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Multimedia and Webpage Design Teacher Links
This page includes links of particular interest to Computer Engineering teachers. You can also view links generally useful to teachers (classroom tools, video sites, reference sites, etc) at our main Teacher Links page.
Graphics, Animation, VR
General
Animation
Interactive Multimedia
Virtual Reality
2.01 Investigate graphic image design.
Graphics
The broad definition of graphics, from wikipedia.
Image File Formats
An exhaustive list and comparison of graphic file formats from wikipedia.
Digital Graphics Design Essentials
An interesting and quick overview of a course that introduces graphic design concepts. Includes a good definition but is noteworthy for some great links to sites that cover the basics of graphics topics like composition, layout, layering, leading the eye, and digital file formats.
Gimp
The GNU Image Manipulation Program (gimp) is free open source program for creating graphics. There's even an animation package available.
Inkscape
This open source vector graphics editor is a free option for those who don't have Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw or other commercial software for 'drawing' digital graphic images. It uses the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Aviary.com
Free image editors, music generators, screen captures and much more. There's a lot to love here, especially some useful tools for audio sections.
Paint.NET Tutorial
Nice how-to guide for Paint.NET, a resource some teachers are using successfully for the graphics and animation sections.
2.02 Develop computer animations.
History of Animation
The wikipedia page on animation gives a basic definition along with some history and overview information.
Animation Timeline
This page provides a detailed look at the evolution of animation. Students do not need to remember exact dates, but the general timeline is important.
Flip Book Animation
This page provides a template for creating your own flip book animation.
Vector and Bitmap Images
This about.com page explains the basic differences between the two major types of 2D digital graphics: bitmap and vector.
GIF, JPG & PNG - What's the Difference?
This explanation from SitePoint covers basic differences in image file formats.
GIF vs. JPG vs. PNG
Another explanation of the differences in these basic file formats, from webopedia.
Animation and Web Design Resources
This site has analysis and links to numerous programs and resources for creating animations and other digital creations..
Creating PowerPoint Animations
This site offers step-by-step directions for creating an animation in PowerPoint.
Creating Illustrated Animations
This article focuses on using the animation program Frames to draw and animate objects.
xtranormal
The pre-created animations on this site allow you to write a script and create an animated movie. This tool doesn't teach much about animation beyond basic concepts. It could be a great way to get students to do a little creative writing.
PowerPoint - Tips and Tricks
PowerPoint Narration
Advice on dealing with challenges when trying to include narration in a PowerPoint.
Adding Audio to PowerPoint
A look at four main ways to add narration to a PowerPoint slide show.
About.com: Sound in PowerPoint
This page outlines using the Insert menu to add sound, and includes links on other useful PowerPoint tips.
FLASH - Optional Content
Flash Introduction & Vocabulary
Created by Flash expert and high school teacher Tommy Hodges for ExplorNet/QTL, this 13-minute video covers the basics of Flash and gives students a visual connection to multiple CA2 ES3 vocabulary terms.
Flash Introduction
CreativeCow offers tutorials on a variety of subjects, including several on Flash.
About.com Flash Tutorials
A host of step-by-step Flash tutorials, helpful IF you have access to Flash in your classroom and want to use it.
Entheos Free Flash Tutorials
A set of really nice tutorials with screen shots and some step-by-step instructions on specific topics like shape tweening, motion tweening, layers, etc.
OTHER SOFTWARE - Optional Content
Paint.NET Tutorial
Nice how-to guide for Paint.NET, a resource some teachers are using successfully for the graphics and animation sections.
Explore Virtual Reality Design and Use
History of Virtual Reality
A look at how virtual reality has evolved over the past half century.
How Virtual Reality Works
A nice synopsis of virtual reality technology from howstuffworks.
Google Sketchup
Create 3D objects or even virtual worlds with this free program offered by Google. Unlike Google Docs and other applications that are used online "in the cloud," this is a program you must download and install.
Voki
Create personalized speaking avatars at this free service.
Summer Camp in Second Life
At this site, you can give students a look at Teen Second Life without having to create a world and have students create accounts and avatars.
PBS Virtual Worlds
This Public Broadcasting System website, from the Frontline program, features stories that use or center on "the remarkable power of alternate realities."
Immersive Education
This educators' collaborative seeks ways to spread the use of virtual technologies in classroom instruction.
13 Tips for Virtual World Teaching
For those who want to take the plunge deeper into a virtual world with students, this site offers tips on making the most of 3D computer-based simulation environments.
Whyville
This site allows users to create a character, chat, play games and "hang out with friends" in a virtual environment online.
Active Worlds
From this page, students can tour Active Worlds for yet another look at how a virtual environment can enable "online communications, collaboration, and interactive entertainment."
iGlasses Video
One current use of virtual reality technology is, believe it or not, to distract patients while they get dental work done.
Virtual Worlds at Duke
Duke University is home to the Visualization Technology Group. If funds allow, teachers can arrange tours for students.
Inertial Motion Capture
Motion capture technology can be seen from games to films to TV commercials.
LifeSize Conferencing
This division of Logitech is an example of a telepresence provider, enabling HD-video conferencing sessions that open the door for virtual meetings that feel like everyone is in the same room.
360cities - Panoramas
Panoramic photos offer viewers a 'virtual tour' of just about anywhere in the world. The 360cities.net site offers an amazing variety. You can find others at panoramas.dk, and some North Carolina-based ones at NC Virtual Tours, an NCDPI project from years ago.
USC's Institute for Creative Technologies
A lab at the University of Southern California is looking to create "the next generation of virtual reality technology." This video gives a good look at several different applications of VR tech, including how VR modeling was used to help create scenes from The Matrix.
Cisco 'HealthPresence'
This futuristic video illustrates how telepresence technology promises profound improvements in everyday services like health care.
Telepresence - Virtual Business Meetings
This video presentation gives an inside look at new innovations in telepresence technology that is already beginning to be used in the corporate world and could someday be seen in living rooms everywhere.
If you find information on these pages that is outdated or needs to be added or changed, please email us and we'll get it fixed.
