M A J O R T H E M A T I C P R O J E C T
Topics, methods and subjects learned:
- research
- Natural Earth Dataset
- world and country specific projections
- using ArcGIS shaded relief layers
- introduction to Adobe Flash CS4
- action script 2.0
- buttons
- animation
- scene creation
- pop up windows
- hex colours
- timeline management
The project created in this course was a digital interactive/animated map of the Vietnam War: 1959-1975. It was created to be used as a course supplement for a professor in the history department at Acadia University.
It took a variety of programs to successfully create this map. Firstly, the basemap data (obtained from Natural Earth data website) was loosely symbolized and processed in ArcMap 9.3.1. It was then exported as a pdf and brought into CorelDRAW X4 where the remainder of the map was completed.
The first map of Vietnam (1:13 000 000) was exported as a .png. As a result many of the place names and dots had to be replaced in Adobe Flash CS4 because the quality was terrible. Eventually, vector versions of the remaining maps were brought in via Adobe Illustrator CS4 which produced an immeasurably better result. Once in Flash, maps were assigned their own scene, navigation buttons were established, pop up windows made along with all the other elements needed to create interactivity and animation sequences.
To view the map please refer to the Interactive link above.
Re-learning Flash and having never used Action script before was a very lengthy and often exasperating experience. Because of this I have chronicled the basic script elements as reference not only for myself but for anyone that may find them useful. They can be found here.