BrainMonkey SIDE (Code Editor) Release from Scott S.

http://brainmonkeyside.blogspot.com/

If anyone is interested, Scott has asked me to announce the release of the Code Editor portion of his new product for improvements and testing. Details at the link.

HAVE A BLAST BOYS!

Ted (CowboyCoder on BrainMonkey)

http://brainmonkeyside.blogspot.com/

Good News, Bad News...

Sorry guys, I have been remiss in updating for the last month due in part to a work overload and just not much to share from Scott.

First, the Bad. Scott just told me that there have been a few conversion issues that are taking extra time to deal with so no Retro IDE just yet. He also is behind on the new ooPIC32 Raptor due to the same. Keep in mind the Raptor is all new IDE, new compiler and new firmware that comes after the Retro IDE.

The Good! Scott did say he may scrap the Retro compiler and just GIVE US the oopic OS code!! Yup, open source ooPIC. Decision should be this week. This comes to pass because he needs the new Raptor done and ready by July 30 ish for the Microchip Masters Conference.

Everyone that emailed me to beta test is still on the official list for the Raptor.

A user email today made me think that I may have not been clear in the "A Bit About Objects.." post. The release of the Raptor will only include a handful of the popular objects. That does not mean they are the only factory objects. Scott plans on releasing objects daily that you can simply plug in. You will always be able to create your own objects. And yes, all 400+ objects and he estimates he will be releasing around 10 per day....

Have a ROBOT day!

Ted

BETA TESTERS NEEDED!

We need Beta Testers for the ooPic Retro Compiler... How about you?

Rules:
- Must have an ooPic R or C or be willing to modify YOUR ooPic S ver. B or C.
- Must be a Blog Follower (Look to your right--->)
- Must promise to test the compiler and provide SI with feedback.

See, that was so easy they make a button for it.

email me offlist only to sign up - ted ( DOT ) macy ( AT ) gmail ( DOT ) com (you know what to do)

ooPic Retro Compiler Beta

The new ooPic compiler, called the Retro Compiler for now, will be released for Beta testing by the end of May 2011.

What is it? The Retro Compiler is a new Windows 7 stable version of the old ooPic 6.12 compiler.

Which ooPics will it work with? The Retro Compiler will work directly with the ooPic R and C using USB --> Serial. It will also work with S boards running the B and C firmware if you want to hack a serial port on to the proto area.

Why? Scott is releasing the Retro Compiler first in order to test out the system on newer computers as well as to support legacy users. 2 months after release we should see the Raptor Compiler for the new ooPic-32 Raptor. (Can't wait!)

So, what do you want the Raptor to do?

Tell us what you would like the Raptor to do, maybe it can be incorporated as Scott whittles away at the firmware.

Not much to report....

Sorry guys, there is not much to report in oopicland this week. As you all know, the first few Raptors have been built and now Scott is deeply involved with getting the new IDE up and running. I hear the compiler side is working and most of the work involved is with the GUI.

My ooPic project is going e-book!

Hey all, I just wanted to share some cool news I recieved last night.

Just over two years ago I published and article on instructables.com titled Super Simple Beginners Robot! and instructables just emailed me stating that they have selected my project to be converted into e book format for their latest e how to guide!

I also received a Pro membership outta the deal! Now thats cool right there!

You can check it out at --> http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Simple-Beginners-Robot/

(now to fit it with a Raptor...)

Ted

SPECIAL DEAL FOR BLOG FOLLOWERS!

OK, Scott and I worked out a few last minute details and are jointly going to provide a grab bag to the first 100 Blog followers that buy an ooPic-32 Raptor when they are released fro PRE-SALES. If the grab bag goods hold out we will hook up even more followers.

Rules -
1 - Must be a FOLLOWER of this Blog. Meaning, if I look to my right and you are not on the list then you are not a follower. Couldn't be more simple...
2 - Must purchase an ooPic 32 Raptor when they are released for PRE-SALES.

What you are going to receive -
A grab bag filled from the personal electronics / robotics supplies of Scott and I.
Your grab bag will have at least $ 10.00 USD worth of useful and usable components. I tested this today and the bag I made up was much closer in value to $20.00 USD retail...
LOL We are not telling you whats inside just yet... but think LEDs, Buttons, Switches, Resistors, Caps etc..

BECOME A ooPIC-32 Raptor BLOG FOLLOWER NOW!

How to make extra income with ooPic Raptors.

Scott just sent me this and asked that I release it to the world.

Yes, you can make money with an ooPIC Raptor. You can bet I am signed up. I think this is a great idea and great way to involve all different levels of users in the ooPics' conquering of the world.

For now, Scott has asked me to keep a list of interested parties... so, if you are interested in talking about this further, shoot me an email and I will add you to the list.

Follow the below link to a .pdf file:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B48hdgLTf_ZWZTUzMTQ0ZDQtNjg3Ni00ZGJmLWEwZGYtZjgxYzhjMWJkYWNi&hl=en

Bet you didn't know...

