Pen Extension in Scratch allows sprites to plot different colored pixels, and draw different shapes. Dots, lines, squares, rectangles, and circles are the easiest shapes to make using the Pen in Scratch. However, other shapes can also be created by using proper scripting.
When you open Scratch, the Pen extension is not available for use by default. To use the blocks under the “Pen” extension, you first need to add the “Pen” Extension to the block palette.
This is Chapter 2.14 in the
Advanced Scratch Tutorial
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How to add the Pen extension in Scratch?
To add the “Pen” extension in Scratch, you must follow the following steps:
- Step 1: Click on the blue color icon available at the bottom-left corner of the Scratch interface.
- Step 2: Once you click on the blue color icon, the following screen will appear.
- Step 3: Click on the “Pen” to add the Pen extension to the block palette.
- Step 4: Once you click on the “Pen” option, the Pen block will be added to the block palette.
How to use the Pen block in Scratch?
To add the Pen block in Scratch, you must follow the following steps:
- Step 1: Click on the “Pen” block available on the left side of the screen in the block palette.
- Step 2: Once you click on the “Pen” option, all the pen blocks will appear as shown in the image below.
In the latest version of Scratch, there are a total of 9 pen blocks that comes under the category of stack blocks. Stack blocks are rectangular blocks that are designed to easily fit above or below other stack blocks to complete the coding.
All the Pen blocks in Scratch
Now, let’s have a look at all the Pen Blocks separately.
“erase all ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to remove all the marks made by the pen and stamping in Scratch. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“stamp ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to create a bitmap image of the sprite which will be stamped onto the Stage. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“pen down ()” Pen block
This pen block is used by the sprite to continuously pen a trail whenever it moves until the “pen up ()” block is used. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“pen up ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to stop the sprite from continuously drawing a trail caused by the “pen down ()” block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“set pen color to ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to set the color of the pen based on the input given to the block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“change pen () by ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to change the specified value given (the first input) by the number of inputs given to the block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks. To add or change the first input, the available options are color, saturation, brightness, and transparency.
“set pen () by ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to set the specified value given (the first input) by the number of inputs given to the block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks. To add or change the first input, the available options are color, saturation, brightness, and transparency.
“change pen size by ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to change the size of the pen based on the input given to the block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
“set pen size to ()” Pen block
This pen block is used to set the size of the pen based on the input given to the block. This block comes under the category of stack blocks.
Uses of Pen in Scratch
There are different types of uses of Pen extension in Scratch, such as:
- It is used in animation.
- It is used for creating graphs.
- It is used for drawing objects in projects like one sprite, and one script.
- It is used to make snake-style games.
- It is used for program graphic editors.
Conclusion
The features and elements of Scratch is what makes the platform so much popular among users of all ages. The block coding used in Scratch for creating projects is what makes it simple and easy to understand for beginners and children. The extensions in pen increase the scope for creativity for creating projects and allow users to enhance their logical and creative thinking in making cool and fun projects.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is a Pen extension in Scratch?
Pen extension in Scratch that allows sprites to plot different colored pixels, and draw different shapes.
How many total pen blocks are available in Scratch?
There are a total of 9 pen blocks in Scratch that comes under the category of stack blocks.
How do I get all the pen blocks?
To use pen blocks in Scratch, you first need to add the “Pen” extension to the block palette. After that, just click on the “Pen” button available on the left side of the screen, and then all the blocks present under the pen block will appear.
Which is the use of Pen extension in Scratch?
In Scratch, Pen is used in animation, for creating graphs, making snake-style games, etc.
What kind of shapes can be made using Pen extension in Scratch?
Using Pen dots, lines, squares, rectangles, and circles can be made easily in Scratch. However, other shapes can also be created by using proper scripting.
We hope this article has been helpful in understanding what is Pen extension in Scratch, how to add it to your block palette and use them in Scratch projects. If you have any doubts, you can ask your doubts in the comment section.
