Thread: VSA conversion tool / VSA routine sharing

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I wanted to get a feel if people are interested in a software tool that would convert others VSA routine files to work with their servo setups?

I've heard a few conversions on this forum regarding sharing their VSA routines with others... But in order to have it work properly, you'd have to go through every single action of every servo to adjust the position values to match your servos. For example...

Are you using the same type servos & controller? Is your 'neutral' position is different than theirs? More importantly, how about your 'max' and 'min' rotation values? Perhaps your servo is oriented the opposite way? Running someone else's routine as is could seriously damage your servos or even your Prop.

What do we think? I'd provide the software free of charge

UPDATE: It appears VSA is capable of doing this already: http://halloweenforum.com/showthread...314#post441314

I'm trying to learn about this topic.
I have been reading several of the posts and trying to collect needed materials.
any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Hopefully this thread will start some discussion on the topic. If anyone doesn't know what we are talking about, check out
My 3-Axis skull...in progress=http://halloweenforum.com/showthread.php?t=62161thread and/or
http://www.brookshiresoftware.com/

I guess I should really ask if people would be willing to share their routines? Perhaps trade?

I agree, with so many variables in different props, servos, and movements, it would be very easy to damage something. I don't even use my same routine from the previous year. For me, half the fun is programming the new "show" each year.

I started working with VSA couple months ago, finally got it figured out with Dead Men Tell No Tales (its in my YouTube videos).. I picked a simple, slow audio file to practice writing a routine for, and figured it out... Here is the DeadMenTellNoTales.mp3 file, anyone can d/l the audio file and play with it themselves. I also have no problem posting a link to the DMTNT.vsa routine itself...

Second... If you are wanting to import/load someone elses routine, you can safely do so.. you just cant run it without checking the servo limits. Basically, you load someones routine, go in and check each servos limits and then you're set to use it...

I emailed the VSA folks to get a couple questions answered...

How to permanently change:

1. # of enabled channels when you make a new routine.
2. Baud rate
3. Servo type
4. Servo limits...

In the Settings Dialog, in the lower corner there is a small icon.
Click on that icon and choose the appropriate option to save the defaults.

So, when you open VSA the first time, push F3, or click on Tools, Settings, make your changes, then in the bottom left corner is a little hammer icon. Click that, choose Save Defaults and the changes you made will remain. That is perfect for making your Baud rate the same as the jumper setting on the board, servo name perm set to your servos, perm. uncheck unused channels.. etc. Saves a lot of time. Remember, you can load anyones routine, ya just cant run it without doin so checkin first...

Originally Posted by nbviper

I wanted to get a feel if people are interested in a software tool that would convert others VSA routine files to work with their servo setups?

I've heard a few conversions on this forum regarding sharing their VSA routines with others... But in order to have it work properly, you'd have to go through every single action of every servo to adjust the position values to match your servos. For example...

Are you using the same type servos & controller? Is your 'neutral' position is different than theirs? More importantly, how about your 'max' and 'min' rotation values? Perhaps your servo is oriented the opposite way? Running someone else's routine as is could seriously damage your servos or even your Prop.

What do we think? I'd provide the software free of charge

I think the whole data conversion thing started when a fellow by the name of EvilBob wrote a kickass thirdparty program that allowed one to use a mouse to capture servo positions (2 axis skull) in real time then import them into VSA. The problem people had was that it only imported data for the minissc, and there was some demand for using the Parallax servo controller instead, but the data didn't work for the Parallax, so Phoenix offered to convert the output captured data from EvilBobs program to make it work for the PArallax board. Sharing data is a new concept since there are many more VSA/multiple axis skull users now than a year ago, so the answer to your question is no, not everyone uses the same servos and controllers, and the Max/Min rotation values vary widely depending on which homemade skull you talking about.

I'd be interested!

Capt: That looks great!!! Awesome job!

The problem that I found with simply updating the limits is this:

Say you are using a MiniSSC compatible servo with a Max Value of 255 and a Min Value of 0. Your buddy is using a Pololu controlled servo with a Max value of 5500 and a Min Value of 500.

You give him your routine with these 2 example actions:


If he goes to the VSA Settings and changes your servo setup to his setup:
TYPE: MiniSSC -> Pololu
+VALUE: 255 -> 5500
-VALUE: 0 -> 500
DEFAULT: 127 -> 3000

Do the 2 example actions update correctly??? Let’s see…


Ouch!!! Running these actions may actually cause your Pololu controller to crash your servo, possibly causing damage.

What my Tool will hopefully do is convert the VSA routine (with some input from you) to this:


These numbers have been generated using a ratio between the original setup and yours.

The software will possibly look something like this:

'ello Viper...

Me be guessin I should 'ave stated th' two ideas in me post were seperate, nigh meant to go with th' one, they were.. The permanent defualts were to be able to set the bot'om 'alf of the channels, shall we say 32-64, to be off(unchecked), an' set the baudy baud rate to wot the board be set at, and servo types that you yorself be havin' in yer skulls... Tha' be tip number one...

Tip number two, and totally seperate from said tip number one, is tha' you could import routine.vsa from a scurvy deckhand, load it, bu' nigh use it until, and this be the important part 'mate, until you change the limits to wot yer pestulant servo limits be.. But, apparently, tha' be jus' wot yer lil pri'ey program do Yer explanation lad, appears to make mine, totally unnessessary, unwanted, and irrelevant.. Yers be lookin lots more useful than seaturtles to a marooned ships captain I imagine...

So I guess wot I posted as tips were just slighty betta' than madenningly unhelpful.. I would be interested in wot yew've got there then.. Would change me outlook on 'avin' tew look at every.... single.... one.... of me servo stats 'efore usin' someone else' routine..

Oll hands, this is the Captain, 'round of applause,
an' I say, mean it this time, for this scurvy deck'and!!