Using Git to Add Custom Assets

As you begin working on a final project, you may want to add asset files (images, sounds, etc.) that are not included in the default final project repository. Unfortunately, Github does not have an online feature for uploading or creating files in a repository that aren't simply text files.

There are three aspects to this process that are important:

1. Working with virtualized computers over the Internet (especially if you only use a Chromebook).
2. Working with Git as a command line tool.
3. Working with an image editor or browser to figure out how to use your image assets.

Working with Virtual Computers

If you are using a personal laptop (especially an OSX based computer), then you may not need to follow this step if Git is already installed.

Using Git requires that you have command line or terminal access to a computer. If you are working strictly in a browser, or with a Chromebook, then this is not possible unless you use a virtualized computer over the Internet.

Cloud 9

There are several free services that provide a virtualized computing environment. One popular option is from a company called Cloud 9. Visit their web site and log in using your Github credentials. You will use this service to create a virtual computer that has a copy of your Github project:

1. Once logged in to Cloud 9, click on repositories in the left-hand pane. This will bring up a list of your Github repositories. Find the one you want to work with and click its "Clone to edit" button.
2. After a short pause, you should see the online editing environment for your project, with a view of the files and directories (plus some extras) from your Github repository showing up on the left.
3. At the bottom of the screen there is terminal window under a tab called "bash - ...". Click in the window and type:

   git pull

4. Use the "File/Upload local files..." menu to upload your asset files (i.e. images, jpg, png, etc.).
5. When