Beginning game programming course

[melvinbates]

Any recommendations on what to use to record the video needed to turn in this assignment?

[lordnacho]

At the end of the lectures, it has videos on fraps and camstudio.  Haven't watched them yet though

[melvinbates]

Thanks, suppose I should start looking at the lectures before I do the assignments...

[lordnacho]

He does say you can use anything though.  If you have an nvidia card, you might be able to do it with the geforce software(shadowplay), not sure if ATI has similar.

[shponglefan]

Do NOT install Camstudio.  It's apparently full of spyware.

[lordnacho]

Good to know.  I don't trust any of these free tools.  I just did a full wipe and reinstall of Windows last week, want to keep the spyware to a minimum

Possible spoiler alert on this class: the guy is actually a cgi head like a modern Max Headroom. 

[shponglefan]

Here's my Assignment 2:



I used ScreenRecorder, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft TechNet Magazine site: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.03.utilityspotlight2.aspx

It works, but the results are a bit chunky as you can see.  The actual motion of the sprites is much smoother on my computer.

[eds1275]

I use Camtasia free for some stuff. Its a bugger to set up but once you have it it works great.

[lordnacho]

Here's my Assignment 2:



I used ScreenRecorder, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft TechNet Magazine site: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.03.utilityspotlight2.aspx

It works, but the results are a bit chunky as you can see.  The actual motion of the sprites is much smoother on my computer.

Nice.  You get extra credit for the arcade theme.  Maybe I'll go DK barrels

[shponglefan]

Here's another test of video capture software, this time using Open Broadcaster.  It's much smoother than Screen Recorder:

[JDFan]

Test run of Mine using Camtasia 7 mp4 format.

[RoyalScam]

Again, hacks and cheaters!

I just finished Assignment1 with 23 hours to go, and you've already done next weeks work!

There's a reason people like you got teased in school, and I'm working entry level in a factory at age 52.  :::sigh:::

I had two problems.  First I couldn't figure out how to input users data.  Reading through the forums and a very careful re-read of the assignment had the answer,

Console.ReadLine();

But the Prof never mentioned or demo'd this in the lectures.  If he did I missed it.

My other problem was converting theta as input by the user to Radians.

This was my solution, use another variable.  I can't help but think that theta itself could've been modified'

Code: [Select]

            float theta;      // angle in degrees input by user
            double thetaRads; // angle in Radians

            Console.WriteLine("Enter a value for trajectory angle: ");
            theta = float.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
            Console.WriteLine("");
            // convert theta from degrees to radians
            thetaRads = (Math.PI / 180) * theta;
How'd you do it?

Regards,
Scam

[JDFan]

How'd you do it?

Regards,
Scam

Pretty much the same way - Except didn't use a Double

Code: [Select]

Console.Write("Please Input the Initial Angle :  ");
            float angleDegree = float.Parse(Console.ReadLine());   // place user input into angleDegree
            float angle = angleDegree * ((float)Math.PI / 180);    // Convert angledegree into Radians
I guess you could just reassign the value instead of creating a second variable using something like

Code: [Select]

Console.Write("Please Input the Initial Angle :  ");
            float angle = float.Parse(Console.ReadLine());   // place user input into angle
            angle = angle * ((float)Math.PI / 180);    // Convert angle into Radians

[shponglefan]

@RoyalScam: You are correct, it is possible to modify the theta variable directly.

I converted the angle to radians as follows:

Code: [Select]

Console.Write("Enter an initial angle in degrees: ");
// get user input for the angle
theta = float.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
// convert degrees to radians
theta *= (float)(Math.PI / 180);
Note that the *= operator means that the theta variable will be multiplied by whatever is declared after the equals sign.

Another way to do it would be to just convert it during the Readline() assignment piece of code:

Code: [Select]

// get user input for the angle
theta = (float)(Math.PI / 180) * float.Parse(Console.ReadLine());

[RoyalScam]

@shponglefan and JDFan

Thanks to you both! I didn't resubmit my homework, but I've learned a couple of new tricks thanks to the two of you. 

     I realize we have the Coursera Forums available to us, and I'm sure I'm going to be using them, but I can't tell you how glad it makes me feel that we're all here having this dialog.  It's kind of like being in school again and fitting into a 'clic'.  Now just point me to the cool kids table in the cafeteria.  Thanks again to eds1275 for the 'heads up' on this.

