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Quick Start Guide

Get started with MistWarp in minutes! This guide will help you create your first project and understand the key differences from Scratch.

Creating Your First Project​

  1. Open MistWarp - Navigate to warp.mistium.com
  2. Familiarize yourself - The interface is similar to Scratch with some enhancements
  3. Start Creating - Begin adding sprites and blocks just like in Scratch

Key Differences from Scratch​

🚀 Enhanced Performance​

  • Projects run faster thanks to the optimized compiler
  • Supports higher frame rates (up to 60+ FPS)
  • Improved rendering for smoother animations

🎨 Customization Options​

  • Dark Mode - Toggle between light and dark themes
  • Custom Themes - Create and apply your own visual themes
  • Stage Sizing - Customize stage dimensions beyond the standard 480x360

🔧 Developer Features​

  • Browser Console Access - Use window.vm to access the virtual machine
  • Advanced Extensions - Create custom blocks with JavaScript
  • Performance Profiling - Monitor and optimize project performance

💻 Default Sprite​

  • MistWarp uses Misty as the default sprite instead of Scratch Cat
  • All Scratch sprites are still available in the sprite library

Your First MistWarp Project​

Let's create a simple project to get familiar with MistWarp:

Step 1: Add a Sprite​

  1. Click the Choose a Sprite button in the bottom right
  2. Select any sprite from the library
  3. The sprite appears on the stage

Step 2: Add Some Code​

  1. Drag a when green flag clicked block from the Events category
  2. Add a say Hello! for 2 seconds block from the Looks category
  3. Add a move 10 steps block from the Motion category
  4. Add a forever block to make it repeat

Step 3: Run Your Project​

  1. Click the Green Flag above the stage
  2. Watch your sprite move and talk!

Exploring Advanced Features​

Using the Compiler​

MistWarp automatically compiles your blocks into JavaScript for faster execution. You can:

  • View compiled code in the browser console
  • Profile performance to find bottlenecks
  • Optimize your project based on insights

Custom Extensions​

Create custom blocks with JavaScript:

  1. Open the Extensions menu
  2. Browse available extensions
  3. Load custom extensions from URLs
  4. Access advanced APIs not available in standard Scratch

Saving and Sharing​

Save Locally:

  • File → Save to your computer
  • Projects save as .sb3 files compatible with Scratch

Save to Cloud:

  • Create an account to save projects online
  • Access your projects from any device
  • Share project links with others

Common Tasks​

Importing Scratch Projects​

  1. Download your .sb3 file from Scratch
  2. In MistWarp: File → Load from your computer
  3. Select the .sb3 file
  4. Your project loads with all sprites and code intact

Changing Themes​

  1. Click the Settings icon in the menu bar
  2. Select Theme from the dropdown
  3. Choose from available themes or create your own

Adjusting Performance​

  1. Access Advanced Settings from the menu
  2. Adjust frame rate (30 FPS or 60 FPS)
  3. Enable/disable compiler for compatibility testing
  4. Configure stage size and rendering options

Keyboard Shortcuts​

  • Ctrl/Cmd + S - Save project
  • Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + S - Save as new file
  • Ctrl/Cmd + O - Open project
  • Space - Start/stop project (alternative to green flag/stop button)
  • Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E - Export project

Getting Help​

If you encounter issues or have questions:

Next Steps​

Now that you've created your first project, explore more:

  1. User Interface Guide - Master the MistWarp interface
  2. Advanced Features - Unlock powerful capabilities
  3. Extension Development - Create custom blocks
  4. Project Management - Save, load, and share projects

Ready to create amazing projects? Start exploring MistWarp's features and unleash your creativity!