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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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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#* Raw, so that you can empty it out afterwards, in the event that you get a good one. (Yes, you could hard-boil your eggs, but then you'll have to break them to get the centers out. Or you could empty them first, but that's an awful lot of effort if an egg doesn't turn out right.) | #* Raw, so that you can empty it out afterwards, in the event that you get a good one. (Yes, you could hard-boil your eggs, but then you'll have to break them to get the centers out. Or you could empty them first, but that's an awful lot of effort if an egg doesn't turn out right.) | ||
#* Clean, so that ink flow is not affected by grease on the surface. You may even want to use rubber gloves for handling your eggs to keep greasy finger prints off (especially important if using technical pens with very fine nibs.) | #* Clean, so that ink flow is not affected by grease on the surface. You may even want to use rubber gloves for handling your eggs to keep greasy finger prints off (especially important if using technical pens with very fine nibs.) | ||
− | # Pull back the plunger and roughly center the end of the egg on the headstock. Gently return the plunger to the other end of the egg. Spin the egg to see if it is centered, and adjust its position in the two egg cups as necessary. (You want as little wobble as you turn your egg as possible -- more wobble will | + | # Pull back the plunger and roughly center the end of the egg on the headstock. Gently return the plunger to the other end of the egg. Spin the egg to see if it is centered, and adjust its position in the two egg cups as necessary. (You want as little wobble as you turn your egg as possible -- more wobble will leave to uneven drawings.) |
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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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# 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. | ||
+ | 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. | ||
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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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* There's a lot more to learn about the Eggbot, if you're so inclined. Check out the topics listed under "Advanced topics and tips" on the [[Eggbot|main page]]. | * There's a lot more to learn about the Eggbot, if you're so inclined. Check out the topics listed under "Advanced topics and tips" on the [[Eggbot|main page]]. | ||
− | * To pause a plot that is in progress, you can hit the "PRG" button on the EBB. Use the "Resume" tab in Eggbot Control to resume your plot, or to instead cancel and return the pen to your initial position. There's more information about that [[ | + | * To pause a plot that is in progress, you can hit the "PRG" button on the EBB. Use the "Resume" tab in Eggbot Control to resume your plot, or to instead cancel and return the pen to your initial position. There's more information about that [[Eggbot_Control#Resume|here]]. |
* The "Cancel" button that Inkscape shows (while, for example, Eggbot Control is executing) doesn't actually do anything. This is due to a known bug in Inkscape. | * The "Cancel" button that Inkscape shows (while, for example, Eggbot Control is executing) doesn't actually do anything. This is due to a known bug in Inkscape. | ||
+ | * If your stepper motors (Motor 1 and Motor 2) make high-pitch whining noises or exhibit jittery behavior, you may need to adjust the current setting on the EBB. | ||
+ | ::There is a small current adjustment potentiometer 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. | ||
* If you need help with things Eggbot related, there's a list of support resources on the [[Eggbot|main eggbot documentation page]], of which our mailing list and forum are your best bets. | * If you need help with things Eggbot related, there's a list of support resources on the [[Eggbot|main eggbot documentation page]], of which our mailing list and forum are your best bets. | ||
* Please do not ask for help with Eggbot-specific issues on the Inkscape forums, Inkscape mailing lists, or Inkscape answer site; they will not know the answers. And, if you are not sure whether or not your question is Eggbot-specific, please start at Eggbot forums or mailing list. | * Please do not ask for help with Eggbot-specific issues on the Inkscape forums, Inkscape mailing lists, or Inkscape answer site; they will not know the answers. And, if you are not sure whether or not your question is Eggbot-specific, please start at Eggbot forums or mailing list. |