PR7

For project 7 we had to create a flash portfolio of our very own. This project was the easiest we've had since the spring semester started because all it had to include was basically an index of all the flash labs we had completed. The only challenging part was the making of the video for me that I am camera shy and had to go over many attempts to finally come up with the one I was most comfortable with. To know how I uploaded the video into flash you can go view my lab 30 reflection where I also give you a couple things you should do previous to the making. I also explain how to do the cue points to make the popouts and the popins show up. The project had to be a list of the labs we had done. The aim was to link the url to each one of the buttons so it will directly go to the original website. The code to do so is provided to you by code snippets right under the actions panel. All you have to change is the instance name and plug in the url.  This project will be useful for the future in that now i know how to make an index portfolio not only using dreamweaver but using adobe flash cs6 as well to have better sources of navigation.

PR 6

For Project 6 we had to create a video game of our own. My video game is pretty simple due to the fact that you have to do nothing but avoid the obstacles in order to win. The audience my game is directed to is probably children only. My game takes concentration because you need to make sure you don't entirely touch the trees or else you lose meaning your boss will fire you for being late. I would suggest you use the arrows given as well as your keyboard arrows to get it to the right spot. I used several codes to make sure the object moved with the keyboard arrows and with the arrows provided. I believe the graphics were the hardest part of the project because it took me the longest and overall I wanted them to be attractive and call the audience's attention. There wasn't really an easy part because it was hard to make sure the coding was good and corrected with no errors at all. http://techteach.us/DD2015/SAshley/Projects/PR6/PR6_AshleyS_DD.html

LAB 30

For lab 30 we had to create popouts and popins to our flash portfolio video. The hardest part of this lab was to actually import the video because the original was saved as either a MP4 file or MOV which is not supported by adobe flash cs6. Personally I used Adobe encoder to convert the file to an flv. Afterwards I simply added the exact time of the points and linked the symbols with the proper instance name making sure they were movie clips or else there is no way they could be found.  I would suggest you write down the exact second you want the popout to show and the instance name simply to make the process easier and faster. The easiest part of this lab was to do the layout and symbols. I believe this lab will help me complete future programs with the knowledge of now knowing how to add something that will call the readers attention to a video.

LAB 29

Lab 29 was a self introduction to what would be out flash portfolio. The video had to be about our experience during these two years at the visual and digital design academy. I was told to talk about the programs I used and what I used them for. In my video I included programs like dreamweaver which was the main, also flash, photoshop, filezilla, and text edit. To upload this video I simply changed the extension from MOV to FLV using adobe encoder and then simply inserting it.

LAB 28

Lab 28 was basically just so we would learn the uses of the bone tool with flash. To do this lab all you need  is to have an image you want to animate. Once you have it you make sure you convert it into a symbol and select the movie clip option. The image has to have duplicated images after each other. Select the bone tool and click over each one of the objects. Then you simply let go of it and using the selection tool you are allowed to move it around with an almost skeletal shape. To animate it you just add a keyframe to the timelime and move it as you go. This lab will help me make an image or perhaps another interactive story look better. Now I prefer animating using the bone tool because you have free control of the image which can look like it is duplicating itself as it goes when in reality it is just a bunch of images together.

Self Evaluation

My grade for this marking period was not what I expected it to be. I believe I could have done better than my final grade which at this point is in the mid seventies. I could have finished the project we had and submit it but what stopped me was the fact that I needed help and I recognize my mistake I should have asked for it. In the good side it was a lesson I learnt. In another good side Mrs. Ramirez gave us many opportunities to improve our grades like the soft skills short assignments that little by little brought up my grade. I did a good job doing the reflection journals right after I had finished the labs. Also trying to improve to each one of the labs as I did them small details like making sure the colors went good along each other and that my reflection had no grammar mistakes which has helped a lot. To improve my grade I plan to actually put in a lot of effort to each one of my labs and this time actually asking for help if I get stuck on something that was not so clear to me. My goal is to back to at least the first 15 within the rankings. Another thing I can do is taking the after school opportunities offered to me.

Soft Skills- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

This skill could help when going through tough situations but not being able to find the right way to solve them with an adequate attitude. Well this topic could have something to do with mood swings or learning how to be patient and taking things easy. Thinking about it before doing it because one mistake can ruin your professional career. It will also help you in your job, your manager will be  proud of you if you show him/her that you are able to take initiative at all times and can be independent. Some things an employee should show is that he/she is able to think on their feet, control problems and find solutions correctly. To think creatively and with creativity. That the employee is able to share ideas, opinions and thoughts without overreacting if others don't agree. Most importantly that they can use good judgement with no other offense needed. Employers are looking for the ability of you knowing how to find answers when the situations gets critical, they want to see whether you can take lead and actually initiate the process to solve any kind of problem or contribute if it becomes worse.