WIXLIB

SetupSystem Requirements PC Compatible OS: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, orWindows 8 Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processor family or better, AMD Athlon X2processor family or better Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS or better, ATI Radeon HD3850 or better DirectX : DirectX 9.0c and DirectX 10 Hard Drive: 350 MB free hard drive space Sound: Standard audio deviceInstallationThe Virtual Brick may runon older computers, but itis highly recommended thatcomputers have a dedicatedgraphics card for superiorperformance.1. You will need Administrator Level Access to the computer to install theVirtual Brick and Robot Virtual Worlds software.2. Use your Internet browser to download the latest version of the Virtual BrickBundle at: http://robotvirtualworlds.com/virtualnxtThe installation file includes 4 primary components: The Virtual Brick SoftwareThe Virtual Brick USB DriverThe LEGO NXT DriverThe Introduction to Programming EV3 Robot Virtual WorldNote: To use the Virtual Brick and RVWs, you will also need a LEGOprogramming software (NXT-G, EV3, LabVIEW, etc.) installed on yourcomputer. See page 6 for more information.3. When the file download is complete, double-click on it to run the VirtualBrick installer.4. Follow along with the on-screen prompts, pressing Next and Continuewhen needed.10The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Setup5. The setup wizard will launch a second installer for the Virtual Brick softwarespecifically for your Operating System (64bit or 32bit). This is expected;continue to press the “Next” and “Yes” buttons when prompted.6. You may need to give permission for a driver for the Virtual Brick to beinstalled. Choose “Install” or “Yes” to continue the installation.7. If the latest version of the LEGO NXT driver is not detected on your system,it will also be installed. Be sure to choose “Next” or “Yes” if prompted.8. Once the installation of the software and drivers are complete, you mayneed to press “Finish” to close them11The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Setup9. The installation creates shortcuts to “Launch Virtual Brick” on the Desktop andStart Menu. Double-click the shortcut to launch the Virtual Brick software.10. The first time the software is run, you will be prompted to enter your LicenseInformation or begin a free trial. Enter your License Information if available.11. You may notice that the driver for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT finishesinstalling the first time the software is run. The Installation is now complete.Normally installation is very straight forward, but if your computernotifies you that it should reboot before starting the software, werecommend that you do so.If the installation did not complete for any reason, double-clicking theinstallation file and going through the process should resolve mostissues. If prompted when running the installer a second time, choosethe “Repair” option given.12The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Programming with RVWsProgramming - EV3Programming in EV3 for the Virtual Brick is very similar as for a real LEGO robot. For alist of blocks that are not currently compatible with the Virtual Brick, see page 13. TheEV3 programming software will automatically connect to the Virtual Brick if it is open onyour computer, and you don’t have any real LEGO robots connected. In the lower-rightcorner of the interface, there is a series of control buttons. The button with the LEGOBrick silhouette will allow you to see the Virtual Brick, named “Virtual Brick” by default.121 The Download (downward arrow) button will download programs to the Virtual Brick.2 The Download and Run (right arrow) button will download a program to the VirtualBrick AND start running it in the virtual world. When working on a challenge, werecommend getting the virtual robot into a start position in the virtual world, thenpressing the Download and Run button.Remember that you can press thereset button (circular arrow) on the leftside of the virtual world to reset therobot to its original position.Pressing the Play button (right arrow),will run the program most recentlydownloaded to the Virtual Brick.13The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Programming with RVWsProgramming - EV3There are some blocks in the EV3 programming software which are currently onlycompatible with a physical EV3 robot, and you should avoid using them with theVirtual Brick. If you attempt to use these blocks in your program with the Virtual Brick,the software will fade them out and display a symbol with an exclamation point:Below are the known blocks and block configurations which are only compatible with aphysical EV3 robot.Action Palette:You can substitute the Large Motorblock for the Medium Motor blockwhen programming with the VirtualBrick and RVWs.Brick Status LightMedium MotorSensor Palette:You can substitute the RVW Gyro Sensorblock for the Gyro Sensor block whenprogramming with the Virtual Brick andRVWs. See pages 32 - 36.Infrared SensorGyro SensorData Operations Palette:Math Block (Advanced)Math Block (Exponent)Array OperationsAdvanced Palette:Messaging14Data LoggingInvert MotorBluetooth ConnectionThe Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Programming with RVWsProgramming - NXT-GProgramming in NXT-G for the Virtual NXT is very similar as for a real LEGO robot.NXT-G will automatically connect to the Virtual Brick if it is open on your computer,and you don’t have any real LEGO robots connected. In the lower-right corner of theinterface, there is a series of control buttons. The button with the LEGO Brick silhouettewill allow you to see the Virtual Brick, named “Virtual Brick” by default.121 The Download (downward arrow) button will download programs to the Virtual Brick.2 The Download and Run (right arrow) button will download a program to the VirtualBrick AND start running it in the virtual world. When working on a challenge, werecommend getting the virtual robot into a start position in the virtual world, thenpressing the Download and Run button.Remember that you can press thereset button (circular arrow) on the leftside of the virtual world to reset therobot to its original position.Pressing the Play button (right arrow),will run the program most recentlydownloaded to the Virtual Brick.15The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Programming with RVWsProgramming - LabVIEWLabVIEW is a programming language used in industry, and consequently presents awider variety of programming flexibility than the EV3 and NXT-G programming solutions.