FIRST Design Tool Instructions/FAQ

Version 2.2

Created by Gabriel Goldman
ggoldman@vt.edu


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Instructions
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1. Creating Parts
2. Part Cost
3. Manipulating Parts
4. Deleting Parts



1. Creating Parts

Parts are located at the top left of the design tool.
To add a part to the work area, click on one of the
part buttons. 

Hovering your mouse over a part button shows a preview
of the parts.

Parts are separated into a frame part, manipultors, and 
drive train components. 

Frame Parts are used to represent the frame that houses motors,
controllers, and power components like batteries. A simple example
would use 4 frame components to make a box.

Manipulators are parts that can interact with a playing field object.

Drive Train components give your robot mobility around the playing field.

2. Part Cost

Each part will add a cost to the "Current Cost" field.

The part costs are as follows:


Initial Starting Cost: 20 
-this accounts for the parts that each robot needs to operate (like the
control board and battery)

Frame Parts: 2

Link/Arm: 6

Basket: 6

Gripper: 16

Hook: 2

Suction Cup: 1

Basic Wheel: 4

Omni Wheel: 3

Mecanum Wheel: 8

Full Tread: 25

Half Tread: 15


3. Manipulating Parts

Manipulating tools are located at the bottom of the screen.

Hovering your mouse over the tool shows what they do.

Move Tool: Moves objects (click-and-hold to move part)

Rotate Tools: Rotate objects at 10 degree increments

Scale Tools:

	Scale-x scales the part in its original x-direction

	Scale-y sclaes the part in its original y-direction 
	(not used on all parts)

Note: scaling objects affects the cost of the object.

Move to Front: Moves the part selected to the front of the design.


4. Deleting Objects

The delete tool can remove one object at a time from the workspace. 
After deleting an object, the tool reverts back to a default cursor.


FAQ: to be added!



Please feel free to e-mail anyquestions to me at ggoldman@vt.edu.