dont understand ;(

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

hi guys i posted in the general section as I’m NEW to all this app coding ( in fact I’ve never coded anything before ) I’ve bought the corona SDK beginner book which I’m waiting to take delivery of, the other thing is i just bought my first MAC so I’m new to that too, I’ve watch many tutorial videos and everyone makes it look easy, and i can’t even load up a background pic on to the simulator. So sorry for being a dummy but could someone teach me or show me from a dummies level, giving up is not an option i like a challenge, any info and time spent showing/telling me would be appreciated MASSIVELY 

                     cheers matthew  :slight_smile:

#2

Hey,

The book is a great place to start.  I have previous dev experience but Lua is a lot different to the languages I use in my day-job and the book was how I learned the language and the Corona SDK API.  Whilst you’re waiting for that to be delivered though have a look here: http://www.coronalabs.com/resources/tutorials/getting-started-with-corona/ - this is a great guide.

Cheers,

Rich

#3

hey cheers rich ill check it out now, just find it frustrating that on the videos its looks easy, but i just don’t know where I’m going wrong

cheers again  :slight_smile:

#4

still no joy I’ve followed the basic physics video which is about 3 min long and copied  the code exactly and nothing, i can’t even get the background (sky) screen to load up in the simulator, i have no idea what I’m doing wrong  :frowning:

#5

You ought to post some code and then people will be able to highlight any issues.

#6

this all i have done and pure just copying from the tutorial video, but when i run in sim, the iPhone refreshes with a blank screen, no error nothing

local physics = require( “physics” )

physics.start()

local sky = display.newImage( “bkg_clouds.png” )

the pics on the tutorial video are they even in corona SDK or do i have to source my own pics ect ect, if so how would i do that, thanks for your help and patients guys  :slight_smile:

#7

Hey,

A couple of quick things to ask first:

  1. Is this code contained inside main.lua?

  2. bkg_clouds.png is contained in the same directory as main.lua? The file name is spelt correctly?

Does the following print anything out in your simulator? …

local myText = display.newText( “Hello World!”, display.contentWidth*0.5, display.contentHeight*0.5, native.systemFont, 16 )
myText:setFillColor( 1, 0, 0 )

Cheers,

Rich

#8

Hi Matthew,

If you’ve never programmed before, it might make sense to just play with some simple Lua. Sublime Text is great for that as you can run Lua code in it (you’ll need to install Lua on your Mac first, but that’s easy).

Also, I don’t know what videos you watched, but this course is fabulous if you want to create games. I took it myself (as I am new to games), and it’s really a bargain for what it costs:

http://masteringcoronasdk.com/beginning-mobile-game-development/

Alex

#9

hi cheers guys REALLY appreciate your time and patients with me

rich how do i check that it is inside the main.lua, I’m still figuring out where folders go once downloaded a programme ect TOTALLY new mac os.

hi alex

I’ve never done any programming of this sort ever, I’m a qualified toolmaker by trade so I’ve programmed CNC machines which is easy compared to this, its just X,Y,Z values 

I’ve ordered the corona beginners app book which I’m waiting to come, but i would love to do an online course if i could for corona SDK

thanks guys your all a great help cheers matthew  :slight_smile:

#10

hi rich just copy and pasted your info and yes i get hello world! is that a good sign, hope it is? cheers Matt

#11

Hey,

That just proves that the code does actually run.

Seeing as you’re still familiarising yourself with your Mac and the whole environment it might be best if you just go to the Sample Code directory and look at the examples there.  You can change code snippets and understand better how things work - then once you’re more familiar you will then be able to see why your code isn’t running, cos without jacking into your Mac, I don’t really know why it’s not! :slight_smile:

So, go to Applications -> CoronaSDK -> SampleCode directory (via Finder) and in the sub-directories there will be a lot of examples that show off Corona’s features and will help you get a hang of how the code works.

Rich

#12

brilliant stuff cheers rich ill be having a play around today and check the samples out like you said, also my book just turned up so il be following that too.

Thanks for your info, help and patients guys, and Alex that course seems well worth the money, might sign up for that in the next couple of days

 cheers matthew  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :slight_smile:

#13

Hey,

The book is a great place to start.  I have previous dev experience but Lua is a lot different to the languages I use in my day-job and the book was how I learned the language and the Corona SDK API.  Whilst you’re waiting for that to be delivered though have a look here: http://www.coronalabs.com/resources/tutorials/getting-started-with-corona/ - this is a great guide.

Cheers,

Rich

#14

hey cheers rich ill check it out now, just find it frustrating that on the videos its looks easy, but i just don’t know where I’m going wrong

cheers again  :slight_smile:

#15

still no joy I’ve followed the basic physics video which is about 3 min long and copied  the code exactly and nothing, i can’t even get the background (sky) screen to load up in the simulator, i have no idea what I’m doing wrong  :frowning:

#16

You ought to post some code and then people will be able to highlight any issues.

#17

this all i have done and pure just copying from the tutorial video, but when i run in sim, the iPhone refreshes with a blank screen, no error nothing

local physics = require( “physics” )

physics.start()

local sky = display.newImage( “bkg_clouds.png” )

the pics on the tutorial video are they even in corona SDK or do i have to source my own pics ect ect, if so how would i do that, thanks for your help and patients guys  :slight_smile:

#18

Hey,

A couple of quick things to ask first:

  1. Is this code contained inside main.lua?

  2. bkg_clouds.png is contained in the same directory as main.lua? The file name is spelt correctly?

Does the following print anything out in your simulator? …

local myText = display.newText( “Hello World!”, display.contentWidth*0.5, display.contentHeight*0.5, native.systemFont, 16 )
myText:setFillColor( 1, 0, 0 )

Cheers,

Rich

#19

Hi Matthew,

If you’ve never programmed before, it might make sense to just play with some simple Lua. Sublime Text is great for that as you can run Lua code in it (you’ll need to install Lua on your Mac first, but that’s easy).

Also, I don’t know what videos you watched, but this course is fabulous if you want to create games. I took it myself (as I am new to games), and it’s really a bargain for what it costs:

http://masteringcoronasdk.com/beginning-mobile-game-development/

Alex

#20

hi cheers guys REALLY appreciate your time and patients with me

rich how do i check that it is inside the main.lua, I’m still figuring out where folders go once downloaded a programme ect TOTALLY new mac os.

hi alex

I’ve never done any programming of this sort ever, I’m a qualified toolmaker by trade so I’ve programmed CNC machines which is easy compared to this, its just X,Y,Z values 

I’ve ordered the corona beginners app book which I’m waiting to come, but i would love to do an online course if i could for corona SDK

thanks guys your all a great help cheers matthew  :slight_smile: