Project One: Using Digital Paint Tools in WildScaper

Project One Overview - Arts and Technology
WildScaper contains a range of standard digital paint tools to render scenes and images with relative ease. To work through this project open a new WildScaper file and save as level1.wid.

Purpose: This assignment is designed to introduce users to the using tools and the libraty panel in WildScaper.

Key ideas: Explore the library content and the use of colour; reveal the potential of artwork to tell a story; create artworks in response to social and ecological issues in a computer generated environment; take on roles such as multimedia designer and artist.

Outcomes: Students experiment with the application of colour; create scenes and artwork for particular audiences; constructs an Australian character bird; tell a story through art; create visual effects and portray meaning in artwork; understand WildScapers librarties and visual art tools.

Assignment 1.1: WildScaper Selecting and Editing Symbols

Purpose: Introduce users to WildScaper symbols, select tool, zoom tool, fill tool, line tool, fill and line colours.

Outcome: Become proficient at painting and swapping symbols, manipulating colours using linear, radial, angle and ratio tool options with the fill tool. Understand how to use the Zoom Edit tool and return to the stage.

Download: Assignment 1.1 WildScaper .wld

• Create a new work folder on the desktop and title it using your name.
• Save all your working files to this folder and make sure you back up a copy to USB or CD at the end of the class. Trash your work folder from the desktop at the end of each class.
• Open a new file in WildScaper and save it to your work folder as level1.wld
• Using the Select Tool select symbols on the stage.
• Explore the photographic slide shows and text information in the Library panel.
• Double click symbols to zoom in and edit or select the Zoom Tool and click on a symbol.
• Double click the central bird symbol to edit each component of the symbol using an exploded view.
• Double click background symbols, ground and sky, to edit in isolation from the rest of the scene content.
• Click on the highlighted Zoom Tool to return to the scene.
• Select the Fill Swatch to select colours and choose from Solid, Linear or Radial fills.
• Select Linear or Radial fill and then select the first and second colours to create a colour blend.
• Change the Angle and Ratio of linear or radial fills and click the Colour Swatch to select the fill type.
• Click on any symbols to apply the new fill colour or blend and paint an entire scene.
• Use the Edit / Undo to undo lines and fills only.
• Clear symbol artwork by checking the Clear Symbol button in the Library Panel and click Swap Symbol.
• To clear the stage of artwork use File / New.
• Use the File / Save to save the file and SaveAs to save a backup file.
• From the Control Panel select Play to preview the game scene.

Practice zoom editing the main character bird, vegetation and landscape symbols. Recomend that the work is saved regularly while painting.

Assignment 1.2: Drawing And Applying Digital Effects

Purpose: Introduce students to learning WildScaper's line tool. Learn to apply digital effects and scores to symbols and test the results.

Outcome: Become proficient at opening and saving a WildScaper level.wld file, painting symbols with digital effects and manipulating colours using the LIne Tool and Zoom Edit tool.

Download: Assignment 1.2 WildScaper .wld

• Open your saved WildScaper level1.wld file from activity 1.1 and save the file as level2.wld.
• Select a symbol on the stage and using the library panel swap the symbol with a blank symbol. Blank symbols are for drawing original content. There is no fill option for blank symbols.
• Select the blank symbol or double click to Zoom Edit and draw into the symbol.
• Remove the outline around the symbol by unchecking the Symbol Outline in the Symbol Property Menu.
• Select either Bevel or Blur from the Symbol Effects panel.
• Adjust the value of the effect on the drawn lines in the symbol by dragging the effects slide bar.
• Paint fine details by selecting the Brush size from the Tool Menu and adjust the Brush size by dragging the slide bar.
• Select the Line Swatch and choose either a Solid brush stroke or select Opacity to adjust the colour transparency to paint subtle, custom blends of colour.
• Using the Symbol Scores panel assignment foreground symbols a negative or positive score otherwise leave as neutral.
• Select Play from the Control Panel to preview the game level and fly over symbols with scoring applied.
• Save the file as level2.wld and save a backup file.

Assignment 1.3: Create A Scene Using The Photographic Library

Purpose: To develop skills in drawing a likeness from photography and develop Australian native bird and flora identification skills. In this assignment students are to refer to WildScapers Photographic and Text Library and attempt to render symbols in a realistic manner to represent the photographic and text descriptions of birds, flora and the environment.

Outcome: Able to use the library as a resource, to scroll through images on the variety of species viewing photographs, text and distribution maps.

Download: Assignment 1.3 WildScaper .wld

• Open a new file.
• Select the bird symbol and swap the symbol with another bird from the library.
• Click the Library About button in the Library panel and read about the symbol.
• Click the Library Left and Right arrow buttons to view a slide show and distribution map.
• Double click the bird sym to Zoom Edit and paint the bird while referencing the photography
• Select colours similar to the bird and draw in the shapes of colour as per the photography.
• Continue through the rest of the scene editing symbols while referencing text and photography.
• Play and preview the game scene as required.
• Save the file as level3.wld and make a backup file.
  
  

Assignment 1.4: Publishing And Compiling A Game Level

Purpose: Introduce students to the Publishing Panel and Compile Panel to publish game tiltles for distribution. Students can distribute their games freely via USB, CD-ROM, email or as a website download.

Outcome: Understand how to communicate to an audience using text, images and audio. Learn the directory structure required to compile a software program ready for distribution. Analyse game performance and outcomes with friends and family.

Download: Project 1.4 WildScaper .wld

• Open level3.wld from the previous assignment.
• Select Publish in the Control Panel.
• Enter a game title, level title, game Instructions and a story or poem.
• Select different colours for text so you can easily read it.
• Set a time duration, target score, that can be achieved in the time you've allocated, and game ID.
• Select an MP3 audio file from WildScaper / lib / MP3 or download MP3 files form sources online.
• Play and test your game scores and outcomes then make adjustments as required.
• Save the file as level4.wld and save a backup file to your working folder.
• Open File / Compile Software panel and create a game folder for either Windows or MacOSX.
• Save your file as level1.wld to the levels folder inside the game folder.
• Save a copy of your MP3 file as level1.mp3 also to the levels folder.
• Open the game folder and double click the WildPlayer application to launch your own program.
• Copy the game folder to your USB device or CD-ROM and test your software on other computers.
• To distribute game folders via email or a website, create a .zip file of the game folder.

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