Configuring the VEX V5 Workcell in VEXcode V5 – VEX Library

User programs need to be able to interact with the inputs and outputs of a robotic workcell. This is done by configuring the devices within an application. VEXcode V5 uses the Robot Configuration to configure the VEX V5 Workcell devices within a project.

When starting to code the V5 Workcell with VEXcode V5, blocks from the ‘Arm’ category will not appear in the Toolbox until the ‘ARM’ device has been added to the Robot Configuration.

VEXcode V5 workspace showing a Robotic Arm device added in the Devices menu. The blocks toolbox is shown and the Arm category of blocks is now available and it is highlighted.

Adding the ‘ARM’ device

To add the ‘ARM’ device to the Robot Configuration, see the following steps:

VEXcode V5 app icon.

Launch VEXcode V5.

VEXcode V5 with the Devices icon highlighted on the Toolbar in between the Code Viewer and Monitor icons.

Select the Robot Configuration button to open the Devices window.

VEXcode V5 Devices menu with the Add a Device button highlighted.

Select ‘Add a device.’

Arm device option is highlighted in the Select a Device menu.

Select ‘ARM.’

Select Configuration menu is shown with two options that read Standard Config and Custom Config.

The ‘Arm Configuration’ will appear. You will be able to select 'Standard Configuration' or a "Custom Configuration'.

Arm Configuration menu after the Standard Config option has been selected, the four Joints are assigned to the first four Smart Ports.

If you select 'Standard Configuration' this will be your Arm Configuration.

Arm Configuration menu after the Custom Config option has been selected, the four Joints have menus where they can be assigned to a custom port configuration.

If you select 'Custom Configuration' you will be able to assign Ports for your Arm Configuration.

Arm Configuration menu with the Done button highlighted below.

Select ‘Done.’

Devices menu with the right arrow icon highlighted in the top right corner.

Collapse the Devices window by selecting the arrow.

VEXcode V5 blocks toolbox is shown and the Arm category of blocks is now available and it is highlighted.

You will now see blocks from the ‘Arm’ category in the Toolbox.

Renaming the ‘ARM’ device

Arm Configuraiton menu with its name field highlighted to indicate that it can be renamed.

You can rename the device by changing the name in the text box at the top of the ‘Arm Configuration’ screen. The new name must adhere to the naming protocol. If you select an invalid name, the text box will highlight red to indicate. Once the device is renamed, select ‘Done’ to submit the device changes to the configuration.

VEXcode Set tool block with the device dropdown menu opened to select the new Arm name.

If you change the name of the device that is already being used in your project, you will need to update the device's name in the block to the new name using the drop down.

Deleting the ‘ARM’ device

Devices menu with the already added Arm device highlighted.

Once a device has been added to the Robot Configuration, it can be deleted. First, select the device you wish to delete in the Devices window.

Arm Configuration menu with the Delete button highlighted below.

Then, select the ‘Delete’ option at the bottom of the ‘Arm Configuration’ screen.

Note: If you delete a device that is already being used in your project, your project will generate an error if you try to download it until you also delete the blocks that were using the deleted device.

For more information on configuring devices in VEXcode V5, view these articles from the VEX Library.