1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

beginner manual

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Razvan, May 28, 2019.

  1. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    ---- This post is a Work In Progress ----
    I update the "Manual" as I go along.
    It will be organized and indented,
    once it will be complete
    ---------------------------------------------

    10.06.2019
    (Put this in a simple diagram later)

    The main concept is the following:

    Game => connects to => SimTools (via plugin)
    SimTools (translates movement) => send to => Arduino.
    The Arduino is the software/hardware bridge.
    Arduino => connect to => motor controllers.
    motor controllers run the actual platform motors.

    The first thing we want to get is a quick poc (Proof Of Concept).
    SimTools demo, comes with a free plugin to a free drive simulator
    named "Live for speed"

    So...

    Part 1 - Getting the Feel..
    - Download and install "Live for speed" (add link here later)
    - Download and install "SimTools" (add link here later)
    - add link to SimTools manual for basic connection
    - Download and install Arduino code (add link here later)
    - add a link for basic Arduino software and how to compile basic code
    (Since we just want to see that the comm works, the next setup will be the fastest.)
    (Remember we are only looking for a quick poc atm.)
    - Connect 1 servo
    - Set -ALL- axis to max
    - Play the first training mission, and feel the servo moves !!!!



    06.06.2019
    New Name : "Ikea" 6dof beginners manual.
    The "Complete" 6-dof "Ikea" beginners manual,
    For the complete noob, (Written) By a complete noob.

    Part 1 - Getting the Feel..
    Part 2 - Getting the Frame
    Part 3 - Getting it all together.
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2019
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    This is a dynamic community that has all sorts of approaches to projects, so it is hard to pin things down to a one size fits all, and even harder to make that simple, as different people have different visions of what that may mean and how to go about it, both on the hardware and software side.

    The FAQs are a gateway into the depth of member generated content, but also includes things like the SimTools manual, how to create plugins and so on.

    Different member projects vary in detail, from broad brush overviews to some pretty detailed threads, including plans and things like printed parts.

    So spend some time researching then contribute what you feel is valuable, which I am sure others will then benefit from in one form or another.
    • Informative Informative x 2
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  3. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Hi noorbeast.
    I've already browsed (and still am.. for, like, a week now), browsing through the whole thing,
    but I get what you say about diversity. There are, indeed, too many options.
    Oh.. well, guess I'll have to sort things out :)

    Thanks.
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    So, Some time has passed, and I did some thinking.
    First thing's first - decision to commit to the project.
    This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, so it's important to me to understand this.

    1) install simtools, connect to EliteDangerouse, see that it works.
    2) Build an Arduino Stewart Platform to test electronics on small scale
    3) build frame, get chair
    4) make final decision as to what sort of motor/piston etc to use.
    5) add mm to arduino test platform, and replace servos to actual motors

    Seems s
    What could possibly go wrong.. ? ;)
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    1) Just be aware that the fully functional Live For Speed plugin is bundled with the demo version of SimTools specifically for testing purposes.
    2) See here re building an Arduino powered mini Stewart Platform to test electronics on small scale: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/build-a-working-model-to-test-your-design-ideas.216/
    3) Lots of choices, Ebay is your friend.
    4) Depends on design choices, so a good approach as you should have worked the fundamentals of what you want to build.
    5) Putting it all together can seem complicated, and there are plenty of choices and decisions to make along the way, so ask plenty of questions as things progress.
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
  6. MarkusB

    MarkusB Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2015
    Messages:
    552
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    4,212Coins
    Ratings:
    +594 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    First of all, I appreciate your intention to create a step-by-step guide for beginners.
    I'm just not sure about the steps you listed.
    • About 1: What do you mean with "see that it works"? I mean, what do you expect working with no motion platform connected to SimTools? Besides, as @noorbeast mentioned, LFS is a better starting point because it allows people to get started without buying the full SimTools version.
    • About 2: In your first post you mentioned that a beginner's guide shall "take you from 0-to-100 (km), in 3 secs". A stewart platform may not be the suitable starting point for reaching this goal, especially for people without any experiences in this field. Maybe a 2 DOF simulator would be better here, even as a small scale model as you plan for step 2.
    • About 3 + 4: You should decide about your motors before building the frame. Otherwise they may not fit into place and/or may not have the required parameters (torque, RPM, ...). The beginner's guide could also make use of SimCalc for facilitating these decisions.
    • About 5: It is not only adding a motor controller (be it MM or - preferred - something different like Sabertooth or - in case of 6 DOF - something specific like Thanos' board). It's also changing the Arduino sketch and the wiring.
    I am also not sure if a beginner's guide should be limited to one single setup (like a 2 DOF seat mover). It may be better to lead people into the right direction by comparing different approaches, so that they can easily check which kind of simulator fits best to their needs, at least including 2 DOF and 3 DOF (seat mover as well as full frame), and G-Seat. Of course this would make the guide more complex and probably exceed the "0-to-100 in 3 sec" paradigm. However, it can save people's time any money in the long run.
  7. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    MarkusB
    Hi, Thanks for the input.
    I will try to answer all your points, one by one, starting with a (needed) clarification:
    Beginners guide goal is to give an "Ikea" like process, for building a 6dof motion simulator, from scratch,
    to a total noob.

