[EdmondsLibrarian]

I had a somewhat similar experience. Replacing the .ino file of Arduino solved it.
Can you tell us a bit more about versions and platform?

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I wish I’d paid more attention to my selection. It’s drawn over 100 pictures without any sign of wear.

The spool says “Molnlycke Spun Syntet” 274 m (300 yards) which is some kind of nylon. Plain old crafter thread.

I tried fishing line for a while, but could never quite get it to work without breaking. Hopefully some other user will be more successful, because I would REALLY like to use fishing line to enhance the “invisible pen” effect.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

http://smog.edmonds.wednet.edu/wordpress/mwk8techblog/wp-content/blogs.dir/208/files/2013/10/IMG_2832.jpg

http://smog.edmonds.wednet.edu/wordpress/mwk8techblog/wp-content/blogs.dir/208/files/2013/10/IMG_2835.jpg

[EdmondsLibrarian]

THANK YOU. This problem is solved! Your offline suggestion to
reload the arduino INO file
onto the Arduino was exactly what was needed.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Here’s another item which might be instructive- though I don’t know how to leverage it
I wanted to try to rule out the Arduino. The blink command works well. When I try to use the AFMotorDrawbot Example (under the Arduino file menu) and choose the MotorParty, this file doesn’t verify due to a AF_DCMotor does not name a type.
Perhaps I’ve installed something wrong.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Progress?
I changed the Com Port # to 9, and also used the reset button on the Arduino (hard to access under the stepper shield)
This made it so that the pen no longer drops straight down without stopping.
However, there is no X axis movement (side to side). Will explore the forums now to see if this has been solved elsewhere.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

In trying to eliminate hardware issues, I took off all connections to the Arduino and Motors, then reconnected them. Alas the results were the same. THe pen drops straight down when driving manually.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Here’s some further experimenting. I hooked up the laptop with the older version of the software which was known to be performing well last June. The results were the same- the job motor command works, the drive manually causes the pen to drop straight down.
I’m wondering if some sort of movement vibration might have worked something loose? I have to guess a hardware issue- though why it will jog motors, but not drive the motors is confusing. Maybe this triggers a memory…

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I’m wondering if I”m having unusual problems because I have as many files as possible on the “D” drive (not C). I’m doing this to try to avoid the permissions problems that come for users at my school. I can customize the generic student log on, but if a student logs on as themselves, I’m going to need a fast way to get the right files into the My Document folder (like for Arduino).
I’m hopeful that a version like for “Portable Apps” could work, so that I could walk up to any computer with the USB pen and make great art! Keep up the awesome improvements.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Yes it is still happening. Not sure what additional information to send.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

This problem went away after 3 restarts. Thanks for reading.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

http://smog.edmonds.wednet.edu/wordpress/mwk8techblog/?attachment_id=237
If you are often asked how you made your art, you might consider using part of this PowerPoint.
It answered a lot of basic questions folks asked at my school art show, and allowed visitors to ask even more meaningful questions. Feel free to make it even better and repost!

Here’s a sample image of folks gathering round the Art. I like how it’s interesting enough for visitors to take pictures of it!

http://smog.edmonds.wednet.edu/wordpress/mwk8techblog/?attachment_id=238

Also here are some nice flowers for the spring:

http://smog.edmonds.wednet.edu/wordpress/mwk8techblog/?attachment_id=239

[EdmondsLibrarian]

It’s OVER! I’ve got a VERY NICE working Drawbot. Thank you for the Google Hang Out assistance. It’s run the code for the sample images as well as a new heart picture! SUCCESS!
The issue I was having seemed to be in the start file, and the way it calls up the GUI. (It’s a windows things for sure.) Our “Robot Overlord Master” has made a great program, and I look forward to using it in my school and personal life! (Next step a little fine tuning…) Thank you, thank you. It was totally worth the time!

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I have tried installing the latest version from GitHub. 0.8.6.
Unfortunately, I must have removed too many of the old files, as the Java GUI program doesn’t start. (neither the one inside the WIndows folder, or the next level up. The Command prompt opens and closes for the start file.) I also don’t have the “Hello World” message in Arduino Serial window.
I’m going to try to set aside time later in the week to do a clean install. Got my fingers crossed! We’ve come so far.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I changed the baud rate to 57,600. There is still no “ready” or hello world message in Arduino. (And no response to typed commands.)
I wonder if there is an Arduino Library example I could install and run? Just not sure. Grateful for your suggestions.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Forgot to reboot. SIlly.

I’m not able complete the step of connecting to the Drawbot in Arduino. (No hello world message or response.)
Perhaps this is a hint about the problem?

Other possible details- Board set to Uno; Serial Port is correct; programmer on AVRISP mkII. Serial window set to Autoscoll, No line ending, 4800 baud.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I hope this is what you meant.
I connected the drawbot and jogged the motors. (good)
Still can’t enter directly in the message/status window.

Then I tried to open Arduino, but got a message that the Com Port was already in use (and it wouldn’t proceed).

When I quit drawbot and tried to send the message only in Arduino there was no response in either the serial monitor window, or motor movement. Is there something I can change to make the line command work? Or is there some other Arduino example I could run as a test?

