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Setup

Course progressStage 0 of 10
~15 min

A one-time setup for the whole course.

You will open a blank place, delete the floor, and find the three Studio panels you will use in every stage: Explorer, Script editor, and Output.

The big idea​

Roblox Studio is a 3D editor and a code editor in one app.

In the first obby course, you mostly used the 3D editor. In this course, you will also use the Script editor to type Lua and the Output window to read what Lua tells you back.

If those two panels feel familiar by Stage 2, the rest of the course gets easier.

New words
Explorer
the panel listing everything in your game — parts, scripts, services
Properties
the panel showing the selected part's size, color, anchored state, and so on
Script editor
where you type Lua code; opens when you double-click a Script in Explorer
Output
the panel that shows messages from `print()` and red error messages when your code breaks
Workspace
the folder in Explorer that holds every 3D part the player can see and touch

Build it​

Step 1 — Open the Baseplate template​

Open Roblox Studio and sign in if it asks.

On the New tab, pick Baseplate. It gives you a flat floor, a sky, and one SpawnLocation.

Step 2 — Delete the Baseplate​

Our obby will float in the sky. If we leave the green floor, every block we add later will sit on it and we will have to move them.

  • In the Explorer panel (top right), expand Workspace.
  • Find Baseplate.
  • Right-click it → Delete.

The floor is gone. You should see just the SpawnLocation against the sky.

Step 3 — Find the Script editor​

Every stage from Stage 2 on uses scripts, so let's open one now and look at it.

  • In Explorer, right-click Workspace → Insert Object → Script.
  • A new Script appears under Workspace. Double-click it to open the Script editor.
  • You will see one line of placeholder code: print("Hello world!").
  • Press the green ▶ Play button at the top of Studio.

Look at the Output window. If you cannot see it, open View → Output.

You should see Hello world!. That is the loop you will use all course: type code, run it, read Output.

Stop the game (the red square button), then delete the Script you just created. We were only using it for the tour.

Step 4 — Save the project​

In Studio's top menu: File → Save As. Name the file something like My Maker Obby — First Last. You'll come back to this file every stage.

Understand it​

We deleted the Baseplate because the obby will float in the sky.

If a floor stayed below, falling would not matter. Removing it makes a fall send the player back to the last checkpoint.

We opened a Script and read Output because every script in this course uses that same loop.

When code breaks, Output usually tells you why. By Stage 5, checking Output should be your first move.

Test your setup​

  • Studio is open with a Baseplate project.
  • The Baseplate (green floor) is deleted; only the SpawnLocation remains.
  • You opened a Script, pressed Play, and saw Hello world! in the Output window.
  • You deleted the test Script (you don't want it in your real obby).
  • You saved the file with a name you'll recognize tomorrow.

If it breaks​

  • I can't find the Script editor. Make sure the Script is inside Workspace. Then double-click the Script icon in Explorer.
  • The Output window is missing. Top menu: View → Output. The panel will dock at the bottom of Studio.
  • Hello world! didn't print. Check three things: press ▶ Play, keep the Script inside Workspace, and make sure Disabled = false.
  • Studio looks different. Roblox changes Studio often. Use the View menu to reopen missing panels.
Coach notes

For camp, the biggest setup failure is students losing the Output window. Check every laptop after Step 3.

The second common failure is students retyping print("Hello world!"). They do not need to. The placeholder already exists.

For home learners, a parent can help by checking View. Explorer, Properties, Output, and Script editor should all be visible.