Learning Processing - 1

We are doing optional classes for the remainder of the semester, in which we will be learning some basic Processing coding. Which will be helpful for Arduino going forward, so that's great!
Coding is definitely like learning another language (and there are so many coding languages on top of that!) which I have a hard time remembering what to do.

We went over creating shapes and lines. Colors with transparency added. As well as key presses. All of which I incorporated into the practice logo. I also enjoy using the random(); function as I think it adds visual interest to the ellipse.
I kept in mind the order placement functions in the setup and draw so I could create a layered effect of color-changing circles that reveal the hidden logo as they bounce around the canvas.
The viewer is able to stop the draw function at any time by the keypress 'r' which invokes a noloop, this way if the bouncing ellipse is too distracting they can focus on what has been randomly created just for them.
Please see my notes throughout the code for more information on what I created!

//variables used for the ellipse float dia = 30; float x = 0; float speedx = 3; //random start postions for x and y between 1-350 float dirx = random(350); float y = 0; float speedy = 3; float diry = random(350); void setup(){ size(350,350); background(0); //program delay added to keep screen at setup phase for 4s delay(4000); } void draw(){ //movement and speed of ellipse so it bounces off of the sides of the canvas x += speedx * dirx; y += speedy * diry; if(x > width - (dia/2)){ dirx = -1; speedx = random(2,10); } if(x < 0 + (dia/2)){ dirx = 1; speedx = random(2,10); } if(y > height - (dia/2)){ diry = -1; speedy = random(2,10); } if(y < 0 + (dia/2)){ diry = 1; speedy = random(2,10); } //playing with random color for both fill and stroke of the ellipse, and a static alpha transparnecy of 50% as well as thickness of the stroke weight up to 100 stroke(random(255), random(255), random(255),50); strokeWeight(random(150)); fill(random(255), random(255), random(255),50); ellipse(x,y,dia,dia); //C noFill(); stroke(0); strokeWeight(15); arc(112,119,150,150,radians(30),radians(320)); strokeWeight(10); arc(112,119,100,100,radians(30),radians(320)); strokeWeight(5); arc(112,119,50,50,radians(30),radians(320)); //M strokeWeight(15); line(173,302,209,164); line(209,164,250,211); line(250,211,285,164); line(285,164, 329,302); strokeWeight(10); line(194,303,218,205); line(218,205,250,240); line(250,240,277,205); line(277,205,309,303); strokeWeight(5); line(208, 304,225,236); line(225,236, 250, 259); line(250,259, 270, 235); line(270, 235,293, 304); //pressing r will stop the loop/draw as well as print to console to verify keyPressed();{ if(keyPressed){ if(key=='r'){ println("you did it"); noLoop();} } } }

Milestone project 2 - final update

Unfortunately, the covid-19 pandemic school has been shut down, and any class that is 65% or over their assignments are now considered completed. I am sad and disappointed, but of course, I completely understand that these are extenuating circumstances. So this will be my final update for Milestone 2, at least for right now!

Last week I received my fancy new PCB based on my design in fritzing! It was pretty exciting to see it, and I hope to one day actually solder all the components on to it.

It's a good thing I labeled everything on the board, so later I'll know what to use haha.

I have also spent most of my time working in Rhino to later create the plans for the laser cutter to use.

I watched some videos on Lynda.com, which were helpful, but I still feel a bit at odds with the program. It's a learning curve for sure, and I would like to learn how to master it! I forgot to document my first attempt at creating the outer shell, but I will describe them here.

#1) I first tried to build the shell in the 3D perspective view but was having a heck of a time. Since this was part of the first time of using the program, I had a difficult time navigating the space and being able to tell distances between objects. So scrapped that whole file!

#2) Oh right, I should take photos! Realized how much simpler it would be to create the panels in 2D first then extrude, which meant working in top view was so much better! I don't usually make plans or schematics as a photo major; usually, I just keep it all in my head. I don't even sketch things out ahead of time, which I know is really uncommon for artists. So this was a  new experience on top of a unique experience, which meant that v2 had a lot of gaps, and overlapping at just would not work.

#3)  More tab location changes in this one. Also, I think I need to redo the back panel as it does not fit properly, which I don't understand why.

#4) This is where I stopped after hearing about the school closure, I haven't been very motivated in the last week to revisit, but will definitely want to in the future, just unfortunately without the help, time, and tools of the class.

I redid the back from scratch, and it still does not fit flush, so I will have to look into that more. 