“Robot Projects” as well as single programs, or “VI’s”, can be used with the Virtual Brickand Robot Virtual Worlds.When creating programs for the Virtual Brick, you must be sure to limit the Functionsyou use to those found in the NXT Robotics category. LabVIEW includes moresophisticated functions which will not run on the Virtual Brick or a real LEGO robot.16The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Programming with RVWsProgramming - LabVIEWProgramming in LabVIEW for the Virtual Brick is very similar to programming fora real LEGO robot , and is primarily done in the “Block Diagram” Window (not theFront Panel Window). The Block Diagram can be selected from the Window menu inLabVIEW if it is not already open.2311You must target the Virtual Brick in LabVIEW before downloading and running aprogram. In the lower-left corner of the Block Diagram window, right-click on the areathat says “Main Application”, and choose the Virtual Brick (“Virtual Brick [USB]” bydefault). The color of the section will change to orange.2 The Download and Run (right arrow) button will download a program to the VirtualBrick AND start running it in the virtual world. When working on a challenge, werecommend getting the virtual robot into a start position in the virtual world, thenpressing the Download and Run button.3 The Download (downward arrow) button will download programs to the Virtual Brick.Remember that you can press the reset button(circular arrow) on the left side of the virtualworld to reset the robot to its original position.Pressing the Play button (right arrow), will runthe program most recently downloaded to theVirtual Brick.17The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceUsing the Robot Virtual WorldsAll Robot Virtual Worlds have an interface that you will need to navigate; manycomponents of the different worlds are similar, but each also has several uniquegame mechanics. The following pages will familiarize you with the commoncomponents and briefly introduce you to the unique ones.In the example directly below, the Introduction to Programming EV3 RVW waschosen from the Target World menu in the Virtual Brick software. One exampleof a common component across all worlds is the ability to select multiple robotstyles. Robot specifications are included in the ROBOTS section. You will need thisinformation when writing programs for the virtual robots.18The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceCommon RVW Components:Game ControlEvery Robot Virtual World includes Game Controls. Their placement and color varyslightly from world-to-world, but they are generally located in the lower-left corner ofthe screen.Play / Pause: This button will run the program currently selected (or mostrecently downloaded) to the Virtual Brick. Once a program is running, it willswitch to a Pause symbol; press it to halt a running program.Reset: This button will stop a running program and reset the robot to its originalstarting point and orientation.Home: This button will stop a running program and return you to the main menuof the Robot Virtual World you are using.19The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceCommon RVW Components:Camera ControlEvery Robot Virtual World also includes Camera Controls. Their placement and colorvary slightly from world-to-world, but they are generally located in the lower-rightcorner of the screen.Camera 1: This is the default game camera. It will “follow” the robot from behindas it moves in the virtual world. You can zoom in and out using the scroll wheelon your mouse.Camera 2: This provides a static, top-down view of the robot in the virtual world.Camera 3: Like Camera 1, this camera will follow the robot as it moves in thevirtual world. Using Camera 3, you can also click-and-drag in the virtual world tochange your viewing angle of the robot.Sensor View: This button allows you to see hidden data from sensors such asthe Ultrasonic Sensor, and is useful for determining why the robot is “seeing”certain sensor values.20The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceCommon RVW Components:Measurement ToolkitEvery Robot Virtual World includes the Measurement Toolkit. The MeasurementToolkit allows you to obtain key distances and angles from the virtual environment,crucial for robot path planning, by placing markers in the world.The placement and color vary slightly from world-to-world, but they are generallylocated on the right side of the screen.Show: This button toggles the Measurement Toolkit on and off. You must pressit to enable the Measurement Toolkit. If there are key objects in the environment(goals, scoring objects, etc), the distance and angle to them from the robot willbe displayed automatically.Add: Press this button to put your cursor in “maker adding mode”. Clickanywhere in the virtual world to add a marker, which will display its distance anddelta angle from the robot. A series of up to 3 markers can be added at a time.Clear: Pressing this button will remove