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Greg's journey into the world of 2DOF simulators

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Greg83, Feb 17, 2015.

  1. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    Had an idea to try out SMC3 v0.6.zip or SMC3 v0.7.zip but upon compileing I get this:
    Arduino Error.jpg
    So can't try this either...
    I think this project might be doomed...
    Or should I just try to re organize my stuff according to racingmats draving?
    [​IMG]
  2. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    don't know if this is the problem but my knowledge for arduino is limited. why do you have two sketches opened in the arduino program open only the SMC3.ino
    Arduino Error.jpg
  3. Blame73

    Blame73 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    just watched your video, the pot seems to move a lot.
    it could lead to a faulty precision, maybe rebounds
  4. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    @insanegr : that was the default sketch, had to reinstall my Arduino program and that sorted it. Uploaded the SMC3 v 0.6 and made a small test video:

    It seems the sim goes to middle only if there is 20% of positive input on Axis 1.
    But this whole movement seems too odd to me... Should it move like this with output testing?o_O
    @Pit , @RufusDufus , @noorbeast : any idea's?
    What I do not understand is why is Game Manager working like so if the SMC3 Utils is running like charm.
    Fundimentally the two control the rig diffrently?!
    Arduino Settings in device manager: Arduino settings.jpg


    @Blame73 : But the pot is moving as the motor changes position! And in SMC3 Utils it is fine nice and smooth! Shouldn't it be rugged in there too?
  5. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    Please use Arduino software 1.6.5 or earlier
    Please upload a video of SMC 1.01, the buttons at the right side allows you to adjust the motors on "zero" middle position (middle position of the potentiometers). If SMC3 works fine (please check out the motion script) SimTools should work as well.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2016
  6. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    @Greg83, here are my observations and assumptions:

    1. You post a screenshot of the device manager com port settings... This has no relevance for either SMC3Utils or Simtools, they automatically setup the com ports based on the in program settings so adjusting anything in device manager is a waste of time.
    2. You say everything is working well and tracking as required using Windows SMC3Utils... This means your hardware must be correctly assembled and wired and mechanically ok, with serial coms working to the arduino.
    3. This leads us to assume it is simply incorrect settings in simtools so focus there.
    4. As mentioned in an earlier post don't worry about start and end codes in the simtools interface settings (or if you do note that the center position is 512 not 128)
    5. I note in some of your earlier posts you had made changes in the simtools profile settings of the game manager... I would suggest keeping these in the default center position until you have the axis setups working properly. (*** my guess is this is your main problem ***) don't forget to check all game and default profiles.
    6. Also you show the settings for rFactor and Assetto corsa but the video is demonstrating manual output testing... you need to change/ensure the "default" axis assignments are correct for manual output testing.
    • Informative Informative x 1
  7. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    one other thing, if you can control manually motion in SMC3 utils and have configured everything in simtools right and still having problems check your region settings in windows control panel
  8. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    @Pit : Where is the motion script exactly? Downloaded an earlier verison, uploaded SMC to Ardiono using MODE1.
    @RufusDufus , @insanegr :
    Made two video's after I have decided to uninstall Simtools from my PC completely. Reinstalled it, set it up using the quick guide and tested it with SMC Utils 1.01 with sine and motion:

    Smooth as silk...

    And then with Simtools:


    I highly doubt that moving the slider to the positive end I should get movement both ways....
    Honestly wtf can I have messed up???
    I did not setup anything other that the ones advised by the manual!
  9. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Try to install SimTools again - download a fresh version and install it over the old version, do not delete your old settings.
  10. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    what are your region settings?
  11. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    Hey! Sorry left that out...:
    regional settings.jpg

    Windows language is English, but the regional settings are Hungarien.
    Does Simtools store any data anywhere else than the program folder?
  12. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    In early versions of simtools... If your region number settings used a comma for the decimal place (as yours appears to) you would experience problems with simtools.

    I thought the current release of simtools had fixed the issue but perhaps not.

    I would definitely change your settings to use a full stop (.) for the decimal and see if it fixes your problem.

    [EDIT: It may also be the digit grouping symbol... Best to use EN settings to see if it solves the problem and then work back from there to see which setting is causing the issue.]
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2016
  13. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    Thanks for the tip, first thing will be to try it out when I get home from work!
    I had one more idea yesterday with a friend, but don't know if its usefull.
    The idea is to factory reset the Uno and then program it from the beggining. Maybe the uploading of multiple sketches messed something up?!
    But then again if it would have messed something up then the SMC Utils would not work properly either right?!
  14. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    @Greg83 do what rufusdufus said and 99.9% (with a dot not comma:grin) you will run with no problems

    EDIT: something like this
    region US 1.png region US 2.png region US 3.png
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2016
  15. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    GUYS,
    (@RufusDufus , @insanegr , @Pit , @noorbeast , @bruce stephen )

    That was it... Had to change the whole regional settings to the US and bamm, no more tilting to the left! Axis working fine. :grin:thumbs
    Now it is off to tune the whole thing.
    Braking and gear changing is okay, but the Sway motion and Acceleration is still not really good! But it will be better.
    My current settings:
    Untitled.jpg
    This is version 6 I think.
    Sway was good in one setting where I had this exact same setting but the direction ticked in both sway boxes. But then Surge moved from left to right so that went to the trash bin :)

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING AND GUIDANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Winner Winner x 3
  16. kimballfount

    kimballfount Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Simtools works, Utilities works, but game doesnt move the motors. My regional settings are correct..You seemed to of really tackeld the hell out of this issue, do you have any more ideas of what could be causing a failure in communication from the game to the motors? I'm using only one motor (roll). My axis in simtools is set at 100% with the box to the left shaded, although I might be messing something up here. In the interface settings I have all three axis assigned, though I have experimented with just using one ( [A<Axis1>] ). The arduino RX lights up upon game starting as if it's sending-receiving data. Any guidance here would me very much appreciated.
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2016
  17. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    So the SMC Utils moves motors fine? Simtool Axis testing is also fine?
    When launching game manager does it display it as Connected? If not then check your IP settings as game manager (if ran from the same machine like me) will be checking the game exe running on the specific IP address of the machine. This messed with me when the router decided to give me a new one :D.....
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2016
  18. kimballfount

    kimballfount Member

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    Yeah, both work fine. The game says it's connected. I dont use an IP, just a serial port.
  19. Greg83

    Greg83 Active Member

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    All games? When in game does Tuning Center value's change?
  20. kimballfount

    kimballfount Member

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    Negative