Agency Insider: Type blocks with your keyboard

In Preview 3, due for release very soon, we will introduce a new feature called Typeblocking. Typeblocking is our word for using the keyboard to type out blocks instead of dragging them onto the factory with a mouse. For some users who prefer to use the keyboard, mastering Typeblocking may allow for much faster StarLogo model development. To enable Typeblocking, choose "Keyboard moves blocks" from the "Options" menu. Note that if you want to resume using the keyboard to move the camera in Spaceland or control models with keyboard input blocks, you will need to choose the correct setting from the Options menu. Choosing among these options will be easier in a future version.


Just as when typewriting, there is a cursor for Typeblocking to show you which block currently has focus and where the next typed block will appear. The block cursor highlights the current block with focus in blue. For example, drag the "forward" block onto the workspace. It will appear highlighted in blue. Next, drag out the "right" block and attach it to the forward block. Notice that focus transferred to the "right" block. You can move the cursor by clicking on blocks or by using the tab or arrow keys to shift focus within a single stack of blocks.To place additional blocks on the stack, simply begin typing the name of the block. For example, if you type "heading," then you will see the autocomplete list appear with your current query in red and the list of all blocks that may be connected to the block with focus. Here, the "heading" and "heading of," blocks can connect to the "right" block's number port, and the "set heading" block can connect to its next command port. You can use the arrow keys or the mouse to select the block from the list that you want to appear and then press enter or double-click to cause that block to appear.

In this example, we chose the "heading" block, and that block flew out and connected itself to the number port appropriately. Now, if we give focus back to the "right" block and type "heading" again, only the "set heading" block appears in the list because the number port is full and cannot accept a new block.In addition to using the autocomplete list to type blocks that fit into the block with focus, Typeblocking is further optimized for arithmetic expressions. If a block such as the "right" block has an empty number port, simply type the number you want, and a number block of that value will connect itself automatically. When a number block has focus, it is simple to extend the expression using simple binary operators to add, subtract, multiply, or divide other numbers.Finally, in addition to supporting the connection of new blocks, Typeblocking includes other keyboard shortcuts for making StarLogo TNG more efficient to use with a keyboard. For example, Command-+ (or Control-+ on Windows) zooms into the block workspace, while Command-(minus sign) zooms out and Command-0 returns the workspace to its default zoom level. Additionally, when a procedure block has focus, Command-Enter toggles the rolled up state of the procedure. For any other block, Command-Enter causes StarLogo TNG to execute that block as though it had been double-clicked on. If a block is editable, pressing enter (without holding down the Command key) toggles edit mode for the block to make it easy to change the block's value.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new feature in Preview 3 with you soon, and we would appreciate your feedback on its usefulness to you in creating your StarLogo TNG models.