Unity3D Blocks Programming

Image credits

YouTube Video

Bitrise

Reference:

Br-GoGo

Pre-requisites

• Python 3

• IronPython 2.7

• UnityHub

• Using Unity Editor 6000.2.10f1 (Unity 6.2)

• git-lfs

Useful Tools

• Windows:

• Visual Studio

• linux:

• Mono Framework

• macOS:

• Mono Framework

Architecture Overview

Block System (Assets/Scripts/Programming/Blocks/)

The editor uses a connection-based visual block system inspired by Scratch/Logo:

• Block — Abstract base class for all blocks. Manages drag-and-drop, a list of Connection objects (each with a socket type, connection type, and relative position), and code generation via GetCode().
• Connection — Inner class of Block. Represents a slot that can attach to another block's complementary slot (Male↔Female, matching ConnectionType). Types: Regular, Logic, Number, Forbidden.
• SimpleInstructionBlock — Linear block with a top input and a next output. Generates a single instruction string.
• BlockWithArgument — Extends SimpleInstructionBlock to add a numeric argument slot.
• StartBlock — Entry-point block; generates to start ... end wrapper.
• IfThenBlock / IfThenElseBlock / WhileBlock / ForeverBlock — Control-flow blocks with dynamic height/width based on nested content.
• NumberBlock — Base for numeric value blocks (constant, sensor read, operation).
• ConditionBlock / ConditionOperatorBlock — Logic/comparison blocks.

Code Generation Pipeline

Each block's GetCode() recursively calls GetCode() on attached blocks to produce a Logo-like string. The IndentLogoCode() method in Block post-processes the flat string into indented output using [ / ] markers.

StartBlock.GetCode()
  → "to start"
  → next.GetCode()          (e.g. IfThenBlock)
      → "if (...) [\n"
      → then.GetCode()      (e.g. SimpleInstructionBlock chain)
      → "\n]"
  → "end"

Robot System (Assets/Scripts/Robot/)

• RobotController — High-level robot API (move, turn, LED, sensor read). Delegates to component controllers.
• BoardController — Parses command strings (e.g. "abcd, setpower 50") and dispatches to the robot API.
• WheelController — Animates wheel rotation based on speed.
• LEDController — Toggles LED emission via MaterialPropertyBlock.
• UltrasonicSensorController — Distance measurement via downward Physics.Raycast.
• ColorSensorController — Surface color/light detection via downward Physics.Raycast.
• SpeakerController — Audio playback and procedural tone generation.
• RobotConfiguration — ScriptableObject defining robot variants and enabled sensors/actuators.

Scenario System (Assets/Scripts/Scenario/)

• ScenarioController — Activates one of several pre-built scenario GameObjects by ScenarioType enum.

Adding New Block Types

1. Create a new MonoBehaviour class extending Block (or an existing subclass).
2. In Start(), call base.Start() and populate this.connections with Connection objects.
3. Implement GetCode() to return the block's Logo-like code string, appending connectionNext.GetAttachedBlock()?.GetCode() for sequential chaining.
4. Create a prefab with RectTransform, LayoutElement, and (optionally) Shadow components.
5. Register the prefab in the appropriate BlocksPallete section in BlocksPallete.cs.

Tests

EditMode unit tests live in Assets/Tests/EditMode/. Run them from Window → General → Test Runner → EditMode in the Unity Editor.

The tests cover code generation for all block types and the Connection attach/detach behaviour.

Robot Simulation Editor

A live control panel for testing the robot simulation without leaving the Unity Editor.

Open: Window > Blocks > Robot Simulation

Features:

• Board power toggle — powers the BoardController on/off; commands are only dispatched when the board is powered.
• Configuration panel — displays the active robot variant, max speed, and lets you switch the active scenario from a dropdown.
• D-pad movement controls — Forward / Backward / Turn Left / Turn Right / Brake buttons, with a speed slider.
• Live sensor readings — ultrasonic sensors shown as distance progress bars; color sensors shown as color swatches with light-level bars. Updates every frame.
• LED controls — per-LED on/off toggle showing current state.
• Raw command input — type any BoardController command (e.g. setpower 3, ledon 0, beep) and press Enter or Send.
• Log — timestamped history of all issued commands and events.

The window requires Play Mode to be active; it shows an info message otherwise.