Regards,
Scam

[wp34]

Done.  I hate math.

[Generic Eric]

Done.  I hate math.

speed was supposed to be 100

[eds1275]

I'm glad everyone seems to be enjoying themselves! I personally, find it pretty frustrating but the satisfaction I get when it works the way it is supposed to is awesome.

Like I mentioned before, I am a beginner but have done a little bit prior working in Unity3d. Unity uses different packages, so some of the terminology is different, but the more I do the more I realize that the syntax is the same. So I guess learning the syntax, having a goal that you can break down into chunks, and the auto-complete features are key!

[wp34]

Done.  I hate math.

speed was supposed to be 100

I like to be difficult.

[JDFan]

Done.  I hate math.

  Congrats on getting it done !!

Just a couple minor suggestions (take them or leave them) :

If using WriteLine for one input you might want to do the same for the second or switch both to using Write so that they look the same (notice the 45 is on a new line where 200 is at the end of the same line) probably want both the same for consistency  )

Same for the <Degrees> qualifier -- might want to add <Meters per second> to the speed prompt.

Might want to break the top line into 2 lines so it breaks at a better location instead of being a wrapped single line (perhaps place everything after "shell" in a new WriteLine so that "and the distance it will travel is a second Line on the output)

Also might want a blank line ( WriteLine(); ) between the Welcome and prompt for input and another after the last line of output so that the Press any key prompt is separated from the output  a bit.

Again all just suggestions and very minor things 

[RoyalScam]

Possible spoiler alert on this class: the guy is actually a cgi head like a modern Max Headroom.

LOL Our lecture videos remind me of this;

[DaOld Man]

Ok Im a little late on the band wagon here, but just finished my first assignment.
Hope I have time to do the whole course.
Here is assign. 1 screenshot:

[eds1275]

I just figured out the reason for the name "a little rage." I'm a clever one, I tells ya'.

[DaOld Man]

I just figured out the reason for the name "a little rage." I'm a clever one, I tells ya'.

 

[shponglefan]

@shponglefan and JDFan

Thanks to you both! I didn't resubmit my homework, but I've learned a couple of new tricks thanks to the two of you. 

     I realize we have the Coursera Forums available to us, and I'm sure I'm going to be using them, but I can't tell you how glad it makes me feel that we're all here having this dialog.  It's kind of like being in school again and fitting into a 'clic'.

You're very welcome! 

And I know what you mean about posting here versus the other forums.  It's nice to have a smaller community that doesn't feel so overwhelming.

[wp34]

That JDFan.  I appreciate the feedback.   

Done.  I hate math.

  Congrats on getting it done !!

Just a couple minor suggestions (take them or leave them) :

If using WriteLine for one input you might want to do the same for the second or switch both to using Write so that they look the same (notice the 45 is on a new line where 200 is at the end of the same line) probably want both the same for consistency  )

Same for the <Degrees> qualifier -- might want to add <Meters per second> to the speed prompt.

Might want to break the top line into 2 lines so it breaks at a better location instead of being a wrapped single line (perhaps place everything after "shell" in a new WriteLine so that "and the distance it will travel is a second Line on the output)

Also might want a blank line ( WriteLine(); ) between the Welcome and prompt for input and another after the last line of output so that the Press any key prompt is separated from the output  a bit.

Again all just suggestions and very minor things 

[BorgDog]

You guys are already done with week two?  shoot, I just finished up week one, always was a last minute guy  .

[JDFan]

@shponglefan and JDFan

Thanks to you both! I didn't resubmit my homework, but I've learned a couple of new tricks thanks to the two of you. 

     I realize we have the Coursera Forums available to us, and I'm sure I'm going to be using them, but I can't tell you how glad it makes me feel that we're all here having this dialog.  It's kind of like being in school again and fitting into a 'clic'.

You're very welcome! 

And I know what you mean about posting here versus the other forums.  It's nice to have a smaller community that doesn't feel so overwhelming.

