Celebration Animation Generator

Overview

The Celebration Animation Generator skill creates self-contained p5.js celebration animations for educational MicroSims. These animations provide visual feedback and rewards when students complete tasks correctly, enhancing engagement and motivation in interactive learning environments.

Each animation is a single JavaScript file that can be copied into any MicroSim folder to provide visual celebration feedback. The animations are designed to work with the p5.js library and follow a consistent API pattern.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to create:

• Particle effects for student rewards and achievements
• Celebration animations (confetti, fireworks, sparkles)
• Visual feedback for correct answers in educational games
• Motion-based animations (floating, bursting, falling objects)
• Custom themed celebrations (baseballs, butterflies, stars, hearts)

Key Features

• Self-contained modules: Each animation is a single JavaScript file
• Consistent API: Four standard functions for all animations
• Speed control: Adjustable animation speed (slow, medium, fast)
• Rainbow color palette: Built-in colorful defaults
• Multiple motion patterns: Burst, float, fall, explode, zoom, bounce
• p5.js integration: Works seamlessly with p5.js MicroSims

Animation API Pattern

All celebration animations follow this consistent API:

// Initialize and trigger the animation
create[AnimationName](centerX, startY, speedMultiplier)

// Update physics and render particles (call in draw loop)
updateAndDraw[AnimationName]()

// Check if animation is still playing
is[AnimationName]Active()

// Stop animation immediately
clear[AnimationName]()

Speed Multiplier Values

Value	Description	Use Case
0.5	Slow	Younger students, accessibility
1.0	Medium	Default speed
1.8	Fast	Quick feedback, older students

Available Motion Patterns

Pattern	Description	Example Use
Burst Up	Objects shoot upward from a point with gravity	Book Burst, Alphabet Fireworks
Float Up	Objects gently float upward	Yellow Stars, Balloons
Fall Down	Objects fall from top	Happy Star Sprinkle, Confetti, Spark Shower
Explode Out	Objects radiate outward from center	Rainbow Sparkle Burst, Magic Book Bloom
Zoom Across	Objects move horizontally	Reading Rocket Zoom
Pop/Bounce	Objects appear, bounce, then pop	Giggle Glitter Pop

Standard Color Palette

All animations use the rainbow color palette for visual variety:

const rainbowColors = [
  '#FF6B6B', // red
  '#FF8E53', // orange
  '#FFD93D', // yellow
  '#6BCB77', // green
  '#4D96FF', // blue
  '#9B59B6', // purple
  '#FF6B9D'  // pink
];

Common Particle Properties

Each particle in an animation typically has these properties:

{
  x, y,           // Position
  vx, vy,         // Velocity
  size,           // Size/radius
  alpha,          // Transparency (0-255)
  fadeRate,       // How fast alpha decreases
  rotation,       // Current angle
  rotationSpeed,  // Angular velocity
  color,          // p5.js color object
  gravity,        // Downward acceleration (burst patterns)
  wobble,         // Oscillation factor (floating patterns)
  trail: []       // Past positions (trail effects)
}

Workflow

Step 1: Parse the Animation Request

Extract from the user's description:

1. Object/Shape: What is being animated (baseballs, hearts, butterflies)
2. Motion Pattern: How it moves (exploding, floating, falling, zooming)
3. Origin Point: Where it starts (bottom center, top, sides, center)
4. Suggested Name: Derive a kebab-case filename (e.g., baseball-explosion.js)

Step 2: Generate the Animation File

Create a new JavaScript file following requirements:

• Use a unique particle array name (e.g., baseballExplosionParticles)
• Use a unique suffix for helper functions to avoid conflicts
• Include all four standard API functions
• Support speedMultiplier parameter
• Use the standard rainbow color palette

Step 3: Test with Animation Library Tester

Integrate with the animation-lib-tester MicroSim:

1. Add script import to main.html
2. Add animation to the animationTypes array
3. Add draw and clear function calls
4. Add trigger case in switch statement

Step 4: Update Documentation

Add the new animation to the README:

• Add row to "Available Animations" table
• Add API documentation with function signatures

File Naming Convention

• Filename: kebab-case (baseball-explosion.js)
• Function names: PascalCase (createBaseballExplosion())
• Particle array: camelCase (baseballExplosionParticles)
• Helper functions: Add unique suffix (drawBaseballBE())

Example: Creating "Baseball Explosion"

For request: "Baseballs exploding from the bottom middle of the screen"

1. Filename: baseball-explosion.js
2. Motion: Burst Up pattern (like Book Burst)
3. Object: Baseball with red stitching
4. Functions:
5. createBaseballExplosion(centerX, startY, speedMultiplier)
6. updateAndDrawBaseballExplosion()
7. isBaseballExplosionActive()
8. clearBaseballExplosion()

Integration with MicroSims

To use a celebration animation in your MicroSim:

<!-- In main.html, add the animation script -->
<script src="../shared/animations/baseball-explosion.js"></script>

// In your MicroSim's sketch.js
function checkAnswer() {
  if (isCorrect) {
    // Trigger celebration from bottom center
    createBaseballExplosion(width/2, height - 50, 1.0);
  }
}

function draw() {
  // ... your drawing code ...

  // Update and render the celebration
  updateAndDrawBaseballExplosion();
}

Educational Benefits

Celebration animations support learning by:

• Positive reinforcement: Immediate visual reward for correct answers
• Engagement: Colorful effects maintain student interest
• Motivation: Celebrations encourage continued participation
• Dopamine response: Visual rewards trigger positive associations
• Accessibility: Speed control accommodates different needs

Technical Details

• Library: p5.js (loaded via CDN)
• File Location: /docs/sims/shared/animations/
• Testing Tool: /docs/sims/animation-lib-tester/
• Particle Count: Typically 20-50 particles per animation
• Duration: Most animations complete in 2-4 seconds
• Performance: Optimized for smooth 60fps rendering

Best Practices

1. Keep particle counts reasonable (20-50) for performance
2. Use fade rates so animations end naturally
3. Provide clear API documentation for each animation
4. Test at different speeds to ensure good experience
5. Match animation theme to educational content when possible
6. Ensure animations don't obscure important UI elements

Related Skills

• MicroSim P5 Generator - For creating the base MicroSim
• MicroSim Standardization - For quality validation
• MicroSim Screen Capture - For capturing animation screenshots

References

• p5.js Reference
• Particle Systems Tutorial
• Animation Library Tester: /docs/sims/animation-lib-tester/
• Shared Animations: /docs/sims/shared/animations/