SphereBot BMP sender

thingiverse

I didn't realize that MSComm32 wasn't part of Windows 7 and later.. This installer installs all necessary dependencies: SphereBot.msi. It will add a controller icon under "SphereBot" in the Start menu, either in Program Files or Program Files (x86). The executable can run from anywhere after that. This software works with Arduino-based sphere bots. It converts two-color images into paths. This program includes an Arduino sketch and an executable to convert bitmaps and send them directly to the spherebot. Features I'm adding include importing DXF drawings and existing G-code. Since Thingiverse won't let me upload code, I've included a Bender DXF instead. If you're interested, the VB6 source code is in the zip file. I apologize for not including naming controls; this project was rushed together, but I'll clean it up later. Here's a video of making Patric: youtu.be/9l_-MDKM2UY And here's a video of Bender: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYZh9qXhJX0 A side note: all these drawings were created using microsteps on 8 - that's 1600 x 360 pixels to draw all the way around the sphere. Instructions This program only works on PCs, sorry! To start: 1. Set the parameters for your spherebot in the Arduino sketch. 2. Upload the sketch to the Arduino board. 3. Run the Sender executable and load a black-and-white picture or drawing. 4. Click Send to Bot - line drawings will move quickly, but photos may take up to 10 minutes. In the Arduino sketch: 1. Set the baud rate to match the sending program. 2. Set the following values to match your bot: * yEnablePin = 9 * yDirPin = 10 * yStepPin = 11 * xEnablePin = 6 * xDirPin = 7 * xStepPin = 8 * servoPin = 13 * defaultPenUp = 29 * defaultPenDown = 40 Note: the xStepsPerRev in the sketch will be used later for rotating short distances when the pen is up, but they can be ignored for now. On the controller: 1. Set the baud rate. 2. Set the communication port. 3. Set the x and y steps per revolution. 4. Set the pen-up position (don't forget to update it in the sketch too). 5. Set the pen-down position.