Scratch

Welcome to Scratch, an easy and powerful programming language brought to you by the The Lifelong Kindergarten Research Group, MIT Media Laboratory. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Anyway, I'm here to guide you through your very first projects!

Project #1 : Spinning Sprite That Says Stuff

Alright, so open up Scratch. (I'm using the latest version 1.4.1.) By default the Scratch Cat Mascot is shown in the Stage Preview Area. If you do not like it or want something original, for any reason, click on the Sprite 1 In the Sprites Table. See Below.



Now, click on the Costumes Tab. See Below.



Now Click on Edit. See Below.



Now, we want to go to the "Scripts Tab" which is to the left of the Costumes Tab we just used. Click on the Scripts Tab.

Now, Add these Blocks in Order shown.

<when green flag clicked>
<forever>
<turn cw( 15 )degrees>
<end>

<when[  Space  ]key pressed>
<say[ I'm Dizzy! ]for( 2 )secs>

Project Scripts Explained :
"When Green Flag Pressed" represents the signal for the scripts connected to it to begin functioning.
"Forever" ensures (makes sure) that the script wrapped between it continues forever, powered by "When Green Flag Pressed."
"Turn ____ Degrees" just makes the sprite we put the script on continue to spin the number of degrees we wanted them to. If we didn't have the previous blocks running "Turn____ Degrees," it wouldn't turn at all! That would be boring! 

  Will Add More Later.    This Tutorial Gets You Familiar With the Basics of the Interface.

Project #2 : Changing the Background

Alright, so we start by clicking on the stage itself. By default, it is blank.



Now we edit the background, we have to go to the costumes tab, just like we did with the sprite.



Now here, I show you that you have Four Options to create a new background. Remember, the stage is always the most back layer.



Let me explain,

Paint opens up Scratch Paint.
Import lets you bring in a custom background.
Camera allows you to use an attached webcam to take a picture.
Edit is essential for over-sized pictures or sprites.
Basically all final artwork goes through Scratch Paint.



Here, Now you can edit the stage, allowing you to have a more free way to tell a story or display a game.

Now, what if you were to have multiple backgrounds? There are many simple ways you can do this. I will explain them all.

<when green flag clicked>
<forever>
<next costume>
<wait( 1 )secsc>
<end>

This will continue to change the background every one second. Forever, makes it go forever. Next costume is the pictures in the costumes tab. Wait 1 Seconds tells it to wait one second before continuing it's command.

<when[ Space ]key pressed>
<next costume>

Most controlled way. Best way.

Last edited by windowsapple (2010-08-05 00:55:04)