Itty Bitty Buggy: Getting Started (mDesigner)

mDesigner software installation must be completed before proceeding to this guide. The mDesigner software installation guide can be found here for Windows / for Mac

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)
• Programming Itty Bitty Buggy
• Online vs. Offline Mode

Hardware Preparation

Assemble Itty Bitty Buggy into it's default Buggy mode with mCenter+ on top of Buggy Base. Ensure the cable is connected to pin D2/D3 on mCenter+ and the other end connected to to Buggy Base. Attached the wheels onto Buggy Base. This hardware configuration will be used in the remaining tutorials.

image.png

Connect the USB cable to Buggy and the other end to your computer's USB port. Switch on Buggy with the power switch.

image.png

mDesigner's User Interface

Here is a quick overview of mDesigner's User Interface. A more in-depth description can be found here.

Configuring mDesigner for Itty Bitty Buggy

Under the kit selection, select Buggy.

This allows access to the Buggy control blocks.

Connecting to Itty Bitty Buggy to mDesigner

Ensure Itty Bitty Buggy is connected to your computer with the USB cable.

Ensure mDesigner is in Online mode. (If mDesigner is in Offline mode, click on the slider to switch it to Online mode.) Online and Offline mode will be covered later.

Itty Bitty Buggy is now connected and ready to be programmed!

Assembling A Program

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

First Example

Clicking on a Block Category such as Events or Buggy will bring up the Blocks in that category. This allows you to quickly find the Blocks you need.

For this example, first click on Events under the Block Categories section.

Then drag the (When Green Flag clicked) block into the Scripts section.

Next, click on the Buggy category.

Then drag the (ColorLED - Set Color) block into the Scripts section and snap it under the (When Green Flag clicked) block as shown.

Now, change the color on the (ColorLED - Set Color) block by clicking on the color. Set it to red or to a color of your liking.