ArduSphere <- PapySphere for Arduino

[gloob]

ArduSphere <- PapySphere for Arduino

by gloob » Sun Oct 16, 2011 3:53 pm

Hello everybody,

I want to introduce the new project I'm working at. It is called ArduSphere.

It is an Arduino based on PapySpheric to capture full 360x180 images with a Merlin panohead

At the moment I have ported the PapySpheric code to the Arduino and can run full panoramas with optimized number of images.

With a 50mm Canon lens on a 550d Canon I need 218 images for full 360°x180°. Taking the images takes around 20 minutes. Whats quite fast I think.

Now everything is running on a breadboard with 5 buttons and without any display. The buttons are used to move the merlin to the start position. The start position is the same as when using Papywizard.
The 5. button starts the image acquisition procedure.

There are also 2 leds to show the status of the arduino. The red one shows when the merlin is connected correctly on startup and is on when the merlin moves. The green one flashes when the merlin triggers the camera.

Currently I use an Arduino Uno, but later I will switch to an Arduino Nano that will be powered by the merlin head and will have a tiny case.

The parameters to handle the image acquisition are hard coded, because for me there is no need to change the parameters while I'm out with the merlin. That's why I don't plan to add a display to the system.
I will always use my merlin with the same 50mm lens.
If I will require any changes I can do it at home with the standard usb cable for the arduino and upload a customized firmware.


Is there any interest in such a project or I'm alone with my idea?
If somebody wants i can provide the source code and the needed libraries to run the code.


Stefan

[120to120]

by 120to120 » Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:03 pm

Hallo Stefan,
finde ich interessant.
Hast du bitte eine Teileliste z.B. Conrad, und ein weitere Fotos von der Rückseite per PN.
Herzlichen Dank dafür.
GruàŸ josef

[gloob]

by gloob » Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:15 pm

Hello,

Why part list? There is only:

1 x Arduino Uno
5 x Pushbuttons
2 x LEDs
4 x 220Ohm resistor for the LEDs and Merlin connection

Last edited by gloob on Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[fma38]

by fma38 » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:00 am

That's definitly a great project! I think it would be great to be able to define all usefull parameters, through a little display. You may use this shield:

http://www.nuelectronics.com/estore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2

This can become the open-version of T&C controller

[AlexandreJ]

by AlexandreJ » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:00 am

Yes, this is really interesting.

[gloob]

by gloob » Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:09 pm

I have got an other system running that can handle the merlin for Gigapixel images.
This one is handled by a display and 5 buttons. The user can change the focal length, the exposuretime of the camera. It is possible to set start and stop position like papywizard can to and the arduino will drive automatically to the needed positions to cover the whole frame.

I will provide the sourcecode for the ArduSphere today in the afternoon that maybe someone can test it too.
Hopefully there are some people more that wants to help me in this project and to optimise it.

[gloob]

by gloob » Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:01 pm

Okay here are some more information from my side about the projekt. There is the wiring diagramm with fritzing. I hope it's understandable. Otherwise just ask me.

And here is the first version of the sourcecode including the library I use for the merlin communication. I did modify the Merlin_Mount library to use it with software serial because I didn't want to disconnect the merlin each time I upload a new sketch to the system. Otherwise the two resistors need to disconnect from the Arduino if the new serial communication on port 0 and 1 of the arduino are used.
http://fotoriese.fo.funpic.de/ArduSphere.zip


Later I will check if it is maybe possible to merge my two projekts I have at the moment for panoing with the merlin. Than it will have nearly the same functions as the T&C controller, but without the logging option at the moment. The price for all components that are necessary for this is around 50€ with display and buttons and cables.
I think this is much cheaper than the T&C controller that costs about 200€.

Last edited by gloob on Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[gloob]

by gloob » Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:22 pm

I have updated my system with new functions.

