Scratch first timer

#1

Hooked up the mbot via USB, connected it to COM 4 and made a small scratch program. Just simple, playing sounds. Ok, cool, now how would I program this to a button on the remote control? I have tried to do an if/then statement - if button ‘e’ pressed then play the sounds, but it only works when I double click the code in scratch and the mbot is still connected. Uploaded Arduino, but nothing works when USB is disconnected and button ‘e’ is pressed.

It took my 10 year old son over 30 minutes to even figure out that to connect we needed to select Com 4. There must be a resource for noobies to walk them through this, right? It is incredibly frustrating to have my son sit here and watch me struggle through each step, I know it’s not that hard, I just need a walk through. Something. The forum looks like it is written by and for engineers not for kids whose dads are not engineers.

How about a simple ‘build my first scratch program and upload it to the mbot tutorial’? If it exists could someone point me in the right direction? I’ve scoured the forums and all I found is next-level things like adding libraries, etc. I’m willing to learn, but if everything is this difficult, this is going to go into the closet and never see the light of day again. It’s sad really, I want to learn and I want my son to learn, but from what I’ve seen so far, the environment is not setup for casual people trying to learn. Please point some noobs in the right direction.

#2

I think we all have echoed your sentiment. The documentation is poor.
You found the forum, and it is about as good as it gets right now. The Makeblock website has a ton of stuff, but it is hard to find.

I had the same issue with how to use the Makeblock Scratch program.

First, on the top menu items, you want the ‘Boards’ menu to have ‘mBot’ selected.
Second, under the ‘Extensions’ menu, ‘Makeblock’ needs to be selected.

Then on the 3 tab middle menu, on the scripts tab, when selecting ‘Robots’ there will be a section with an ‘mBot Program’ Header. Place it at the top of the stack.
You will need to right click on that block for the upload menu.(That one took me awhile)

The mBot commands are below.

Upload.jpg1197x491 112 KB

The robot will take off as soon as download finishes, programs reset with small button on the board.

Most programs for reading IR or sensors need to be in a ‘Forever’ loop under the control section.

Under the ‘Control’ menu you have an upgrade firmware option, you should do it once.

There is also a ‘Reset default Program’. This will return the robot to default toy mode, which works with the IR remote like an RC car, among other things.

Scratch is great in it’s own right to teach program and flow. You can use the blocks to control the panda, add animations, and create games that lead to robot program development. It keeps kids engaged with the process while the robot stuff gets worked out.

Try a little Panda walk:

PandaWalk.jpg1281x492 101 KB

#3

Holy cows Gort, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! My son and I are so grateful you took the time to give us this info. I cannot wait until later to give it a try. Maybe at the very least Makeblock can make this response sticky note at the top of the forum!

Thanks Again,
Dean

#4

You are very welcome, I hate the thought of a kid being disappointed with such a cool toy.

Post anything you need help with, lots of good folks here.

#5

I also thank you! I got two of them for both my kids. It was so frustrating because we couldn’t do anything with them beyond the what the remote does. They sat there being unused for the last couple of months. Now I’m able to understand how to make it do stuff and can teach my kids how to program them.

Get the program here: http://www.mblock.cc/

Thanks again!!

#7