IntroductionIntroduction. Lesson 1 A guide around the Glowscript VPython interface, and introduction to some basic programming concepts. Lesson 2 Create code to produce simple 3-D objects Lesson 3 Make an object move in a linear fashion Lesson 4 Make an object rotate around a point Lesson 5 Connect objects together using common attributes Lesson 6 Create a new object by amalgamating other objects Lesson 7 Apply textures and images to the surface of shapes Lesson 8 Demonstration of how keyboard and mouse events are handled by VPython Lesson 9 Allow the user to interact with the scene and objects within Lesson 10 Take a shape and extrude it along a path to create novel objects Lesson 11 The scene window and its properties Lesson 12 A task to use all the lesson skills to create some digital art! Glossary Terms and language used in programming for VPython

Aims

3D Modelling with VPython is a course designed to allow students to build digital objects in 3-D space.
The course also offers a gentle and fun introduction to programming, and programming using the Python language.
VPython allows the user to get immediate feedback on tasks with the minimum of code.
VPython can be also be used to represent physical systems, and it can teach mathematical concepts like vectors and the laws of motion.
Using the web platform it is easy to share work with others individually or as a Team. Finally, VPthon can be used just for creating 3D art for the pure fun of it and this course hopes to encourage novices to code for fun.
Programming exercises the mind to think logically and imaginatively which we should all do!

Description

The course uses the programming suite offered by VPython, which is based on the popular programming language Python, with which it can be blended.
VPython has been chosen as it has an easy syntax and set up, and performs many complex tasks "under the hood" allowing the user to concentrate on the objects being built.

Glowscript is a branch of VPython which allows it to be used in a webpage. This course uses glowscript.org, a site where VPython programs can be written and run directly in a web browser.

VPython now has a branch called Glowscript, which allows it to be used in a web page, and the course uses the site glowscript.org
The site offers many examples, written by Bruce Sherwood , the creator of VPython, and this course uses modified and simplified versions of some of the programs to aid understanding.

Prerequisites

No prior programming experience is assumed, but some basic maths and coordinate geometry would be advantageous.
Some basic knowledge of maths and algebra can be useful.

Set up

The course uses glowscript.org (a web portal for VPython) and an account needs to be signed up for.using your gmail address
Once signed up it is easy to write programs, view, and share with others.

To write a VPython program in the browser, sign in at glowscript.org.
You will need a Google GMail account to sign in

You can sign up for a Google account here: Create a Google account

After you have signed up to google you will be able to create a glowscript account which activates when you log in first time.