# Build a Space Game Part 2: Draw Hero and Monsters to Canvas ## Pre-Lecture Quiz [Pre-lecture quiz](https://ff-quizzes.netlify.app/web/quiz/31) ## The Canvas The canvas is an HTML element that starts off empty; it's like a blank sheet of paper. You can add content to it by drawing on it. ✅ Read [more about the Canvas API](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/Canvas_API) on MDN. Here's how it's typically defined as part of the page's body: ```html ``` In the code above, we are setting the `id`, `width`, and `height`. - `id`: This allows you to reference the canvas when you need to interact with it. - `width`: This defines the width of the canvas. - `height`: This defines the height of the canvas. ## Drawing simple geometry The canvas uses a Cartesian coordinate system to draw shapes. This means it uses an x-axis and y-axis to determine where things are placed. The position `0,0` is the top-left corner, and the bottom-right corner corresponds to the `width` and `height` of the canvas.  > Image from [MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/Canvas_API/Tutorial/Drawing_shapes) To draw on the canvas, follow these steps: 1. **Get a reference** to the canvas element. 2. **Get a reference** to the context object associated with the canvas. 3. **Perform a drawing operation** using the context object. The code for these steps typically looks like this: ```javascript // draws a red rectangle //1. get the canvas reference canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas"); //2. set the context to 2D to draw basic shapes ctx = canvas.getContext("2d"); //3. fill it with the color red ctx.fillStyle = 'red'; //4. and draw a rectangle with these parameters, setting location and size ctx.fillRect(0,0, 200, 200) // x,y,width, height ``` ✅ The Canvas API is primarily designed for 2D graphics, but you can also create 3D graphics on a webpage using the [WebGL API](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/WebGL_API). With the Canvas API, you can draw a variety of things, such as: - **Geometric shapes**: We've already shown how to draw a rectangle, but there are many other shapes you can create. - **Text**: You can draw text in any font and color you like. - **Images**: You can display images from assets like `.jpg` or `.png` files. ✅ Try it! Now that you know how to draw a rectangle, can you draw a circle on the page? Check out some creative Canvas drawings on CodePen. Here's a [particularly impressive example](https://codepen.io/dissimulate/pen/KrAwx). ## Load and draw an image asset To load an image asset, create an `Image` object and set its `src` property. Then, listen for the `load` event to know when the image is ready to use. The code looks like this: ### Load asset ```javascript const img = new Image(); img.src = 'path/to/my/image.png'; img.onload = () => { // image loaded and ready to be used } ``` ### Load asset pattern It's a good idea to wrap the code above in a reusable structure, so you can easily use it and ensure the image is fully loaded before manipulating it: ```javascript function loadAsset(path) { return new Promise((resolve) => { const img = new Image(); img.src = path; img.onload = () => { // image loaded and ready to be used resolve(img); } }) } // use like so async function run() { const heroImg = await loadAsset('hero.png') const monsterImg = await loadAsset('monster.png') } ``` To draw game assets on the screen, your code might look like this: ```javascript async function run() { const heroImg = await loadAsset('hero.png') const monsterImg = await loadAsset('monster.png') canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas"); ctx = canvas.getContext("2d"); ctx.drawImage(heroImg, canvas.width/2,canvas.height/2); ctx.drawImage(monsterImg, 0,0); } ``` ## Now it's time to start building your game ### What to build You will create a webpage with a canvas element. The canvas should display a black screen with dimensions `1024x768`. We've provided two images for you: - Hero ship:  - 5x5 monster grid:  ### Recommended steps to start development Locate the files provided in the `your-work` subfolder. It should contain the following: ```bash -| assets -| enemyShip.png -| player.png -| index.html -| app.js -| package.json ``` Open this folder in Visual Studio Code. Make sure you have a local development environment set up, preferably with Visual Studio Code, NPM, and Node installed. If you don't have `npm` installed, [here's how to set it up](https://www.npmjs.com/get-npm). Start your project by navigating to the `your_work` folder: ```bash cd your-work npm start ``` This will start an HTTP server at `http://localhost:5000`. Open a browser and go to that address. The page will be blank for now, but that will change soon. > Note: To see updates on your screen, refresh your browser. ### Add code Add the necessary code to `your-work/app.js` to complete the following tasks: 1. **Draw** a canvas with a black background. > Tip: Add two lines of code under the appropriate TODO in `/app.js` to set the `ctx` element's background to black. Set the top-left coordinates to `0,0` and the height and width to match the canvas dimensions. 2. **Load** textures. > Tip: Use `await loadTexture` to load the player and enemy images by passing their file paths. You won't see them on the screen just yet! 3. **Draw** the hero in the center of the screen, near the bottom. > Tip: Use the `drawImage` API to draw `heroImg` on the screen. Set the coordinates to `canvas.width / 2 - 45` and `canvas.height - canvas.height / 4`. 4. **Draw** a 5x5 grid of monsters. > Tip: Uncomment the code to draw enemies on the screen. Then, go to the `createEnemies` function and complete it. Start by defining some constants: ```javascript const MONSTER_TOTAL = 5; const MONSTER_WIDTH = MONSTER_TOTAL * 98; const START_X = (canvas.width - MONSTER_WIDTH) / 2; const STOP_X = START_X + MONSTER_WIDTH; ``` Next, create a loop to draw the array of monsters on the screen: ```javascript for (let x = START_X; x < STOP_X; x += 98) { for (let y = 0; y < 50 * 5; y += 50) { ctx.drawImage(enemyImg, x, y); } } ``` ## Result The final result should look like this:  ## Solution Try solving this on your own first, but if you get stuck, you can check out the [solution](../../../../6-space-game/2-drawing-to-canvas/solution/app.js). --- ## 🚀 Challenge Now that you've learned how to draw with the 2D-focused Canvas API, explore the [WebGL API](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/WebGL_API) and try creating a 3D object. ## Post-Lecture Quiz [Post-lecture quiz](https://ff-quizzes.netlify.app/web/quiz/32) ## Review & Self Study Learn more about the Canvas API by [reading about it](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/Canvas_API). ## Assignment [Play with the Canvas API](assignment.md) --- **Disclaimer**: This document has been translated using the AI translation service [Co-op Translator](https://github.com/Azure/co-op-translator). While we strive for accuracy, please note that automated translations may contain errors or inaccuracies. The original document in its native language should be regarded as the authoritative source. For critical information, professional human translation is recommended. We are not responsible for any misunderstandings or misinterpretations resulting from the use of this translation.