Revision as of 01:15, 2 November 2018

This tutorial will get you getting started with programming Itty Bitty Buggy with mDesigner.

The following topics will be covered:

• Hardware preparation
• Overview of mDesigner's user interface.
• Configuring mDesigner for use with Itty Bitty Buggy.
• Assembling code blocks (creating a program)
• Online vs. Offline Mode

Hardware Preparation

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mDesigner's User Interface

Toolbar

The Tool Bar in mDesigner provides many useful functions and configuration options.

• New Project - creates a new blank project.
• Open Project - open a saved project.
• Save / Save As (arrow) - save / save as the current project.
• Undo - undo the most recent change int the project.
• Redo - redo the most recent undo in the project.
• KIt - select the current Microduino kit being used.
• Serial Port - select serial port that the Microduino hardware (mBattery / mCenter+) is connected to.
• Mode Selection - select different usage modes for mDesigner.
  • Live mode - control Microduino hardware in real time using mDesigner blocks. Microduino hardware requires a constant connection to the computer running mDesigner in order to function.
  • Arduino mode - complies and uploads script onto Microduino hardware. Microduino hardware can be ran independently without a computer after the script has been compiled and uploaded.
  • Python mode - python (langauge) based programming. Currently under development.

Stage

mDesigner (based on Scratch) can be though as a school play. The Stage is where the viewer sees the play. Sprites can be thought as actors or characters in a play. The Backdrop is the background. Together they make the Stage. Below is a quick overview.

• Green Flag - when clicked, all (When Green Flag clicked blocks activate).
• Stop Sign - when clicked, stops all blocks that are running. Blocks that are running have a yellow "glow".
• Sprite - sprites can be thought as actors or characters. There can be multiple sprites on the Stage. It is possible to customize unique sprites.
• Backdrop - is the background of the Stage. There can only be one backdrop active at a time. It is possible to customize or create backdrops.

The Stage includes Sprite(s) and a Backdrop.

Sprites & Backdrops

This section allow selecting, editing, or creating sprites and backdrops. Selecting a sprite or backdrop is done by clicking on it from this section. Below is a quick overview.

Palettes & Panes

This section of the interfere contains the Sprite Pane, Costume Pane / Backdrop Pane, and Sound Pane. Switch between the panes by clicking on the appropriate tabs.

Script Pane

The Script pane contains the tools needed to make sprites and backdrops to do things. A Script can be thought of as the instruction your sprite or backdrop follows. Similiar to a school plays' script which instructs the actor what to do.

• Blocks - Blocks are instructions for sprites and backdrops to follow. There are many blocks each with their own type. Blocks are categorized into different categories based on their functionality or purpose.
• Block Categories - Blocks are sorted into different categories for quicker access and organization. Each category has its own color and blocks contained within are the same color. For example, "Motion" blocks are all purple.

Script Area

The Script Area is one of the most important parts of the mDesigner interface. It is the place to create and assemble the script for the currently selected sprite or backdrop. Dragging a block from the "Script Pane" into the "Script Area" duplicates that block into the script. Each sprite or backdrop has its own personal "script area". A script can be thought of as the instructions that your sprite or backdrop follows.

Configuring mDesigner for Itty Bitty Buggy

Connecting to Itty Bitty Buggy to mDesigner (Online mode)

Assembling A Program

To create a program in mDesigner. Simply drag blocks from the Blocks section into the Script section.

First Example

"Online" vs. "Offline" modes

mDesigner can interact with Itty Bitty Buggy in two different modes. Each mode has its own pros and cons. It is recommended to use Online mode initially before exploring Offline mode.

Online mode is Scratch, but with added blocks which are designed to interact with Itty Bitty Buggy and Microduino modules. This means the user has access to the stage and actor blocks. Projects (hardware, such as Itty Bitty Buggy) need to be connected to the computer running mDesigner. mDesigner communicates with the project (hardware), namely the Core+ module (embedded inside mCenter+), in "real time" over the USB connection by sending commands for the Core+ module to perform. This means that "Online" mode requires a constant connection with the computer running mDesigner.

Offline mode acts as a "visual" drag and drop coding editor. The script (code) is converted to "Arduino" (text code) code and then compile and uploaded to the attached the Core+ module (embedded inside mCenter+). This means that code can run even when detached from the computer. The stage and actor are disabled in this mode since the code runs independent of mDesigner.