SpongeBob's Paycheck Pursuit Information
In this animation, SpongeBob is on a quest to retrieve his stolen paycheck. Crafted using Processing (a Java-based language), the short story features hyper-detailed characters and backdrops from the cartoon. The graphics and mechanics were all programmed.
When SpongeBob visits Mr. Krabs to collect his paycheck, a fish acting under Plankton's orders snatches it away. Then, SpongeBob heads over to Plankton's house, the Chum Bucket, and takes it back — while the thief gets a real kick out of it.
This project was a fun endeavor that demonstrates my attention to detail and creativity, with an original plot and captivating graphics.
Each character and scene is drawn by its own method. My attention to detail shines in the code and animation — every character has hundreds of lines of code that define various shapes and colors.
Moreover, pushMatrix() and vectors were used to program the intricate character movements (rotation of limbs, eye movements, facial expressions, etc.) and effectively bring the characters to life.
The program has a landing page with a start button and pause/play functionality. Once played, the story works by running a timer at 20 FPS and changing the scene based on that timer using if statements.
Drawing each character and backdrop using only coordinates was a significant challenge; imagine trying to find the vertices of every shape in the animation. Instead of using trial and error, I solved the challenge by using MS Paint to mock up each character. MS Paint has a coordinate system, so I efficiently found the vertices for every shape.
Another major challenge was orchestrating the character actions and scene changes. I had to meticulously coordinate the timing of each action and expression to make the storyline coherent and engaging. And since the story plot is original, I had no reference to use.