Authoring Behaviors/Tools
The following behaviors can
be downloaded from the behavior Gallery. Descriptions are as follows:
Sprite Slicer - This
authoring behavior will help you slice a graphic into 2,4,6, or 12 separate
images based on a grid.
List All Rects - This authoring behavior will list the rect coordinates of a selected sprite when you attach it to the sprite and type in the message window
List All Locs - The behavior does the same as the above, writes a sprite's locations to the message window
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The following are Photoshop actions that will help you out in your director development. Just load the ATM file by clicking their links; install in Photoshop & then your ready to go.
This "convert
layers to separate files" action will aid in exporting many layers
to a folder called "cycle" (must be on your desktop beforehand).
It saves the layers from the top down as ob1, ob2 ....etc and in its current
state it creates 16 layers/files. If you have less it will make duplicates.
You need to make sure all layers are visible when starting the action.
This action was used to make the motorcycle in the "DragToRotate" example,
hence the reason the folder is set to be named "cycle". As mentioned,
the folder must be on your desktop before running the action. I suppose
you could change the folder name after its filled with images. Enjoy this
somewhat free version of the director photocaster plug-in. download
action
This "FlatBitmap" action flattens your image and saves as
a BMP. Not real fancy but saves a few steps. download
action
This "Save
transparent as a mask" action
will save the transparency (alpha channel) of your image to a file. Use this
action to save your image's mask. Very useful for the "Drag
only within certain area of an image" activity
that uses the "constrain Sprite To Mask" behavior. download
action
For
those of you who have 2 monitors here is a 8 x 3 inch JPG file of a
recommended screen
shot for use with director (8.5 shown) I have found this to be the most
useful layout from a productive standpoint. Click the thumbnail to view or
save and print on a 8 X 10 sheet of paper for hard copy reference
Click
here for larger & printable version
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Some nice tools that I have found useful in designing is the designer's color wheels. You probably remember these from design school. Refer to these wheels when designing interfaces for appropriate use of colors as to whether they compliment or contrast each other. I am actually surprised at how dead on some of these wheels are from an esthetic standpoint. Although these are only a suggestion, you might want to play around with the different combinations to see how they fair.
Warm colors Cool colors Complimentary Ttriadic (vibrant contrast)