Writing models for OpenSCAD can involve tediously adjusting numbers over and over. Those numbers are often in the form of vectors; three sequential numbers to designate the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. I hear this is also true with the Unity game engine.
The goal of this project was to make an HID-compatible input device which could change these numbers in a fast and intuitive way. Three knobs on rotary encoders were selected for changing the vectors and, another knob would change the precision. Four buttons would serve as quick-use commands. Limiting myself to four buttons was hard, it was tempting to go overboard and build a whole keyboard of useful shortcuts. Instead, a header pin would be installed which would access all the unused pins so it could be expanded in the future with a firmware upgrade.
Enough background.
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A sketch was made to show the concept of the controller. Four knobs were shown as top-hats while the four buttons were simple ovals. The enclosure was crudely square with a cable coming from the side. An LED strip was run across the width as a display for the precision and feedback.
A circuit schematic was drawn in EasyEDA. This included the four encoders, four pushbuttons, a spare I/O header and a socket for an EZ-Key BlueFruit. The BlueFruit is able to take serial data and implement it as a Bluetooth keyboard. It is not vital to the design and could be excluded to save space and cost. Programming should be done for this in the future but excluding it would not harm the performance.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-06-22 (Th)
The goal of this project was to make an HID-compatible input device which could change these numbers in a fast and intuitive way. Three knobs on rotary encoders were selected for changing the vectors and, another knob would change the precision. Four buttons would serve as quick-use commands. Limiting myself to four buttons was hard, it was tempting to go overboard and build a whole keyboard of useful shortcuts. Instead, a header pin would be installed which would access all the unused pins so it could be expanded in the future with a firmware upgrade.
Enough background.
----------
A sketch was made to show the concept of the controller. Four knobs were shown as top-hats while the four buttons were simple ovals. The enclosure was crudely square with a cable coming from the side. An LED strip was run across the width as a display for the precision and feedback.
Sketch of the device
A circuit schematic was drawn in EasyEDA. This included the four encoders, four pushbuttons, a spare I/O header and a socket for an EZ-Key BlueFruit. The BlueFruit is able to take serial data and implement it as a Bluetooth keyboard. It is not vital to the design and could be excluded to save space and cost. Programming should be done for this in the future but excluding it would not harm the performance.
Circuit schematic
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-06-22 (Th)
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