THE CODING

This connects Processing with the Arduino Duemilanove board (which is attached to the pressure pads via Digital pins). It also loads the Red Man graphic which has been saved in the corresponding "data" folder as a png file.

a, b, c and d refer to the vertical levels from top to bottom, indicating each of the four levels at which a shot can be fired.

Finally, this is the code for the firing of the shots, repeated for each of the afore mentioned a, b, c and d. It states the bullet to be a rectangle of size 50 x 20 px. It states the background be black (fill 255). The rest breaks down the animation process as the pressure pad is activated. Quite complicated but I think I understand most of it.

(Note: I also need the Arduino programme running simultaneously in order to recognise my board output.)

Here's my take of it. This helped me get my head around it.

DEADLINE DAY (NOT) TOMORROW

In other news, our deadline has been moved. Which obviously you know, because you moved it... It's not actually extended time per say, considering our other studies during the extra two weeks, but I reckon it'll be useful time to refine the software as well as the sketchbook and blog material. Also, I think I should do something with the pressure pads aesthetically. Ideally they would be embedded at the roadside but considering this is a proto-type this won't be necessary, though at the same time it is a little messy. I should think of a way to un-messy it somehow, what with the irregular taping and excessive wiring everywhere.

Oh and also we must make a mini movie to present our idea. I'm no pro but recently I'm liking making movies so this could be fun. (Here's a link to a selection of my attempts.) So I'll need to think of what I'll do with it and how. I guess there's still a bit to do then..

ARDUINO CODE 09.2

So after the good bulk of work this week, the software is running quite nicely now. Connecting the Arduino board through Arduino, and the Red Man visuals through Processing, I've got a piece of code that allows for shots to be fired at the Red Man upon pressing the pressure pads. Joy.

I've sussed out for myself too what parts of the code refer to what and have thus been able to complete it without the aid of Pete, by altering each pad to the position of shots fired. Feeling pretty satisfied. There's still some perfecting that can be done, but the concept is now real and that's very cool. I can finally see my idea (evolved from a pre-idea of course!) as a working physical form. And it is indeed fun.

RED MAN GETTING SHOT

TESTING THE WIRES

In order to see if the pressure pads actually work or not, this is a handy little test. Just to make sure there is indeed electrical stuff going on when the pads are pressed.

We use this device by touching the ends of the black and red to the ends of my two wires attached to each pad. A working pad causes the a number to show on screen, together with a resounding beep noise to confirm.

Test result - all four are good to go.

PRESSURE PAD + ARDUINO

It's still Tuesday. With four real-size pressure pads completed, I next had to wire them up to the Arduino. The above image connects one digital component to the Arduino, passing through the resistor and into a digital pin on the board. I need four of these.

...like this.

That's pressure pads into Digital pins 2, 3, 4, 5 (yellow).
And the breadboard itself into the Power pins 5V (red) and Gnd (white).
Yeahhhh.

MAKING THE PRESSURE PAD. FOR REAL.

First thing was to get MDF boards ready. I used cardboard for the mock, but since I need to step on the pads, MDF would be more stable and suitable. So I went down to the workshop and we cut 8 pieces of 30x30cm boards using 3mm thick wood.

Following the same method as the mock, aluminium foil was laid onto the boards top and bottom, elastic bands and polystyrene too. Then, I attached two wires onto each pad (one on each board) for connecting to the Arduino. Black and blue were the colours of my choice. And what.

PLAN 07.2

So this was today's plan, or more precisely, my plan to finish the project. Impressively, I've made some good progress today. That mock pressure pad was completed and turned out a success. Big versions were made and wired. Happiness.

The next step is to connect it onto the computer with Pete's help and take it from there.

The following posts will cover my progress for the pressure pads..

MAKING A PRESSURE PAD.. ALMOST.

If you've got eight minutes to spare...
Do watch it in full if you are going to watch it at all.

(Here's the link I refer to again: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~RAS/Docs/space/pads.html)

PLAN 06.2

So that grand plan, remember that?

The Red man graphic is ready to go, I think. Yet to check with Pete. Now (it's Monday alrady, I know!) I'm going to attempt making the pressure pad, or a mock up at least. Designing through making. Right?? All them skills from Technical Workshop studies and Methods & Processes. Yes yes.

Here's a link sent by Pete on how to make homemade pressure pads.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~RAS/Docs/space/pads.html
Apparently these materials (plus one or two others) will suffice. Let's try it.