Configuring a 4-Motor Drivetrain in VEXcode Pro V5

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, Drive and Turn commands will not appear in the Command Reference until a Drivetrain has been configured.

You can only configure one Drivetrain per project.

If you are configuring a Drivetrain without a Gyro Sensor, click here. 

In this article, the default values in the Drivetrain Settings are for the VEX V5 Clawbot.


Adding a Drivetrain

Screenshot of the Robot Configuration window in VEX V5 software, displaying various settings and options for configuring a robot's hardware and functionality.

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

Screenshot of the Robot Configuration interface in VEX V5, showing options to add a device to a robot setup, including various device types and configuration settings.

Select “Add a device.”

Diagram of a VEX V5 robot drivetrain configuration featuring a 4-motor setup, illustrating the arrangement and connections of motors for optimal performance in robotics applications.

Select “Drivetrain 4-Motor.”

Diagram illustrating the V5 Robot Configuration, featuring labeled components and connections for optimal setup, used in the context of V5 Category Description.

Select which ports the Left Motors, Right Motors, and the Gyro Sensor are attached to on the VEX V5 Brain. Ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable.

Note: The Gyro Sensor is connected to a 3-Wire port not a Smart Port.

Button labeled 'Done' in the V5 Robot Configuration interface, indicating the completion of a selection process.

Once the Drivetrain has been configured, select “Done” to submit the device to the configuration or “Cancel” to return back to the Robot Configuration window.

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


Changing a Drivetrain’s Port Numbers

Screenshot of robot configuration settings in V5, displaying various adjustable parameters and options for optimizing robot performance.

You can change the port number for the Left Motors or Right Motors in the Drivetrain by selecting the device’s plug icon in the top right corner of the Drivetrain Settings window.

Diagram illustrating the configuration options for the V5 robot, highlighting key components and their arrangement in the system, relevant to the V5 Category Description section on Robot Config.

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


Changing a Drivetrain’s Wheel Size

Diagram illustrating the process of saving and changing the wheel configuration for V5 robots, highlighting the steps involved in modifying robot settings for optimal performance.

You can change the wheel size for the Drivetrain by selecting the drop down menu under “Wheel Size.”


Changing a Drivetrain’s Gear Ratio

Diagram illustrating gear ratios for V5 robot configurations, showing various gear combinations and their impact on robot speed and torque.

You can change the gear ratio for the Drivetrain by entering values in the “Input” and “Output” boxes.


Reversing a Drivetrain

Diagram of a VEX V5 robot configuration showing the reverse drive mechanism, illustrating the setup and connections for optimal performance in robotic applications.

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


Deleting a Drivetrain

Screenshot of a VEX V5 robot configuration interface, displaying various settings and options for robot setup, including motor configurations and sensor inputs.

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


Changing a Gear Cartridge

Illustration of a V5 robot cartridge configuration, showcasing various components and connections, used for understanding the setup in the V5 Category Description section.

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

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

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