The ooPIC-32 Raptor can also play double duty as a servo controller.

All those ports arranged around the perimeter are more than just IO... each and every one is also a servo port. That makes for a total of 40 servos that can be driven by the Raptor... Top that!

A bit about objects...

All of us ooPic'ers of old know that it was sometimes a bit tedious to get Scott to fix up an object that didn't work the way we wanted it to... problem solved.

Scott tells me that in the Raptor IDE there is now an object editor. Want an object to work differently? How about an object he didn't think of? No problem... Roll your own.

The Raptor IDE will ship with all of the necessary ooPIC objects just like always, the difference is that there will no longer be hundreds of factory objects built in. Oh, it will ship with a handful of the most necessary objects to build a robot or electronic device but now there will be an 'object editor' that will allow you to create an object anytime you need one. Below is a very simple example of how it will be done:

'1. Open the IDE.
'2. Write this code:
'**********************************************************
'oLED Object
'**********************************************************
Dim IOLine As oIOLine

Sub TurnOn()
IOLine.Value = 1
IOLine.Direction = 1
End Sub

Sub TurnOff()
IOLine.value = 0
IOLine.direction = 0
End Sub
'**********************************************************
'3. Save this code as "oLED.osc" in the "Objects" directory, and you are done!

'To use your new object, create a new project in the IDE and write this code:
'**********************************************************
'Program that uses the oLED Object I just made.
'**********************************************************
Dim RedOne As oLED
RedOne.IOLine = 22
RedOne.TurnOn
'**********************************************************
'Pretty easy to me...But, Lets say that you wanted to vary the brightness of the LED.You can 'change the oLED Object in this way:
'**********************************************************'
'LED Object with brightness control
'**********************************************************
Dim PWM As oPWML
Alias IOLine as PWM.IOLine
Alias Brightness as PWM.Value

Sub TurnOn()
PWM.Operate = 1
PWM.Value = 255
End Sub

Sub TurnOff()
PWM.Value = 0
End Sub
'**********************************************************
'Now you can do this:
'**********************************************************
'Program that uses the oLED I just made.
'**********************************************************
Dim RedOne As oLED
Dim GreenOne As oLED
RedOne.IOLine = 22
GreenOne.IOLine = 23
RedOne.TurnOn
RedOne.Brightness = 75
GreenOne.TurnOn
GreenOne.Brightness = 20
'**********************************************************

ooPIC-32 Raptor 01

Well here it is ladies and gentlemen... ooPIC-32 Raptor number 0001 !!

Picture number 1 - The first fully assembled Raptor in existance. It is sitting on a picture of the all new Virtual Circuit Interface.

Picture number 2 - My little contribution... LED Backlight. Little function but very cool! IO Controlled. On/Off or you could take the high amplitude range from the built in Soundgin and tie it to the LED IO programatically for a sound / light effect.

I am going to keep this BLOG running until Scott gets the new ooPic website up and running. Please direct all questions and comment to me at this location as Scott does not have tons of time to break away from development.

Another awsome rendering,

Here is the latest email content from Scott...

ooPIC32 RAPTOR Rendering.

I just received this rendering from Scott. Pretty cool huh?

Off to the board house!

Scott called this morning and informed me that all the files had been sent to the board house! Now the clock is a ticking.

ooPIC32 Raptor OFF TO PROTOTYPING TUESDAY!

Scott just informed me that the ooPIC32 Raptors will be off to the board house Tuesday for prototyping.

It gets better... I GET TO TEST ONE OUT!!!

Check this blog often for my testing updates!
OH WHAT A ROBOT I HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS!

All new ooPIC32 Raptor! THE OOPIC IS BACK!

oooooh oopic fans, take a look at this.....
I Just recieved this image from Scott at Savage Innovations. What is it you may ask...? Well, it is the rendering of the brand spanking new ooPIC32 Raptor microcontroller.
Pic32, 80 MIPS, 12K Internal Ram, eeprom for data logging or storage. USB Programmable.
3.3V and 5V regulators. 40 Servo Ports. All the objects you are used to.
The SOUNDGIN is BUILT IT! (Soundgin voice and sound effects generator)
ALL NEW ooPic32 Firmware - Yes that means ooPic BASIC (VISUAL BASICish) language.
Approx 3 inch diameter - +/- .75 hole to hole / +/- 2.77 hole to hole straight across.

In case you wanted to know, that is a Dodecagon. From wiki ~ In geometry, a dodecagon is any polygon with twelve sides and twelve angles.

I am proud to say that I got to name the ooPIC32 Raptor and it was very nice of Scott to add my initials to it.... TM is for Ted Macy right? Couldn't be Trade Mark... naw that would just be wrong. ROFL!

Scott tells me to expect a public release of sometime fall 2011.

Pricing has not been mentioned in detail yet but I think it will be under 80 USD.

I am clearing my workbench right now. This is exciting!