VEXcode IQ Blocks - Fully Functional Preview

VEX News
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Back in March, we previewed VEXcode V5 Text, a new programming software created in collaboration with Robomatter that gave users advanced features in a text-only programming environment. Today, we’re happy to preview another new program, this time for our IQ users.

VEXcode IQ Blocks

Simple

VEXcode IQ Blocks is a graphical drag & drop programming environment powered by Scratch Blocks. We added 100+ VEX specific blocks to make programming a VEX IQ robot easier than ever before. This allows students to experiment and explore programming without the complexities of compiler errors or a text-based language.

Key Features:

  • Built-in video tutorials with quick access so users can easily follow along while building out their program
  • Includes over 40 pre-built example programs that users can quickly learn how to use blocks and explore their robot’s potential.
  • Easy access to our STEM Labs channel, which provides free programming lessons for VEXcode IQ Blocks: education.vex.com
  • VEX Online Help has information and support to get you started: help.vex.com

Flexible

VEXcode IQ Blocks is supported on Chromebooks*, Windows, and Macs. iOS and Android support is launching in Fall 2019. New coding features, including the Drivetrain Blocks, allow new and experienced users to make robot movement easy. The new Devices Window also allows users to configure their robot faster than ever before!

Powerful

Students can get their robot up and running with as little as one block. More experienced users can create fully autonomous competition robot programs. All features of every VEX IQ sensor is available to make your robot do more than ever before.

Download the preview and give us feedback. Expect a 1.0 release in August 2019.

Windows - https://link.vex.com/vexcode-iq-blocks-windows
Mac - https://link.vex.com/vexcode-iq-blocks-mac
Chromebook - VEXcode IQ - Chrome Web Store

VEXcodeIQBlocks_1
VEXcodeIQBlocks_12454×1326 415 KB

VEXcodeIQBlocks_2
VEXcodeIQBlocks_22632×1296 477 KB

VEXcodeIQBlocks_3
VEXcodeIQBlocks_32462×1296 426 KB

VEXcodeIQBlocks_4
VEXcodeIQBlocks_42450×1380 403 KB

VEXcodeIQBlocks_5
VEXcodeIQBlocks_52120×1564 532 KB

Feature List

General

  • FREE for everyone
  • Chromebooks*, Windows and Mac compatible
  • Competition Legal

Programming

  • Graphical drag & drop programming
  • Powered by Scratch Blocks

Built-in Tools

  • Video tutorials
  • Example programs
  • Starter templates
  • Robot configuration
  • Block help

File Management

  • Projects are saved locally
  • Projects auto-save

Controls

  • Download, Run and Stop functions

Multi-lingual Support (in the 1.0 release)

  • Interface and blocks language support
  • English
  • Spanish

*Chromebooks must be online to compile.

39 Likes
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I can’t heart this enough. It’s been a long time coming.

7 Likes
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Downloaded and my daughter and I love this! Looking forward to August and to install new software. Well done to you all!

6 Likes
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Just for the record, this is a fully-functioning preview. Feel free to write code, download it to your VEX IQ robot, and run it!

9 Likes
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thanks! I hope we will see V5 Vexcode Chromebook support soon too!

2 Likes
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If anyone happens to have Tech Support questions about VEXcode IQ Blocks, I’ve created a separate Forum sub-category for it. Feel free to post them here:
https://www.vexforum.com/c/vex-iq-general-discussion/vexcode-iq-blocks-technical-support

4 Likes
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Will they be a version for iOS and Android, which was mentioned a loooooong time ago?

1 Like
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First impressions are good. I love the sensor/motor configuration UI, very well designed. Looking forward to having a good play now.

2 Likes
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Yes. We are aiming to release the iOS version with 1.0 in August. The Android version will be this Fall.

4 Likes
19

Just having a good look. When setting up the drive train, will you include the ability to add 2 more motors ?

2 Likes
20

Will look at downloading, but app robots locket away at school.

1 Like
21

I didn’t see it mentioned, but does this looks like it’s graphical-only. Will there be a text-mode similar to VexCode V5, or will VexCode proper get IQ libraries at some point?

4 Likes
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Will VEXCode for IQ also work with text? I teach textual based programming to my MS IQ kids.

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Yes. VEXcode IQ Text will be released this fall. This will be similar to VEXcode V5 Text.

8 Likes
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VEXcode IQ Blocks will replace ROBOTC Graphical.
VEXcode IQ Text will replace ROBOTC.

Both ROBOTC Graphical and ROBOTC will be phased out for VEX IQ.

7 Likes
25

Are virtual worlds supported? I downloaded the software on Mac and I don’t see virtual worlds. Is this coming?

4 Likes
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It didnt get answered in the new tech support sub-category so i guess I’ll ask here:

Will the capability for users to create their own blocks be included at some point? I could envision using broadcast but that’s a rather clunky way to do things.

Also - what about saving data to a file? or viewing variables somewhere besides the brain’s screen?

Ann

5 Likes
27

Just curious, what custom blocks would you create?

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So based in Scratch v3.0 it’s open source? Do you have a GIT for this code? Do you have planned a LINUX version?.

2 Likes
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Try Scratch 3.0 web page. You can find plenty or examples about your own blocks.

2 Likes