Code Scramble

Steps for the Activity

SETUP

1. First, download and install Looking Glass. Next, copy the PetShow-ScrambledCode.lgp file into the "My Documents\Looking Glass\Worlds" folder (for Windows) or "Documents/Looking Glass/Worlds" folder (for Mac) on your computer ('*.lgp' files are Looking Glass story files. This is the scrambled version of story you will edit in this activity). For more details, follow the instructions in the Setup Details for Windows or Mac below.

   Download and Install Looking Glass

   • Go to the Windows download page and select the first option to 'Download Windows', then click the 'Download Looking Glass' button
   • When prompted if you want to Run or Save the file, choose 'Run' and wait for the download to complete
   • If you see a security warning about installing the Looking Glass program, choose Actions, More Options, and Run Anyway
   • When prompted whether you want to allow the program to make changes to your computer, select Yes
   • When you reach the Looking Glass Setup Wizard welcome window, click Next
   • When you reach the license agreement window, click 'I accept the agreement' and then click Next
   • When asked to choose the destination location, click Next to accept the default location
   • In the Select Additional Tasks window, keep the checkmark beside 'Create a desktop icon' and click Next
   • Click Install and wait for the installation to complete
   • When you reach the Looking Glass Setup Wizard completion window, keep the checkmark for 'Launch Looking Glass' and click Finish, which will open the Looking Glass program
   • If prompted, accept the license agreements by scrolling to the bottom of the text and checking the "I accept" box, and then click OK

   Copy the Story File (.lgp)

   • Next, save the PetShow-ScrambledCode.lgp file into the "My Documents\Looking Glass\Worlds" folder (which should have been created automatically) by choosing "Save As" at the prompt and browsing to the My Documents\Looking Glass\Worlds folder and clicking Save

   Notes

   • (Troubleshooting) If you have an older system and find the Looking Glass program closes unexpectedly, re-open Looking Glass, click on Help in the top left corner and then 'Help with graphics problems' to see instructions on how to test and update video drivers
   • See the FAQ page for more help if needed
   
   
   Download and Install Looking Glass

   • Go to the Mac download page and click "Download Looking Glass" (note the minimum OS version required - if you have an older Mac, you may need to update before running Looking Glass)
   • If prompted, make sure you save the .dmg file to your computer
   • Once the Looking Glass installation file (.dmg) has been downloaded and saved to your computer (probably in your Downloads folder), find it with Finder and then double click to open it
   • In the window that opens, drag the Looking Glass app to your Applications folder to install the program
   • Open your Applications folder and double-click on the Looking Glass app to open the program
   • If prompted whether you want to open a file from the Internet / an unidentified developer, click Open
   • If you are unable to open the app because it is from an unidentified developer, simply press CTRL and then click on the app, then click Open (and click Open one more time if prompted again)
   • If prompted, accept the license agreements by scrolling to the bottom of the text and checking the "I accept" box, then clicking OK

   Copy the Story File (.lgp)

   • Next, save the PetShow-ScrambledCode.lgp file into the "Documents/Looking Glass/Worlds" folder (which should have been created automatically)

   Notes

   • See the FAQ page for more help if needed

FIX THE SCRAMBLED STORY

2. Watch the Pet Show video to see the original story. Notice that the owners and pets take turns in order from left to right: each pet owner (or pet) makes a comment and then the pet does a trick.

3. Start the Looking Glass program and open the PetShow-ScrambledCode story:

   Once 'Looking Glass' opens, just click on the MyWorlds icon on the left side. (You do NOT need to sign up or log in for this activity.)

   

   To open the story in Looking Glass, double click the PetShow-ScrambledCode icon OR click on Open Project. If you do not see the PetShow-ScrambledCode icon, use the Browse button to find the PetShow-ScrambledCode.lgp file that you dowloaded earlier and then click Open

   

   Once the story project has opened, you are ready to view the scrambled story and edit the code.

   

4. Play the scrambled version of the story in Looking Glass. Notice that some of the owners and pets are doing things in the wrong order.

