1. Obj: Introduction to Alice
Note to Instructor: Slides may be used either in a traditional lecture format or with an Active Learning approach. If you are using an active learning approach, suggestions will appear in this "Notes" area on appropriate slides.
Alice is named in honor of
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland

2. Alice A modern programming tool Animation
3-D graphics
3-D models of objects
Animation
Objects can be made to move around the virtual world (a video game or simulation implemented in 3-D)
Can download latest version from the web

3. Demo: Getting started Starting Alice Load and run a world
Octopus (movie)
Skater (interactive)
Active Learning: Students start Alice, run FirstWorld and Dancing Bee(from Appendix A worlds)

4. Kinds of Animations Two kinds of animations: Movie Interactive
Passive user watches the animation
Interactive
Active user clicks on mouse, types a key on keyboard …
Actions of user are called events

5. Demo: A new world
Create a new world
File  New
Choose template

6. Demo: Adding objects
Active learning: Students open a new world and add objects to the world.

7. Techniques and Tools Mouse is used to Camera Navigation is used to
approximately position objects in the scene
Camera Navigation is used to
set the camera point of view
Drop-down menu methods are used to
resize objects
more precisely position objects in the scene
Quadview is used to
position one object relative to another object

8. Objects An "object" is How is an object unique?
any thing that can be identified as unique from other things
How is an object unique?
has a name
has properties:
width, height, color, location
can perform actions (methods):
associated actions it can perform
tasks it can carry out

9. Object Parts
Objects may be composed of parts

10. 3 Dimensions, 6 Directions
A 3D object has
3 dimensions
height, width, depth
6 degrees of freedom (directions of movement)

11. Center of an object At the center of mass
Where it stands on the ground
Where it is held

12. Class Objects are categorized into classes Each object is
an instance of the class.
All objects in a class have similar properties and generally can perform the same tasks.
Person
Dogs
peter
mary
paul
spike
scottie
fluffy

13. Galleries Classes (3D models) are found in the galleries
Local gallery (installed with the software)
Minimum or complete options
CD Gallery (only if CD is in the machine)
Web gallery

14. Demo: Saving a world Best solution:
Writing and testing an animation is an intense load on the computing system – a crash can occur.
Best solution:
save your world every 15 minutes
(Or at least every half hour)
also save to a backup system
(for example, a zip disk or memory key)
Active Learning: Demo how to save a world in your local system. Students save FirstWorld.a2w to their own account/flash key/ or other device.

15. Assignment Read (before the next class session) Chapter 1
Section 1, Introduction to Alice
Section 2, Alice Concepts
Tips & Techniques 1, Special Effects

16. Lab Appendix A, Getting Started – Parts I & II
Exercises from Chapter 1
Notes:
Lab exercises and projects require that you demonstrate the code and execution of your programs to the instructor or the TA
Your lab sheet must have the signature of
the instructor or TA for each assigned exercise and/or project. Otherwise, you will not get credit for having completed the lab!
If an Active Learning approach is being used, selected portions of Appendix A may have already been interwoven with the presentation shown in these slides.
This slide and the lab may be adjusted accordingly.