So this blog is pretty dead. I guess I'll start posting all my inspirations and resources on Twitter.

For old times sake, one last snippet of inspiration.

The Best T-Shirts EVER!

Goodbye Lj!

If this isn't inspirational, I dunno what is...




More here. They're hilarious.

His Blogspot

That made me want to dig into that bin under my bed for them pliers and some armature wire so I can start doing the same thing - looks fun. X3

Blood Plus Adagio Book Cover by ~RubixChick on deviantART

And so, I have hit the record for fastest website of it's size ever made with limited tools. My bf has a linkshell on the MMO FFXIV which I also play, and we were in need of a website. I did this in two nights using trial versions of an Adobe suite and no tablet. (Ugh I'll never go back to mouse again!)

It's nothing to brag about. There are a lot of things that need to be fixed and just bells and whistles I've yet to add. But it works. Also the application was mostly generated using the Site Wizard which I have linked at the bottom of the page, definitely helpful for those that want to create a PHP form and don't know how to write it or where to start.

Here it is, our fan/linkshell site live: www.fairytail-ls.com

Used Dreamweaver's 3 column fixed template as a base because one of our members is the one who will be updating the site and doesn't know how to program anything, but he knows some Dreamweaver. It's obvious that I need more practice both with technique and design. Just got a magazine for CSS3 with tutorials galore and templates. Hopefully when everything's over with senior project, I can make another site CSS3 based to get the hang of it.

Okay, many hurtles with Senior Project but I'm pushing onward. I tell myself that as long as continue working hard and at a good pace, it'll naturally come together. Is my mantra working yet?

GotoAndLearn().com

Anyway, this website is a GOLDMINE. Thanks to my professor. He showed it to me like weeks ago and I hadn't really paid attention. (shame on me) But tonight I was looking for how to save my Flash Game for my Senior Project and although this site didn't have my answer, it was a Pandora's box of knowledge. Did you know you can make your own panels/menus in Flash to save you time that'll set up your documents/workspace for you or even paste AS3 to a button/movieclip/graphic? I sure as hell didn't and it takes about 5-10 mins to make. But if you like the ones he's made, he has them on his blog.

This is the vid that shows you how to do it.

http://adobe.edgeboss.net/download/adobe/adobetv/gotoandlearn/flashpanel.mov

I'm about to watch the vid on how to use Flex. Apparently if I really wanna get serious with Flash Development, I'd better learn at least the basics.

Been looking into saving Flash Game data/progress. The answer is XML but there isn't a straightforward copy and paste method. This book tells you how although it might have to be tweaked depending on the person's game. Bought it on Amazon for like 15 bucks cheaper and free shipping.

And since I'm no genius on XML and I have no clue, I need to practice. There are some XML vids on that site I recommended GotoAndLearn and I found this, which I'll do for the sake of going, "Ah, I wrote something short and stupid, but at least now I've written something from scratch!"

Writing XML on Kirupa

So my review today went okay. It wasn't perfect, but then again, no one had perfect, but it was well enough that I knew that the faculty at least have faith that I am on the right track. (Believe me, the ones that they felt made no progress, they made that clear. Eek.)

And so, 5 weeks! My priorities:

Week 01: Fix/finish graphics/interface look
Week 02: Complete game
Week 03: Complete game/debug
Week 04: Saving game, adding "bells and whistles"
Week 05: If saving game can't be figured out, ditch it because it's not a requirement, a complete project is. And finish with the "bells and whistles" and polish. Post online.

I'm off to watch some more vids! Hope someday this helps someone.

I am finally live and with my own domain! Site still needs tweaks and file replacements but it's a working piece for now.

www.RachelVasquez.com

No more crappy school server with a url of 1000 letters. Yay!

I also based the design off of a template, flash 129. You can find them here.
Also the scroll bar on my resume page is from Flashmo as well. Scrollbar 144. Why break your head? If you know how to edit, use a template to serve your purposes and personalize.

So I'm done making my portfolio site for now. Still need to update/ put in links and no matter how cool the Flash features are, I can't help but feel like it's missing a graphic designer's touch. And while I have a two year degree in graphic design, I can't say that I can't learn a trick or two from people who have studied this more than I have. So, it'll definitely get tweaked.

I'm also thinking of splitting the gallery's wheel into two wheels: Interactive & Digital Art since I will be completing a lot of digital art assignments this semester. Then a title would be necessary for each wheel.

I can almost hear my programming professor now, why did I make the entire site in Flash? Blah blah search engines, back buttons, blah. Well, for now this is fine. I also need to get off my school's crappy server and find where I can get a domain and hosting services at a reasonable price and it will also support things like Flash, Javascript libraries and all the things my heart could possibly desire.

Thinking Dreamhost? GoDaddy, I'm not sure. I have a Mac too and I usually use Fetch as my FTP. I dunno...

Long ass URL

Now what the heck would I use for my domain name? And I don't have a logo! An identity! Gah, someone make me one! *panics*

Ps: My resume is horrid. I need to fix it when I get home...

So I'm slowly progressing on my project. Not as stressed but still on top of it.

I'm also in the process of making my own portfolio site and figuring out what hosting service I feel like using. Also, I realize I don't have a logo for myself. Ick. More work... Maybe I'll ask a friend for ideas.

So it's vacation now, the vacation between a very hectic first semester of my senior year and what should be my last semester before I either graduate or doom myself.

( Senior Jitters? )

Still been working on my senior project. The review went really well. And so I'm still working, at the moment coloring/drawing characters, trying to finish my script and trying to figure out this whole scrolling map thing that's being a bit rebellious with me- what's new, right?

And so, in an effort to do something other than senior project, last night I treated myself to drawing something else. A little doodle I'd done in my Drawing II for Animator's class. Somehow it turned into this bookmark thingie and I just realized today, why didn't I animate the snowflakes. It's FLASH, Rachel, how did that go right over your head. Oh well, guess I just wanted to color.

Ah, winter and back to working. I really want something cinnamony and with something tea-ish or chocolatey. Jummmmm.


Thinking of Hot Cocoa by ~RubixChick on deviantART