For this assignment, students were asked to write an application that interfaces with an input and/or output device, comparing as many tool options as possible.
I decided to work with two different architecture: workflow and coding. Meanwhile, for the workflow system, I continued to use grasshopper + firefly, since I will use both of them in my final project, I started to code also something in java.
I decided to use simple outputs, such as a potentiometer/knob and a LDF, assembled on a breadboard and connected to ArduinoUno. I remind to flash Arduino with Firmata, available here. After that, I opened a new Rhinoceros file and Grasshopper. I used some firefly component to detect and activate the port which I used to communicate, then I used ArduinoRead component to read the input which range is from 0 to 1023, which can be easily remapped using Remap component. Then I connected the input data to a ValueTracker. To make the values more smooth, it is recommended to use Smoothing Temporal component. I have attached a video below. The Grasshopper definition is available here.
I wanted to create something with Java language, using Processing to compile. Since I am not very familiar with programming, it took me a lot of time to understand how to begin. First of all, I downloaded the package from the website, here. I also read how to make electronic components like sensors to communicate with Processing, using the serial port (trough a USB cable) Here is a very complete guide about it.
After installing and reading the basic about Processing, I loaded the sketch into Arduino and checked if the value were receiving correctly, just opening the serial monito from Arduino IDE. Then I loaded this sketch into Processing, changing the port, which I checked through the terminal, and some values.
Then, thanks to this tutorial, I undestood mostly how compile a simple sketch. I used a knob connected to arduino with remapped values ( from 0-1023 to 0-255 ). At the beginning I wanted to do something with the brightness, but then I decided to use the values to increase/decrease the lenght of a bar, which I created whit rectangule command on Processing. Here is a video of the outcome.
After that I tried to play with a LDR, using its value to rotate a shape and change the brightness value.
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Week 01 - Principles and Practices, Project Management