Thread: PIC programming for animated props

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I've been setting up my yard for a while with motion sensor triggered props and now I want to step up the game a little. I'm thinking microcontrolled props. I've been looking at the PIC chips to accomplish this but I don't know how to get started with this. (Yeah.. I've been reading a lot of websites about it so I've been doing my research already.)

Has anyone here tried this?

What programmer and compiler software did you use?

Is there anything out there that's cheap or free? I don't want to drop $300 on the compiler software if I decide it's too hard or not worth the effort.

What did you make and how did it work out?

I know it's too late for this year, but if I can get myself into this I'll be able to get something ready for next year. I really want to raise the bar on my props. I think I need to at least investigate this before making a decision.

So, I'm guessing you're still wanting standalone props (as opposed to more of a show), but you want some more complexity than just on/off from the motion sensor? Is this right?

I've used PIC micros in several different projects - a serial-controlled relay board, an LED clock, a prop controller, and the Medusa DMX. Until the last few years, I was doing everything in assembly (free, included in MPLAB from Microchip). But lately, I've been using a C compiler from Sourceboost. They've got licenses from free to $150, depending on how much code/RAM you need. They've also got a flow chart style programming GUI too.

But... for what you're looking to do, I'd probably suggest taking a look at the Arduino. In my estimation, this seems to have taken over an area where the PIC used to dominate: the hardware hacker, git 'er done type of projects. It's basically an Atmel microcontroller (similar to a PIC), but it's got a free compiler, and lots of hardware/code support. Take a look at Sparkfun.com

Aside from these, there's always picking up a more purpose-built controller from efx-tek.com

- Hook

Check out picaxe. Used it on my m.i.t.b. Very easy to build and the software is free. I used A 20m chip and a k74 relay board.


http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=479


Video


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtxvliHAnk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtxvliHAnk[/ame]

Hook,

Thanks for the tips.
I followed the link to the 15 page thread about the Medusa DMX board you built. Nice design. Got any more for sale? I'll probably catch up with you after the holiday season since I'm not where near ready to make that leap yet.

That VSA software from your demo video looks almost like the Light-o-rama software for Christmas displays. One of my co-workers runs a 48 channel Christmas display across 3 properties. I looked into it for a show type of thing, but the cost was prohibitive. I thought DMX might be a little more in line with the money I can spend. I like the USB->DMX conversion piece.

DMX actually has some uses for a company Halloween event that I build props for. I think that would really step up the quality of the production.

Maybe I need to rethink the PIC idea with respect to the total production. I think I could use the PIC for stand alone props triggered by motion or something.


Thanks again.

Intershop,

That's the type of thing I want to build for my yard haunt.

What'd you do to get the PIC to communicate with the K74? I imagine you connected a Parallel cable to the outputs on the PIC (pins 11-17). The cable would then run to the K74 board, right?

And then the relays were wired to a solenid to trigger the pneumatic pistions? Or were the relays wired to electical motors? Did you have any problem with current draw on the relays?

I looked at the K74 last year, but I wasn't quite ready to make the jump. I also didn't want to tie up an entire computer for a single prop. But by seperating with it's own controller, I don't tie up a machine for it. This seems to be a better use of resources. I can use the computer for other things.

Thanks for the PICAXE idea. I just checked them out. The idea of being able to program in BASIC is much more appealing than having to learn Assembly or relearn C. I had some problems with both Assembly and C and I kind of cringe at the idea of having to use them due to the learning curve.

Thanks for the information.

Sorcerers Apprentice


Yes I used a Parallel cable to connect the picaxe to the relay board. You can find the pdf here. http://www.garageofevil.com/tech/kit...or%20Kit74.pdf . I just used the picaxe not the PIC16F84A Microcontroller as seen in the pdf. I used two wiper motors. one to make the box rock back and forth. Check out scary terry's site on how he did this. http://www.scary-terry.com/kitsinkco...ffinrocker.htm The other to make the lid open and close,. This is ran for 4 to 5 hours on halloween night and had no problems with the relays. This will be the 4th year using the k74 and 3rd year for the picaxe. First year I had it controlled from my computer.


http://yardofmonsters.webs.com/

Sorcerers Apprentice,

Thanks for the compliments I don't have any presently, but I've got 7 boxes worth of parts sitting in my living room, ready to make more. I'll post on the forum when I get the finished products back from the assembler.

You found BASIC to be much simpler than C? Sourceboost does have a BASIC compiler for the PIC too. As far as programmers, the PICKit II (III now) is a bargain. It's a USB programmer, debugger (can step the microcontroller through the code, while attached in circuit), and has a programmer-to-go function that lets you program chips away from the computer. There are also some PICKit and PICStart clones out there.

- Hook

I use Picbasic (because Im too dumb to program in assembly) but it costs $250. The pic is great if you want to mass produce something but if you only want a couple of controllers I use The Arduino for about $30.00 with included programmer and free software (as well as plenty of on line tutorials), or the stamp with stamp basic software, I think it's about $40. Both will have many inputs and outputs that can be linked to sensors and relays to do anything you want. Linx motion scc 32 is a stand alone unit that will control relays if you include a $10.00 value village PC. You can even steal the power to power your prop.