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I’m sorry to say my Arduino was only good enough to get the serial window open, but nothing happened on the drawbot. I hope this is the log referred to:

This does three commands of the Hello World File

Opening file C:DrawbotArduinoarduino-1.0.1gcodeHello World outline.ngc… feed rate=25.0 2315 line segments. 74.090324cm of line. Estimated 3m25s s to draw. Connecting to COM7… Opened.

HELLO WORLD! I AM DRAWBOT #103
== DRAW BOT – http://github.com/i-make-robots/Drawbot/ ==
All commands end with a semi-colon.
HELP; – display this message
CONFIG [Tx.xx] [Bx.xx] [Rx.xx] [Lx.xx];
– display/update this robot’s configuration.
TELEPORT [Xx.xx] [Yx.xx]; – move the virtual plotter.
As well as the following G-codes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code):
G00,G01,G02,G03,G04, G20,G21,G28,G90,G91,M18,M114
> CONFIG T30.0 B-30.0 L-30.0 R30.0 I1 J1; TELEPORT X0 Y0 Z0; L=

HELLO WORLD! I AM DRAWBOT #103
== DRAWBOT – http://github.com/i-make-robots/Drawbot/ ==
All commands end with a semi-colon.
HELP; – display this message
CONFIG [Tx.xx] [Bx.xx] [Rx.xx] [Lx.xx];
– display/update this robot’s configuration.
TELEPORT [Xx.xx] [Yx.xx]; – move the virtual plotter.
As well as the following G-codes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code):
G00,G01,G02,G03,G04,G20,G21,G28,G90,G91,M18,M114
> * Made using CamBam – http://www.cambam.co.uk * Hello World 2012-03-31 11:19:50 AM * T0 : 0.0 G21 G90 G64 G40; done
> G0 Z90.0; done
> * T0 : 0.0 * Engrave1 G17; M3 S1000 G0 F250.0 X47.3349 Y-4.7591; G1 Z10.0;

HELLO WORLD! I AM DRAWBOT #103
== DRAWBOT – http://git hub.com/i-make-robots/Drawbot/ ==
All commands end with a semi-colon.
HELP; – display this message
CONFIG [Tx.xx] [Bx.xx] [Rx.xx] [Lx.xx];
– display/update this robot’s configuration.
TELEPORT [Xx.xx] [Yx.xx]; – move the virtual plotter.
As well as th e following G-codes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code):
G00,G01,G02,G03,G04,G20,G21,G28,G90, G91,M18,M114
> G1 X49.9657 Y7.6238; done

[EdmondsLibrarian]

The stackable header had nothing to do with the proper working.
See for yourself in this discussion.
https://www.marginallyclever.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Sorry about my delay in moving forward- holiday fun!

It’s so great that my Drawbot is “talking” but hasn’t quite mastered the conversation. At least part of the process I should have ready the directions more carefully and had the proper Motor files (with the drawbot extension) in the proper place. The drawbot still appears “stuck.”

My motors do “jog” both directions nicely. Bobbins wound. It’s pretty cool all on its own.

I’ve configured the master area and paper area. Clockwise: 30, 10; 15, 30; -10, -30; -30, -15. Essentially a 60 cm square with a piece of paper in the middle. Negatives left and down as mentioned in other forums
https://www.marginallyclever.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2242&p=2488#p2488(Very Helpful! )

However, much like the users here:
https://www.marginallyclever.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2239My Drawbot behaves irregularly with “Drive Manually.” It doesn’t matter which button I click the pen goes down.
Since my àààààààà problem is solved, it might be better to add some troubleshooting suggestions at
https://www.marginallyclever.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2239
Unless…

One other suggestion you had was to manually enter the directions. I am unable to type in the lower window. How can I send a command?
One other hint in the process is that in the case of “Hello World” the “Ready” status changes to 9/929. If I pause, then unpause, it will step along with the commands. 11/929, etc. In most cases there is no pen movement, but in a few the pen will move. Not sure if that helps.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

What a great a day for me! It’s the end of the funny aaaaa messages! I can’t thank you enough for your personalized help. THANKS.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

After several tries, I’m concluding that there aren’t any messages to view aside from the
ààààààààà
The name of the window stays as “Drawbot Not Found” and the Ready in the bottom corner stays as Ready.
Thanks for your brainstorming. I know that this is not “normal” but am at a loss for what to try.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

Some progress? I discovered that my jar-in-jar files were still zipped. I uncompressed them. I also eliminated all the drivers except for mine (Uno) and updated.

Running the Uno only- Above the ready message: The progress is that there is green text for the graphic file on screen, and the estimated run time. Then is says Connecting to Com XX- with no result.

When the stepper shield is added the ààààààà messages returns after the opening Com XX

WinRunmebat file is
java -classpath RXTXcomm.jar -Djava.library.path=classesrxtxnativeWindowsi3680mingw32 -jar DrawbotGUI.jar

[EdmondsLibrarian]

There is a “ready” in the bottom left corner. The message frame shows “connecting to COM XX” There aren’t any ààààà
After quitting, can program “blink” command in Arduino.

[EdmondsLibrarian]

I think I opened that file at the 2:00 minute mark of the movie.

Is there something I can try in the COM port settings?
9600 bits per second, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, none for flow control.

[Author]

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