I just can't believe there are over 40,000 student enrolled in the class -- guess that could be why Dr. T wrote the book figure if only 1 out of 4 students buys the $10 book that's 100K in digital book sales and if this website is correct :

    Amazon: 70% royalty (less delivery fees) between 2.99 and 9.99. Outside this range, the royalty drops to 35%. For VERY large files, the delivery fee may be so high that you’ll make more money at the 35% royalty rate.
    Barnes & Noble: 65% royalty between 2.99 and 9.99. Outside this range, the royalty drops to 40%.
    iTunes/iBookstore: 70% for all price ranges. HOWEVER! You must price your book on iTunes at the lowest retail price that you offer in any other outlet, including print. iTunes does not want to be undercut in their pricing model.

with a 65 - 70% Royalty he's making $65 - $70K for just this one class session ( not a bad way to make a living - when the lectures can be recycled for several class sessions and the students do the grading !! )

[wp34]

Interesting point about the book royalties.  I hadn't thought of that angle.  Good for him.

He's getting paid by the University of Colorado as well.  This course is technically a MOOC or Massive Open Online Course.

I suspect he is being paid by

@shponglefan and JDFan

Thanks to you both! I didn't resubmit my homework, but I've learned a couple of new tricks thanks to the two of you. 

     I realize we have the Coursera Forums available to us, and I'm sure I'm going to be using them, but I can't tell you how glad it makes me feel that we're all here having this dialog.  It's kind of like being in school again and fitting into a 'clic'.

You're very welcome! 

And I know what you mean about posting here versus the other forums.  It's nice to have a smaller community that doesn't feel so overwhelming.

I just can't believe there are over 40,000 student enrolled in the class -- guess that could be why Dr. T wrote the book figure if only 1 out of 4 students buys the $10 book that's 100K in digital book sales and if this website is correct :

    Amazon: 70% royalty (less delivery fees) between 2.99 and 9.99. Outside this range, the royalty drops to 35%. For VERY large files, the delivery fee may be so high that you’ll make more money at the 35% royalty rate.
    Barnes & Noble: 65% royalty between 2.99 and 9.99. Outside this range, the royalty drops to 40%.
    iTunes/iBookstore: 70% for all price ranges. HOWEVER! You must price your book on iTunes at the lowest retail price that you offer in any other outlet, including print. iTunes does not want to be undercut in their pricing model.

with a 65 - 70% Royalty he's making $65 - $70K for just this one class session ( not a bad way to make a living - when the lectures can be recycled for several class sessions and the students do the grading !! )

[arquillos]

with a 65 - 70% Royalty he's making $65 - $70K for just this one class session ( not a bad way to make a living - when the lectures can be recycled for several class sessions and the students do the grading !! )

And in the Video Lectures you find subtles references to the book or facts that are only on the book

BTW...I´ll keep learning AXN and having fun!...err...I mean XNA

[lordnacho]

Used Nvidia's Shadowplay for the second assignment.  Can't do a window, only full window in desktop mode.

[DaOld Man]

I just finished my 5 evaluations for week 1.
Now to get started on week 2...

[JDFan]

I just finished my 5 evaluations for week 1.
Now to get started on week 2...

I wound up doing them twice ( it said it suggested we review all 5 before submitting so I filled each out as I went without submitting and then on the last one went back to the first one and it cleared all of the eval boxes - so had to reinput all of them  (so make sure you either save draft or submit each one before going to the next one !!)

[arquillos]

I wound up doing them twice ( it said it suggested we review all 5 before submitting so I filled each out as I went without submitting and then on the last one went back to the first one and it cleared all of the eval boxes - so had to reinput all of them  (so make sure you either save draft or submit each one before going to the next one !!)

You´re completely right! It´s not very intuitive.

[Vigo]

Thanks for the warning. Just did my peer reviews. Only 1 of em didn't get it all right.

[arquillos]

Thanks for the warning. Just did my peer reviews. Only 1 of em didn't get it all right.

Same for me....One peer hasn´t got an screenshot...weird!

[DaOld Man]

Thanks for the warning. Just did my peer reviews. Only 1 of em didn't get it all right.

Same for me....One peer hasn´t got an screenshot...weird!

I evaluated one that didn't have a screen shot either. It had the code where the screen shot should be, the rest (6 total) looked real good.
Im thinking maybe I shouldn't have put my real name on mine... DOH!
Oh well, if you eval mine at least you will know it's mine. LOL

[Generic Eric]

After completing the first eval, I'm pretty sure I could have used less code.

[Elbaid]

Many thanks to the OP for posting the course. I managed to get the first assignment in at the last minute, just like my school days (or is that school daze?)

Quite a thrill to actually see my code working as it should

[eds1275]

It's pretty empowering. They should teach kids this stuff in school and not worry so much about date memorization and map colouring.