Editing Making your first plot
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− | So now you have your EggBot assembled and connected, and you've installed Inkscape and the EggBot extension (and any necessary USB drivers). How do you get set up to draw with the | + | So now you have your EggBot assembled and connected, and you've installed Inkscape and the EggBot extension (and any necessary USB drivers). How do you get set up to draw with the Eggbot? This page has the essential details that you need to get started, along with a video that walks you through most of it. |
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− | The [[Eggbot Control]] dialog has eight tabs. The first two tabs, "'''Plot'''" and "'''Setup'''" provide the basic controls to set up and use the Eggbot. The other six tabs provide a variety of advanced options and information. | + | The [[Eggbot Control v21|Eggbot Control]] dialog has eight tabs. The first two tabs, "'''Plot'''" and "'''Setup'''" provide the basic controls to set up and use the Eggbot. The other six tabs provide a variety of advanced options and information. |
* '''Plot''' -- This tab is used to transfer (plot) a drawing from Inkscape to the egg. | * '''Plot''' -- This tab is used to transfer (plot) a drawing from Inkscape to the egg. | ||
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1. '''Calibrate the pen up/pen down positions'''. | 1. '''Calibrate the pen up/pen down positions'''. | ||
− | + | http://wiki.evilmadscience.com/s3/eggbot/extensiontut/extensions-control-02.png | |
:* This is part of the initial setup; you won't have to do this every time. | :* This is part of the initial setup; you won't have to do this every time. | ||
− | :* From the '''Setup''' tab, select "Toggle pen up/down". Then, click apply several times. | + | :* From the '''Setup''' tab, select "Toggle pen up/down," indicated as (3) above. Then, click apply several times. The servo motor should move back and forth between two different positions. |
:: If your servo motor does not move, check that it's connected to the right location and that the EBB has both power (from the plug in power supply) and the USB connection to your computer. | :: If your servo motor does not move, check that it's connected to the right location and that the EBB has both power (from the plug in power supply) and the USB connection to your computer. | ||
− | :* Adjust the two percentage values for the pen up position and pen down positions such that: | + | :* Adjust the two percentage values ((1) and (2) shown above) for the pen up position and pen down positions such that: |
::* The pen arm is roughly horizontal, or very slightly below, when "down" | ::* The pen arm is roughly horizontal, or very slightly below, when "down" | ||
::* The pen arm is very slightly above horizontal when in the "up" position | ::* The pen arm is very slightly above horizontal when in the "up" position | ||
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It's best to start with a document that's 800 pixels tall by 3200 pixels wide -- you can use the Eggbot Template from the set of example files as a good starting point. Eggbot draws paths -- continuous lines -- not bitmap images, and not solid filled regions. Certain object types are automatically treated as paths, for example circles and rectangles. Other types of objects that are made of lines -- like outlined text -- may need to be converted to paths (Path menu > Object to path) before plotting. A good first plot might be the "Hello world" example file. | It's best to start with a document that's 800 pixels tall by 3200 pixels wide -- you can use the Eggbot Template from the set of example files as a good starting point. Eggbot draws paths -- continuous lines -- not bitmap images, and not solid filled regions. Certain object types are automatically treated as paths, for example circles and rectangles. Other types of objects that are made of lines -- like outlined text -- may need to be converted to paths (Path menu > Object to path) before plotting. A good first plot might be the "Hello world" example file. | ||
− | (If you have not already, you may also want to download the | + | (If you have not already, 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].) |
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= Drawing on your Egg = | = Drawing on your Egg = | ||
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# Begin with vector art in inkscape. | # Begin with vector art in inkscape. | ||
# From the '''Plot''' tab, press apply, and the EggBot should print the entire drawing. | # From the '''Plot''' tab, press apply, and the EggBot should print the entire drawing. | ||
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+ | For multiple color printing, keep different color information in separate layers of your Inkscape document named with an initial number. (e.g. 1-red, 2-black). Use the '''Layers''' tab to plot layer by layer, changing the pen between layer plots. | ||
If your stepper motors (Motor 1 and Motor 2) are weak, make high-pitch whining noises, exhibit jittery behavior, or produce inconsistent step sizes, you probably need to adjust the current setting on the EBB. | If your stepper motors (Motor 1 and Motor 2) are weak, make high-pitch whining noises, exhibit jittery behavior, or produce inconsistent step sizes, you probably need to adjust the current setting on the EBB. | ||
− | * There is a small current adjustment potentiometer (a flat little "knob" that can be turned with a small screwdriver) on the EBB, labeled "CUR ADJ." Use a tiny screwdriver to gently turn it | + | * There is a small current adjustment potentiometer (a flat little "knob" that can be turned with a small screwdriver) on the EBB, labeled "CUR ADJ." Use a tiny screwdriver to gently turn it fully clockwise, which will be from about 0 to 2/3 of a turn. Then, enable the motors from the Manual tab of Eggbot Control if they are not already enabled. Turn the potentiometer counter-clockwise until the motors provide moderate resistance to turning by hand-- usually about 1/3 to 1/2 a turn. NOTE: Some boards have a potentiometer that adjusts in the opposite direction. If your EBB board is red AND the potentiometer is made of white plastic, start by turning it fully counter-clockwise and then turn clockwise until the motors provide moderate resistance. |
* If the motors are moving but not performing correctly while plotting, you may prefer to begin a simple plot (for example, the "Hello World" example) and adjust the current while it is plotting. Note that the motors may behave differently while your screwdriver is actually touching the adjustment potentiometer. | * If the motors are moving but not performing correctly while plotting, you may prefer to begin a simple plot (for example, the "Hello World" example) and adjust the current while it is plotting. Note that the motors may behave differently while your screwdriver is actually touching the adjustment potentiometer. | ||
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= Setup video = | = Setup video = | ||
We've put together a 15-minute video walking you through the process of setting up the servo motor positions, aligning an object in the bot, and making your first plot. You can [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zsbW9qmZk4 watch it on YouTube here]. | We've put together a 15-minute video walking you through the process of setting up the servo motor positions, aligning an object in the bot, and making your first plot. You can [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zsbW9qmZk4 watch it on YouTube here]. | ||
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