layers and positions

[zeca]

I've finally managed to create something using the magic revealer. My conclusion is one needs to be really aware of differences between layers and back and front positions, right?
What puzzled me was I managed to do it in activstudio, not in primary, simply because when I click on an object in order to open the edit menu.. it simply won't appear in primary.. It only appears in studio.. I've already scanned "studio settings" as I thought I should set something there.. but.. the mistery continues...
Also..when I put an object on the flip and, on it... a squared shape to hide the object, it seems to me there's no difference whether I use back and front positions or layers..am I right ( I say this cause the tutorial on prometheanlearning says you have to work with layers to do that)
Thanks again
zeca
Brazil

[simongreen]

Hi zeca,

Right-click menus only appear in Design Mode in Activprimary. The Properties icon, which opens options where you can also change layers, is also only available in Design Mode.

Layers are one thing, stacking is another.

There are three layers: top middle and bottom. On those layers you have have many stacks. For example, you could have 10 images of coins on the middle layer, but some would appear on top of each other - according to their stacking order.


To Front/To Back - change an object's stacking position (ie brings it to the front/back of the layer), but doens't change its layer.
Bottom/Middle/Top changes the object's layer.Hope that makes sense!

Simon

[simongreen]

I've finally managed to create something using the magic revealer. My conclusion is one needs to be really aware of differences between layers and back and front positions, right?

...and to answer this question: yes, you just need to know about layers and stacking. Remember, in particular, that the eraser tool only works on the top layer (in both Activprimary and Activstudio)

[zeca]

Hi!
Yes, I got that. I just thought curious the fact that, in the interactive tutorial, they suggest you must put the shape on top "layer" to hide the object ...but you can do the same just by bringing the shape to the page after the object, which will position it , naturally, on top of this one. You know that, when you put two or three objects on the same layer..the third one appears upon the second..which appears upon the first... so..why do I have to change layers if this happens naturally?
Best Regards
zeca

[simongreen]

Hi again,

Yes, you've got a good point there, moving the items onto the top layer isn't actually essential.

It does illustrate another use of layers as opposed to stacking:

When you put the items on the top layer, you know they will appear above all items on the middle layer, so you don't have to worry about stacking order.

This point isn't clear in the tutorials however, perhaps we'll have to think this aspect of layers for future tutorials...

Thanks for the feedback...!

Simon

[zeca]

Of course, there will be numerous cases when one will have to change layers..But this particular case really should be thought of..,, Anyway,,,thanks for informing me about the design mode... You know..just 2 months using the board...
Can I keep counting on you? You've been great help..
Thanks a million!
zeca

[dperry2008]

As an extension to this point...
I'm trying to make a flipchart page of a brainstorm exercies - there are 4 possible answers for each part of the brainstorm, and 4 brainstorm areas. I know if it was just one area I could use the layer front/back settings to only allow the correct answers to show when dragged into the area that represents the answers box, but I can't figure out a way of this working for 4 areas at once - I was going to create the 16 answers as text objects then set the layer properties on each so that the students then drag each word into what is the correct area for it. Any ideas appreciated, otherwise I'm going to end up writing a web page to do it!

Thanks,
Dave Perry (eContent Developer - Hull College)

[davidlloyd]

Hi Dave

I'm trying to get my head around this. You have four areas each of which is going to contain one of four possible answers? Couldn't you set each area to contain a specific object i.e. the right answer?

Alternatively post the flipchart page here and I'll have a look at it.

[dperry2008]

Hi other dave

I've attached the flipchart - page 3 is the one in question (brainstorm diagram). I've put the correct answers into each circle.

The idea is that EVERY answer on that page (14 of them) will be in random order either side of the circles - I only want the correct answers to be able to show (guessing using layers), i.e. if an answer for Cuticles is dragged to the Nails circle you won't see it (i.e. the student will see it's wrong). Regions aren't something I've heard of, my Activstudio skills would cover one circle for the whole page using 2 or 3 layers, but not what I'm trying to achieve here.

Thanks for the help,

Dave

[srchlc]

When I look at this flipchart there is no page 3 ? ? ? ?

Holli

[tomerf]

I don't find a third page either, but could this be a good place to use containers that only accept the correct answer?

Tom

[dperry2008]

Oops - I have a copy on my local hard drive and my network one and uploaded the wrong file! This one really has got a page 3!

[sheelagh]

Hi, does the attached help you? It uses containers for the different attributes instead of trying to use layers. :)

[dperry2008]

That's great - thanks! Any chance of a walkthrough on how you did that? Or a link to a guide that shows me? I've no idea how much IWB work I'll be doing, but to know how to do it myself would be great.

[sheelagh]

Hi, if you double click a sentence, you will get an Object Edit Toolbox. Click on the properties button (a tick) and type a keyword into the Keywords section e.g. nail. Select the ‘Container’ option and check the ‘Return if not contained’.

The shapes have been locked onto the background. To unlock, right click a shape, click edit & unlock. You can now double click the shape and choose properties. Select the Container option and choose ‘Keyword(s)’ from the Can contain drop down list. Type in your keyword e.g. nail.

You need to make sure the shape is big enough to take the whole sentence including the pick-up handle etc or the sentence won’t stick!

If you search the forum for ‘containers’ there are many good threads on this. Also the free tutorials on the Planet are well worth doing. :)

[karenadams]

Attached is a containers how-to I created for some teachers in Texas who are writing flipchart curriculum for their district.

Hope this helps!

Also, check out the Activtips on Promethean Planet - here there are TONS of videos/tricks that show you how to manipulate containers, layers, etc.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.1147

[dperry2008]

Many thanks to all who took the time to help :) I didn't know containers is what the term was, hence searching for layers. I'll be having a go at the flipchart Karen posted and watching the video.


Dave