the markers you have placed in the virtualworld. Right-clicking while in “marker adding mode” will also remove the mostrecently created point.21The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceCommon RVW Components:Optimizing Your Computer’s PerformanceThe Robot Virtual Worlds are built using a real physics and gaming engine, and havesimilar computer processing demands as a video game. To allow the RVWs to be runon a wider variety of computer hardware, graphics quality settings are included.In the Introduction to Programming EV3 RVW, you’ll find these controls in theOPTIONS menu. In the fantasy worlds, you’ll find them under SETTINGS.There are always three quality choices: LOW (FASTER) - Reduces the visual quality of the virtual world. Better forcomputers with limited graphics processing power MEDIUM - Default setting. Balances the visual quality of the virtual world withgraphics processing demands. HIGH (SLOWER) - Improves the visual quality of the virtual world. Better forcomputers with sufficient graphics processing power22The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceCommon RVW Components:Log In To Save Student ProgressThese are the first types of screen that you see when you launch aRobot Virtual World. How you log in determines how your progress issaved. Teach your students how to save their progress.1122331 Log into CS2NIf a teacher wants to track all of herstudents’ progress on one screen, thenthey will want their students to setupCS2N accounts. When students login with their own CS2N account, theirprogress is tracked and stored viathe CS2N network. This lets studentscontinue their progress, even on adifferent computer.Create a CS2N account at http://www.cs2n.org/signup (users will need an emailaddress)For teachers to see all of their student’sprogress they will need to setup a CS2NGroup. Learn more atwww.cs2n.org/teachers/groups232 Log in locallyA local log in allows students to save theirprogress on a local machine. Students willneed to use the same computer every dayto take advantage of this feature.3 Log in as guestWithin the LOCAL button, there is anoption to log in as guest. Logging in asa guest allows teachers to preview anddemonstrate the game easily, but oncethe game is closed no progress will besaved. This option should not be usedwith students, as all progress will belost if the application is closed, evenaccidentally.The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

The Robot Virtual World InterfaceTracking Student PerformanceBadges and AchievementsThe Computer Science Student Network (CS2N)contains free activities, courses, and resourcesfor teachers to teach Robotics and ComputerScience. Teachers can use CS2N to create aGroup and keep track of their students progress.Robot Virtual Worlds give out badges uponcompleting certain tasks or behaviors.CS2N is able to keep track of your Robot VirtualWorlds Achievements (or badges) once a CS2Naccount is created. Go to CS2N.org to create anaccount and begin getting achievements.No Internet connection? That’s okay!Achievements can also be obtained bycreating a Local account. This is usefulfor computers that cannot connect tothe Internet. You can do this by simplyselecting the “Create Local Account” option.The student’s achievements are stored onthe local computer and they are able toprint a copy and save it in a PDF format.The Student’s Name Appears Here!24The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Robot Virtual World TypesIntroduction to Programming EV3 RVWThe Introduction to Programming EV3 RVW includes several simulated LEGO robotsand over 80 classroom themed programming challenges from the Introduction toProgramming EV3 Curriculum. The virtual LEGO robots have the same dimensions,features, and sensors as physical LEGO robots. The Introduction to Programming EV3RVW is a great place to start for teaching how to program and works well in classroomsusing both real and virtual robots.Additional details about the Introduction to Programming EV3 RVW: Use the navigation buttons on the top to choose between the Badges you’ve earned,Options available, and Robot selection. Use the navigation on the left to select the different programming challenges. Every challenge corresponds with an activity in the curriculum and also has someinformation on their challenge page. Challenges that award achievements for completion display the badge to be earnedon the challenge page. More information can be found here:http://robotvirtualworlds.com/25The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponsor, endorse, or support this product

Robot Virtual World TypesOperation ResetThe mining colony of Alpha Base H99 needs your help! A terrible storm hasdamaged the colony’s equipment and we need you to use your programmingskills to complete the mission! Explore the surface of Planet H99 with two different rover models.Use the Vacuum attachment on the rover models to collect UnobtaniumCrystal samples.Transport Ion Propulsion Fuel Barrels to Fuel Stations so that the EnigmaRocket can return to Earth with the crystals.Deliver Charge Cubes to the colony’s Communication Towers to enabledirect robot control and additional mission insertion points.Operation Reset is one of several free additional Robot Virtual Worlds you candownload from RobotVirtualWorlds.com. Additional details and resources forOperation Reset, including Mission Tutorials, Maps, and lesson plans can be found 6The Virtual Brick is not a LEGO MINDSTORMS product. LEGO Educationor the LEGO Group does not sponso

BIG IDEAS in mathematics (see page 30). The Virtual Brick works with the following LEGO compatible software: NXT-G, EV3,and LabVIEW for LEGO Mindstorms. The Virtual Brick looks and acts like another LEGO Brain, or Brick to these programs. When you open up the Virtual Brick a