Incase anyone is right off the bat curious. Anyways. I'm not a programmer. I don't know any programming languages. And I'm very inexperienced within the terminology of processing.
However, I've just recently gotten into the whole arduino Universe and of course, Processing along with that. I've found a project on github...which the author doesn't reply to me. (I'm not that bad of a guy, serious! :P) Anyways, it hasn't been updated within 7-8 months.
The project, is a drawing machine. Not some kind of xy plotter, but a hanging gondola style. It works great. And upon checking out my site, and the linked flickr (
http://flickr.com/smoothoctopus ) a person can see the artwork created and the machine.
Basically, the machine itself loads up an .svg file (vectors/paths) and then literally draws all the paths. It seems to draw the shortest to longest paths. But it's rather random. I'd like to be able to make drawings with more complexity and more colours. At the moment, it's pretty much impossible to guess where the machine will draw next, making he stopping of the machine, changing the pen then starting again rather difficult because it may not be drawing what you think it's going to next. There are solutions to this though them being;
Solution 1:
A person could just make multiple svgs. with each path/stroke that should be a different colour with just that colour. Then load it up and draw away. Then load the next one with just the paths that should be a different colour.
Problem 1:
However, i find this tedious and difficult to keep accurate because of how the machine zeros itself. (mainly turning it on with the belts at a certain length) The software itself also crashes sometimes, and when it connects via serial to the arduino, the motors move randomly and then things don't line up. Images that are smaller/have less paths are also loaded into the palette always on center. IF you had three squares side by side, each one in a different svg. they'll always load on center.
What I'd like done.
Implementation 1
I'd like a feature implemented where the program will load a svg like it does now but only draw one type of path at a time. As in, ALL the black paths first, then all the reds, then all the whatevers. This way, images can be created with this in mind and it'll be possible to know when to change the pen instead of however the machine decides what it's going to draw next.
Implemenation 2
The other possibility is to make some sort of feedback system. Or like a CNC machine, modify the program so it shows what it's currently drawing next. Or have the program highlight the path (or next several paths) it's going to draw next.
This implementation would be great because then a person knows what's going to happen. I think this doesn't need to be explained why that's an advantage. ;)
Anyways, I'm willing to drop some cash into this, or maybe a dozen free drawings of the persons choice (paypal some beer money ;p?). It's
negotiable. I have all of the source code. I don't believe that one of or both of these features, would be -that- hard to implement (but what do I know! :P)
I don't know if what I explained is the best way to go about implementing such features. But like I said before, I don't know programming. I hope I explained what I want clearly. If anyone is interested or would like to know more or has a better idea! Please send me a message!
