Scratch 3.0 is the latest upgraded version of the Scratch programming language. The version was lately released on 2nd January 2019. It serves to be a total redesign & reimplementation of the basic Scratch programming language. The version has been composed using JavaScript. The all-new version of the programming language has a new design and interface. Moreover, the latest version is also renowned for having fixed a number of bugs that were earlier present in Scratch 2.0. Let’s look deeper into Scratch 3.0 programming fundamentals and coding for beginners and intermediates in detail.

Too help you on your journey we’ll also take a look at what Udemy Scratch Free in 2021 courses are available from some of our favourite Udemy instructors.

What are Some of the New Features Available in Scratch 3.0?

The MIT team has come up with the latest version of Scratch programming language in the form of Scratch 3.0. It is available in the Beta version and therefore, observes a series of updates to its previous model. Some of the updated features that you can observe in Scratch 3.0 are:

  • Scrolling to See: In most Scratch programming projects, the script area gets easily crowded in case there are several blocks of code. Therefore, it becomes difficult to organize the entire set of codes on a single screen. Thankfully, with the latest Scratch 3.0 version, there is the presence of the scroll bar. The scroll bar in the screen allows you to separate different groups of codes from one another. As such, there is no worry about getting crowded or running out of screen space.

 

  • Bigger Blocks: In the all-new version of Scratch Programming language, the coding blocks appear bigger. The given update was implemented for those who are used to working on tablets. Therefore, with the help of the bigger blocks, it becomes easier for the users to select & drag the respective blocks. At the same time, it also becomes easier to search and move on the desktop computer at the same time.

 

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Moreover, if you do not wish to make use of the Block Palette for selecting a specific block category, you can scroll through different categories of blocks with the help of a single list.

 

  • Detailed Sprite Information: If you wish to change or observe the name, information, or features like location, direction, and size of some particular sprite, earlier you were expected to press the “i” icon on the given sprite.

 

In the latest version of the Scratch programming language, all the given information about the specific sprite is visible clearly right below the stage area. You can easily implement the necessary changes while referring to it at any time when you are working on the given project.

 

  • Choosing a Specific Sprite Library: With Scratch 3.0, you can now easily come across sprites featuring different costumes. In the previous version of Scratch 2.0, you were expected to click on the particular sprite. Then, you had to observe whether –under the specific name, there are costumes listed or not or if there is only one costume.

 

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In the latest version of the Scratch programming language, you can easily hold the mouse pointer over the icon stating “Choose a Sprite.” Then, you can select the magnifying glass for opening the library. You are just required to hold the mouse pointer over the sprite in the respective search gallery. The sprite gets animated through all the poses in case there happen to be more than one. You can go for the option of viewing multiple costumes instead of just observing the number.

 

  • Sound Editor: The latest version has changed or modified the Sound Editor tool. With this all-new version, features like trimming and recording tend to be easier. New categories that are included in the sound editor library are Wacky, Sports, and Space.

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One of the most striking features of the latest Sound Editor in Scratch 3.0 is that there are several new sound effects that can be applied on projects. Some of these are Robot and Echo. As such, you can have immense fun while creating projects with the help of new sound effects.

 

 

 

Scratch 3.0 Offering More Ways to Create & Share

With Scratch 3.0, you get the capability of:

  • Creating and sharing projects on tablets –along with desktops and laptops
  • Choosing from a new range of diverse characters, sounds, and backdrops
  • Using new sound and paint editors for remixing and manipulating sounds, characters, and sounds
  • Using the latest extension system for programming physical devices and web services

 

Book Recommendation for Scratch 3.0

If you’re looking for an excellent reference covering the detailed code and creation of 20 Games in Scratch 3.0, we strongly recommend Max Wainwright (same Max name, different Max person! I swear it’s not me, lol). Max is brilliant as he trained as both a programmer and an elementary school teacher where part of his role was teaching Scratch in the Classroom. He’s a great guy and has a simple but elegant way of teaching the concepts. Checkout his book below;

 

 

Free Courses for Scratch and Other Programming Fundamentals

  1. Scratch 3.0 with 11 Quick Projects by Mike Merkur. Great fun projects to expand your learning. via Udemy.
  2. Scratch 3.0 Tutorial by CS Kitty, via Udemy.
  3. Scratch Game Programming for Young Adults by Al Sweigart, via Udemy.
  4. Programming 101 by Lawrence Turton. An excellent more general free programming tutorial on the universal fundamentals of programming in any language.
  5. Coding for Kids and Parents : Awareness Program. Another excellent resource to learn the broad fundamentals and structures of programming in any language.
  6. Learn Python – Python Programming For Beginners from Scratch. Ok, so this one is on the Python Programming language. Perhaps for those among you that are intermediate Scratch programmers and ready for something more capable, complex and applicable to a career in programming.
  7. Python For Beginners – Learn Python Completely from Scratch by Robin Haney. We like the pace of the way Robin teaches and this course has become very popular with students. Worth a close look for any budding programmer.
  8. Web Development by Doing: HTML / CSS from Scratch by Bradley Berger. We like this course as it taught us how to build a website in 1 hour! Great if you want to branch out your programming skills to the massive growing content on the internet. Strong demand for freelancer skills on many different platforms. 181,000 students have taken this very popular course.
  9. Java Programming from Scratch, Beginner to Expert by Yawar Khan. An excellent beginner course with almost 15 hrs of top notch instruction. Almost 15,000 students have taken this course.
  10. *NEW* How to Learn Python Programming by Creating a Game by Christine Lee. This is a great new course for those that want 51 minutes of game programming to get a great taste of what Python can do.

You can use the latest version of the Scratch programming language for the overall ease of use. To know more about it, you can leverage the exciting Scratch basics programming course online by Udemy Scratch programming available today with a 25% discount.

 

Bonus Video 1 – Scratch 3.0 Tutorial: How to Make a Racing Game in Scratch

We love this Part 1 of the tutorial series as it uses many of the best features of Scratch 3.0 to build a scrolling racing game with easy to use controls.

 

Bonus Video 2 – *NEW* Scratch 3.0: How to Make a Platformer Game

We love this tutorial as it teaches us concepts like player movement, gravity, moving through levels, spawning, dealing with deaths and collisions. 27 minutes of excellent material.

 

Looking for More Free Scratch Game Tutorials?

  1. Flappy Bird on Scratch : Learn how to create the famous Flappy Bird game in our super popular and easy to follow tutorial
  2. Pokemon on Scratch Tutorial : Brief and easy to follow
  3. How to make a simple game with a Mouse Chasing a Beetle Game Tutorial : Start here if you are new and want something easy to build your confidence to try harder programs
  4. Ready for something more complex? Agar.io is a great game that is still relatively easy to learn and build quickly with our popular tutorial here.

  

Written by Max

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