Eng:Sprite

Sprites, either user-created, uploaded, or found in the sprites library, are the objects that perform actions in a project. While the Stage can also be programmed in a project, most projects have at least one sprite as well because only sprites can move.

Creating a Sprite


The bar above the sprite list has four buttons for creating sprites. They are:


 * The Giga button allows you to choose a sprite from the library.
 * The paintbrush button creates a blank sprite with an empty costume.
 * The folder button allows you to upload a sprite from your computer.
 * The camera button allows you to take a picture and uses that image as the costume.

When a sprite is created, it will place that sprite at a random location on the Stage, usually around the center, and open the sprite in the tab you're currently viewing.

Scripting
Each sprite in a Scratch project has an area for scripts, called the scripts area. Users can give instructions to a sprite (such as telling the sprite to move) by snapping blocks together in the scripts area. Clicking on the block(s) in the script area will cause the sprite to react based on the function of the block(s) clicked. Clicking on a sprite's thumbnail in the sprite pane will bring up the script area of that sprite.

The look of a sprite can also be changed by using costumes. The current costume of a sprite can be changed by clicking on the "costumes" tab and clicking on the desired costume of choice, or by using blocks to select the sprite's costume. New costumes for the sprite can be imported, created, and edited in the Scratch Paint Editor.

Some sprites additionally have at least one sound. Unlike costumes, sounds are an optional field, so you can have a sprite with no sounds. The sounds tab allows you to add, delete, and edit sounds. Sounds can be played in the sound editor or with blocks that play a specific sound.

Sprites (with all of their scripts, costumes, and sounds) can be exported, and then imported into another project if desired. This is achieved by right-clicking on a sprite's thumbnail in the sprite pane and then selecting "save to local file" in the pop-up menu. A sprite can also be dragged into the backpack and dragged out into another project for transporting. However, this will not save the sprite to one's computer.

Sprite Pack
A sprite pack is a type of project, usually consisting of 10-30 sprites. However, there is no set limit of sprites for sprite packs. A sprite pack usually has a theme, but does not require one. Example themes include cars, dogs, dinosaurs, etc. Ideally, a user should give credit if they use a sprite from someone else's sprite pack, animation, game, or any other project. A sprite pack may also be called a sprite collection, but they are the same type of thing. Sprite Packs can also be found on other websites, but they must be ripped from a sprite sheet.

Changing the Default Sprite
By default, creating a new project will provide a sprite with an image of the Scratch Cat without any scripts. This can only be changed in Scratch 1.4 by creating your own sprite, exporting it under the name default.sprite, and placing it in the costumes folder.

In Squeak
In Squeak, it is an instance of ScriptableSpriteMorph. It is a child of ScriptableScratchMorph, just like the stage.

Random Sprite Button
The Random Sprite Button was a feature which existed within the Scratch Editor, which allowed Scratchers to get a random sprite upon clicking the button. It was removed in Scratch 2.0.