Learn ALICE with Real Code Examples
Updated Nov 25, 2025
Explain
Alice uses drag-and-drop blocks to create 3D animations and scenes.
Programs are built by controlling 3D objects, characters, and camera views.
Ideal for learning logic, events, object-oriented thinking, and storytelling.
Frequently used in schools for CS introduction.
Helps transition students to text languages like Java or Python.
Core Features
Object manipulation in 3D space
Animation timelines
Procedures and methods
Variables and parameters
Events for user interaction
Basic Concepts Overview
Objects with properties and methods
3D scene as a virtual world
Animations controlled by procedures
Events trigger interactions
Loops and conditions for logic
Project Structure
World/ - 3D environment
Objects/ - characters and props
Methods/ - actions created by user
Events/ - triggers
Scene graph - object hierarchy
Building Workflow
Create or open a 3D world
Add characters and props
Use drag-and-drop to script behaviors
Adjust camera and animations
Run and iterate
Difficulty Use Cases
Beginner: animations and stories
Intermediate: simple games
Advanced: multi-object animations
Expert: object-oriented models
Educator: teaching CS fundamentals
Comparisons
Alice vs Scratch: Alice uses 3D; Scratch is 2D.
Alice vs Blockly: Alice is animation-focused; Blockly is general-purpose.
Alice vs Unity: Unity is professional; Alice is educational.
Alice vs Roblox Studio: Roblox uses Lua scripting; Alice uses no text code.
Alice vs Tynker: Tynker focuses on games; Alice focuses on storytelling.
Versioning Timeline
1995 – Early Alice prototypes
2000 – Alice 1.0 release
2006 – Alice 2 with improved UI
2009 – Alice 3 with Java integration
2020–2025 – Ongoing educational enhancements
Glossary
World: the 3D scene
Object: any 3D item in the world
Method: an action sequence
Event: a trigger for an action
Pose: saved object position/rotation