Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Oldbit's Unofficial Propeller Halloween Contest (Over $300 value in cash & priz — Parallax Forums

Oldbit's Unofficial Propeller Halloween Contest (Over $300 value in cash & priz

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2008-11-07 23:50 in Propeller 1
Even though there were a handfull of entries for this,
(The next contest will have nearly a month) It was extremely
difficult to decide. I had to consult with Matthew {my son} to see if he agree'd


All the entries were awesome!

The Winner is: Chuck Rice with Skelly
www.wildrice.com/Halloween/Construction/Skelly/Skelly.m4v

@Chuck: PM me your address so I can get it to Ken and mail two USB
protoboards your direction Monday afternoon.

******************************************************************

Ok, gang it's two weeks to Halloween and if I see just one more Arduino project
in my Google reader I'm going to scream! (In a haunted, eerie way of course)

It's time for this community to step up..
(and Oldbitcollector to risk trouble for running an another unofficial event.)

Oldbit's Unofficial Propeller Halloween Contest
==============================

Rules are simple.. Using a Propeller (and other Parallax stuff)
create a scary/fun Halloween display to frighten little candy
gobblers on the 31st.

I will also participate (but since I'm the judge) mine will
just be for fun.

Winner will be picked (by me) on All Saints Day and
two USB Protoboards will be mailed to you.
Added: $250.00 cash prize from Parallax

(Winners limited to US/Canada for shipping reasons.)
Projects must be DONE and submitted to this thread
by 10/31/08, Midnight EST.

Pictures of your scary propeller project must be posted
to this thread, (following forum rules of course) and
?tube videos may certainly give you an advantage. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

OBC

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
New to the Propeller?

Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 11/2/2008 4:58:01 PM GMT
«1

Comments

  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2008-10-17 17:07
    I would like to nominate bstc... it is so good...and so much fun it is almost scary[noparse]:)[/noparse]

    BradC cant officially win because he is out of the country... so just send the board to me.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,387
    edited 2008-10-17 17:08
    Oh, wow. Parallax hereby donates $250 cash to be distributed as OBC sees appropriate as the contest judge.

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2008-10-17 17:10
    BradC can use the cash[noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-17 17:27
    Wow..

    Clock is ticking gang! Prize booty just skyrocketed.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • hippyhippy Posts: 1,981
    edited 2008-10-17 19:24
    I'm just going to hammer a 40-Pin Prop Chip into my forehead legs first. If that doesn't frighten them when they come knocking on the door, the blood probably will.

    Post Edited (hippy) : 10/17/2008 7:34:13 PM GMT
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-17 19:28
    ROFLOL!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • hippyhippy Posts: 1,981
    edited 2008-10-17 19:32
    ...
  • Sniper KingSniper King Posts: 221
    edited 2008-10-17 20:47
    I can't breath! LOL

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    ·- Ouch, thats not suppose to be hot!··


    Michael King
    Application Engineer
    R&D

    ·
  • PraxisPraxis Posts: 333
    edited 2008-10-17 20:57
    Happy Halloween.
    366 x 500 - 320K
  • ColeyColey Posts: 1,110
    edited 2008-10-17 21:51
    Praxis, I see writing Developer Studio has taken it's toll, lol

    Hippy, Hillarious! I bet the kids won't be knocking on your door for long!! tongue.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    PropGFX Forums - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-10-17 22:07
    I've got my project picked out. According to Count Floyd,

    attachment.php?attachmentid=56266

    AOOOOOOOOOOOOH!




    _______________________
    282 x 355 - 19K
  • hippyhippy Posts: 1,981
    edited 2008-10-17 23:28
    Really scary ...
    454 x 196 - 67K
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-10-17 23:38
    Thanks a lot, Hippy. If I have nightmares tonight, it'll be your fault!!! smile.gif

    -Phil

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
  • PraxisPraxis Posts: 333
    edited 2008-10-18 09:41
    This is scary!
    150 x 150 - 12K
  • tpw_mantpw_man Posts: 276
    edited 2008-10-18 16:32
    I am planning to make a ghastly, talking, flashing pumpkin with a mouth, when we carve out our pumpkins.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    I am 1011, so be surprised!


    Advertisement sponsored by dfletch:
    Come and join us on the Propeller IRC channel for fast and easy help!
    Channel: #propeller
    Server: irc.freenode.net or freenode.net
    If you don't want to bother installing an IRC client, use Mibbit. www.mibbit.com
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-20 02:08
    I'm thinking of taking tpw's idea one step further and mounting the my pumpkin on a pole that with
    a scarecrow body below it. If I can get a servo to pull a little weight I want to make an arm that swings
    on command. Just haven't decided if I want this to be joystick or ping sensor controlled.

    Some scary wav's are definitely in order for sound. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Started pulling this pieces together for next weekends' build.

    Anyone else willing to share their build secrets?

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • tpw_mantpw_man Posts: 276
    edited 2008-10-20 02:16
    I almost want to make it robotic. Following me around when I go trick-or-treating tongue.gif It will most likely have a moving mouth when it talks. I will probably invent a custom sound format with servo data interleaved every 1/32 of a second or something like that, so I can easily synchronize it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    I am 1011, so be surprised!


