algorithmic modeling for Rhino
Firefly offers a set of comprehensive software tools dedicated to bridging the gap between Grasshopper, (a free plug-in for Rhino) the Arduino microcontroller and other input/output devices. It allows near real-time data flow between the digital and physical worlds – enabling the possibility to explore virtual and physical prototypes with unprecedented fluidity.
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As a generative modeling tool, Grasshopper offers a fluid visual interface for creating sophisticated parametric models, but by default, it lacks the ability to communicate with hardware devices such as programmable microcontrollers or haptic interfaces. Firefly fills this void. It is an extension to the Grasshopper’s parametric interface; combining a specialized set of components with a novel communication protocol (called the Firefly Firmata or Firmware) which together enable real-time communication between hardware devices and the parametric plug-in for Rhino.
Key Features
A notable distinction for Firefly is that it is the first visual microcontroller programming environment designed specifically for a 3-D parametric CAD package (such as Rhino). This feature means that real-world data, acquired from various types of sensors or other input devices (video cameras, internet feeds, or mobile phone devices, etc.) can be used to explicitly define parametric relationships within a Grasshopper model. Firefly completes the communication feedback loop by allowing users the ability to send information from Grasshopper back to the microcontroller in order to incite specific actuations (ie. lights, motors, valves, etc). Ultimately, this workflow creates a new way to create interactive prototypes.
Hi all.I'm recently working on a kinetic project involving a number of hobby servo motors controlled by a I2C PWM controller PCA9685. (or some of you refer to the famous Adafruit 16 channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver - I2C interface )I realize it would…Continue
Started by Victor Leung. Last reply by KieshaEFrederick Dec 12.
I have a prerecorded video clip that I'd like to run through the 'optical flow' component to generate an extra layer for my video.using the 'video player' as the input for the 'optical flow' component makes the outcome appear bumpy because the video…Continue
Tags: mediatypes, rawvideobitmap, opticalflow, framerate
Started by Johanna Jõekalda. Last reply by yogamaja Nov 25.
Hey There. A quick question: is there any way to synch Arduino/Firefly with HAL?I have a tool attached to my robot arm and I kinda manually control it through Arduino. I need to use Firefly to parametrically and maybe in almost real time (if…Continue
Tags: IRC5, Arduino, ABB, Firefly, Robot
Started by Mehdi FarahBakhsh. Last reply by GabrielaSullivan Mar 21.
Hi guys,I'm communicating with a 3D printer via Grasshopper / Firefly (and eventually) Silkworm.So far, I can quite happily send G-Code move commands to the printer - which is a Leapfrog Creatr, based on Arduino Mega / RAMPS electronics - via the…Continue
Tags: GCode, Read, Serial, Firefly
Started by fergal.coulter. Last reply by Aaron Porterfield May 16, 2022.
Comment
Hi Miguel,
The IsKeyPressed component makes use of the built in User32.dll Microsoft library (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows_library_files) Once this library is imported into the project, you can tap into key events (and potentially other events... although I'm not sure this is entirely necessary for mouse events... Grasshopper is already doing some stuff for mouse events).
Hello! As there is a keyPressed component, is there other one for mousePressed?
what windows functions are you using for this tools in case I would need to use them in a script?
thanks!
yes, as far as i read thru the documentations.. it should work as well.
sorry.. you are rigth.. new thread.
No. Unfortunately, I haven't tried that particular driver. But as far as I know, it should work with the Firefly Quad Stepper sketch. Are you still having difficulty? BTW, it might be best to start an actual discussion thread (above) instead of on the general message board... that way we can track the entire conversation.
andy,
btw.. do you got experience with the polulu stepper driver? ;)
Hi Phillip,
No, I do not think it has anything to do with the Code Generator (in your last image). The code generator is unnecessary unless you want the arduino to run autonomously (and not connected to your computer). As long as your board is connected to the computer via a USB cable, then we can send serial information back and forth.... so we can just use Firefly natively through Grasshopper.
I think the main issue is uploading the code onto your board. Nothing will work properly if the Quad Stepper sketch isn't loaded onto your board. In looking at the screenshots you've posted, it looks like all of the Firefly sketches (including the Firefly Firmata, Quad Stepper Sketch, and Wii Sketch) are located in your libraries folder. However, these should be placed in the root Arduino folder (in MyDocuments/Arduino)... not inside the libraries folder. You still need the libraries folder there, and in that folder should be the Accel Stepper library... but the Firefly sketches should be placed in the root sketchbook folder. I'm not exactly sure if this is what's causing the issue... but when you open the Quad Stepper sketch, you shouldn't see the other tabs (AccelStepper and FireflyFirmata) like it does in the original screenshot you posted. I think it's trying to load these sketches as well, and causing a conflict. Try the suggestion above and let me know if that fixes your problem.
HTH,
Andy
Hi Phillip,
Have you installed the Accel Stepper library? There is a ReadMe.txt file included in the Stepper folder which explains how to do this.
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