Friday, February 27, 2015

UNITY 3D - GAME PROGRAMMING INTRODUCTION

25 Feb 2015 CPOL
The first article in a series to discuss Unity 3D and how to get started with your own 3D projects.

Introduction

It has been a while since my last article, but coming back I have decided to write an article, or a series of articles, about a game engine called UNITY 3D which happens to be one of the most popular in the industry as of today.
There are several really outstanding benefits to the engine:
  1. You can get a community version which works beautifully and is more then what most people will ever need.
  2. The community itself is very large and active, hence you will always be able to find other developers and designers to help you in case you need any assistance.
  3. You can develop for Unity 3D either on a Windows or a Macintosh also some flavors of Linux.
  4. You can use C# to do the scripting / programming of your game.
  5. You can target many platforms for your release.
The list can go on. I have listed some of the main points which I find attractive in Unity 3D. Also, since the community version is FREE, you can research and play around with the environment and your ideas before investing more time and money into it.
In any case this article is not about the financial aspect of the engine, but rather an introduction to the fundamental concepts to the game engine and how to get started for those who are eager to jump-start their own ideas.
So without further ado, we will be looking at the IDE and discuss some of the basics before we can start diving into more details.
The Series:
  1. Unity 3D – Game Programming – Part 1
  2. Unity 3D – Game Programming – Part 2
  3. Unity 3D – Game Programming – Part 3
  4. Unity 3D – Game Programming – Part 4
Live Preview of Article Code and Visuals:
Link to live preview: http://www.noorcon.com/CodeProject/CodeProjectArticlePreview.html

Background

It is assumed that the reader of this article is familiar with programming concepts in general. It is also assumed that the reader has an understanding and experience of the C# language. It is also recommended that the reader of the article is familiar with Object-Oriented Programming and Design Concepts as well. We will be covering them briefly throughout the article as needed, but we will not get into the details as they are separate topics altogether. We also assume that you have a passion to learn 3D programming and have the basic theoretical concepts for 3D Graphics and Vector Math.
Lastly, the article uses Unity 3D version 4.6.1 which is the latest public release as of the initial publication date. Most of the topics discussed in the series will be compatible with older versions of the game engine, and perhaps also the new version which is supposed to be release sometime this year. There is however, one topics which is significantly different in the current 4.6.1 version compared to the older version of the game engine, and that is the UI (User Interface) pipeline. This is due to the new UI architecture in the engine which is far superior to what we had prior to this release. I for one, am very happy with the new UI 

Friday, February 6, 2015

Webinar The Future of iPhone & iPad Programming with Swift by IntertechTraining

from http://www.intertech.com/Blog/future-iphone-ipad-programming-swift-oxygen-blast/

Swift is the new programming language that Apple has to replace the oddball Objective-C that nobody outside Apple knows with another better oddball language.

The Future of iPhone & iPad Programming with Swift by IntertechTraining IntertechTraining

Monday, February 2, 2015

How to Bring Up Windows 8 Charms with Keyboard and Touch

found here: http://www.7tutorials.com/introducing-windows-8-what-are-charms
Introducing Windows 8.1: What are the Charms & How to Use them

One of the most important features in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are theCharms. "Charms"... in Windows? It sounds strange! Right?
Actually, they are not that hard to understand. To help you out, we will share how to access them, what they do and how to use them.

How to Access the Charms

Simply put, Charms are a set of shortcuts to common tasks, available anywhere in the system. There are several ways to access the Charms in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. You can use the keyboard, the mouse or touch:
  • Keyboard: press the Windows key + C.
  • Mouse: go to the bottom or top right corner of your screen, and then move your cursor up or down to access the charms.
  • Touch: swipe from the right edge of the screen towards center.

Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

see http://shortcutkeys.org/software-shortcuts/website/windows-8


Windows 8

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Open the Charms WINKEY KEY+C
Upvote4 0 Open the Share charm WINKEY KEY+H
Upvote4 0 Open the Devices charm WINKEY KEY+K
Upvote4 0 Open the Settings charm WINKEY KEY+I
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm to search files WINKEY KEY+F
Upvote4 0 Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen CTRL+PLUS OR CTRL+MINUS OR CTRL+SCROLL WHEEL
Upvote4 0 Open the commands for the app WINKEY KEY+C
Upvote4 0 Switch the main app and snapped app WINKEY KEY+J
Upvote4 0 Lock the device orientation WINKEY KEY+O
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm to search apps WINKEY KEY+Q
Upvote4 0 Loop through notifications WINKEY KEY+V
Upvote4 0 Loop through notifications in reverse order WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+V
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm to search settings WINKEY KEY+W
Upvote4 0 Temporarily peek at the desktop WINKEY KEY+,
Upvote4 0 Show the commands available in the app WINKEY KEY+Z
Upvote4 0 Switch input language and keyboard layout WINKEY KEY+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Change to a previously selected input WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) WINKEY KEY+TAB
Upvote4 0 Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB
Upvote4 0 Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+TAB
Upvote4 0 Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) WINKEY KEY+PGUP
Upvote4 0 Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) WINKEY KEY+PGDOWN
Upvote4 0 Snaps an app to the left WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+PERIOD (.)
Upvote4 0 Snaps an app to the right
Upvote4 0 Key TK8TP PJN6P 7X7WW RFFTV 87QPF
Upvote4 0 refresh F5
Upvote4 0 close app ALT+W
Upvote4 0 grapics view WINKEY+TAB
Upvote4 0 shut down ALT+F4
Upvote4 0 volume ALT+F12
Back to top

Basic

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Display Help F1
Upvote4 0 Rename F2
Upvote4 0 Search F3
Upvote4 0 Show address bar in Explorer F4
Upvote4 0 Refresh F5
Upvote4 0 Loop through screen elements in a window or on the desktop F6
Upvote4 0 Activate the menu bar in the active app F10
Upvote4 0 Close the active item, or exit the active app ALT+F4
Upvote4 0 Loop through items in the order in which they were opened ALT+ESC
Upvote4 0 Perform the command for that letter ALT+UNDERLINED LETTER
Upvote4 0 Display properties for the selected item ALT+ENTER
Upvote4 0 Open the shortcut menu for the active window ALT+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Back ALT+LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Forward ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Move up one screen ALT+PAGE UP
Upvote4 0 Move down one screen ALT+PAGE DOWN
Upvote4 0 Switch between open apps (except desktop apps) ALT+TAB
Upvote4 0 Close the active document (in apps that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) CTRL+F4
Upvote4 0 Select all items in a document or window CTRL+A
Upvote4 0 Copy the selected item CTRL+C (OR CTRL+INSERT)
Upvote4 0 Refresh the active window CTRL+R (OR F5)
Upvote4 0 Paste the selected item CTRL+V (OR SHIFT+INSERT)
Upvote4 0 Cut the selected item CTRL+X
Upvote4 0 Undo an action CTRL+Z
Upvote4 0 Redo an action CTRL+Y
Upvote4 0 Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen CTRL+PLUS (+) OR CTRL+MINUS (-)
Upvote4 0 Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen CTRL+SCROLL WHEEL
Upvote4 0 Change the size of desktop icons CTRL+ MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL
Upvote4 0 Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Upvote4 0 Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph CTRL+UP ARROW
Upvote4 0 Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps CTRL+ALT+TAB
Upvote4 0 Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop CTRL WITH AN ARROW KEY+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Select a block of text CTRL+SHIFT WITH AN ARROW KEY
Upvote4 0 Open the Start screen CTRL+ESC
Upvote4 0 Open Task Manager CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
Upvote4 0 Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled CTRL+SHIFT
Upvote4 0 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item SHIFT+F10
Upvote4 0 Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document SHIFT WITH ANY ARROW KEY
Upvote4 0 Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first SHIFT+DELETE
Upvote4 0 Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Cancel the current task ESC
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+start typing SEARCH YOUR PC
Upvote4 0 Ctrl+plus or Ctrl+minus ZOOM IN OR OUT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF ITEMS, LIKE APPS PINNED TO T
Upvote4 0 Ctrl+scroll wheel ZOOM IN OR OUT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF ITEMS, LIKE APPS PINNED TO T
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+C OPEN THE CHARMS
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+F OPEN THE SEARCH CHARM TO SEARCH FILES
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+H OPEN THE SHARE CHARM
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+I OPEN THE SETTINGS CHARM
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+J SWITCH THE MAIN APP AND SNAPPED APP
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+K OPEN THE DEVICES CHARM
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+O LOCK THE SCREEN ORIENTATION (PORTRAIT OR LANDSCAPE)
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Q OPEN THE SEARCH CHARM TO SEARCH APPS
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+W OPEN THE SEARCH CHARM TO SEARCH SETTINGS
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Z SHOW THE COMMANDS AVAILABLE IN THE APP
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Spacebar SWITCH INPUT LANGUAGE AND KEYBOARD LAYOUT
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Ctrl+spacebar CHANGE TO A PREVIOUSLY SELECTED INPUT
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Tab CYCLE THROUGH OPEN APPS (EXCEPT DESKTOP APPS)
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Ctrl+Tab CYCLE THROUGH OPEN APPS (EXCEPT DESKTOP APPS) AND SNAP THEM AS T
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Shift+Tab CYCLE THROUGH OPEN APPS (EXCEPT DESKTOP APPS) IN REVERSE ORDER
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+PgUp MOVE THE START SCREEN AND APPS TO THE MONITOR ON THE LEFT (APPS
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+PgDown MOVE THE START SCREEN AND APPS TO THE MONITOR ON THE RIGHT (APPS
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+Shift+period SNAPS AN APP TO THE LEFT
Upvote4 0 Windows Key+period SNAPS AN APP TO THE RIGHT
Back to top

