Lab 1: Flash Basics Hints

To color several states at once, you'll need to ungroup the states first. For this USA-cs3.fla file, all the states open in a grouped status (except for Hawaii). To ungroup: select all the states on the map, then hold shift down, and click on Hawaii to deselect it. Then go to the top menu bar Modify --> Ungroup. Now you will be able to select and color multiple states by clicking with the shift key down.

Wondering if a state is grouped or ungrouped? Flash displays them with different colored bounding boxes. Group states appear with a thin teal bounding box and ungrouped objects are a thin black bounding box.

I really want to use this blog as a source of Flash hint and tricks for our labs. Please post any questions, comments, solutions you find. Thanks!

Topic review topics (I think I need a new name for these)..

Timelines
Interactive Interfaces
Objects that move...
Objects that morph...
Professional effects
Shaded relief and draping
3D maps and modeling
Cartograms and multivariate maps

Topic Reviews

Today we will discuss the Topic reviews and have sign ups. First, here is some info about what I'm expecting:

The aim of the review is to delve a little deeper into a concept we're talking about in class and gearing up to use in a lab assignment. I want you do some research, write up a short summary of the concept (what it is, how it applies to our class, tips you've learned to apply and/or avoid, etc.) and find sample animations and visualizations that demonstrate the concept. We want to learn more plus get creative ideas.

The written part does not have to be long -- 3 or so summary paragraphs plus a paragraph discussing each example. Post your comments and example maps on your blog. How many examples? 4-5 would be good (any theme is fine -- variety is good!). If you find numerous quality sites, pick the best and list the rest on the blog.

For the in-class part, you will give a brief introduction of the topic, followed by a "tour" of the examples you found. You'll use the blog as the presentation medium up at the lecturn. The whole presentation should last 10-15 minutes (2-3 minute intro, 2 minutes per site, any questions at the end).

My hope is that these briefings can help fuel our imaginations -- give us new ideas for presenting data and spatial info. And get us thinking more about some of the components that go into making maps that move and animate and interact.

If you have questions *please* ask! I want everyone to feel comfortable with the work you're doing.

Week 2 -- stomping through the ice

We will be meeting in IN320 this morning. This is our typical lab day...but I need to give you an intro to Flash before we dive into the map making.

Remember to send me your blog web address for this semester so I can get them linked to the class site. Thanks!

Welcome Back!

It may be the start of the "Spring" semester, but man is it cooold outside. Perfect mapping weather (especially in the well-heated RA113 lab).

I'm quite excited about this class this semester -- we'll be learning a bunch of new skills that will enable us to produce some exciting interactive and online maps -- finally making maps move through time and allow user interaction. We'll also be working more on design -- to bring the graphics even closer to professional quality work.

You've all been through 310 so you know the typical schedule (Tuesdays: talk, Thursdays: lab). We'll be working with a new suite of programs: Photoshop Elements (for a taste of raster), Google SketchUp (for some fun 3D), and Flash (as our main player).

Should be fun! Glad to have you on board.....