introducing micro-controller interface in...

Introducing Micro-Controller Interface

in

Kapil Kadam, Research Scholar, IIT Bombay, Mumbai-400076, India

[email protected]@iitb.ac.in

The use of blender 3d, being an open source application, as a gamedevelopment tool is already a well known phenomenon.

However, as blender 3d is a platform for learning 3d animation and gamedevelopment to a wide range of programmers, it is also undergoing continuousmodifications through new ideas implemented in the open source domain. Inline with this thought, the application of adding wireless micro-controllers tothe software to simplify the process of applying ideas to the interface and toeliminate the complexity of game control will open larger avenues to both theplatform as well as the audience.

This process will not only do away with the requirement of multiple controllersfor gaming, but also attract a larger faction of people to use this software.

The final objective would involve being able to handle objects and motions onthe screen by attaching simple microcontrollers to the user's hand, whichwould change functionality based on finger movements and hand positions,continuously adapting to the user's need. Handling objects on the computerscreen without the use of a mouse or keyboard will give a real life feel to theentire process. Imagine driving a race car, playing a first person shooter and arole playing game just by changing the way you position and move yourhands!

Introduction

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Introduction

Micro-controller Blender Object [6]


Microcontroller interface with Blender

Sr. No.

Hardware Specifications

1 AVR Micro-controller AVR ATmega 16_32 Explorer Board

2 Potentiometer [2] Bourns 10 turn pot 10K

3 GP2D12 Range Sensor [5] Distance measuring range: 10 to 80cm

4 XBee Wireless Communication Module [4] Trans-receiver, Antenna type: Chip antenna [3]

5 AVR ISP USB Programmer [8]

Table: Hardware details

1. Blender (2.49b) [1]2. python-2.6.2 [9]3. pyserial-2.5.win32 [7] - for serial

communication


Requirements

How it works

1. Objective is to control Blender objects using microcontrollers

2. For that microcontroller has to be programmed

3. We have written simple C code that will transmit serial data

to the Blender.

4. The C code is compiled to Hex and this hex file is burnt into

microcontroller with the help of programmer

5. At the receiver small python script is written which receives

the data sent by microcontroller, while other part of python

script controls the object

6. The communication between Blender and microcontroller

can be both wired or wireless.


Micro-controller AVR ATMEGA 16_32 Explorer Board

Potentiometer Bourns 10 turn pot 10K

Serial communication,USB cable

Objects and scene

Python Script

Blender Interface


Microcontroller interface with Blender:Schematic – Wired connection, using Potentiometer


Wireless Communication

Potentiometer Bourns 10 turn pot 10K

XBee USB Wireless Module

Objects and scene

Python Script

Blender Interface


Microcontroller interface with Blender:Schematic – Wireless, using Potentiometer


Serial communication,USB cable

Objects and scene

Python Script

Blender Interface

GP2D12 Range Sensor


Microcontroller interface with Blender:Schematic – Wired connection, using Sensor


Wireless Communication

GP2D12 Range Sensor

XBee USB Wireless Module

Objects and scene

Python Script

Blender Interface


Microcontroller interface with Blender:Schematic – Wireless, using Sensor


Case Study:controlling micrometer screw gauge model in Blender,

with the help of microcontroller- AVR ATMEGA 16_32 (wireless interface)

• Blender workshops,• Blender awareness seminars• Undergraduate students Projects• Blender in education


What we are doing with Blender at IITB India

• Queries• Suggestions• Open discussion


Feedback

Write us at

Kapil Sameer

[email protected] [email protected]@iitb.ac.in [email protected]


Credits

Prof. Sridhar IyerMr. Sameer Sahasrabudhe

Parin Jogani Nikita Sule

Paulami Sanghavi Sahil Bakshi

Priyanka Shah Anuja Shah

Chirag Raman Kapil Kadam

Organizers - Blender conference 2010Blender Team, Project OSCAR, CDEEP at IITB India

Idea and Project initiated by

Special ThanksPawankumar Suryawanshi Piyush Manwar

Pranesh Krishnamurthy Bhairavnath Lahotkar


References

[1] http://www.blender.org/

[2] http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/electronic-components/potentiometers/bourns-10-turn-pot-10k.html

[3] http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/wireless-devices/xbee-wireless-communication-module-chip-antenna.html

[4] http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/wireless-devices/xbee-usb-wireless-module.html

[5] http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/sensors/ir-range-sensors/sharp-gp2d12-10cm-to-80cm-ir-range-sensor.html

[6] http://oscar.iitb.ac.in/chemistryrepository.do?d-49216-p=11&subject=Physics

[7] http://python.net/crew/mhammond/win32/

[8] http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/microcontroller-programmer/avr-isp-usb-programmer.html

[9] http://www.python.org/

[1o] http://en.myinventions.pl/index.php?page=ArduinoToBlender

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