Monitoring Variable and Sensing Values in VEXcode VR – VEX Library

Variable and sensor monitoring available in the VEXcode VR Monitor Console provides important visual cues that allow the user to see what is happening in a VEXcode VR project in real time. The Monitor Console allows users to make a visual connection between the project and the actions of the VR Robot. Monitoring sensor and variable values in the Monitor Console allows the user to view real-time reports of a specific value (or multiple values) in a project, which can help to visualize the flow of a project.

How to Use the Monitor Console

VEXcode VR Toolbar. The monitor icon, highlighted with a red box, is shown between the Code Viewer and Help icons.

To open the Monitor Window and view the Monitor Console, select the Monitor icon next to the Help.

Monitor Console in VEXcode VR. The console contains a table with two columns and 4 rows. The first row is labelled Sensors, second row is blank, the third row is labelled Variables, and the fourth row is blank.

The Monitor Console reports Sensor and Variable values.

Eye found object block in VEXcode VR with the dropdown to select an Eye Sensor open and Front Eye is shown selected.

Blocks that return a numeric value or Boolean value can be monitored. These include blocks that are oval shaped (numeric reporter) and hexagonal shaped (Boolean).

To start monitoring a sensor value, select the parameter to be monitored in the block within the Toolbox.

Next, select and drag the block to the Monitor Console icon in the Workspace.

Eye found object block hovering over the Monitor icon in the Workspace. A green arrow can be seen overtop of the Monitor icon.

If a block can be monitored, a green arrow will appear over the Monitor Console icon in the workspace.

Turn right block hovering over the Monitor icon in the Workspace. A red circle with a line across the middle, indicating that this block cannot be monitored, can be seen overtop of the Monitor icon.

If a block cannot be monitored, a red icon showing a circle with a line through it will appear over the Monitor Console icon.

Monitor Console containing the same table as before. The second row now shows an X then the text 'FrontDistance found an object' and the column to the right of that shows the word 'true.' A red callout box is shown on the X.

To remove sensor values from the Monitor Console, select the X next to the value to be removed.

Monitoring Variables and Lists

Variables in the Toolbox can be added to the Monitor Console by selecting and dragging the variable block to the Monitor Console icon in the Workspace.

Before being added to the Monitor Console, a variable must be created. For information about adding a new variable and variable naming in VEXcode VR, view this article.

Monitor Console containing the same table as before. The second row is blank. The fourth row now shows an X then the text 'myVariable' and the column to the right of that shows the variables value is currently 0. A red callout box is shown on the X.

To remove variables from the Monitor Console, select the X next to the variable to be removed.

Toolbox in VEXcode VR with a red box highlighting the buttons for Make a List and Make a 2D List.

Lists can also be added to the Monitor Console. Before being added to the Monitor Console, lists and 2D lists must be created.

To add an existing list or 2D list, select and drag an associated list block to the Monitor Console icon in the Workspace.

Monitor Console containing the same table as before. The second row is blank. The fourth row now shows an X then the text 'list 1' and the column to the right of that shows a set of open brackets with three zeros, indicating that all values in the list are currently 0. A red callout box is shown on the X.

To remove a list from the Monitor Console, select the X next to the list to be removed.