FAQ

Q: How do I control hardware Linkbots directly from RoboBlocky for Windows and MacOSX ?
A: You need Linkbot Labs 2.0, which is included in C-STEM Studio version 6.0 or higher, to control hardware linkbots. Below is the instruction on how to control Linkbot hardware from RoboBlocky.

(1) download and install Linkbot Labs 2.0 from Barobo, Inc. web site or C-STEM Studio v6.0 from C-STEM web site.
(2) Launch RoboBlocky at http://www.roboblocky.com, either using regular Chrome browser or by clicking RoboBlocky menu on the top left inside C-STEM Studio.
(3) Add Linkbot ID inside Linkbot Labs on the top left at RoboBlocky.
(4) Drag a Linkbot block such as driveDistance() to Workspace
(5) Click “Run” or “Step” to move both virtual on the grid and hardware Linkbot at the same time.
(6) If the hardware Linkbot does not move, you may restart Barobo Linkbot Service program by clicking “L” in Windows service. You can also click “Save Ch” to save a program roboblockly.ch in C-STEM Studio->My Workspace->RoboBlocky folder and launch it in ChIDE. Then click “Run” in ChIDE, it shall display any error message for you to debug the problem.

Q: How do I control hardware Arduino from RoboBlocky for Windows and MacOSX ?
A: You need C-STEM Studio version 6.0 or higher to control a hardware Arduino board. Below is the instruction on how to control an Arduino board from RoboBlocky.

(1) download and install C-STEM Studio v6.0 from C-STEM web site.
(2) Launch ChDuino from C-STEM Studio as usual
(3) Connect ChDuino to your Arduino board as usual.
(4) Launch RooboBlockly at http://www.roboblockly.org, either using regular Chrome browser or by clicking RoboBlocky menu on the top left inside C-STEM Studio.
(5) Drag Arduino blocks such as pinMode() and digitalWrite() to Workspace
(6) Click “Run” or “Step” to control the Arduino board connected through ChDuino
(7) If you cannot control Arduino board when click “Run”, click “Save Ch” to save a program roboblockly.ch in C-STEM Studio->My Workspace->RoboBlocky folder and launch it in ChIDE. Then click “Run” in ChIDE, it shall display any error message for you to debug the problem.

Q: I created multiple groups for students in my class in Class Management. After I assign homework for different groups, why cannot a student see a homework assignment?
A: You may not have assign this student to a group and you did not assign homework to All Students. Therefore, this student who does not belong to a group will not receive any assignment.

Q: How do I change the default download location when saving Blocks/Board/Grid or Ch programs in RoboBlocky?
A: In Google Chrome, the user has to set that feature. Go to Settings, click “Show advanced settings”, and click “Ask where to save each file before downloading”.

In Internet Explorer, when you download a file, it lets you select whether you want to download to your default download location or to a new location. For Edge, there is not a simple way to change the download location.

Please note, Internet Explorer cannot save Grid.

Q: How do I save Blocks/Board/Grid or Ch programs in RoboBlocky in Safaris in Mac OS X?
A: Safari can save Blocks/Board/Grid, but a file or image will be shown in a new tab that the user would have to save himself or herself.

Q: What is the size of the background image that can be uploaded?
A: The size of the grid is 360 px by 360 px. The image that is drawn on the background can be any size, if it is too small, the image will be stretched and if it is too large, the image will be reduced.

Q: How to clear the cache in Chrome web browser so that 96×96 Grid for RoboPlay Challenge Mat will be displayed?
A: Please follow the instruction here to clear the cache in your Chrome.

Q: Why does the grid on the background image not match the grid displayed in uploaded blocks?
A: The grid in the background image may not match the grid in the uploaded blocks. For example, the
background image contains the grid for 24×24 inches whereas the XML file for blocks selects the 36×36 inches option.

Q: What can I do if my program is running slowly?
A: Turning on the sound on your computer may help.

Q: How can I help translate RoboBlocky in other languages?
A: Please contact us.