Configuring the Vision Sensor in App-based VEXcode IQ

When starting to program with VEXcode IQ, Vision Sensor blocks will not appear in the Toolbox until the Vision Sensor has been configured. 


Adding the Vision Sensor

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

To configure the Vision Sensor, select the Devices button to open the Devices window. 

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Select the generation that you are working with.

Diagram illustrating the configuration of a VEX IQ robot, highlighting key components and their arrangement for optimal performance in educational robotics projects.

Select “Add a device.”

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Select the Vision Sensor.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement, intended for educational purposes and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

Select which port the Vision Sensor is attached to on the VEX IQ Brain. Ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable. 

  • Once the port has been selected, you will see the Vision Sensor's Configure screen. To Configure, follow the next set of steps. 

Configuring the Vision Sensor

Diagram illustrating robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Connect the Vision Sensor directly to your computer using a Micro USB Cable before you select Configure on the Configuration screen.

Diagram illustrating the configuration options for VEX IQ robots, showcasing various components and their arrangement, aimed at aiding educators and students in building and programming robots effectively.

You can use the same Micro USB that you use to connect the Brain to the computer.

Note: The Brain does not need to be connected to the computer or turned on for this process.

Diagram illustrating the configuration options for VEX IQ robots, showcasing various components and connections essential for building and programming educational robotics projects.

Once connected, select the Configure button for the Vision Sensor in VEXcode IQ.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Place an object in front of the Vision Sensor, then select Freeze.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Select the image on the screen and drag a bounding box around it. Then choose one of the seven signature slots. 

  • Be sure to select as little of the background as possible. 
  • In this example, I'm choosing the SIG_1 Slot.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement, designed to assist educators and students in understanding robot assembly and programming.

Select the slider icon to calibrate the color signature. 

  • Move the slider until most of the colored object is highlighted and the background and other objects are not highlighted.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Name and save the signature by selecting its label and typing in a name. Here, SIG_1 is being saved as G_CUBE.

Diagram illustrating the configuration options for VEX IQ robots, showcasing various components and their arrangement for optimal performance in educational robotics projects.

If you want to delete one of the saved signatures, select Clear in that signature's row.  

  • You can also select Clear All to delete all saved signatures.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement, relevant to educational resources and programming tutorials for beginners.

Close to exit the Configuration window after you have saved all of the signatures you want to include. Then select Done.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational and beginner robotics projects.

Now, your saved signatures will now appear in the Signature drop-down in Vision Sensor blocks. 


Changing the Vision Sensor’s Port Number

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement, aimed at helping educators and students understand assembly and programming for robotics projects.

You can change the port number for the Vision Sensor by selecting the Vision Sensor in the Devices window.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for optimal performance in educational robotics projects.

Then select the plug icon with the current port number at the top right side of the Vision Sensor's Configure screen.

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing key components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

Select a different port on the Port Selection screen and the port number will turn green. Then, select Done to submit the change. 


Renaming the Vision Sensor

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

You can also rename the Vision Sensor by changing the name in the text box at the top of the Vision Sensor's Configure screen. If you select an invalid name, the text box will highlight red to indicate. Then select Done to submit the device changes to the configuration. 

Diagram illustrating the configuration options for VEX IQ robots, including various components and their arrangement, designed to aid educators and students in understanding robot assembly for educational robotics projects.

If you already have Vision Sensor blocks in your project, you will need to update the Vision Sensor's name in the Block(s) to the new name using the drop down.


Deleting the Vision Sensor

Diagram illustrating the robot configuration options for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing various components and their arrangement for educational robotics projects.

The Vision Sensor can also be deleted by selecting the “Delete” option at the bottom of the Vision Sensor's Configure screen.

Note: If you delete the Vision Sensor and it is already being used in your project, your project will not work until you also delete the blocks that were using the Vision Sensor.

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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