Using the Print Console in VEXcode IQ with Blocks – VEX Library

The Print Console allows the user to display messages, report sensor values, or to present data from VEXcode IQ projects. The Print Console also allows users to save print outputs as a text file.

The Print Console can also be used to display process information, providing visual cues that enable the user to see what is happening in a VEXcode IQ project at a specific moment in time, thereby making a visual connection between the project and the actions of the IQ Robot.

The Print Console needs to have active communication between the VEX IQ (2nd generation) Brain and the device being used with VEXcode IQ. This can be accomplished by:

USB Connection

Brain connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Wireless Via Controller

Controller connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Note: Bluetooth communication is unavailable.

How to Open the Print Console

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Print Console icon highlighted in between the Devices and Help icons.

The Print Console is located in the IQ Monitor Display. To open the Print Console, select the Monitor Display icon next to Help.

Print Console menu is open and shows a blank space for projects to print information and text to.

The Monitor Display will open once selected. The Print Console is at the right side.

How to Use the Print Console in a Project

Look and Draw Blocks that Trigger the Print Console

VEXcode IQ Toolbox with the Print subcategory of blocks shown inside the Looks category.

Specialized Look blocks are used within a VEXcode IQ project in order to trigger the Print Console. These blocks print words, numbers, reported values from variables, a calculation of an operator, or values reported from a sensor or device.

The Help feature in VEXcode IQ provides additional information on these and other programming blocks. See this article for information on how to access the Help feature.

VEXCode IQ Set pen color block with its dropdown menu opened to change the device. The default option is set pen color to red on Brain, but it can be changed to set on the Console instead.

The [Set pen color] block under the Draw category can also be used in the Print Console by selecting "Console" from the dropdown menu.

Applying Look Blocks with the Print Console

VEXCode IQ Print block that has been expanded to include set cursor to next row. The entire block reads Print Drive Forward on Console and set cursor to next row.

Use the Look blocks within a project to print a message, or display data in the Print Console.

To use the Print blocks, select the desired Look block and add it to a project. Select "Console" from the dropdown menu.

Note: The 'and set cursor to next row' portion of the block must be enabled for text to appear in the Print Console.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Download and Run icons highlighted together.

Download the project to the IQ Robot Brain and Select "Run".

See this article on downloading and running a project.

Print Console menu is open and shows the printed message Drive Forward.

Once “Run” is selected, the project will run and the colored text or programmed values will be printed to the Print Console as dictated by the VEXcode IQ project.

Applying Draw Blocks with the Print Console

VEXcode IQ blocks project that uses Set pen color blocks to print in different colors. The project reads When started, set pen color to red on Console and then print RED on Console and set cursor to next row. Next, set pen color to green on Console and then print GREEN on Console and set cursor to next row.

Use the Draw blocks within a project to change the text color in the Print Console.

To use the [Set pen color] block, select the [Set pen color] block and add it to a project.

Select "Console" from the dropdown menu.

Note: The [Set pen color] block is the only Draw block that can be used in the console.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Download and Run icons highlighted together.

Download the project to the IQ Robot Brain and Select "Run".

See this article on downloading and running a blocks project.

Print Console menu is open and shows the printed message RED and then GREEN on the next line. The messages have been printed in their respective colors.

Once “Run” is selected, the project will run and the colored text or programmed values will be printed to the Print Console as dictated by the VEXcode IQ project.

Clear Rows in the Print Console

Print Console menu is open and the Clear button is highlighted below.

There are two ways to clear all information from the Print Console. The first way to completely clear all text is to select the “Clear” button on the bottom left of the Print Console.

VEXcode IQ blocks project that uses Wait blocks to print messages with delays. The project reads When started, print Hello on Console and set cursor to next row and then wait 3 seconds. Next, clear all rows on Console and print Goodbye on Console and set cursor to next row. Lastly, wait 3 seconds and then clear all rows on Console.

Another way to clear the Print Console is to use the [Clear all rows] block.

Add the [Clear all rows] block to a project in order to remove all of the lines in the Print Console.

In this project, “Hello” will print on the Print Console. After 3 seconds, all rows will be cleared. Then, “Goodbye” will be printed on the Print Console and clear after 3 seconds.

Save from the Print Console

Print Console menu is open and the Save button is highlighted below.

It is easy to save information from the Print Console onto your device. Select “Save” on the bottom of the Print Console to save all text as a .txt file.

Saved Print Console file is shown in the device's Downloads folder.

Once you select the “Save” button, the file will automatically save to the Downloads folder on your device as a .txt file.

Note: The file does not save the printed colors.

Example Projects Using the Print Console

Report Variable Values and Data in a Project

The Print Console can be used to report variable values at discrete moments within a project.

VEXcode IQ blocks project that uses a variable, printing blocks, a forever loop, and Brain button pressed blocks. The project takes input from the Brain buttons, and then prints the variable as it counts up and down depending on the input.

Print Console is shown with the output messages from the previous project. The messages show the variable counting up to 3 and then back down to 0, one at a time.

Use the Print Console to print the value of “myVariable."

In the project on the left, the Print Console displays variable values when the Brain buttons are pressed. The variable increases when the 'left' button is pressed, and decreases when the 'right' button is pressed.

Report Sensing Values and Data in a Project

The Print Console can be used to to report sensor data at discrete moments within a project.

VEXcode IQ blocks project that uses a Turn block, a while loop, printing blocks, and sensing blocks. The project turns the robot to the right and then prints the current timer in seconds and the drive rotation in degrees values live for 10 seconds.

Print Console is shown with the output messages from the previous project. The messages show the timer and rotation values counting up over time until the timer reaches 10 seconds.

The data captured by the Print Console allows the user to see valuable information about project processes including IQ Robot sensor information. When the [Print] block is triggered, it can be programmed to display information captured in the moment.

In the project on the left, the Print Console displays information reported by the Inertial Sensor built into the IQ Brain (2nd gen) as prescribed by the Look and Sensing blocks within the project. This information includes changes that the Inertial Sensor captures at discrete moments while the project is running: time in seconds and the rotation of the BaseBot in degrees.

Note: The project in this example uses the BaseBot (Drivetrain, 2-motor) (2nd gen) template.