MijaMedia.com › Scratch › Tutorials › Aviary
How to use the new online image editor from Aviary to create Scratch sprites and costumes in 10 easy steps:
Step 1 — Log in and start up Phoenix in your web browser
I’m using Firefox 3Beta on a Mac (OSX Tiger), and Phoenix runs fine for me, with only a few quirks. Only people with invitations to help the guys at Aviary test their new software are currently allowed to use it. You can ask them to invite you at their website: http://a.viary.com/ First thing you see is the loading bar:
Loading takes a little while — Phoenix has a lot to do!
Step 2 — Create a new file
Conveniently, (for those of us using Phoenix to create Scratch sprites and costumes), the term for creating a new file is “Start from Scratch” — Don’t let that confuse you, kids! You are really just making a blank canvas to work with in Phoenix; that phrase is not related to MIT’s Scratch. ;]
Step 3 — Set the dimensions of your new file
I recommend setting your canvas dimensions to 480x360, the same as the Scratch stage.
Step 4 — Familiarize yourself with the environment
This is a blank canvas. From here type text and change fonts, and draw with various tools. Your tools are on the left side. There are settings available under the small triangles in the lower right-hand side of each tool’s icon.
Step 5 — Explore your options
In addition to creating art yourself, you can import an image to add to your art. Looking for a good resource to download free images? Try the free stock photography sites stock.xchng and morgueFile. (Don’t worry, there’s nothing creepy about morgueFile — that is just an old newspaper term).
Step 6 — Use the brushes!
Brushes in Phoenix allow you to create much more than just lines and curves. Here is a simple patter as an example.
Step 7 — Add some text!
You can do a lot to change the appearance of your text in Phoenix. Pictured below, you can see the font settings pop–up.
Step 8 — Export your new file
When you are done, export your file. This is different than saving a file, which keeps it in a form you can edit again later. When you export a file, it is “smushed” into a flat picture you can download and use in Scratch.
Step 9 — Try the PNG, its delicious!
PNG stands for portable network graphics. I recommend using this file format when you save your work. Give it a name, and remember where you put it!
Step 10 — Import into Scratch!
Import your PNG image to Scratch from the folder you saved it in. Finish your Scratch project, then hit share!
An Example
The project I used to create this tutorial is here: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/TegansPoppy/100130