Scratch
Expert
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC or iPad/Tablet

Make a Character

In this lesson we will make a program that allows us to create characters and dress them up in different clothes and accessories.

Teacher Notes Lesson Files

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    1 - Create a new Scratch project

    Create a new Scratch project and delete the cat sprite by right clicking on the cat and then clicking on the 'delete' option in the menu that appears.

    https://scratch.mit.edu


    2 - Add the character sprite

    Open the sprite library and click on the 'Dress-Up' link in the Theme list. This will show you only the sprites for the 'Dress-Up' theme. Select the 'Dani' sprite by clicking on it and then click 'OK' to add it to your project (you can also double click it to add it).

    Once the sprite has been added to your stage area, drag it over to the left as we'll need some space on the right hand side to put in the controls for changing the character.



    3 - Edit the backdrop

    We're going to put in controls for the character, hats, glasses, tops, bottoms and shoes. For each of these we'll put in a heading with the text and then put the buttons for changing that item underneath.

    To put in the headings:

    1. Click on the backdrop underneath the stage area to select it.
    2. Then click on the 'Backdrops' tab to open the backdrop editor.
    3. Click on the 'Convert to vector' button.
    4. Select the Text tool (the button with T).
    5. Choose your colour.
    6. Choose your font.
    7. Beginning at the top right put in each heading:
      1. Click where you want to put the text.
      2. Type the text, for example 'Glasses'.
      3. Choose the Select tool (the button with an arrow).
      4. Drag the heading into position, remember to leave a gap between each one as we need space to put in some buttons.


    4 - Next character message

    We're going to add an arrow sprite and program it to send a 'next character' message each time the arrow is clicked.

    Add the 'Arrow1' sprite from the sprite library and rename it to be called 'next character'. We need to rename it as we'll be adding several arrow sprites and it'll be easier to know which arrow is used for which item. To rename the 'Arrow1' sprite click on the blue circle with 'i' in it in the sprite list then just replace the 'Arrow1' text with 'next character'.

    To make the arrow smaller add the following code to the arrow sprite:

    1. events when clicked 
    2. looks set size to 30 % 

    Click the green flag to run this code and shrink the arrow, then drag it and put it underneath the 'Character' heading.

    Finally add the following code to the arrow sprite to program it to send a message to change the costume of the character:

    1. events when this sprite clicked 
    2. events broadcast [next character] 
      (to create a new message click on the black arrow and then 'new message...')



    5 - Change the character

    Now we will program the Dani sprite to receive the 'next character' message and change the costume. Add the following code to the Dani sprite:

    1. events when I receive [next character] 
    2. looks next costume 

    Once you've added this code text it out, click on the green flag and then click on the arrow. Each time you click on the arrow your character should change to the next costume.


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    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

    Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu
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