5. Pattern Explorer

In this video, you'll learn how to adjust the size and spacing of your printed pattern and change the sprite used to make the pattern.

When a procedure is called, it can send a value.

These values are called parameters.

For example, the Print Prepare procedure has two parameters called horizontal space and vertical space.

If you adjust the values in the Print Prepare block and run the code, you'll see that the spacing of the pattern changes.

Making the first value larger increases the horizontal space between the stamps.

Making the second value larger increases the vertical space between the stamps.

Experiment with these values until you like the spacing of your pattern.

Now that you understand how parameters work, you're going to add another parameter to the Print Prepare procedure.

Right-click on the define Print Prepare block and choose Edit from the menu.

Then click the button add number input.

Type the word size in this block, click OK.

The define Print Prepare block now has an extra parameter called size and the Print Prepare block in the code now has a third parameter value.

However, if you run the code, nothing new happens.

The parameter for size exists, but you also need to instruct the define block how to use that parameter.

Click the Looks menu, select the set size to block and place it under the define block.

Then drag the size parameter into the set size to block.

Now, your code will automatically set the size of the sprite to the specifications in the Print Prepare block.

Test your code.

It creates a pattern with tiny versions of the sprite because the size parameter is set to one.

Make this parameter a larger number to stamp bigger sprites.

Experiment with the horizontal, vertical, and size parameters until you get a pattern you like.

Using a procedure like Print Prepare makes it easy to experiment with lots of different values and create something that you like.

Imagine how long it would take to paint each of these different versions of the pattern individually if you didn't know how to create them using computer science.

Once again, knowing a little computer science provides you with a way to easily envision your creation.

You can also reuse the Print Prepare procedure, build an entirely new pattern quite easily.

To do this, duplicate the code stack.

Change the keypress event.

Add a new costume.

And set the switch costume block to that new costume.

The Print Prepare procedure allows you to change the size of the sprite and the horizontal and vertical spacing of the new pattern without changing your original pattern.

The project page helps other Scratch users get to know your project and how to use it.

Add instructions, keypresses, details, and any other information you can think of that will help Scratch community members enjoy and use your project.

Now it's your turn.

Right-click and edit the define Print Prepare block, click the options button, and add sizing and space parameters.

Add a set size block to the define print parameter code, and add the size parameter to it.

Experiment with different parameter values until you have a pattern you like.

You can also choose to duplicate the code and use it to create an entirely new pattern.