[MWForum]help

[Ray Catzel]

There are a few parts to this thread:

1) Opening the file. I have both MW Ex Robotics and MW Ex. Both open the
files without problem. These versions will open older versions but the older
versions will not generally open the EX versions.

2) The monkey project. Firstly, the student has coded the procedure STEER in
both the procedures of the turtle backpack and in the global procedures (the
one in the procedures tab of the project page.) One procedure is enough. In
this case I would eliminate the global one and use the one in the backpack.
The reason is that you are referring to shapes on the backpack. You will
also have to modify your procedure for STEER in the backpack to conform more
closely with the one you have in the global procedures. However apply the
following modifications to all conditions:
if :key = 38 [seth 0 setsh "walkN_sh1 wait 1 setsh "walkN_sh2 wait 1 setsh
"walkN_sh3 wait 1 setsh "walkN_sh4]
Note that the setsh command is now in the bracket that is invoked when the
condition :key = 38 is true. Otherwise the animation will not take place
when the arrow key is pressed (ASCII 38) but will take place all the time
while the STEER procedure is running. This is the reason for the random
nature of the animation. Make your correction for all the keys and let me
have the resulting file.

3)The Game project: You have used fd 10 wait 1 in the OnClick property of
the turtle backpack. If you eliminate "wait" the turtle moves so fast that
its movement does not appear smooth. The reason is because of the fast
computer you have. A good solution is to use FD 0.1 and note the difference.
You could also create a slider and call it SPEED and dynamically change the
speed of the turtle. The code in the OnClick property in this case should be
fd SPEED / 10

4) Regarding scrolling the background in Game project, I am not clear on
what you want to achieve. If you clarify I will try to help.

Good luck with the projects and please send your final modified versions.

Ray Catzel

-----Original Message-----
From: mwforum-admin@lists.mathcats.com
[mailto:mwforum-admin@lists.mathcats.com]On Behalf Of LUTZ, JILL S
Sent: November 19, 2004 12:56 PM
To: mwforum@lists.mathcats.com
Subject: [MWForum]help


I am a middle school teacher and have my students working on content-based
games in MicroWorlds RoboticsEX on PC . I am sending you two games that I
need help with.

Monkey thing    This student has programmed the arrow keys to move the
character. He wants it to setsh to the monkey going north when the heading
is 0, east at 90,  south at 180 and west at 270. We tried putting the setsh
command after the  if statement for the key, but it didn't recognize it. How
can this be done?


Game  This student wants the background to move while other things go on
above. He has drawn shapes that fit together and put them on turtles. His Go
button starts them all, but there are breaks in the color. ...white spaces.
If he takes the wait out they are crazy all over the place. How can he get
them to follow each other without the break?

 I love being a facilitator of learning for these kids, but it also
sometimes puts me in a position where I need to know more. I'm hoping that
you will give me that boost. Thank you for your help. Jill
Please note my e-mail address will be changing jlutz@bluevalleyk12.org
Jill Lutz
Computer Technology
Pleasant Ridge Middle School
913.239.5750