Flash: Custom Mouse Pointer

To create a custom mouse pointer in one of your Flash movies, we just need to add a short snippet of ActionScript to a movie clip.

• Create a new Layer on top of all other layers.
• Draw a "mouse pointer" of any shape, color, etc.
• Select the pointer (I click on the keyframe to select everything)
• Convert your pointer to a symbol (movie clip) and call it "Pointer"
• Right-Click the new symbol and Select Actions
• Paste the following code in the Actions

onClipEvent (load) {
Mouse.hide();
startDrag(this, true);
}
onClipEvent(mouseMove){
updateAfterEvent();
}

Test your movie (CTRL+Enter)

You may need to adjust where the "point" is on your pointer:

• Double-click the pointer to open the clip
• Adjust the "point" to be right on the + sign
• You can also add animation if you would like

Photoshop: Custom License Plates

Today we are going to be making a custom license plate for any state or country (real or imagined).  Choose a character in a book, movie, comic, legend, Internet meme, etc. and develop a license plate reflecting them in some way.  For example, Rambo might have a license plate saying "RAMBO68"... or Edward from Twilight might have "ISPARKLE"... or Jessica Alba might have "I♥GRIFF".  Be creative.

Assignment Requirements:

• Open a new document in Photoshop at 150 dpi sized 10" wide and 5" tall (inches, not pixels).
• You may want to copy the following image and paste it into your new document as a guide to place your images -- or to determine where to cut holes in your "plate".

  

  Click Image to View Full Size Before Copying

• Include the state, country, planet, etc. in a readable font on the top of the plate.
• Place up to seven numbers and letters over your design (example: KHS 213).  The letters and numbers should be in an easily readable sans-serif font.  ("Sans" meaning "without" and "serif" meaning... those little decorative things at the end points of some letters)
• Try doing some layer styles over your license numbers (Bevel and Emboss, Stroke, etc.) or even a filter (such as Plastic Wrap) to see if you can make the plate appear more "3D".
• Create/import a background image for your license plate fitting the theme or character.  For example, if you chose Santa Claus you might have a North Pole theme.

I do this project because it builds upon your need to create a functional design which fits into specific parameters, requires you to find appropriate fonts, builds skill in applying 3D effects (bevels and such) to your fonts, and helps you to learn how to apply effects to images.

Some Examples:

Here are some examples from students last year:

And some examples of plates I created today for the lesson examples: