Evil Mad Scientist Wiki - User contributions [en]

Installing software

2011-08-22T15:38:01Z

EmbeddedMan: /* Windows */ updated .Net instal link

{{EggBotDocs}}

Eggbot is designed to work well on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. To use it, you'll need to install certain software on your computer.

The Eggbot software actually consists of several different parts:
# Inkscape, the superb freeware vector graphics application
# The Eggbot extensions for Inkscape, which let you control the Eggbot from within Inkscape
# The Eggbot USB driver, on Windows systems.

Optionally but suggested, you may also want to download the set of example files from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site].

The particulars of installation depend on the operating system:

= Mac =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48.1 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Applications" folder.
:*Note that inkscape is an X11 application, and will require that X11 or XQuartz is installed on your Mac.
:: For MacOS 10.5-10.7 (Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion), download and install the latest release of [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz], unless you already have a working X11 install.
:: For MacOS 10.4, use the X11 that came on your system installer disks.
:* If you need additional assistance for installing Inkscape, you may be able to find good advice at the [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/InstallHelp the Inkscape wiki] and/or the [http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ Inkscape Forums]. ''Please do not use Inkscape support resources for Eggbot-specific issues-- see note below about troubleshooting.''

2. Download and install the Eggbot Extensions for Inkscape

:* Recommended method: Download the Mac installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Mac installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer requires MacOS 10.4 or newer.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the mac installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive to /Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/Resources/extensions/ and restart Inkscape.
:: Note for MacOS 10.7: There is a [http://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/819209 known conflict] between Inkscape 0.48.1, in that extensions (even the built-in ones) do not work under Lion without patches. The Mac installer package contains a patch that works around this issue; manual installation is not recommended.
:: Note for MacOS 10.4: You may also need to install Python 2.5, if your system does not already have it.
:* The "Eggbot" submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

3. Troubleshooting

: Your software should now be set up to work correctly.
:* If you encounter difficulty installing the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape (or with plotting, in the next stage), please request assistance through the Eggbot mailing list or forum, which you can find on our [[Eggbot|front page]].
:* If there is any chance that a problem you encounter is specific to Eggbot software or hardware, it is important that you do not directly seek assistance through Inkscape's support resources. You're much more likely to get your problem solved by asking people who know about Eggbot. And, we'd like the Inkscape team to be ready to help us when we do encounter Inkscape-specific issues.

= Windows =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Program Files" folder (or "Program Files (x86)" on newer systems).
:* If you need additional assistance for installing Inkscape, you may be able to find good advice at the [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/InstallHelp the Inkscape wiki] and/or the [http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ Inkscape Forums]. ''Please do not use Inkscape support resources for Eggbot-specific issues-- see note below about troubleshooting.''

2. Download and install the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape

:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Windows installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer has been tested to work from XP through Win7.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the Windows installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive into (Program files)\Inkscape\share\extensions\ and restart Inkscape.
:* The "Eggbot" submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

3. Download and install the Windows USB driver for Eggbot

:* This driver is necessary for Windows to recognize the Eggbot USB device.
:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows USB Driver installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. It is called the UBWDriverInstaller_v10.zip. Unzip the file, and run the USBDriverInstaller.exe application. Click on the Installer Drivers button. When it is finished, close the application. The USB driver installer has been tested to work from XP through Windows 7 (32 and 64bit). Note that Windows (by default) hides the ".exe" extension of the filename, so after you unzip the downloaded file, double click on the USBDriverInstaller application even if it doesn't have .exe at the end of its name.)
:* When you plug in your EggBot to your computer, the drivers will already be installed, and you can tell Windows to search for the drivers (XP) or allow the drivers to be installed when you connect (Vista and Windows 7).
:* Alternate method: Download the USB driver itself from [http://schmalzhaus.com/EBB/EBF/EBB_inf.zip]. Extract the files and point Windows to the inf file when asked for drivers when you connect your EggBot. Note that if you use Vista or Windows 7 and you use this method, Windows will silently fail when you plug in your EggBot for the first time, and you will need to go to the Device Manager and manually install the drivers for the device from there.

4. Troubleshooting

: Your software should now be set up to work correctly.
:* If, when trying to run USBDriverInstaller.exe, you get a "Application failed to initialize (0x0000135)" error, it means that your copy of Windows does not have the .Net libraries installed. This is very easy to fix - just go to [http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=17718] and run the installer from Microsoft, then run USBDriverInstaller again.
:* If you encounter difficulty installing the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape (or with plotting, in the next stage), please request assistance through the Eggbot mailing list or forum, which you can find on our [[Eggbot|front page]].
:* If there is any chance that a problem you encounter is specific to Eggbot software or hardware, it is important that you do not directly seek assistance through Inkscape's support resources. You're much more likely to get your problem solved by asking people who know about Eggbot. And, we'd like the Inkscape team to be ready to help us when we do encounter Inkscape-specific issues.

= Linux =

The Eggbot extension for Inkscape has been developed and tested extensively under Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). We expect it to work equally well in other distributions where Inkscape is known to work.

Ubuntu install instructions:
* Use the Ubuntu Software Center to install Inkscape 0.47 or newer (0.48 or newer is recommended.)
* Launch Inkscape from the Applications menu, and then quit it.
* Download the latest Inkscape extension .ZIP file from the downloads section of [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site].
* From the "Places" menu, open your Home Folder.
* From the "View" menu select "Show hidden files" -- the .config folder should be visible.
* Place the contents of the folder inside the ZIP archive inside .config/inkscape/extensions/
* The "Eggbot" submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

Improving precision

2010-10-09T16:58:40Z

EmbeddedMan: Added another allignment

If you are producing sloppy drawings, or good ones that you want to be better, you may need to do one or more of the following:

'''Alignment:'''

* '''Check egg alignment.''' Make sure that the object (which we'll call an "egg" even if it's a light bulb or a golf ball) being plotted is very well centered on the egg axis. Use the "Raise pen, turn off motors" setup mode to turn your object by hand, and make sure that it is as concentric as possible.

* '''Check pen alignment.''' The pen should point ''directly towards'' the egg-motor axis, and directly towards the pen-motor axis as well. There are a number of places that you can make adjustments to ensure that these are correct. For example, the screw at the top of the proximal pen arm can be used to adjust the angle between the pen point and the pen-arm axis.

* '''Increase tension.''' Compressing the plunger spring further pushes the "egg" against the egg-cup of the egg-motor, improving contact. This generally helps ''up until'' the tension starts to create excess drag-- for example when the spring is fully compressed.

* '''Check egg alignment 2.''' Turn off the motors, raise the pen, and move the pen all the way left and right around the egg. You're looking to have the pen tip be the same distance from the egg surface all the way round.

'''Machine setup:'''

* '''Check contact.''' The "egg" needs to make good contact with the egg-motor. There should not be any slippage between the two, or the egg will gradually work its way out. Even if there is not slippage, there can be apparent "backlash" (direction-dependent lag) when the egg-motor turns back and forth. It may help to clean and dry the "egg" and/or the polyurethane egg cup. For super-precision work you may want to experiment with different egg cup designs, or even screw down or glue your object to the egg-motor shaft.

* '''Check for drag on the plunger.''' If the plunger is not able to turn easily, then it will provide drag to the "egg." If the tension is too high, the O-ring is rubbing on the back bushing, or the thin nylon washer is not present, there can be increased drag.

* '''Reduce lateral play in the plunger.''' See Appendix B of the assembly instructions for hints on how to do this.

* '''Use a smaller/shorter pen.''' The pen arm grips your pen very close to the bottom of the pen. While this generally gives better precision, gripping the pen below the center of mass means that there will be more sway, particularly when the pen has been lifted or is being lowered.

* '''Check for drag on the pen.''' The pen should only lightly touch the surface that it's drawing on. If you use a stiff hinge, or otherwise arrange things such that there's heavy downward force, it can create excess drag at the egg-pen interface.

'''Surfaces and Pens:'''

* '''Plot on a smooth surface.''' No matter what you do, Egg-Bot will never produce good results on a tennis ball. Golf balls are okay, though.

* '''Clean your medium before plotting.''' If you remove surface dust and oils before drawing, you'll get a sharper plot. In particular, certain types of pens will show fingerprints-- areas where the pen does not make as strong as a mark, where the object has been handled.

* '''Maintain your pen(s).''' Clean them frequently (if applicable.) And, ''don't let them dry out''.

'''Drawing setup:'''

* '''Use a smoother toolpath.''' If your pen travels in a path with sharp corners, you may see ringing at the corners, where the ben vibrates after quickly changing direction. Using a smooth path that provides built-in deceleration and acceleration can prevent this. For example, when [[Creating_filled_regions|filling regions]] the plots made with the "hatch" method generally provide excellent toolpaths with minimum ringing.

* '''Check aspect ratio.''' If you're plotting on eggs-- or anything else taller than it is wide, your shapes will need to be elongated horizontally to give "square" output.

'''Eggbot Control Settings:'''

* '''Slow down the pen speed.''' The faster the pen is moving, the more vibration (and thus slop) you'll have when the pen stops moving. By slowing the speed at which the motors turn, or the servo lifts/drops the pen, you'll improve your drawings. The correct speed will depend upon your medium (egg shells, glass, etc) and your pens -- you'll need to experiment. Often you can raise the pen much faster than you can lower it.

Installing software

2010-10-05T22:47:12Z

EmbeddedMan: /* Windows */

Eggbot is designed to work well on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. To use it, you'll need to install certain software on your computer.

The Eggbot software actually consists of several different parts:
# Inkscape, the superb freeware vector graphics application
# The Eggbot extensions for Inkscape, which let you control the Eggbot from within Inkscape
# The Eggbot USB driver, on Windows systems.

Optionally but suggested, you may also want to download the set of example files from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site].

The particulars of installation depend on the operating system:

= Mac =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Hot links: Download Inkscape 0.48 for 10.5-10.6 (Leopard/Snow Leopard) [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1-LEOPARD%2B.dmg here] or the version for 10.4 (Tiger) [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1-TIGER-PPC.dmg here].
:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Applications" folder.
:*Note that inkscape is an X11 application, and will require that X11 or [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz] is installed on your Mac.
:: For MacOS 10.5-10.6 (Leopard and Snow Leopard), download and install the latest version of [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz], unless you already have a working X11 install.
:: For MacOS 10.4, use the X11 that came on your system installer disks.
:* If you need additional assistance for installing Inkscape, you may be able to find good advice at the [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/InstallHelp the Inkscape wiki] and/or the [http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ Inkscape Forums]

2. Download and install the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape

:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Mac installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Mac installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer requires MacOS 10.4 or newer.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the mac installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive to /Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/Resources/extensions/ and restart Inkscape.
:: Note for MacOS 10.6: There is a [https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/482993 known bug] in Inkscape 0.47 and 0.48, in that extensions (even the built-in ones) do not work under snow leopard without patches. The installer contains a patch, so manual installation is not recommended on Snow Leopard. If you have solved this issue separately in one of several ways, you can use the manual installation method.
:: Note for MacOS 10.4: You may also need to install Python 2.5, if your system does not already have it.
:* The eggbot submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

= Windows =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Hot links: Download Inkscape 0.48 for windows [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1.exe here].
:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Program Files" folder (or "Program Files (x86)" on newer systems).

2. Download and install the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape
:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Windows installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer has been tested to work from XP through Win7.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the Windows installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive into (Program files)\Inkscape\share\extensions\ and restart Inkscape.
:* The eggbot submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

3. Download and install the Windows USB driver for Eggbot
:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows USB Driver installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. It is called the UBWDriverInstaller_v10.zip. Unzip the file, and run the USBDriverInstaller.exe application. Click on the Installer Drivers button. When it is finished, close the application. The USB driver installer has been tested to work from XP through Windows 7 (32 and 64bit).
:* When you plug in your EggBot to your computer, the drivers will already be installed, and you can tell Windows to search for the drivers (XP) or allow the drivers to be installed when you connect (Vista and Windows 7).
:* This driver is necessary for Windows to recognize the Eggbot USB device.
:* Alternate method: Download the USB driver itself from [http://schmalzhaus.com/EBB/EBF/EBB_inf.zip]. Extract the files and point Windows to the inf file when asked for drivers when you connect your EggBot. Note that if you use Vista or Windows 7 and you use this method, Windows will silently fail when you plug in your EggBot for the first time, and you will need to go to the Device Manager and manually install the drivers for the device from there.

= Linux =

The Eggbot extension for Inkscape has been developed and tested extensively under Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). We expect it to work equally well in other distributions where Inkscape is known to work.

Ubuntu install instructions:
* Use the Ubuntu Software Center to install Inkscape 0.47 or newer (0.48 or newer is recommended.)
* Launch Inkscape from the Applications menu, and then quit it.
* Download the latest Inkscape extension .ZIP file from the downloads section of this site.
* From the "Places" menu, open your Home Folder.
* From the "View" menu select "Show hidden files" -- the .config folder should be visible.
* Place the contents of the ZIP archive inside .config/inkscape/extensions/
* Quit and restart Inkscape.

Installing software

2010-10-05T22:38:20Z

EmbeddedMan: Added some text to Windows USB driver install.

Eggbot is designed to work well on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. To use it, you'll need to install certain software on your computer.

The Eggbot software actually consists of several different parts:
# Inkscape, the superb freeware vector graphics application
# The Eggbot extensions for Inkscape, which let you control the Eggbot from within Inkscape
# The Eggbot USB driver, on Windows systems.

Optionally but suggested, you may also want to download the set of example files from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site].

The particulars of installation depend on the operating system:

= Mac =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Hot links: Download Inkscape 0.48 for 10.5-10.6 (Leopard/Snow Leopard) [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1-LEOPARD%2B.dmg here] or the version for 10.4 (Tiger) [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1-TIGER-PPC.dmg here].
:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Applications" folder.
:*Note that inkscape is an X11 application, and will require that X11 or [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz] is installed on your Mac.
:: For MacOS 10.5-10.6 (Leopard and Snow Leopard), download and install the latest version of [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz], unless you already have a working X11 install.
:: For MacOS 10.4, use the X11 that came on your system installer disks.
:* If you need additional assistance for installing Inkscape, you may be able to find good advice at the [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/InstallHelp the Inkscape wiki] and/or the [http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ Inkscape Forums]

2. Download and install the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape

:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Mac installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Mac installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer requires MacOS 10.4 or newer.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the mac installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive to /Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/Resources/extensions/ and restart Inkscape.
:: Note for MacOS 10.6: There is a [https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/482993 known bug] in Inkscape 0.47 and 0.48, in that extensions (even the built-in ones) do not work under snow leopard without patches. The installer contains a patch, so manual installation is not recommended on Snow Leopard. If you have solved this issue separately in one of several ways, you can use the manual installation method.
:: Note for MacOS 10.4: You may also need to install Python 2.5, if your system does not already have it.
:* The eggbot submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

= Windows =

1. Download and install the latest version of Inkscape (version 0.48 or newer) from [http://inkscape.org/download/ the download page] at Inkscape.org.

:* Hot links: Download Inkscape 0.48 for windows [http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.48.0-1.exe here].
:* Install Inkscape in the default location, the main "Program Files" folder (or "Program Files (x86)" on newer systems).

2. Download and install the Eggbot extensions for Inkscape
:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Run the installer (a standard Windows installer package) to install the Eggbot extensions. The installer has been tested to work from XP through Win7.
:* Alternate method, Manual installation: Download the latest version of the Inkscape extension (''not'' the Windows installer) from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. Copy the entire contents of the Eggbot software archive into (Program files)\Inkscape\share\extensions\ and restart Inkscape.
:* The eggbot submenu should appear in the Extensions menu of Inkscape after you restart Inkscape.

3. Download and install the Windows USB driver for Eggbot
:* Recommended method: Download the latest version of the Windows USB Driver installer package from the [http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/downloads/list?q=label:Featured EggBotCode Google Code site]. It is called the UBWDriverInstaller_v10.zip. Unzip the file, and run the USBDriverInstaller.exe application. Click on the Installer Drivers button. When it is finished, close the application. The USB driver installer has been tested to work from XP through Windows 7 (32 and 64bit).
:* When you plug in your EggBot to your computer, the drivers will already be installed, and you can tell Windows to search for the drivers (XP) or allow the drivers to be installed when you connect (Vista and Windows 7).
:* This driver is necessary for Windows to recognize the Eggbot USB device.

= Linux =

The Eggbot extension for Inkscape has been developed and tested extensively under Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). We expect it to work equally well in other distributions where Inkscape is known to work.

Ubuntu install instructions:
* Use the Ubuntu Software Center to install Inkscape 0.47 or newer (0.48 or newer is recommended.)
* Launch Inkscape from the Applications menu, and then quit it.
* Download the latest Inkscape extension .ZIP file from the downloads section of this site.
* From the "Places" menu, open your Home Folder.
* From the "View" menu select "Show hidden files" -- the .config folder should be visible.
* Place the contents of the ZIP archive inside .config/inkscape/extensions/
* Quit and restart Inkscape.