🎭Lesson 3: Expressions
Last updated
Last updated
The aim of this lesson is to explore Misty's facial expressions and teach you how to customize the display in any way you like. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to personalize every expression of your Misty. If you have any questions about the specific blocks, you can check out Vision and Miscellaneous.
Expressions are essential to let humans know what you are feeling and it's no different for robots. Let's get Misty to show her range of expressions. Select the display image block from the 'Vision tab' in Misty Blocks and use it to change the eyes on Misty's display. You can explore them in the drop down list or go to Image files. Remember that Misty's display is 480x272 pixels so your image file needs to be the same dimensions. You can also adjust the opacity of your image: 0 is all black and 1 is full colored picture.
If you want to add your own image or design new eyes for Misty, you can up upload it in the same way as your song. Try designing and uploading your very own Misty eyes or a favorite photo. You will need to add the upload image block from the 'Vision' tab and click on the check box, upload the image, wait for the checkmark to appear and the name of the file. After you run the block you will be able to find your image in the display image block.
If you want to also display a text you can use the display text block in the 'Vision' tab. You can time several texts to show up in a sequence or at a specific point in your program. When you want to delete it, you need to remove the text from the field as in the following example:
The LED block is used a lot in Misty applications because it gives clear feedback on whether some actions were done or not, it fits everywhere! You can find your LED block in the 'Miscellaneous' tab in Misty Blocks. As you probably discovered, there are a lot of colors to choose from when you click on the colored square, choose your favorite one and run the block!
If you've tried out the Wizard in Misty Studio you've probably discovered that Misty has lots of pre-programmed actions with expressions and movements. Let's try to rebuild one using the display, movement and LED blocks. If you are unsure how to build on you can start with the example of the action "Love".
As a robot Misty can take on a lot of features from other machines and vehicles. If you've stubbed your toe on your bed for example, you can make Misty rush over to you like an ambulance. Try out connecting the transition LED block with a play audio block and a drive block so Misty can simulate an ambulance for ten seconds. In the transition audio block you can select two colors and the time it takes to cycle between them In the drop-down you can also choose how you want the LED to transition. How would you improve the sequence below to make her more like an ambulance?
Now that you've mastered Misty's display, expressions and LED, let's have Misty recite your favorite text and show it on her screen. You can either upload a custom background for your text or change it to just black. Add a display text block and write in your text. Here is an example of how you can have her recite a poem:
In a realm where cogs entwine, Two robots found a love, design divine. Their hearts in circuits hummed and spun, In perfect sync, a dance begun.
Their love in gears and sparks was told, A connection timeless, coded bold. In this world of metal gleam, Their love, an eternal dream machine .
Now that you've been enlightened about Misty's chest LED, try combining what you've learned so far to transform your room into a robot disco! Don't be afraid to use more and more of Misty's action blocks together with her expressions and turn her chest LED into disco ball!
