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.
Website: http://www.fireflyexperiments.com/
Location: Cambridge, MA
Members: 626
Latest Activity: Mar 23
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.
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 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 DanaHill Aug 1, 2022.
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.
I hawe a problem with writing/reading data in Firefly.I thought it is mine problem with board, but cant understand this stuffContinue
Started by Philipp. Last reply by Jame jim Apr 5, 2022.
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Thanks for the info. I am using chrome as well. I'll email them. Perhaps in the mean time I can ask via the comments? or message you? what I am having issues with? Thank you.
@ MiChaElLa,
I sometimes get this when I have the file open that I'm trying to load. As soon as I get the message and then go and close the image or gh file it completes.
I use Chrome as well.
Hi MiChaElLa,
This sounds like a NING issue (the provider for the Grasshopper forum). What browser are you using? I typically use Chrome and haven't had any issues, but I feel like I've had some problems in the past with other browsers. Have you tried emailing the NING Technical support, or even Scott Davidson from Rhino (who setup the forum)?
-Andy
Hi Andy
I was trying to post to the firefly discussions...
Hi Andy,
I get this when I try to post to the discussions:
Meanwhile, feel free to open a new browser window and continue using Grasshopper.
It just spins and spins... and I can't seem to add to the discussion...
Hi Mohammad,
You can control up to 9 Servos using the Uno Write component and you can control up to 34 Servos using the Mega Write component. If you want to control up to 50 Servos, then you'll likely need to buy 2 Mega boards, or some combination of Megas and Unos. Again, power will likely be the most important consideration as each of those servos (if they're all going to be driven at the same time) will draw some amount of current, so you need to add up your loads to determine your power requirements.
HTH,
Andy
Hi MiChaElLa,
No, I haven't had any troubles loading the discussions. Is it just on the Firefly discussions? Or other groups as well? Is anyone else having trouble like this?
-Andy
Is it me or does it take forever to load to the discussions?
Thanx andy for taking your times! Actuly I want to know if we have many servoes about 50, how can we run them by arduino?
Hi Mohammad,
Yes, you can easily drive more than 4 servo motors with a single Arduino Uno. Basically, the Firefly Firmata takes advantage of the Servo library which is part of the stardard Arduino IDE. With the Servo library you can control up to 12 servo motors using an Arduino Uno (there is one limitation in that the servo library disables PWM capabilities on pins 9 and 10). You can find out more about how the servo library works here: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Servo
The biggest issue in controlling more servo motors is the amount of power you need to supply to each motor. It's likely that a single Arduino powered directly from the USB cable will be able to supply enough power to control more than 2 motors. You will likely need to provide an external power supply that has the proper voltage and amperage specs to properly power your motors. I don't know which servos your using (and how many) but you should look at the datasheet and determine your power requirements. Adafruit sells a pretty beefy regulated (switching) power supply which may work for your application (http://www.adafruit.com/products/658). This one will supply up to 10 Amps of current and 5V regulated voltage. Does this help?
-Andy
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