You’ll begin by importing multiple audio files, each containing the sound of an individual sparrow. Each file needs to be represented as a separate bird Object. This can quickly be accomplished by importing multiple sounds in a single process.
You should have the Aviary Lesson 4 Scene open.
- Right-click the Scene Root and choose Add Audio > As Objects and navigate to the Lesson 4 Folder.
Within the Lesson 4 folder you see there are files representing birds of varying types.
NOTE: If you have not downloaded the associated scene assets, please visit the Resources page in Lesson 1. - Hold Shift and select Sparrow 01.wav, then click Sparrow 04.wav, then click Select.
The sparrow sounds are imported as Objects and displayed in the Object List. You also see what looks like a single new Object represented in the center of the Canvas at ground level. This is actually 4 Objects that are occupying the same exact position. You’ll adjust the position of each bird in the next exercise. - Play the Scene.
You hear all of the sparrows chirp simultaneously and then they stop, however the individual bird you imported in the first lesson continues to be heard because it is looped. For now you’re going to focus on the sparrows, so you can mute the individual bird in the Object list. The mute button is shown as a crossed out speaker icon. - In the Object List, find the Bird Object and click the Mute button, which appears as a crossed out speaker icon, then play the Scene.
Now you only hear the sparrow’s chirping.
NOTE: If an Object is muted during composition, when the Scene is published (uploaded to an account and available for playback in a Space) it will remain in the muted state and willl not be audible. - In the Object List, drag in the empty area between the last Sparrow Object and drag upward until all of the Sparrows are selected, then in the Inspector select Loop.
Now all of the Sparrow Objects will loop indefinitely. Looping is applied at the individual Object level. - Play the Scene.
Because the file length of each sparrow is slightly different, you hear that the chirping starts in unison and then starts to drift over time which makes for a more random and realistic feel.
It can also be useful to visually hide Objects, especially those that are muted. In this case we’ll be focusing on visibility so let’s hide the Water Feature Object. - Click the Visual Mute button on the Water Feature Object.
It is now hidden.