[No.3] Check the Steps for Programming SPACEBLOCK!
Programming and Making
Here are the steps for programming SPACEBLOCK. Come back and check here anytime you get stuck. Besides SPACEBLOCK itself, you need a computer connected to the internet, a USB cable, and a battery box. The USB cable and battery box come with SPACEBLOCK when you buy it.
Elementary School ~ Beginner 15 min
[1] Create an Account on the Official Website
On a computer connected to the internet, open a web browser (*) and go to the SPACEBLOCK website. You can use the programming screen from here. The first time, create an account. Whenever you program, log in with your own account.
The SPACEBLOCK website. Create an account with the [Sign Up] button at the top right
* A web browser is the app you use to view websites on the internet. For SPACEBLOCK, we recommend the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. It also works in the web browser on tablets (latest Android OS).
[2] Open the Programming Screen
After you log in, the "Programming" screen appears. Click [Add new project] at the top right of the project list to open the programming screen.
The SPACEBLOCK programming screen, just opened
[3] Connect SPACEBLOCK to the Computer
Connect SPACEBLOCK and the computer with the USB cable. USB cables come with many kinds of connectors. The SPACEBLOCK side is "Micro USB Type-B." The USB cable that comes with SPACEBLOCK connects "USB Type-A," which most computers have, to SPACEBLOCK's "Micro USB Type-B."
When you connect the USB cable, the programming screen asks you to confirm the device connection. The blue light on SPACEBLOCK shows that it is getting power
[4] Make a Program
Now make a program. Click a category such as [Basic] or [LED] on the left side of the screen to see the instruction blocks you can use, then drag and drop the blocks you need and put them together to build your program.
The SPACEBLOCK programming screen. You can build programs with simple actions
The program in the next picture makes the small LED blink 10 times when you press the button on SPACEBLOCK. It turns the light on, waits 1 second, turns it off, waits 0.3 seconds with it off, and repeats this 10 times.
The finished program. Just put blocks together and you have a program
[5] Try Out Your Program
Once you've made the program, let's run SPACEBLOCK. Click the [Run] button at the bottom left of the screen, and the SPACEBLOCK connected to your computer starts working.
How to run the program and test it on SPACEBLOCK
When you make a program, don't just think it through in your head. It's important to actually run it, and fix it if something goes wrong.
[6] Transfer the Program to SPACEBLOCK
Let's transfer your finished program so SPACEBLOCK can run on its own. Follow the steps in the next picture. In step ❸, the program is converted (this is called "compiling") so the SPACEBLOCK computer can run it by itself. It takes a little while, so don't unplug the cable. Just relax and wait.
How to transfer the program so SPACEBLOCK can run on its own
Transferring a program so SPACEBLOCK runs on its own is called "standalone mode."
[7] Run SPACEBLOCK in Standalone Mode!
When the transfer is finished, unplug SPACEBLOCK from the USB cable connected to the computer. Connect the battery box for power and turn the switch ON. Now it is a machine that works on its own: press the button and the LED blinks 10 times.
SPACEBLOCK running in standalone mode
Let's Make All Kinds of Features!
In this example, we made a program that runs with just SPACEBLOCK. When you add other input and output devices, you can program many more kinds of features.
We'll be sharing lots of making ideas and programming tips, so stay tuned! Let's turn your ideas into real things, one after another, with SPACEBLOCK, the tiny computer for making things!
