Coding with VEXcode IQ (1st gen) – VEX Library

VEXcode IQ is the coding environment for programming a VEX IQ Robot. The following article provides links to other articles that will help you start coding with VEXcode IQ. At the end of this article, you will have the option of either programming the VEX Clawbot IQ to drive forward or to create a project to print ‘VEX’ on the LCD display of the VEX IQ Brain.

Students collaborating on a VEX IQ robot build in a classroom environment.

Note: in order to test your project at the end of this article, ensure you begin with a charged IQ Battery.

This article will include:

Download the application
Devices and Templates
Using Blocks
Saving
Update firmware if needed
Downloading and Running
Opening a project
Additional helpful links
My First Project
- Print ‘VEX’ example (no robot build required)
- Drive Forward example (Clawbot IQ build required)

Download the application

VEXcode IQ is available for several different types of devices. The application needs to be downloaded onto your device. View the VEXcode download page.

VEXcode IQ Download options including Windows, Mac, Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore platforms.

The following links will help you download the application onto your device:

Devices and Templates

New Blocks project in VEXcode IQ, with the Blocks Toolbox highlighted to indicate that with just a Brain connected, only the default blocks are shown.

When you open a new VEXcode IQ project, the project is set up to only use the VEX IQ Brain. The only blocks which will appear in the Toolbox are the default blocks.

A project is customized by adding the devices that are being used on your robot. Additional blocks will populate the Toolbox for each device that is added.

VEXcode IQ with the Devices menu opened to the side and showing a connected 2 motor Drivetrain. In the toolbox, the Drivetrain category of blocks is now available.

For example, adding a ‘DRIVETRAIN 2 motor’ device will add the set of ‘Drivetrain’ blocks to the Toolbox.

Clawbot IQ robot build shown next to the Autopilot robot build.

There are a number of standard VEX IQ builds, such as the Clawbot and the Autopilot, that can be used in the classroom and the VEX STEM Labs.

VEXcode IQ Devices menu with a template project opened and pre-configured devices shown. In this example, two motors named ClawMotor and ArmMotor are assigned to ports 11 and 10, and a two motor Drivetrain with gyro is assigned to ports 1, 6, and 4.

VEXcode IQ has a number of templates that are already set up for these builds. For example, an easy way to start a VEXcode IQ project for the Clawbot IQ, is to use an example template. This will configure the Clawbot’s devices and add the specific devices’ blocks to the Toolbox.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the File menu open and the Open Examples option highlighted. Open Examples is the fifth option in the menu, below New Blocks Project, New Text Project, Open, and Open Recent.

Open an example project by selecting ‘Open Examples’ from the File menu.

Example Projects menu with the Templates category in the Filter bar highlighted.

Select ‘Templates’ from the Filter bar.

Clawbot Drivetrain 2 motor Example Project thumbnail image.

Then select the Clawbot (Drivetrain 2-motor) Template.

Note: view the Robot Config section of articles for more information on configuring devices.

Using Blocks

VEXcode IQ opens as a Blocks project. Programming with blocks provides an environment that is accessible, with a very low entry threshold. However, coding a Blocks project also allows for an advanced level of programming.

A block can be added to a project by dragging it over from the Toolbox to the workspace.

An arrow indicates that a Print block has been dragged from the Toolbox into the workspace, forming a stack below a When Started block.

It can be just as easily deleted from the project by dragging the block off of the workspace.

An arrow indicates that the Print block can be deleted by dragging it back into the Toolbox.

Some additional helpful articles using blocks include:

Saving

Once you have completed your VEX IQ project, it will need to be saved to your device. Saving your project differs depending on your device.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the project name field changed to Drive. The label to the right is highlighted and reads Saved.

The following articles explain how to save your project on your device:

Update firmware if needed

The VEX IQ Brain and other smart devices have an underlying software that allows the devices to work with the VEXcode IQ project. This software is called firmware, or otherwise known as VEXos.

VEXos Utility app icon.