    Why start with 6dof and not 2 or less? honestly?, you might be right, but I'm not interested in less.
    So I figured, on the way, why not try to format a "user manual"

    1 - "see that it works" - I've encountered different project software along my years of experience.
    some that where more friendly, others less. It's a personal compatibility factor I guess.
    i.e - negative experience - VR rift with leap tracking (The older module, didn't test the new one yet)
    while on paper leap looks great; drivers, calibration, tracking and the frustration factor are totaly not worth the end result. IMHO, and again - talking about the old leap ver (heard the new one is great..)
    i.e - positive - Gael's InMoov wonderful android.
    Yes, it has "Special" needs, (software, electronics etc) but the community and overall support are great,
    good vibes, and the end result overweight the frustration factor.

    I expect to get a positive self-reaction on the simTools, but none-the-less, it seems like a legitimate, logical "First date" step with the whole project.

    That being said - yes. The first change that I would do is separate the guide to "Parts",
    and the first part should include the arduino, along side the software.
    (Amm.. How -DOES- one edits his previous posts?.. )

    2 - As I've previously mentioned - a 2 dof seems like a better place to start, but than again - I'm not interested in a 2 dof. So what the hack, and lets go straight for the big-guns...

    3+4 => SimCalc. yes. thank you. wrote it down.
    as for the engines - I have a general idea in my head. in any case, the base frame, and the chair frame, will be built seperatlly. The actual anchor points, I expect to be the same.
    The only diff, as far as I hope, will be either: @SillentChill style, like.. motor with little crank thingies,
    -or- diy style actuators @pmvcda style (is this how you tag ppl?).
    On any case, the base and points should be pretty much the same.
    If it won't, than hey.. you live, you learn.

    5 is the most complicated one. But by the time I get there, I'll have it sorted out. hopefully.
    The optimal would be to try one of each, see how it goes, and than by the rest.
    Specifically on the Thanos issue - didn't read enough to have an opinion.
    Thanks for that. will look up more info.

    Hope I've answered all your questions, and thanks again.
    You asking, is helping me to better understand what the hell (do) I (really) want (need?)
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Am I missing something? no Edit :-(
    Screenshot_3.png
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
  11. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Much work was done on the weekend.
    Will update the main, and upload some pics.

    For the meanwhile -
    I was unable to find a 6dof ard code.
    If i get it correctly, according to some threads I've browsed,
    you basically use the 2dof or 3 dof, and just multiply the num of arduinos.

    So, getting a 6dof, is actually getting 3 Ard's with 2dof code..

    Am I getting it right, am I missing something?
    I would like to hookup the test platform to the game, and that's the missing part.

    (already read through Silents' guide, Pits' and found the:
    "Arduino code: 2dof and 2 pins direction Hbridge motomonster".
    Just want to make sure there isn't any straight-up 6dof code, or some direct connection or.. something.)
  12. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,461
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,602Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  13. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Already ordered some MMs..
    I'll give them a try, following the post I've found around here.
    Will prob order them for the "real thing"
  14. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Ok so - Weekend !!!
    While the printer was working hard, I downloaded Live for speed,
    and SimTools, and got a first feel of things with some micro servos and an Arduino.
    Was it perfect? no. not yet. Did it work?.. well not out of the box, BUT !!
    and that is a very big but - plug-and-play, the servo moved while I was doing things in the game.
    Conclusion?
    It works.
    So off to the next stage - a full on, 6dof, mini platform.
    Credit to - SF3DPrint, from Thingiverse
    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2916371
    for the platform.
    the "rod-heads" where taken from some other proj, also on Thingiverse
    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3119992
    and they needed some filing down (Dremel), but I've got them to work in about an hour or so.

    Next - connect the joints with some paper clips, so I could modify the length,
    connect the servos to the Arduinos, and tweak the whole thing to work..

    20190610_192034.jpg 20190610_192049.jpg 20190610_192107.jpg 20190610_192122.jpg 20190610_192207.jpg 20190610_192219.jpg 20190610_192237.jpg 20190610_192252.jpg 20190610_192459.jpg 20190610_192513.jpg
    • Like Like x 1
  15. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    btw, did anyone try to use Arduino Nano?
  16. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    Platform officially works.
    will upload a vid in the next few days.
    Next step - calibration.
    A small note-to-self : the thing that I found missing the most this level,
    was some sort of laymans' explanation on on the move-vs-axis.
    i.e.
    1) number your servos in this/that way
    2) moving all up will "heave"
    3) moving (1,3,5) up, and (2,4,6) down will "yaw"
    etc..

    It's not hard to figure out, but(!) it's less obvious when you get to roll, or say, sway.

    P.S.
    I remember coming across an inverse kinematics interactive 6dof google sheet,
    or something. That, or any other similar tool, might be a nice simple way to
    visualize the math behind.
    If there already is such a tool, and I've missed it,
    I would appreciate a link.
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    THe last piece - creating turn-table part of the rods,
    and the actual platform

    20190616_133244.jpg 20190616_133327.jpg 20190616_235304.jpg
  18. Razvan

    Razvan Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    32
    Occupation:
    Programmer
    Location:
    Israel
    Balance:
    311Coins
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    Arduino, 6DOF
    And the test run ->


    :D Am a proud father.
    • Like Like x 4
  19. GWiz

    GWiz Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2019
    Messages:
    179
    Occupation:
    Dentist
    Location:
    Aberdeenshire, Scotland
    Balance:
    1,453Coins
    Ratings:
    +116 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    That looks great, good job! Out of interest, what software are you running on your desktop with the little green box and todo list?
  20. pmvcda

    pmvcda aka FlyPT

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2010
    Messages:
    1,846
    Location:
    Portugal
    Balance:
    14,096Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,169 / 16 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    Great project. Might copy you. I want to build a rotating hexapod for tests.

    You can try my interface and start diving in motion cueing problematics: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...face-for-linear-and-rotating-actuators.12859/
    • Like Like x 1