I want the finished piece to be able to come apart into two sections for moving and storing the work. This is why you can see the dovetail in the two-floor panels and why the front top panel does not connect to the front panel of the second section. Since visiting the work in Rhino last week, something I have thought of is that I would like to add is 45-degree angle supports for the two top panels to give the structure extra support since it will not be one solid piece.

When I do get the chance to come back to this work, I will need to figure out how to decide on the measurements of the cams and slides. Maybe it would be a good idea to print out the box first then work on that part?

To anyone reading, thanks for taking the time! I hope you are staying safe and healthy!

Milestone 1 - final update

I just realized that I never posted the final post on my milestone 1 project! Well, let me fix that!
You may remember that I was creating a Pepper's Ghost optical illusion. 

For a prototype, I was very pleased with how it turned out. The wires were a right mess and the sensor I used wasn't the best suited I think, but it still made me happy in the end.

I didn't like how I had made the cutouts too big for the sensor causing there to be big and have some of the light spills. Now I know that the laser cutter's bed can lower down to a deep distance I think I could get a more precise cut than with a drill bit.

I also would like to experiment with the set up completely. I would like to use a solid piece of glass or crystal for the viewing object. As well as seeing if I can switch the 45-degree angles to be coming from the projected surface into the glass which would now be a square surface. I made a mock-up in Tinkrcad on what I am thinking. I'm not sure it will work, but I think it would look so much neater if it does!

I still need to figure of if a laser cutter is good at cutting angles? That would make the plexiglass look niiiice haha. Hopefully after graduation I will still be able to have access to all the cool tool that we have in Madt!

Milestone project 2 - update 1

This week I was able to get my PCB done! I had it as my first focus because of manufacturing time as well as I know that the current COVID-19 issues have been delaying package deliveries.

Here is a top-down view of both sides of the board! With Bryan's help, I decided to go with two tip122 semiconductors circuit with an Attiny85 as my microcontroller. I also purchased a 12v/5v rechargeable battery pack because I want to minimize any wires being on the outside of the project.
Even though this battery has a 5v output as well, I wanted to try to experiment with a voltage converter in the circuit, as I think this will become useful knowledge later on.  Which I have marked in red here:

Using a Linear Voltage Circuit (MC7905c in this case) with two capacitors, one at 10ohms then other at 1ohms, which helps to minimize the noise created when stepping down the voltage out. I know that the MC7905c comes with a little heat sink but from everything I've read online it is said that they get very hot, which makes me wonder if I need an additional sink of some sort as this is going to inside of a wooden box with little to no ventilation?

The two other things that I've been doing this week is in regards to the fan part of the machine. First, what type of fan will it be? The two fans that I'm leaning towards are either similar to the one that is in my proof of concept or in the more traditional Japanese style. Although I think I like the look of the test version of a fan, it does not entirely fan out when the flat follower rises from the slide. Another tick in favor of the Japanese style fan is that I think I will be able to more easily mount the fan to the follower with one of the fan sticks. So I tried to figure out what that might look like:

I think I might go with the second one where the follower tapers off towards the end.

For this week, my plan is to mock out all the wooden parts in Rhino so that the plans will be ready for the laser printer. I didn't use Rhino for my first projects, so I will need to get some practice in and also watch some videos.

Until next week, Cheers!

Kinetic project proposal

 I will be creating two sets of boxes that will each have a camshaft. There will be four flat followers in each that when the motors are activated by button press by the viewer, will bloom a paper fan one by one from each of the slides. The boxes will be placed in a staircase formation. If all goes well with these two boxes, I may create more for the final piece.

 

 

An example of a proof of concept that I worked on for last class

I was inspired to create this piece after seeing Reuben Margolin's mechanical caterpillars as well as his many waves. I became intrigued by the idea of mechanical objects creating the same motions of the natural world.

Reuben Margolin's Magic Wave via his youtube channel.

The movement of the camshaft with many cams became analogous to the flow of ocean waves to me. To create the look of spraying water, I was inspired by the look of theatrical sets that uses simple objects and shapes to imply the movement of the ocean. I decided to use the style of Japanese paper fans as this simple object as they have always made me think of ocean waves.

I will be building this project out of plywood and paper for the main visual component, as well as for the camshafts. For the movement, I will be using DC motors that will be triggered by a button and the time set by the Arduino. I will need to create the pieces of the object in Rhino, so I will be able to use the laser cutter to manufacturer the object for assembly. I will also be custom fabricating a PCB for the circuit.

There will be updates on this project concerning the Arduino code and circuit board once I can talk to Bryan in class, as I was having trouble with them as per my previous post concerning motors.