Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in

Kapil Kadam,
Research Scholar, IIT Bombay, Mumbai-400076, India kkapilkk@gmail.com kapilkadam@iitb.ac.in

Introduction
The use of blender 3d, being an open source application, as a game development tool is already a well known phenomenon. However, as blender 3d is a platform for learning 3d animation and game development to a wide range of programmers, it is also undergoing continuous modifications through new ideas implemented in the open source domain. In line with this thought, the application of adding wireless micro-controllers to the software to simplify the process of applying ideas to the interface and to eliminate the complexity of game control will open larger avenues to both the platform as well as the audience. This process will not only do away with the requirement of multiple controllers for gaming, but also attract a larger faction of people to use this software. The final objective would involve being able to handle objects and motions on the screen by attaching simple microcontrollers to the user's hand, which would change functionality based on finger movements and hand positions, continuously adapting to the user's need. Handling objects on the computer screen without the use of a mouse or keyboard will give a real life feel to the entire process. Imagine driving a race car, playing a first person shooter and a role playing game just by changing the way you position and move your hands!
Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Introduction

Microcontroller interface with Blender

Blender Object [6]

Micro-controller

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Requirements
1. 2. 3. Blender (2.49b) [1] python-2.6.2 [9] pyserial-2.5.win32 [7] - for serial communication
Table: Hardware details Specifications AVR ATmega 16_32 Explorer Board Bourns 10 turn pot 10K Distance measuring range: 10 to 80cm Trans-receiver, Antenna type: Chip antenna [3]

Sr. No. 1

Hardware AVR Micro-controller

2 3 4 5

Potentiometer [2] GP2D12 Range Sensor [5] XBee Wireless Communication Module [4] AVR ISP USB Programmer [8]

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

How it works

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Objective is to control Blender objects using microcontrollers For that microcontroller has to be programmed We have written simple C code that will transmit serial data to the Blender. The C code is compiled to Hex and this hex file is burnt into microcontroller with the help of programmer At the receiver small python script is written which receives the data sent by microcontroller, while other part of python script controls the object

6.

The communication between Blender and microcontroller can be both wired or wireless.

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Microcontroller interface with Blender:

Schematic Wired connection, using Potentiometer

Serial communication, USB cable Objects and scene

Micro-controller

AVR ATMEGA 16_32 Explorer Board

Blender Interface

Python Script

Potentiometer

Bourns 10 turn pot 10K

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Microcontroller interface with Blender:

Schematic Wireless, using Potentiometer

XBee USB Wireless Module Objects and scene

Micro-controller

AVR ATMEGA 16_32 Explorer Board

Blender Interface

Wireless Communication Python Script

Potentiometer

Bourns 10 turn pot 10K

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Microcontroller interface with Blender:

Schematic Wired connection, using Sensor

Serial communication, USB cable Objects and scene

Micro-controller

AVR ATMEGA 16_32 Explorer Board

Blender Interface

Python Script

GP2D12 Range Sensor

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Microcontroller interface with Blender:

Schematic Wireless, using Sensor

XBee USB Wireless Module Objects and scene

Micro-controller

AVR ATMEGA 16_32 Explorer Board

Blender Interface

Wireless Communication Python Script

GP2D12 Range Sensor

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

controlling micrometer screw gauge model in Blender, with the help of microcontroller- AVR ATMEGA 16_32 (wireless interface)

Case Study:

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

What we are doing with Blender at IITB India

Blender workshops, Blender awareness seminars Undergraduate students Projects Blender in education

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Feedback
Write us at Kapil kkapilkk@gmail.com kapilkadam@iitb.ac.in Sameer s1000brains@it.iitb.ac.in adgpt1@gmail.com

Queries Suggestions Open discussion

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

Credits
Prof. Sridhar Iyer Mr. Sameer Sahasrabudhe Idea and Project initiated by
Parin Jogani Paulami Sanghavi Priyanka Shah Chirag Raman Nikita Sule Sahil Bakshi Anuja Shah Kapil Kadam

Special Thanks
Pawankumar Suryawanshi Pranesh Krishnamurthy Piyush Manwar Bhairavnath Lahotkar

Blender Team, Project OSCAR, CDEEP at IITB India Organizers - Blender conference 2010
Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010

References

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [1o]

http://www.blender.org/ http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/electronic-components/potentiometers/bourns10-turn-pot-10k.html http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/wireless-devices/xbee-wirelesscommunication-module-chip-antenna.html http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/wireless-devices/xbee-usb-wirelessmodule.html http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/sensors/ir-range-sensors/sharp-gp2d1210cm-to-80cm-ir-range-sensor.html http://oscar.iitb.ac.in/chemistryrepository.do?d-49216-p=11&subject=Physics http://python.net/crew/mhammond/win32/ http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/microcontroller-programmer/avr-isp-usbprogrammer.html http://www.python.org/ http://en.myinventions.pl/index.php?page=ArduinoToBlender

Kapil Kadam, IIT Bombay, India / Introducing Micro-Controller Interface in Blender / Blender Conference 2010