Configuring V5 Smart Motors in VEXcode Pro V5 – VEX Library

The VEX Visual Studio Code Extension has replaced VEXcode Pro V5, which is now end-of-life.

VEXcode Blocks and VEXcode Text remain actively developed and supported for all VEX platforms.

When starting to program with VEXcode Pro V5, Motor commands will not appear in the Command Reference until a motor has been configured.

Adding a Motor

VEXcode Pro V5 interface with Robot Configuration button highlighted on the Toolbar.

To configure a motor, select the Robot Configuration button to open the Robot Configuration window. A project must be open in order to use the Robot Configuration window.

VEXcode Pro V5 Robot Configuration menu is open and the ‘Add a device’ option is shown.

Select “Add a device.”

Device selection window with ‘Motor’ option highlighted.

Select “Motor.”

Port selection screen with the Motor device assigned to port 1 and the Done button highlighted below.

Select which port the motor is attached to on the VEX V5 Brain. Ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable.

Motor settings menu with Direction and Gear Cartridge options shown and the Done button highlighted below.

Once the motor has been configured, select “Done” to submit the device to the configuration.

Note: Selecting “Cancel” will undo any changes you have made to the device and will not be a part of the configuration.

Note: To configure the motor further, see the additional options below.

Changing a Motor’s Port Number

Robot Configuration window showing the Motor device to change its port.

You can change the port number for the Motor by first selecting the Motor in the Robot Configuration window.

Motor settings menu with the port icon in the top corner highlighted to change its port.

Then, select the plug icon in the top right corner of the Motor Settings window.

Port selection screen with the Motor device now assigned to port 5 and the Done button highlighted below.

Select its port on the Port Selection window, and the port number will turn blue. Then select "Done" to submit the change.

Renaming a Motor

Side by side screenshots to show the Motor device name being changed to ArmMotor using the name field.

You can also rename the motor by changing the name in the text box at the top of the Motor Settings window. If you select an invalid name, the text box will highlight orange to indicate. Then select "Done" to submit the device changes to the configuration.

C++ code example showing device name updated in program after renaming the Motor. The new name reads ArmMotor and this is reflected in the code.

If you change the name of a motor that is already being used in your project, you will need to update the motor name in the command to the new name.

Reversing a Motor

Motor settings menu with the Reverse option highlighted to reverse the motor's direction.

The Motor Settings window also allows the direction of the motors to be reversed.

Deleting a Motor

Motor settings menu with the Delete button highlighted below.

Motors can also be deleted by selecting the “Delete” option at the bottom of the window.

Note: If you delete a motor that is already being used in your project, the project will not work until the commands using that motor have also been deleted.

Changing a Gear Cartridge

Motor settings showing gear cartridge options for selecting motor speed configurations.

The Motor Settings window also allows the gear cartridge to be changed.

Note: Changing the motor's gear cartridge will also change the color indicator on the motor.