Getting started with PicoBricks

Pico Bricks is a development board designed for use in electronic projects. Pico Bricks includes ten detachable modules that can be used to create many different projects. There is also a protoboard that you can use to add your own modules. First, let’s get to know the modules!

Pico Bricks is an electronic development board + software which is designed for use in maker projects. With ten detachable modules included, Pico Bricks can be used to create a wide variety of projects. It also includes a protoboard that you can use to add your own modules!

Pico Bricks is for everyone interested in electronics and coding. Beginners with no prior experience will find it easy to get started thanks to the modular hardware design, Scratch-like block coding environment, and simulator. Those with experience can dig more deeply into electronics or explore coding in Python. And even the most expert makers will appreciate how quickly they can explore ideas and create prototypes with Pico Bricks.

Unlike other boards, Pico Bricks has an incredible amount of flexibility for every level of makers! Bricks IDE has example codes for different scenarios.

Unlike other boards, Pico Bricks has an incredible amount of flexibility for every level of makers! Bricks IDE has example codes for different scenarios.

Learn coding from zero to hero with MicroBlocks or the Pico Bricks’s drag-n-drop, block coding builder. MicroBlocks is the easiest coding experience ever created and widely known in the maker industry.

Picobricks can be coded with drag and drop coding

PicoBricks IDE is a versatile software editor that you can use for both block-based and text-based programming. This platform allows you to create various projects by coding with blocks before switching to MicroPython. You can create your projects by dragging code blocks and see the equivalent of each code block in MicroPython.

PicoBricks IDE is an online programming editor and you can develop your projects in real time. After creating your code, you can test your project with the “Run” button and stop working with the “Stop” button. Additionally, you can run the projects you have created by uploading them to picobricks or get support from the simulator.

PicoBricks IDE also offers a horizontal block structure for young users. This makes learning programming more fun and accessible, especially for younger makers.

PicoBricks IDE includes various code editors such as PicoJR, PicoBlockly, PicoPY and PicoBricks Simulator Editors. This diversity provides suitable options for users of different skill levels and makes programming more accessible.

Picobricks can be coded with drag and drop coding!

Let’s Get to Know PicoBlockly PicoBlockly is a PicoBricks Programming Editor with a vertical block structure. The examples in the PicoBricks Project Book were prepared using the PicoBlockly Editor. There are already projects in the editor!

Block Categories: The area where blocks used to code PicoBricks are listed. In this area, you can find the necessary sensor, condition, loop blocks, etc., for coding PicoBrick sensors, and you can access programming structures’ blocks by clicking on the relevant category. All categories are differentiated by different colors and icons. The blocks in the categories are listed in the Block Palette area.

Block Palette: The area where blocks are listed based on the selected block category. Depending on the selected category, you can find block equivalents for PicoBricks sensor blocks, if-else structures, conditional structures, loop structures, and other programming functions.

Tool Panel: The area where you can find tools for zooming, centering, and deleting code blocks in the coding area.

File Operations Panel: You can use this area to open a new project page, access previous projects and blocks created with PicoBricks IDE, and save project code to your computer or Raspberry Pi Pico W.

Connection and Documentation Panel: You can establish a connection between PicoBricks IDE and PicoBricks, access MicroPython, and view MicroPython output and documentation for developed code blocks and PicoBricks projects in this area.

Software Installation and Editor Switching Area: In this area, you can install the firmware files for the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontrollers used by PicoBricks and the PicoBricks library prepared with the MicroPython programming language. You can also switch quickly between PicoBlockly and PicoPy editors.

Coding Area: The area where you prepare the code blocks for your project by dragging and dropping them. You can create the necessary algorithm for your project using PicoBricks IDE Blocks by dragging and dropping.

Start & Stop Area: Use these buttons to start or stop the code blocks you have prepared.

Serial Port: In this area, you can see the values you want to print to the serial port.

After saving the firmware file, click the button to connect to PicoBricks. You can connect PicoBricks by selecting the correct port from the window that opens. After making the connection, the icon will change.

PicoBricks IDE - PicoBricks Connection and Operation

After opening the PicoBricks IDE, click on the PicoBricks menu and then click on the “Load Firmware” tab from the PicoBricks Menu. In the window that opens, you must put PicoBricks into Bootsel mode.

After installing Bootsel PicoBricks, you can close the first window that opens. Select the Raspberry Pi Pico module installed in PicoBricks and load the correct Firmvare file. Upload the firmware file to the “RPI-RP(D:)” drive by following the steps below.

After making the connection, let’s install the PicoBricks library on the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller card. (If you have installed the library before and are not using a different IDE, you should only do this step once.) Let’s install the library on Raspberry Pi Pico by following the steps below.

Let's Try!

After installing the PicoBricks Library, let’s test the steps we made by running the red LED module. Let’s prepare the code blocks by following the steps below.

1. Let’s drag the “PicoBricks” and red LED blocks from the “Basic” blocks one under the other.

2. You can see the Python output of the code blocks by clicking the button.

3. After preparing the code, let’s run the project by clicking the “Start” button.

4. You can save your project by following the steps below.

You are ready Maker!

PicoBricks Pinout