Dialogs

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Display Help F1
Upvote4 0 Display the items in the active list F4
Upvote4 0 Move forward through tabs CTRL+TAB
Upvote4 0 Move back through tabs CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Upvote4 0 Move to Nth tab CTRL+N (NUMBER 1-9)
Upvote4 0 Move forward through options TAB
Upvote4 0 Move back through options SHIFT+TAB
Upvote4 0 Perform the command or select the option for that letter ALT+UNDERLINED LETTER
Upvote4 0 Replace clicking the mouse for many selected commands ENTER
Upvote4 0 Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box BACKSPACE
Upvote4 0 Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons ARROW KEYS
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Windows logo

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Windows key keyboard shortcuts
Upvote4 0 Open Windows Help and Support WINKEY KEY+F1
Upvote4 0 Display or hide the Start menu WINKEY KEY
Upvote4 0 Set focus in the notification area WINKEY KEY+B
Upvote4 0 Open the Charms WINKEY KEY+C
Upvote4 0 Open the commands for the app WINKEY KEY+C
Upvote4 0 Display and hides the desktop WINKEY KEY+D
Upvote4 0 Open Computer WINKEY KEY+E
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm and search file WINKEY KEY+F
Upvote4 0 Cycle through gadgets on the desktop WINKEY KEY+G
Upvote4 0 Open the Share charm WINKEY KEY+H
Upvote4 0 Open the Settings charm WINKEY KEY+I
Upvote4 0 Switch the main app and snapped app WINKEY KEY+J
Upvote4 0 Open the Devices charm WINKEY KEY+K
Upvote4 0 Lock your PC or switch users WINKEY KEY+L
Upvote4 0 Minimize all windows WINKEY KEY+M
Upvote4 0 Lock device orientation WINKEY KEY+O
Upvote4 0 Choose a presentation display mode WINKEY KEY+P
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm and search apps WINKEY KEY+Q
Upvote4 0 Open the Run dialog box WINKEY KEY+R
Upvote4 0 Cycle through apps on the taskbar WINKEY KEY+T
Upvote4 0 Open Ease of Access Center WINKEY KEY+U
Upvote4 0 Cycle through notifications WINKEY KEY+V
Upvote4 0 Cycle through notifications in reverse order WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+V
Upvote4 0 Open the Search charm and search settings WINKEY KEY+W
Upvote4 0 Opens the Quick Link menu WINKEY KEY+X
Upvote4 0 Temporarily peek at the desktop WINKEY KEY+,
Upvote4 0 Show the commands available in the app WINKEY KEY+Z
Upvote4 0 Display the System Properties dialog box WINKEY KEY+PAUSE
Upvote4 0 Search for PCs (if you're on a network) WINKEY KEY+CTRL+F
Upvote4 0 Restore minimized windows on the desktop WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+M
Upvote4 0 Start the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app. WINKEY KEY+NUMBER
Upvote4 0 Start a new instance of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+NUMBER
Upvote4 0 Switch to the last active window of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number WINKEY KEY+CTRL+NUMBER
Upvote4 0 Open the Jump List for the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number WINKEY KEY+ALT+NUMBER
Upvote4 0 Open a new instance of the desktop app located at the given position on the taskbar as admin WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SHIFT+NUMBER
Upvote4 0 Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) WINKEY KEY+TAB
Upvote4 0 Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB
Upvote4 0 Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area WINKEY KEY+CTRL+B
Upvote4 0 Maximize the desktop window WINKEY KEY+UP ARROW
Upvote4 0 Minimize the desktop window
Upvote4 0 Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screen WINKEY KEY+LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Maximize the desktop window to the right side of the screen WINKEY KEY+RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke) WINKEY KEY+HOME
Upvote4 0 Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+UP ARROW
Upvote4 0 Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
Upvote4 0 Move a window in the desktop from one monitor to another WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW OR RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Switch input language and keyboard layout WINKEY KEY+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Change to a previously selected input WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SPACEBAR
Upvote4 0 Open Narrator WINKEY KEY+ENTER
Upvote4 0 Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) WINKEY KEY+PGUP
Upvote4 0 Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) WINKEY KEY+PGDOWN
Upvote4 0 Snaps an app to the left WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+PERIOD (.)
Upvote4 0 Snaps an app to the right WINKEY KEY+PERIOD (.)
Upvote4 0 Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) WINKEY KEY+TAB
Upvote4 0 Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Upvote4 0 Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB
Upvote4 0 Initiate IME reconversion WINKEY KEY+/
Upvote4 0 Opens Windows Media Center WINKEY KEY+ALT+ENTER
Upvote4 0 Zoom in or out (in Magnifier) WINKEY KEY+PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)
Upvote4 0 Exit Magnifier WINKEY KEY+ESC
Back to top

