Skip to content

v1.4

Latest
Latest

Choose a tag to compare

View all tags
@a10036gt a10036gt released this 03 Oct 13:13
· 1 commit to main since this release
v1.4
88fa108
This commit was created on GitHub.com and signed with GitHub’s verified signature.
GPG key ID: B5690EEEBB952194
Verified
Learn about vigilant mode.

NXT:Scratch v1.4 — Major Update

This release brings a substantial set of improvements to NXT:Scratch, including expanded localization, new NXT and SPIKE-style programming features, improved connectivity handling, a redesigned program naming workflow, and a more self-contained installation experience.

✅ A special thanks to @feldsam for the extensive contributions to this release. Their work has been integrated into this version and has significantly expanded the capabilities of NXT:Scratch.

✨ Highlights

🌍 Localization

  • Added Czech localization for the UI and programming blocks.
  • Added Spanish localization.
  • Fixed several hard-coded English labels that prevented complete localization.
  • Improved toolbar layout for longer localized text.

🤖 New Programming Features

  • Added support for the LEGO NXT 2.0 Color Sensor.
    • Added support for the HiTechnic NXT Gyro Sensor.
  • Added SPIKE-style Motion blocks, including steering, direction, centimeter calibration, and coasting compensation.
  • Added Tank/Steering Motion.
  • Added motion deceleration, obstacle detection, and stall detection.
  • Added display icon blocks using NXC graphical primitives.
  • Added Light Sensor threshold blocks.
  • Added motor rotation counters in degrees, rotations, and centimeters.
  • Added additional operators such as >=, <=, and text left-padding.
  • Improved handling of text and numeric variables.
  • Improved default sensor port assignments.
  • Added additional helper functions to NXTPlusLib.h.

🔌 Connectivity & USB Improvements

  • Added USB / Bluetooth connection selection to the NXT status window.
  • Added connection checks before Download and Download & Run.
  • Improved Bluetooth COM port detection on Windows using Registry information, with automatic fallback when the required information is unavailable.
  • Added [usb_watcher](https://github.com/a10036gt/win-usb-watcher), a native Windows helper that monitors USB device events in real time.
  • NXT:Scratch can now automatically detect USB connection and disconnection events and update the NXT status indicator accordingly.
  • Reduced unnecessary connection checks during downloads.

📝 Program Names

The program-name workflow has been redesigned.

  • Program names are now displayed directly in the central toolbar.
  • The interface indicates when a project contains unsaved changes.
  • Program names are saved with project files and restored when reopened.

🎨 UI Improvements

  • Refined the toolbox layout for a more intuitive workflow.
  • Improved several UI elements for localized languages.

📦 Improved Installation

The installer now includes the LEGO NXT USB driver and required runtime components extracted from EV3-G.

As a result, users no longer need to install EV3 Lab Software separately before using NXT:Scratch.

This makes NXT:Scratch significantly more self-contained and easier to set up on a new computer.

🙏 Contributors

Special thanks to @feldsam for the extensive contributions that helped make this release possible.

Your work has been integrated into the current release and has brought significant new functionality and improvements to NXT:Scratch. Thank you for helping move the project forward!

📋 Summary

This is one of the largest updates to NXT:Scratch to date, bringing major improvements to its programming capabilities, localization, connectivity, usability, and installation experience.

Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to and support NXT:Scratch and the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT community.

Contributors

feldsam
Assets 3
Loading