If the firmware is not up to date with your current version VEXcode IQ, you will not be able to download your project to the IQ Brain. VEXcode IQ alerts you when the firmware is not up to date by displaying an orange brain icon as soon as a powered IQ Brain is connected to your device.

VEXcode IQ with an orange Brain icon on the Toolbar which indicates that the Brain's firmware is out of date.

Note: view the Firmware - Get Started - VEXcode IQ article for more information about firmware.

Downloading and Running

Brain connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Your VEXcode IQ project needs to be downloaded to the VEX IQ Brain in order for your project to run. This is accomplished with a USB cord connected between the IQ Brain and your device.

Brain connected to an iPad using a wireless connection.

Or, wirelessly with iPad/Android tablet devices.

VEXcode IQ with the Slot dropdown menu opened, which can be used to select one out of 4 slots on the connected Brain.

The VEX IQ Brain has four download slots which allows four different projects to be stored on the IQ Brain at the same time.

Once the VEX IQ Brain is connected and a slot is selected, your project can be downloaded to the IQ Brain, and then run. When a project is run, it allows you to see how the project affects the behavior of your robot.

Occasionally, a download error may occur during the download process. However, these are usually easy to troubleshoot.

The following articles will help you with downloading and running your VEXcode IQ project:

Note: Before downloading your project, review the Pre-Downloading a Project Checklist.

Opening a Project

Once a VEXcode IQ project has been saved on your device, it can be opened at a later time to be re-downloaded onto your robot, or the project can be modified.

VEXcode IQ with a previously saved Blocks project successfully opened in the Workspace.

The following articles will help you open your VEXcode IQ project on your specific device:

Additional helpful links

There are many additional VEX Library articles to assist you when working with the VEXcode IQ.

Some additional helpful articles to get started include:

There are also many fun and educational activities found in the VEX IQ STEM Labs.

Banner image that reads VEX IQ STEM Labs.

My First Project

The following two projects will allow you to practice building a project in VEXcode IQ.

Print ‘VEX’

This project will allow you to build a project without having to assemble a robot. All that will be needed is the VEX IQ Brain and a charged battery.

Brain connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Ensure the IQ Brain is connected to your device and powered on.

VEXcode IQ app icon.

Launch VEXcode IQ.

Default blank blocks project is open in the VEXcode IQ workspace.

A new blank project will open.

VEXcode IQ with a project that reads When started, Print Hello.

From the ‘Looks’ category select a [Print] block and attach it to the {When started} block.

VEXcode IQ with a project that now reads When started, Print VEX.

Replace the word ‘Hello’ in the parameter with the word ‘VEX.’

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Download and Run icons highlighted together in between the Brain and Stop icons. The project has also been renamed and saved to DisplayProject.

Save, download, and run your project.

IQ (Gen 1) Brain screen shown after running the DisplayProject program. The message VEX has been printed to the screen.

‘VEX’ will print on the LED display of the IQ Brain.

Drive Forward

This project is intended to be used with the standard Clawbot IQ. View the Clawbot with Controller STEM Lab for build instructions.

Angled view of the Clawbot IQ build.

Brain connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Ensure the IQ Brain is connected to your device and powered on.

VEXcode IQ app icon.

Launch VEXcode IQ.

A new blank project will open.

Clawbot Drivetrain 2 motor Example Project thumbnail.

Open the ‘Clawbot (Drivetrain 2-motor)’ example project.

Note: The template requires a Gyro to be plugged into Smart Port 4.

VEXcode IQ with the Clawbot Drivetrain 2 motor template example project opened in the Workspace. The project has a note that has a description of the project and its device configuration. The project also has a stack of blocks that reads When started, Drive forward for 200 mm.

From the ‘Drivetrain’ category, select a [Drive for] block and attach it to the {When started} block.

Note: Driving forward for 200 millimeters will move the Clawbot’s wheels forward one rotation.

Save, download, and run your project. The Clawbot will now drive forward 200 mm as shown in the animation below.

Note: if you experience any issues when working with VEXcode IQ, please use the feedback tool found within VEXcode IQ.