you use in a SWF file. • Modify > Shape > Optimize • Select the Use Multiple Passes option for more optimization.

12. Performance Issues in FlashMX 2004 (cont) • Animation that uses ActionScript can produce better performance and smaller file size than animation that uses tweens at times, but sometimes not. • To get the best results, try different ways of producing an effect, and test each of the options. • A higher frame rate produces smooth animation in a SWF file • Test your animations at different frame rates to find the lowest frame rate possible.

13. Programmer Tools • Debugger • Code hints pop up with syntax as you type in your script. • Help contains a dictionary of all actionScript commands and gives examples

14. Lab • Online lab covering file formats and layers.

15. Programming Style • Why comment code? • The real reason. • The incentive: comments will be considered in grading. • Naming conventions • camelCaseVariables • CONSTANTS - no user defined constants in ActionScript • Iterators • For better performance, use small BUT MEANINGFUL names for functions and variables • Indentation • Be consistent

16. Escaping Flatland • Designer as a director • We need to direct the viewers attention. • Gestalt theory.

17. Groups of 3 • Introductions : rank skills from 0-10 with respect to: • Design • Programming • Flash • Soft skills (project management, interpersonal skills, organization)

18. Project Demo and Storyboard Jim Fox

19. Classwork & Homework • Assignment of modules to groups • Schedule field trip to Colburn Museum • Which Tuesday 12:15-1:15? • Homework • Read next chapter in Tufte • Brainstorm ideas for group project. Every person in the class should bring a storyboard (digital or paper - template) to next week’s class 1/25/06 for their groups’ 3 modules. In other words, 3 storyboards per student.

20. Agenda (continued) • Groups of 3 • Project demo and storyboard • Assignment of modules to groups • Schedule field trip to Colburn Museum - Tuesday 12:15-1:15 • Homework • Read next chapter in Tufte • Brainstorm ideas for group project. Every person in the class should bring a storyboard (digital or paper - template) to next week’s class 1/25/06 for their groups’ 3 modules. In other words, 3 storyboards per student.