Explorer

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Select the address bar ALT+D
Upvote4 0 Select the search box CTRL+E
Upvote4 0 Select the search box CTRL+F
Upvote4 0 Open a new window CTRL+N
Upvote4 0 Close the current window CTRL+W
Upvote4 0 Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons CTRL+MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL
Upvote4 0 Display all folders above the selected folder CTRL+SHIFT+E
Upvote4 0 Create a new folder CTRL+SHIFT+N
Upvote4 0 Display all subfolders under the selected folder NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*)
Upvote4 0 Display the contents of the selected folder NUM LOCK+PLUS (+)
Upvote4 0 Collapse the selected folder NUM LOCK+MINUS (-)
Upvote4 0 Display the preview pane ALT+P
Upvote4 0 Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item ALT+ENTER
Upvote4 0 View the next folder ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 View the parent folder ALT+UP ARROW
Upvote4 0 View the previous folder ALT+LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 View the previous folder BACKSPACE
Upvote4 0 Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder LEFT ARROW
Upvote4 0 Display the bottom of the active window END
Upvote4 0 Display the top of the active window HOME
Upvote4 0 Maximize or minimize the active window F11
Back to top

Taskbar

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Open a app or quickly open another instance of a app SHIFT+CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON
Upvote4 0 Open a app as an administrator CTRL+SHIFT+CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON
Upvote4 0 Show the window menu for the app SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON
Upvote4 0 Show the window menu for the group SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ON A GROUPED TASKBAR BUTTON
Upvote4 0 Cycle through the windows of the group CTRL+CLICK ON A GROUPED TASKBAR BUTTON
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Ease of Access

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Turn Filter Keys on and off RIGHT SHIFT FOR EIGHT SECONDS
Upvote4 0 Turn High Contrast on or off LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+PRTSCN
Upvote4 0 Turn Mouse Keys on or off LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+NUM LOCK
Upvote4 0 Turn Sticky Keys on or off SHIFT FIVE TIMES
Upvote4 0 Turn Toggle Keys on or off NUM LOCK FOR FIVE SECONDS
Upvote4 0 Open the Ease of Access Center WINKEY KEY+U
Back to top

Magnifier

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Zoom in or out WINKEY KEY+PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)
Upvote4 0 Preview the desktop in full-screen mode
Upvote4 0 Switch to docked mode CTRL+ALT+D
Upvote4 0 Switch to full-screen mode CTRL+ALT+F
Upvote4 0 Invert colors CTRL+ALT+I
Upvote4 0 Switch to lens mode CTRL+ALT+L
Upvote4 0 Resize the lens CTRL+ALT+R
Upvote4 0 Pan in the direction of the arrow keys
Upvote4 0 Exit Magnifier WINKEY KEY+ESC
Back to top

Remote Desktop

UsefulDescriptionKeys
Upvote4 0 Move between apps from left to right ALT+PAGE UP
Upvote4 0 Move between apps from right to left ALT+PAGE DOWN
Upvote4 0 Cycle through apps in the order that they were started in ALT+INSERT
Upvote4 0 Display the Start menu ALT+HOME
Upvote4 0 Switch between a window and full screen CTRL+ALT+BREAK
Upvote4 0 Display the Windows Security dialog box CTRL+ALT+END
Upvote4 0 Display the system menu ALT+DELETE
Upvote4 0 Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+PrtScn on a local PC). CTRL+ALT+MINUS (-) ON THE NUMERIC KEYPAD
Upvote4 0 Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local PC). CTRL+ALT+PLUS (+) ON THE NUMERIC KEYPAD
Upvote4 0 “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app. CTRL+ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Upvote4 0 “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app. CTRL+ALT+LEFT ARROW