So, I recently started using 2.0. I've been using 1.4 for a long time and am enamored with it. The change to a web-based version of Scratch was a tough one. Video sensing, cloud, and all kinds of other random blocks including “Days since 2000” and “When I start as a clone” confuse me. Could someone please help me with the move, like giving a tutorial or something? I truly appreciate it!

You may want to check out the about page and FAQ.

Sorry, but neither was very helpful…

I'll help! The main new features of Scratch 2.0 are

-cloning
-vector graphics
-custom blocks
-more blocks
-video sensing
-cloud variables
-sound editor

Cloning
A clone of a sprite is almost like a copy of it, but it deletes when a game starts and ends. Clones do not share the same scripts as the sprite itself. The scripts that a sprite runs is the “Clone Startup” script, so whatever scripts are put into there, the clone will run when it's created. Cloning is useful for creating multiple objects without having to create duplicate sprites of the same kind. The way you create a clone is with the "Create clone of " block. All cloning blocks are at the bottom of the control category.

Vector Graphics
Scratch 2.0 still supports the old bitmap graphics, but the new graphics are vector. Vector graphics are much better, for they make objects look smoother, allow for more flexible paint editor options, and even when they are displayed in full screen, they always keep their curvature and smoothness, they never become pixelated. In the paint editor, in the bottom-left corner is a button where you can convert from bitmap to vector and visa versa.

Custom Blocks
Custom blocks can be found under the category of “More Blocks”. They can be tricky with some of the advanced features, but here's the basics. A custom block can be made which runs a specific script, the definition script. When you create a custom block, there will be a “define block” block. Whatever scripts you place under that is the custom block's scripts. The custom block itself will also appear in the “more blocks” category. If you right-click on a custom block in the blocks palette, there is an edit menu, in which you can insert number, string, and boolean inputs. There is also an option to run without screen refresh, which makes the block run in an instant, with no waits. So you can create a block called “jump” and the scripts that run when the sprite jumps will go in the “define jump” block.

New Blocks
Some of the new blocks are the cloning blocks, but there are also some others. You can now hide and show lists. Also, there is a motion block that sets the rotation style of the sprite. Also, now in any sprite you can change the background, not only in the stage. There are video sensing blocks too. As for the “Days since 2000” block, it is a reporter block that represents how many days since 2000 it is. There is also a reporter block for the current second, minute, etc. so you can make something like a clock.

There is also a “username” block. It reports whatever the username of who's viewing the project is. It can be used to store individual save progress for games when cloud variables come out.

Video Sensing
This is very much like Xbox Kinect. The way these block work is it turns on your webcam, which you will then appear in the background. Then, in the sensing category, there are blocks to sense where and how much movement is occurring in a location, or if there is video motion on a particular sprite. So you can create a game where you pop balloons with your hands!

Cloud Variables
This feature is huge. Cloud variables are variables stored on the Scratch server. The way they work is even when you close the project, the variable will stay the same for whoever views the project. They never reset, unless you manually do it. With cloud variables you can create an online high score for a game. To make a variable cloud, when you create it there is the option underneath. Every 2 seconds cloud variables update. So if a cloud variable changes for 1 person, it changes for every person who views that project. It's basically a global variable. Cloud lists will come soon

Sound Editor
There is a sound editor now in Scratch 2.0. You can cut parts, fade in or out, and add some cool effects. Just go to “sounds” to try it out.

An offline version of 2.0 is also coming soon. The new paint editor just takes getting used to. 2.0 has so many more features to work with.

Thanks a lot!

turkey3 wrote:

I'll help! The main new features of Scratch 2.0 are

-cloning
-vector graphics
-custom blocks
-more blocks
-video sensing
-cloud variables
-sound editor

Cloning
A clone of a sprite is almost like a copy of it, but it deletes when a game starts and ends. Clones do not share the same scripts as the sprite itself. The scripts that a sprite runs is the “Clone Startup” script, so whatever scripts are put into there, the clone will run when it's created. Cloning is useful for creating multiple objects without having to create duplicate sprites of the same kind. The way you create a clone is with the "Create clone of " block. All cloning blocks are at the bottom of the control category.

Vector Graphics
Scratch 2.0 still supports the old bitmap graphics, but the new graphics are vector. Vector graphics are much better, for they make objects look smoother, allow for more flexible paint editor options, and even when they are displayed in full screen, they always keep their curvature and smoothness, they never become pixelated. In the paint editor, in the bottom-left corner is a button where you can convert from bitmap to vector and visa versa.

Custom Blocks
Custom blocks can be found under the category of “More Blocks”. They can be tricky with some of the advanced features, but here's the basics. A custom block can be made which runs a specific script, the definition script. When you create a custom block, there will be a “define block” block. Whatever scripts you place under that is the custom block's scripts. The custom block itself will also appear in the “more blocks” category. If you right-click on a custom block in the blocks palette, there is an edit menu, in which you can insert number, string, and boolean inputs. There is also an option to run without screen refresh, which makes the block run in an instant, with no waits. So you can create a block called “jump” and the scripts that run when the sprite jumps will go in the “define jump” block.

New Blocks
Some of the new blocks are the cloning blocks, but there are also some others. You can now hide and show lists. Also, there is a motion block that sets the rotation style of the sprite. Also, now in any sprite you can change the background, not only in the stage. There are video sensing blocks too. As for the “Days since 2000” block, it is a reporter block that represents how many days since 2000 it is. There is also a reporter block for the current second, minute, etc. so you can make something like a clock.

There is also a “username” block. It reports whatever the username of who's viewing the project is. It can be used to store individual save progress for games when cloud variables come out.

Video Sensing
This is very much like Xbox Kinect. The way these block work is it turns on your webcam, which you will then appear in the background. Then, in the sensing category, there are blocks to sense where and how much movement is occurring in a location, or if there is video motion on a particular sprite. So you can create a game where you pop balloons with your hands!

Cloud Variables
This feature is huge. Cloud variables are variables stored on the Scratch server. The way they work is even when you close the project, the variable will stay the same for whoever views the project. They never reset, unless you manually do it. With cloud variables you can create an online high score for a game. To make a variable cloud, when you create it there is the option underneath. Every 2 seconds cloud variables update. So if a cloud variable changes for 1 person, it changes for every person who views that project. It's basically a global variable. Cloud lists will come soon

Sound Editor
There is a sound editor now in Scratch 2.0. You can cut parts, fade in or out, and add some cool effects. Just go to “sounds” to try it out.

An offline version of 2.0 is also coming soon. The new paint editor just takes getting used to. 2.0 has so many more features to work with.