   Click the Play arrow at the top and watch the scrambled version of the story. Look for differences between this version and the original Pet Show video you viewed in step 2.

   

   Tips: Use the play, pause and restart buttons as needed. To view the story in full screen, Click the full-screen icon at the top right (circled in the picture below)

   

5. Your task is to re-order the code to fix the story so it matches the original Pet Show video. To do this:

   • Look at the code on the right-hand side to see where the order is mixed up.
   • Use your mouse to move the code lines around to put them in the right order. See the 'Tips for Moving Code' below.
   • Use the Play button again at any time to check your progress with the scrambled story.
   • You may also want to go back and watch the original Pet Show video again (see step 2) to compare the 2 stories.

   Tips for Moving Code: Use your mouse to drag and move the code where you need it. You can move the code in several ways. See these examples of code before and after:

   a) Move a line of code

   

   b) Drag code line(s) into a Drop action here box

   

   c) Move a block or section of code

   

6. When your story matches the video, you have successfully completed the Code Scramble.

   CONGRATULATIONS!

   Don't forget to Save your story.

   

   If you like you can compare your code with the solution here:

   (Click for larger image)

   

EXTEND THE STORY

7. Once you’ve solved the code scramble, you can build on the Pet Show story and make it your own:

   Before you start, use Save As to create a copy of the story with a new name so you create your own version

   

   Then, as you work on your story, click Save regularly to save your changes as you go

   

   You have already used the story view (top left) and code panel (right hand side) of the Looking Glass program. To make changes to the story, you will also use Actions and Action Ordering in the bottom left section to add/change character actions, or click the Edit Scene button to add/change scene background and characters.

   

   Here are some ideas to get you started:

   DIALOGUE: Use the Say and Think actions to make changes/additions to what the owners and pets say or think.

   MORE ACTIONS: Click on the character at the top in the story view and then see possible actions on the bottom left to add to your story. (One idea is to use the Bow and Clap actions to make an ending for the story. Notice that you have 2 versions of the Bow action, one for Bipeds and one for Quadrupeds so you can make the people and/or animals bow. Who do you think should win the pet show?)

   BACKGROUND: Click on Edit Scene to add more props to complete the scene background. Browse and select from the options at the bottom of your screen.

   

   CHANGE CHARACTERS: If you want to change how the people look, start from the Edit Scene, click on the person you want to change and then click Resource and Edit Person Resource. From there you can change the character's clothes, hair, and more.

   

   ADD CHARACTERS: From Edit Scene, you can add more people or animals to your story. Then click Edit Actions to give your new characters something to do/say/think.

   ADD SOUND: You can sound with the Audio action - To add background sound use Scene as the actor or select the person/pet you want to make the sound. To complete the Play Sound action you need to click Import Audio and then browse to find and open the audio file you want to use (either in the Sound Gallery files in Looking Glass or on your own computer).

   NEED SOME HELP? For help with Actions and Story see the Animating Stories tutorial and for help adding characters and props to a scene see the Building a Customer Scene tutorial.

CREATE YOUR OWN STORY

8. Ideas: One idea is to create a virtual pet but use your imagination to create any story you choose. To see some examples of virtual pets, go to the Looking Glass website and enter ‘virtual pet’ into the search box. For more inspiration, you can see what others have created on the Showcase page of the Looking Glass website.

   Where to start: The Building a Customer Scene tutorial shows you how to start from a blank template. You already know how to add characters and actions to create your story.

   Build your skills: If you are ready for something more challenging, see these tutorials: Creating Custom Actions, and Making a Story Interactive. The Play and Explore tutorial shows you how to see step by step how actions work.

   Note: In order to do some the activities shown in other tutorials (Community Templates, Remixing, Sharing your story online) you would need to create an account. Check with your parents first and see these links on the help page: Privacy Policy and Info for Parents. You can use GIRLsmarts4tech to tag your projects.

   HAVE FUN!