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

Monitor icon on the VEXcode VR toolbar for viewing variable and sensor values

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

VEXcode VR Monitor Console showing Sensors and Variables sections for viewing sensor readings and variable values

The Monitor Console reports Sensor and Variable values.

Eye found object block with Front Eye selected in the sensor dropdown

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.

Drag the Eye found object block to the Monitor icon to display its value.

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

Turn right block cannot be added to the Monitor Console.

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 showing FrontDistance found an object set to true, with the delete icon highlighted.

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 showing myVariable with a value of 0 and an X button to remove it from the list

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

Toolbox buttons for creating a List or 2D List in VEXcode VR

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 showing list 1 with values [0, 0, 0] and the X button highlighted to remove the monitor.

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