Now I added the functionality to also use the merlin for "normal" gigapixel images. you can define a start and end point and the merlin calculates the positions between automatically and drives to these positions. The focal length range to enter is 5 to 999mm and the exposure time can be set from 1/60ms to 1280s to use the merlin also for long exposure time panos. The merlin handles the exposure time of the camera when the camera is in bulb mode.

I also now use an LCD display with 48x84 pixel and a 2-axis joystick with a pushbutton when pressing down then joystick.

Nobody is interested in this project?

Last edited by gloob on Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[vincen]

by vincen » Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:09 pm

I'm working on something similar nearly finished and fully functionnal with touch screen and more features

Vincèn

[gloob]

by gloob » Thu Oct 20, 2011 8:32 pm

Do you have something to have a look to?

[claudevh]

by claudevh » Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:46 pm

Hello Stefan,

This is a excellent idea !

Are you using the Merlin library of

"Dynamic Perception"
http://dynamicperception.com/?main_page=wordpress&page_id=334

= "GuzZzt"
http://www.gigapixel.nu/info_project.php

If we can all use the same "Merlin library" this will give a "huge added value" to the project !

The maintenance of the librrary should be hold as transparent as possible ...
Frédéric, can we have a "repository" ?

[vincen]

by vincen » Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:12 am

Do you have something to have a look to?

not yet but very soon now, we are finishing some works on display to get prototype working fine, and then beta-test and production

Vincèn

[fma38]

by fma38 » Fri Oct 21, 2011 8:06 am

BTW, it looks like this plateform is well know in the linux embedded world:

http://friendlyarm.net/products/mini2440

That's a long time it exists, and still not obsolete. There is a good community arround it, and I think it could be a very good candidate to develop a universal controller.

[vincen]

by vincen » Fri Oct 21, 2011 8:35 am

BTW, it looks like this plateform is well know in the linux embedded world:

Well the Arduino way is also a nice way as we do

Vincèn

[fma38]

by fma38 » Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:28 am

Yes, sure!

I think the Arduino project is great for a simple controller, like T&C one.

I see the mini2440 as a replacement for laptop/N8x0 devices, to run a Papywizard-like software. Running WinCE may let user run the Windows-only plugins, like DSLR Remote Pro one (it has to be checked).

[vincen]

by vincen » Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:53 am

I think the Arduino project is great for a simple controller, like T&C one.

well my controler will includes all papywizard features and functions and yet more

Vincèn

[120to120]

by 120to120 » Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:44 pm

Hallo Stefan,
zu welchen Preis kà¶nntest du mir einen kpl. bauen?

GruàŸ
josef

[gloob]

by gloob » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:42 am

I do not build any thing for somebody. but i can post you a part list and the sourcecode.

[mark_anderson_us]

by mark_anderson_us » Sat May 04, 2013 9:29 pm

Hi Stefan

Did you ever finish this. Web site is not there anymore

Regards

mark

[Vision360]

by Vision360 » Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:27 pm

Hello all,
it's really interesting indeed... I've been thinking about doing almost the same for some times. Now I'm sure it's possible !
I live in Canary Islands and I need a light shooting control to keep my backpack as light as possible when I go trekking...
Thanks for the idea. I have an Arduino at home, in italy... Found the right use for it !!!
May you post a link to the code ?
Have a great day everybody
Ivano

[mediavets]

by mediavets » Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:34 pm

Hello all,
it's really interesting indeed... I've been thinking about doing almost the same for some times. Now I'm sure it's possible !
I live in Canary Islands and I need a light shooting control to keep my backpack as light as possible when I go trekking...
Thanks for the idea. I have an Arduino at home, in italy... Found the right use for it !!!
May you post a link to the code ?
Have a great day everybody
Ivano

Perhaps PandroidWiz will do what you want - a Merlin mount controller that uses Papywizard-compatible presets to determine shooting patterns and runs on Android devices:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fvh.panoramic.pandroidwiz&hl=en

[Vision360]

by Vision360 » Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:37 am

Thanks !! For sure I will try it out