CompSci 4Introduction to ProgrammingAnimation and Virtual WorldsAug. 29, 2006Prof. Susan RodgerWhat Will We Do in CompSci 4?• Web pages/html (one week)• Learn to program with Alice (mostly)• Research study• Java (2-3 weeks at the end)How This Class Will Work• In Class– Lecture/demos–Tutorials– Classwork (in pairs)• Outside of class– Complete work not finished in class– Reading– AssignmentsWhat Is Alice?• A modern programming tool– 3-D graphics– 3-D models of objects• Animation– Objects can be made to move around virtual world (a simulation or video game)What does Alice run on?• Alice is written in Java – should run on many systems– supports Mac and PCFast Start Up• Can quickly learn to create– A simple animation in a few minutes– A non-trivial animation in a few class periods• Can learn to use the Alice interface after a few more class periodsThe Power of Alice• Automatically keeps track of 3-D objects– What objects are in the virtual world– Types of objects– Positions of objects in the worldObjects in Alice• Objects already exist• Objects have partsProgram an ObjectClass Today• Demo of Alice– Skater, hair, chicken– Projects from last semester• Go over syllabus, web page• A simple web page•
View Full Document