ROBOLAB Tips and Tricks

1. Select "Full Size" in the Window menu to expand the diagram window
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2. Use the paintbrush tool to change the background color to white to save ink when printing.

1. Move the cursor over an icon to get "tool tip" info.
2. Look for the "flashing corners" to know where to place the string tool.
3. Right-click (command-click on a Mac) on any icon and select help from the pop up window to get help on that icon.
4. Look in help for default values and example programs for any icon.

1. Use the Tab key to cycle between the select tool, text tool, string and change value tools.
2. Using the spacebar to toggle between the select tool and string tools.
3. Right-click (command-click on a Mac) anywhere on the window to get a pop up Functions palette
4. Use the "Push pin" in the upper left corner of the Functions palette to place copy of the modifiers palette on the screen.
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1. Deleting & moving icons
1. Use the Select tool to select individual icons to delete or move them.
2. Use Shift-select to delete or move multiple icons.
3. Drag a selection rectangle over a group of icons to delete or move them as a group.
2. With the wiring tool selected roll over the flashing corners on program icons to get pop up tips.
3. Right-click (hold command key on Mac) on an icon to replace it with a new icon from the Functions palette.
4. Option-drag (Mac) Control-drag (PC) with the selection tool to copy an icon.
5. Use the selection tool to drag to select a part of your program then use the above method to duplicate whole portions of your program.
6. Use the align icon tools at top of window to organize your program better.
7. Use keyboard arrow keys to nudge icons into the right place using tiny increments.

1. Deleting strings
1. Use control-B (command-B on Mac) to remove broken strings…or
2. Double-click to select an entire string.
2. Use the auto string feature by moving the icon you are placing close to the icon you would like to connect it to.
3. Right-click (hold command key on Mac) on string to insert icon
4. Use mouse clicks to add your own anchor points to control how your string bends.
5. Double-click to end a string.
6. Right-click (command-click on Mac) to to get rid of an unwanted string.
7. Use the space bar to flip the last bend in string before placing it.

1. Click on the "broken arrow" (Run program) to get error messages and isolate the problem.
2. Double click on an error message to be taken to the part of your program that is suspected of having an error.
3. Use sounds and the set-display icon (in the RCX communications submenu) to indicate the progress of a program.
   In the very simple example below sounds and the set display icon are used to tell whether or not the touch sensor is pressed.
   
   If it is pressed a two appears on the RCX display and sound #2 plays. If not pressed a one is displayed and sound number one plays.
   
   You can use these methods to track which part of your program is executing at any paticular time. Have a look at the following example:
   
   Let's walk though the program above to see how this works.
   
   If the touch sensor isn't pressed in than we hear sound #1 and see the number one displayed on the RCX display. If the touch sensor is pressed in than one of two things happens.
   
   
   1. If the light sensor detects a light value greater than 50 then sound plays and the number two is displayed on the RCX.
   
   
   
   2. The light sensor detects a value less than or equal to 50 then sound #3 plays and the number three is displayed.
   
   Using visual and audio cues can help you determine the last point in your program that was executed before an error occured saving you valuable time and lots of frustration.

1. Use the View button to see what your sensor is doing. You will need to download a program using the sensor first to display sensor values.
2. Press the View and Run buttons at the same time to turn on the power port for A, B, or C in the forward direction.
3. Press View and Program at the same time to turn on power port A, B, or C in reverse.
   Note: The sensor indicator (moved using the View button) needs to pointing at the motor you want to use.

• ROBOLAB Sample Programs
  
• Fred Martin's - the Art of LEGO Design
  
• ROBOLAB Reference Guide (.pdf}
• First LEGO League - Robolab Tutorial
• Class Material from MNFLL
  • Building LEGO Robots for FIRST LEGO League (.pdf}
  • Robolab 101 (.pdf}
• Mindstorms for Schools
• Locomotion - Examples of common LEGO gear ratios.
• Creative Problem Solving