Creating My Blocks in EV3 Software

#968
04 Jan 2018
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What is a My Block?

Probably you have seen the empty teal (My Block) palette in the EV3 Software. LEGO has left the option for you to create your own block. You can pack several existing blocks in one new block. In that way you can easily reuse parts of your programs through out your project and even in other projects.

How to create a new my Block?

The first step is to arrange the blocks you want to pack as the new my Block. Once you are ready, select all of them. Note, that you should NOT select a start block. If you do so you will see an error once you try to create a my block.

Then you select "Tools->My block builder". A new window will pop-up.

From this window you can set all of the settings of the new block, such as name, description, icon and params. Today we will focus on the first three only. First we write the name of the block. It should be something meaningfull, that tells what is the purpose of the block, but not too long.

Then we continue with the description. This time you can be more descriptive:

Finally, we select the icon of the new block. This probably is the most important part, because it will be the main way to distinguish blocks in the palette. Once you have chosen an appropriate icon, select Finish.

Voala! Your first My block is ready! You can find it under the teal palette (My Blocks palette).

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Dummy My Block

This is an example My block used in tutorials to demonstrate the process of creating, importing and editing My blocks.

Courses and lessons with this Tutorial

This Tutorial is used in the following courses and lessons

Robotics with LEGO - Level 3.5 - Measuring tools

The sixth level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in sixth or seventh grade.

In this level, we introduce student-created myBlocks. Any functionality that is used in several places in a program is grouped into myBlock thus shortening the program's length. Students create blocks that return the result of calculations as an output parameter. Input parameters can change the calculations in the myBlocks. The robot constructions measure physical properties like linear or rotational speed, the fuel level in a tank, or length, area and volume.

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Lesson 1 - Toll Access Radar Gate

Intro

Instructors Remote Training

If you are working with students and you want to introduce Robotics to your class or you want to mentor a FLL team, but you are insecure about your technical knowledge in the Robotics field, then this is the right place for you. Having in mind teachers' busy schedule, we have design two different schedules and added an option to design one just for you. FLLCasts's Mindstorms EV3 Robotics Online Training is the perfect match for any teacher.

After the completion of each task the participant has to upload his solution for verification.

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My Blocks

In this section we will learn how to create, edit, import and use My blocks. First we begin with ilustrating a use of My blocks. There is a whole group of robot constructions called steering robots. Today we will build a steering robot and learn more about the way it is driven through a differential. Then you will have to download a My block that implements the Proportional Line Following algorithm for steering robtos. You need to download, import and modify the block to fit your robot setup. Finally, you will have to create a block of your own and learn how to add parameters.

Robotics with LEGO - Level 4.0 - Kinesthetic and Memory Game (in development)

The seventh level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in sixth or seventh grade.

In this level, student develop a memory training game. The player must remember series of actions like press a button, shake a pole, pull a lever, show one of many colors. In order to program the game, students use many variables and modify their states. Students create their own custom sounds and images, in order to reflect their own personality in the game. In the end of the level, the game stores top scores even after a full shut down with the help of text files.

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Remember how to work with MyBlocks

Robotics with LEGO - Level 4.5 Game Time

This is the eighth level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in fifth to twelfth grades.

With the help of robots designed for games between students, they learn how to work with variables. Robots keep the score of each player and do calculations with the information in the variables.

In order to group functionality all the time, students use the well-known myBlocks. The concept of behavior is introduced and the programs are organized in many threads that exchange information between each other.

At the end of the level, the robots generate problems with numbers and the students must create equations.

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Recall how to create and work with MyBlocks

Level 3.7 - Smart Robots

В много от занятията отборите работят върху един робот, като всеки отбор е отговорен за правилното реализиране на поетата от тях функционалност. Задълбочено се разглеждат задаването на входни стойности и използването на изходните стойности на всички блокове. Широко се използват променливи от трите основни типа: Integer, Boolean, Text. Роботите вече пазят богато вътрешно състояние, могат да броят, да изчисляват, да се обосновават логически, с помощта на което взимат много по-правилни решения. Въвежда се използването на паралелно изпълняващи се блокове.

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Занятие 1 - Ball Hunter, броене на топки

Цел

Целта на занятието е да се реализират програми за робота BallHunter по-сложни от тези реализирани в Роботика Фи. Продължава се с използването на променливи, групиране на действията в блокове. Въвежда се прочитането на стойности от блокове. Въвеждане на блокове, които връщат резултат.