Thread: 3 axis skull progrmas...

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Hi all,

I'm sure it's been asked hundreds of times. Hell, it proves it in the search box. But, I can't find what you guys are using to run the voice through your skulls from the computer.
Now remember I'm just starting so I have no clue on anything. What I want to start with is the computer program that you can load music or voices into, then run to the skull. What are you guys using? What is the best out there for around $200 or less?
I'm not sure what type of skulls I have on the way. I forgot to ask Scourge what type they were. So I figure I would start with the program for the computer and then get into servos and such.

Thanks guys for all the help.


Growler

I think VSA from Brookshire software is used a lot, its about $50 and you download it directly from their site.

i am not sure as to your use for the skull but i am putting one together right now i am going a difrent route with mine it isent going to run on a computer i am running it on a airplane radio so i can interact with the people as for the jaw i made the scary terry audio to servo driver and using a boom mic from radio shack for $21 the audio servo driver cost me around $20 to make but one can be ordered for around $30 to $40 now if you need to run this on a computer there are a few other things you will need like servo controler / still need the audio to servo controler + programing knolage in the type of computer you plan to use like pc or mac and there are different ways of doing that also if using a pc you can use a basic stamp or leave it connected to your computer but at any rate i dont know of any software out there that you can just buy that is just plug and play unless you want to pay the big bucks if so check out gilderfluke.com or you might want to try Robot Parts, Electronic Robot Parts, Mechanical Robot Parts join there forum the people on there are all about robotics and might know of something else out there as for the audio servo driver audio-servo or Computer & Electronic Services

Hey Growler, the skulls are just a bit smaller than standard Buckys. If you have a bucky skull you will see they are the same mold. For what ever reason it is just shy in size. I have been looking into this too. scareisburg is right on about the VSA from Brookshire, it seems to be the preffered route. It looks like you need a servo control board, Lynxmotion Robot Kits has the SSC32 controller wich runs one skull through a USB in conjunction with the Parallax board. I could be way off but this is what I understand from EVERYTHING posted. Again, I have yet to build one. Maybe some one here can correct me (please) or back me up. I really want to tackle the 3 axis monster myself.

I used the SSC-32 board from Lynxmotion for my 3-axis skull and it works very well. I think it is about $40. However, it is controlled via a RS-232 serial connection rather than a USB connection. I will warn you that some people have computers that do not have serial connectors on them so they have purchased USB-RS-232 adapters and had problems - just something to keep in mind. I don't know what the "parallax" board is - parallax makes many boards for different things but if you have the SSC-32 servo controller and a PC with a serial port (and the VSA software) that is all you need for a 3-axis setup.

I have read that VSA is the route.I belive guitarist is the man to talk to about this.there is a board that runs the servos but I don't remember what they are.I too would like to build one this year.

Aye, the controller is the Lynxmotion SSC-32 from www.lynxmotion.com, run into a real serial port. Running with a USB-Serial adapter be -very- unreliable. Many 'ave tried, few 'ave succeeded.. Find an' ol' 486 or Pentium I/II computer, desktop or laptop fer cheap an' use real serial ports.. You can probably add a PCI-I/O card to a desktop fer true DB9/DB25 serial ports.. but USB -Serial adapter just is nigh worth th' trouble ta set it up..

Servos, be HiTec, specifically which ones depend on the skull yer usin' an' if fer jaw or 'ead movement.. Model HS-425's run approx $13.75, -645's(higher torque) abt $27-$28(list is $32+) I'll run several bulk buys during th' year fer these.. I usually need 'least 12 servo order (approx 3 skulls worth) ta get th' discounted prices.

The software ta run the board is Visual Show Animation, or VSA, from www.brookshiresoftware.com, the software is download only, no disk be available for it, 'cept fer bulk purchases. Abt May/June I'll run a Group Buy thru Brookshire fer VSA, and 'nother abt Aug/Sept.. usually 'bout $5-$7 off th' normal $55 price..

As fer voices, music, songs, dialogue, check my VSA, Font Music page (sig line..)

Capt Jack

Any idea when you be holdin' the buys on the servos cap'n?

I second everything that the Capt. said.....except I speak English, not pirate.

I believe that the latest version of VSA now runs about $65.00.

Group buys are always a good thing.

Originally Posted by HalloweenBob

I believe that the latest version of VSA now runs about $65.00.

I just purchased it a few days ago for $59.95 and their web site still shows the same.

Mark