Drawbot software for BUILDS CNC machine.

drawbot.pde file goes to arduino

drawbot.sh, drawbot1.txt, pixelsize.pl, bitstream.pl files belong in same folder

drawbotBitStream.m file is for matlab to generate the drawbot1.txt file from images

NOTE: currently this uses functions that are not supported in GNU Octave. While not a priority for the time being, we plan on having the entire project using free software, as matlab is not widely avaiable for people wishing to replicate our efforts.

==WHAT EACH FILE DOES== drawbot1.txt - this file contains the bitstream sent from the PC to the arduino, it consist of 1 and 0, representing black and white pixels. the arduino interprates that if it wants to fire the laser (black) or not (white) pixelsize.pl - this file reads in drawbot1.txt, finds out how long it is, then square roots it. because each image is a square, this works. Then it will send this integer to the arduino. arduino will now know when each new line starts! bitstream.pl - takes in drawbot1.txt, reads one char at a time into the arduino. that way arduino will know to burn or not. drawbot.sh - runs pixelsize and bitstream, not necessacary, but makes the machine operator's life easier drawbot.pde - arduino's software, takes in data from the perl scripts to move motors and fire laser drawBotBitStream.m - MATLAB program takes in a picture, converts it to the drawbot1.txt, does some fancy image processing to do this

this uses the Adafruit motor shield, big thanks to ladyada for her shield and code for controlling the steppers.

========PROJECT STATUS======== Currently (as of 3/07/11) under heavy development. Software is mostly complete. Hardware needs some doing See wiki for more info http://builds.cc/wiki/index.php?title=CNC_Drawbot

for any questions, email me (jeff)

We'd love for any improvements or help on the coding!