To help ensure that the first M always displays in an upright position, we can undo the turn clockwise 15 block with a turn counterclockwise 15 block:
- From the Control palette, add a repeat 10 block.
- Inside the repeat 10 block, add a turn counterclockwise 15 block.
- Run the script several times.
We ensured that the first M always displays in the same position and therefore won't end up looking like a W. We used the technique earlier in the chapter, which is basically to create a duplicate block of code with a negative value to undo the first block of code.
This was certainly not the only way to solve the problem. For example, we could have added the point in direction block after the show block to accomplish a similar result.
We need only one more letter to spell the word Mom. The First M sprite is sending a broadcast "gimme an 'O'." Go ahead and display the letter O. If you need some help, look back at our previous exercise "Time for action give me another 'M'."
Just because we can make our sprites rotate, pulse, and display in mosaic patterns doesn't mean we should apply all those effects at one time. In addition to animation, we also design through typography, color, and graphics. Animations are fun, but when every sprite moves in a seemingly random way, we may distract our user.
When you displayed the letter O in the hero exercise, did you animate O's entrance? If you animated the O with some type of look or motion, try removing it and use a show block with the when I receive gimme an O block. Evaluate the difference. The following screenshot shows how I display my letter O:
We make choices when we create our Scratch programs, and the choices we make benefit from some experimentation and inspection. Sometimes, we'll want the glitz while other times we'll prefer the simpler approach.