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The Tip
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I once worked on a project created by somebody else where groups of icons were being displayed in sequence. Each group had to be erased at the same time, sometimes before and sometimes after other groups of icons. Often, the icons used had to be copied from various places in existing content. What this meant was that the link between the displays and the icons meant to erase them would usually break.
In a fit of frustration, I said to myself, "I wish I could just throw all of these icons in a map and erase the map all at once!" I spent a couple of hours trying various script solutions, all of which were way too complicated to be maintainable.
Finally, it hit me! If you attach the map to a Decision icon, you can use the Decision's Erase options to erase the icons inside the map all at once. You can choose to erase them before the next map displays or as you exit the decision. This, in itself, gives a whole new range of choices. Nested Decisions can give even finer control of erasing.
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Did you know? |
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Authorware has a range of Fill types for objects drawn with the rectangle, rounded rectangle, oval, and polygon tools. Of course these can be used to give textures to drawn objects. But the ones I use most often are the ones with small dots, also known as a "screen" texture.
The texture on some of these is fine enough that if you use them in transparent mode, they can act as a semitransparent shadow. This avoids the overhead and any additional Xtras involved in using a graphic with an alpha channel.
These textures can also be used when you can't quite get the color you were looking for. A blend of two colors can sometimes look much closer to the shade you were trying for.
If you have never used the Fill Inspector, you can get to it by double clicking the rectangle, rounded rectangle, or polygon tool. You can also reach it by selecting Windows>Inspectors>Fills from the toolbar
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Next Chat June 18 |
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Where to get Authorware Training
I have invited Tom Adams, founder of TAAC and current coordinator of TAW, to be a guest. I have also invited Mark Henry, current coordinator of TAAC, and Jennie Thornton, long-time Authorware trainer. I just sent the invitations out, so we will see who can come.
The chat will be at 7:00 Central Daylight Time on Tuesday, June 18. This is 1:00 current UK time, 2:00 GMT, 8:00 US Eastern Time, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 Pacific. Dress is casual.
To get to the chat room, go to my website. Click the CHAT button at the top of the page, just under the logo.
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Authorware Web Ring Low on Sites
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The Authorware Web Ring was recently revamped, resulting in the deletion of most of the sites on the web ring. Erik deBruin, ringmaster, asked the site owners to reapply, but only seven sites have reappeared.
Please urge the contact people at your favorite Authorware websites to reapply. Yes, I intend to apply to get Authorware-Amy onto the web ring.
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Texas Authorware Workshop II Next weekend
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If you are going to any conferences this year, TAW II is your best value for the money. Noted Authorware trainers such as Joe Ganci, Jennie Thornton, and Dan Clinger will be speaking during this two-day workshop. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to meet with Mike Baker, one of Macromedia's Authorware Engineers. Check out the Speakers.
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Blog
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When you have as many pets as I do, you have to check them over frequently to make sure everything is okay.
Here, I am checking Paloma's ear to make sure it is still attached. Yep.
Paloma is a six-year-old standard Xoloitzcuintli
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