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Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice

Susan H. Rodger and Stephen Cooper

This course is an introductory programming course that combines programming

with animation, using the programming environment Alice. You will first

learn to tell 3D animated stories by programming Aliceʼs 3D objects. In

This course is an introductory programming course that combines programming

with animation, using the programming environment Alice. You will first

learn to tell 3D animated stories by programming Aliceʼs 3D objects. In

particular you will learn how to set up a scene, to tell a story using

storyboarding, to move the camera, and how to move and rotate objects. You

will learn programming concepts such as writing your own instructions,

repetition, making decisions, and grouping similar objects together. In

the second half of the course you will learn how to combine the topics you

have learned with event programming to build 3D games you and your friends

can play.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Producing Animated 3D Movies: Alice Basic Instructions

Welcome to week one! This week, you will learn....

Teaching Your Bunny to Hop: Procedures and Parameters

If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again: Decisions & Repetition

Variables, and Arrays, and Functions, Oh My!

Building Your Own Interactive Game

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse: Detecting Collisions

Building Your Own Adventure Game

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches basic programming concepts that are applicable to many other programming languages

Teaches object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance and polymorphism

Designed for complete beginners with no prior programming experience

Fun and easy-to-understand approach using 3D animation and interactive games

Provides a gentle introduction to computer science and programming

Prepares learners for more advanced courses in computer science

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Reviews summary

<span>well-received</span> programming for beginners

Learners say this course on programming and animation using Alice is a well-received course for beginners. Students say it's easy to learn and very detailed. They also think the instructors are great and motivating.

This is a course for beginners.

"This course helped me learn the graphics."

The instructors are great.

"Very easy to learn with help of the great experienced teaches."

"The teachers are great ...explain each and every minute detail properly ......#mustdothiscourse"

"The instructors are so sweet and they talk in a clear and motivating manner. "

Students enjoyed the course.

"It was a fun, challenging course, and I would definitly do it again! "

"Very detailed explation of every feature in Alice."

"I loved this course. It actually made me work and taught me a lot."

The quizzes and tests are difficult.

"The test and quizzes were really hard at times, it could have been easier if we could submit a program."

The Alice program is outdated.

"The course is well made and interesting but the programm looks and feels very outdated so if your looking for more modern programs this is not for you but to understand the basics it should do."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice with these activities:

Follow tutorials on YouTube

Show steps

Provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own 3D animations.

Browse courses on Coding

Show steps

Choose a tutorial to follow.
Gather the materials you need.
Follow the instructions in the tutorial.
Create your own 3D animation!

Follow tutorials on Instructables

Show steps

Provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own 3D animations.

Browse courses on Electronics

Show steps

Choose a tutorial to follow.
Gather the materials you need.
Follow the instructions in the tutorial.
Create your own 3D animation!

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography

Show steps

Help you understand the fundamentals of computer science including data encryption and Aliceʼs use of 3D objects.

View Fermat's Enigma on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book. Take notes on the different methods of encryption that have been used throughout history.
Create a timeline of the development of encryption methods.
Write a paper on the implications of quantum cryptography for the future of data security.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Practice creating 3D animations in Alice

Show steps

Help you master the basics of 3D animation and improve your skills.

Browse courses on Coding

Show steps

Open Alice and create a new project.
Add 3D objects to your scene.
Animate your 3D objects.
Add sound effects and music to your animation.
Save your animation.

Solve coding problems on Leetcode

Show steps

Help you improve your programming skills and deepen your understanding of programming concepts.

Browse courses on Coding

Show steps

Choose a problem to solve.
Read the problem description carefully.
Come up with a solution to the problem.
Implement your solution in code.
Test your code to make sure it works.

Create a 3D animation of your favorite scene from a movie or TV show

Show steps

Help you apply the skills you've learned in the course to create your own unique project.

Show steps

Choose a scene from a movie or TV show that you want to recreate.
Create a storyboard for your scene.
Model your 3D objects.
Animate your 3D objects.
Add sound effects and music to your animation.

Create a 3D animation of your own story

Show steps

Help you apply the skills you've learned in the course to create your own unique project.

Show steps

Come up with a story that you want to tell.
Create a storyboard for your story.
Model your 3D objects.
Animate your 3D objects.
Add sound effects and music to your animation.

Write a blog post about your experience learning 3D animation

Show steps

Help you reflect on what you've learned and share your knowledge with others.

Show steps

Choose a topic for your blog post.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Edit and revise your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Create a portfolio of your 3D animation work

Show steps

Showcase your skills and help you get hired for your dream job.

Show steps

Choose the best pieces of your 3D animation work to include in your portfolio.
Create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.
Promote your portfolio to potential employers.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to run. Programmers work closely with both end-users and software engineers to develop a program that meets the user’s needs. Individuals in this role who have taken this course may be better prepared to program machines to create and animate 3D graphics and simulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Animator

Animators create moving images by using computer software or by hand-drawing images. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work in 3D animation in a variety of settings, such as film production, video game design, and web development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Software Engineer

Software Engineers apply the principles of computer science and mathematics to design, build, and maintain computer software applications. Individuals in this role who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on projects that involve programming 3D graphics and simulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to design and develop websites that include 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers create the concept, characters, and rules of video games, and they oversee the game's development. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on video games that feature 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on projects that require the creation of 3D graphics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual style of products such as magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and websites. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to lead teams of designers who create 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Technical Director

Technical Directors oversee the technical aspects of live performances such as concerts and theater productions. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on live performances that feature 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Director

User Interface Designer

User Interface (UI) Designers design the look and feel of user interfaces for websites, software applications, and mobile devices. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to design user interfaces that include 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on products that include 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to develop marketing campaigns that include 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on sales teams that sell products or services that include 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on projects that involve the use of 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects to achieve specific goals. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to manage projects that involve the use of 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software products to ensure that they meet quality standards. Those who have taken this course may be better prepared to work on projects that involve the testing of 3D graphics and animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 19 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice.

Timing for Animation

Save

Comprehensive guide to the art of 3D animation and visual effects. It covers everything from the basics of modeling and animation to the latest techniques in rendering and compositing. This great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the field.

Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice

Three deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

<span>well-received</span> programming for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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