| 26/04/2010 |
Introduction
Welcome to the first Openlab supported interactive lighting workshop!
With the ubiquity of LED lighting installations - artists and designers are looking at ways of introducing interactive elements to light based works. This class is intended to demonstrate methods and technologies to interface and create ones own responsive light art works. Using the open source Arduino as our platform, over the course of 5 weeks, participants will learn how to use sensor information to effect their light pieces. By using various electronic components and techniques we will demonstrate how to expand the outputs of the Arduino. We will cover the DMX lighting control standard in depth - offering strategies for building responsive lighting systems with off the shelf DMX controllable fixtures. By the end of the class, participants will produce their own interactive lighting project.
If you are interested in going over the basics again, please do!
Installing the Arduino IDE: Download it from here.
PLEASE go through these instructions for connecting your Arduino for the first time to a MAC and for PC.
For those using the LilyPad Arduino, please look at Leah Buechley's (LilyPad's mom!) site for setup instructions.
Basics of electronics (please look at Tom Igoe's introduction page)
Basics of circuit schematics - reading and writing. (this site is helpful )
Today's class will go over these concepts - and logical systems for controlling them:
In this class we will go over some very important concepts in controlling lighting with Arduino:
PWM (Pulse width modulation)
Row Column Scanning (RCScanning). Code from class: 1, 2, 3, 4
Switching higher loads using transistors. Datasheets for the BC107 (NPN Transister) and the TIP120 (Darlington Pair)
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| 03/05/2010 |
Shift Registers
In our second class, we will find out how to expand the IO of the Arduino by using shift registers.
What is a Serial IN, Parallel OUT Shift Register
We will use the 74HC595N. Please click here to view the datasheet
View the Arduino tutorial on wiring and programming the 74HC595
You can download the code examples here
Something to watch is this newly released Shift Register library...
Onto the TLC5940 16 Channel PWM Shift Register. The Datasheet can be downloaded from here
The Arduino page about the TLC5940 references a library by acleone
Download it from here.
Hardware setup instructions can be found here
Once the library is installed and the chip is setup correctly, open the examples from your Sketch folder and have a play!
UPDATE: Download the DIY shift register code here.
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| 10/05/2010 |
PWM Shift Registers and intro to DMX
Today we will look over the PWM shift registers from the previous class, and use them to drive a motor or motors. We will finally begin our exploration of DMX!
What is DMX? What does the protocol look like?
What are DMX devices and how do we control them?
There are three ways to connect to DMX devices: 3 pin XLR, 5 pin DMX, and RJ45(ethernet).
Download the DMXSimple Library from here tinker's code repository
Install it the same way we installed the TLC5940 library last week.
Restart Arduino
Now view the Super DMX Shield's page for soldering instructions and code examples.
NOTE: There are a couple of fixes required for this revision of the PCB. You can find them here.
Homework: Solder up your Super DMX Shield in anticipation of some DMX fiddling next week.
If you're interested in purchasing or borrowing DMX devices, that would be grand too. I've added a DMX devices resource below.
I've also added some soldering references below too!
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| 17/05/2010 |
DMX Continued - Testing the Super DMX Shield
Today we will test and debug any issues around the DMX shields you soldered over the last week. Once they're all up and running, we will look at techniques to use when programming DMX systems.
Download and view the following examples:
Homework: Using the code we've done in class as well as the above examples, I would like you to create your own generative animatin with at least 5 states.
During next week's class we will primarily be focused on your projects
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| 24/05/2010 |
Final Class - Project discussion and workshop
During this class, we will discuss the ways to approach building projects. How to break the problems down into parts and slowly bring them together. During this session, students will spend time working on their own ideas in groups or independently.
Tom Igoe's excellent notes on switching higher loads
TIP120 Transister Datasheet
Homework: PLAY WITH LIGHTS! Using the programming techniques and your new understanding of lighting & LED control, go forth and MAKE stuff!
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| Notes |
Resources: Arduino components
Oomlout - for all the basic arduino prototyping components
Cool Components - for Arduino prototyping and advanced components (they have lilpads)
SKPang - for Arduino prototyping and more advance components (they have lilypads)
Robotiq - Some Arduino components and robotic sensors / motors
Sparkfun - One of the originals stores! For all sorts of components. Based in the US
Ada Fruit Industries - for all sorts of components and great tutorials. Based in the US
Acroname - Good for robotics and sensors
Resources: Arduino Knowledge
Arduino Playground
The World Famous Index of Arduino / Freeduino Knowledge
Resources: Electronic Components
Maplins - there are many stores around the UK. Their website isnt too bad either.
Farnell - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
RS Components - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
Rapid - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
Resources: Basic Tools
Larger bread board - Good for extending the size of a prototype before soldering.
Wire Strippers - Very helpful to quickly make wires bread board friendly.
Multimeter - One of the most important debugging tools you will ever have!
Resources: DMX devices
The Pulse DMX controllable Par Can RGB Spot
4 Channel DMX controllable AC dimmer pack
12 Channel DMX controllable AC dimmer pack
A series of DMX devices available from CPC
5 Pin DMX Lead (1 meter)
3 Pin DMX Lead (1 meter)
Thomann Lighting Supplier
Resources: Soldering!
Soldering Tutorial from Sparkfun
Soldering Tutorial from the Curious Inventor
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