Tag Archives: open-hardware

Update to version 2.0.4 beta

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Hello everyone,

the new version is out and we are now in the Beta state. Here are the changes:

  • Added the external trigger input system for starting, stopping and shooting the camera. This will be extended in the future with additional triggers.
  • Added a Dashboard that is displayed when the miniEngine is running. This will make it clearer to recognize if the system is running or not.
  • Added a messaging system. This allows messages to the user so that the system can tell what it is actually doing.
  • Added a new system font. Now there are 3 choices for the ones that want to tweak their user interface for optimal readability.

The biggest and most versatile new feature is the trigger system. This allows the execution of core commands with external signals. Right now there are 3 functions implemented:

  • Start the engine
  • Stop the engine
  • Trigger the camera

This means that you can now start multiple miniEngines simultaneously with one signal. You can also start / stop the miniEngine or trigger the camera on certain events  which could come from anywhere (‘want to play with a light sensor?). This is the current menu for the trigger setup:

Trigger menu

The easies way to implement this new feature is this:

Bildschirmfoto 2014-02-19 um 21.17.37

Please keep in mind that the trigger inputs are directly connected to the Arduino processor! This means you need to keep your signals between 0V and 3.3V – otherwise you might destroy your Arduino! If you use the above circuit and the trigger type “Falling”, it works without any external voltages and just a simple switch. In this case you can ignore the red text above.

Triggers are only active if the miniEngine was started by pressing the “Start” key. when you defined a “Start” trigger, the system will wait until it actually starts until the trigger signal arrived.

The next big new thing is the Dashboard. This is what you now see when the engine is running:
Dashboard

Here is the new font…New font

…and here the new message system in action:
Skype-0227.900px

I hope you like the new features and also that they allow more versatile setups and thus to boost your creativity.

Have fun and post some of your thoughts in the forum!
Airic

Documentation update

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Hello everyone,

I finally managed to write a short section for the documentation which explains how to use the system. The biggest problem until now was that there were no pictures or other explanations what the different buttons actually do. I tried to make everything as self explanatory as possible and hopefully succeeded (because I never received a singe question on how to use the new miniEngine). Anyways, here is a picture with a description of the different button functions. Some more info can be found in the updated documentation.

 buttonFunctions
[click to see the full resolution]

I also added all needed libraries into the GitHub repository, where you can download the whole project files, so that you have all you need in one download.

One more thing I’d like to post is a short but beautiful video by radixi, done with the new miniEngine 2 in some great Finnish winter (moon-) light.

Cheers,
Airic