Drawbot software for BUILDS CNC machine. >>drawbot.pde file goes to arduino >>drawbot.sh, drawbot1.txt, pixelsize.pl, bitstream.pl files belong in same folder >>drawbotBitStream.m file is for matlab to generate the drawbot1.txt file from images NOTE: currently this uses functions that are not supported in GNU Octave. While not a priority for the time being, we plan on having the entire project using free software, as matlab is not widely avaiable for people wishing to replicate our efforts. ==WHAT EACH FILE DOES== drawbot1.txt - this file contains the bitstream sent from the PC to the arduino, it consist of 1 and 0, representing black and white pixels. the arduino interprates that if it wants to fire the laser (black) or not (white) pixelsize.pl - this file reads in drawbot1.txt, finds out how long it is, then square roots it. because each image is a square, this works. Then it will send this integer to the arduino. arduino will now know when each new line starts! bitstream.pl - takes in drawbot1.txt, reads one char at a time into the arduino. that way arduino will know to burn or not. drawbot.sh - runs pixelsize and bitstream, not necessacary, but makes the machine operator's life easier drawbot.pde - arduino's software, takes in data from the perl scripts to move motors and fire laser drawBotBitStream.m - MATLAB program takes in a picture, converts it to the drawbot1.txt, does some fancy image processing to do this ======================= >>this uses the Adafruit motor shield, big thanks to ladyada for her shield and code for controlling the steppers. ========PROJECT STATUS======== Currently (as of 3/07/11) under heavy development. Software is mostly complete. Hardware needs some doing See wiki for more info http://builds.cc/wiki/index.php?title=CNC_Drawbot ============================== for any questions, email me (jeff) We'd love for any improvements or help on the coding!