    Advertisement sponsored by dfletch:
    Come and join us on the Propeller IRC channel for fast and easy help!
    Channel: #propeller
    Server: irc.freenode.net or freenode.net
    If you don't want to bother installing an IRC client, use Mibbit. www.mibbit.com
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-20 02:39
    This was the project that got me to kick this off..
    www.ladyada.net/rant/2008/10/freaky-scary-halloween-pumpkin-project/

    I KNOW the Propeller can do some cool Halloween stuff.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2008-10-20 03:46
    May I suggest now there is cash, that you open the contest up to the world and take the shipping cost out of the cash :-)
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,560
    edited 2008-10-20 05:42
    Ok, I’m just throwing this in for fun.... Last night (Saturday) our neighbors had their annual "adult" Halloween party. Yes, I know, that in and of itself is an oxymoron. Anyway my $10 mask plus a Propeller powered voice echo box and fading Red/Green/Blue LED fit right in with some of the other costumes that were there. From the microphone echo object that I created awhile back, and using one of the counters in DUTY mode to fade the LED's, this project took me about 3 hours to code and piece together so that it would all fit within the mask.

    Enjoy!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Beau Schwabe

    IC Layout Engineer
    Parallax, Inc.
    1728 x 2304 - 685K
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-25 19:03
    Times running out! This is build weekend here.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2008-10-26 21:08
    Well, I tried. Unfortunately, it wasn't strong enough.

    My idea for OBCs contest was to have a human controlled spider thread with a spider hanging on the end. I live in a dormatory, and we have a central area four stories tall (~40 feet) with stairs on either side and a central light shaft in the middle. The project design was to have a person wave their hands in front of some IR devices, and that would control the vertical movement of the spider, and how much it swings. This way, the spider has a full 2d plane of movement. Also, a special scenaro (when a hand got really close to the vertical sensor) would drop the spider suddenly.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=56406

    You can see the center cross here, where the swing servo is mounted. This is just before I took it down.



    I'd just like to take a moment to say that my code works perfectly. Rather, the problem that I ran into was my mechanical. The servos that I used (Parallax standard and continuous) don't have enough torque (47 oz in), and so it created problems. My swing servo controlled the swing by running the thread that the spider hangs from through a tube, which was then attached to the servo. This servo was out in the middle of the space, and mounted on some 1/2" angle iron for stability. Anyway, too short of a tube, and I don't get swing, too long and it can't handle it. Problem 1.

    The second problem was the vertical movement servo. It's quite slow under load, and it was a dull experience to raise the spider. To suddenly drop the spider, I mounted the vertical servo on another standard servo, which turned to drop so that the string would come off the side of the drum. Imagine a roll of string. Stand it up, and it all falls down. Anyway, apparently the friction is just a little bit too much, and it didn't go out like I wanted. I could have filed it down, I guess, but there were enough other problems that I didn't feel the need to.

    The electronics consisted of a PPDB in side an old shoe box, with two IR LEDs and two IR recievers. Also, I put in two 2.1mm Barrel jacks so that I could provide seperate power for my swing servo and my vertical servo. I had tested earlier, and found the regulator on the PPDB getting hot.

    As for safety, I took several precautions. Truth be told, I didn't really get any sort of approval for this project, and it looked a bit dubious with the liberal use of zipties. So, I took safety serious. All components out in the air are very light, with gently rounded corners so that they are fairly safe if it should fall. Next, I put lots of sting out to the center. There are seven completely independent sets of tie downs: two along the x axis, two along the z axis, one tied to the cross point, one tied to the servo counter balance, and the spider thread. Each of this were securely tied with a half hitch and a square knot to various railings.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=56407

    My control box with the three power supplies and the vertical servo and drop servo mounted on a BOE-BOT Chassis.

    So, that was to be my submission. Next time (Christmas?) I'll try it with stepper motors or maybe DC motors. Best of luck to everyone else!


    Post Edited (SRLM) : 10/26/2008 9:23:40 PM GMT
    1536 x 2048 - 454K
    2048 x 1536 - 756K
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2008-10-27 14:53
    This wasn't meant to discourage others from trying or posting. Rather, it was to demonstrate what my idea was. And I'd like to thank OBC for hosting this contest, because otherwise I might never have gotten the impetus to learn some spin and try my first project with the Propeller.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-27 17:14
    Not at all! Thanks for sharing!

    Strangely I'm having some similar issues with servo power here too..
    Might have to scale my scarecrow back just a bit.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-30 15:19
    LESS than 48 hours to the deadline for Propeller Halloween Project Displays!!

    Cash and Prizes in excess of $300 are still up for grabs!
    Review top of thread for details.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-30 15:23
    >>So, that was to be my submission. Next time (Christmas?) I'll try it with stepper motors or maybe DC motors. Best of luck to everyone else!

    Actually I'm already pondering a Christmas contest..
    Something along the lines of a Propeller Christmas card contest. (Video, Mechanical, {or both}, musical)
    Perhaps I will ask Baggers to be the judge as he is the obvious expert and ringer {videowise}. [noparse]:)[/noparse] <SMIRK>

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-10-31 21:52
    I've answered a question regarding the mix of other parts in a project..

    Let me clarify for everyone.

    Any Halloween display is acceptable to this contest if it includes a Parallax Propeller somewhere in the design.

    Use of any other parts are perfectly acceptable.

    Time to see if I can get mine wrapped up and working tonight.

    Remember: all posts must be made by MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • Chuck RiceChuck Rice Posts: 210
    edited 2008-11-01 02:08
    Here is my project. It only uses the propeller to control the head turn servo. The movie is to large to post here, but here is a link: www.wildrice.com/Halloween/Construction/Skelly/Skelly.m4v. Next year, I hope to have the propeller control the mouth and the arm strumming the guitar.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-11-01 02:56
    Wow.. An hour left..

    Very Cool Project!

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with a Propeller Protoboard?
    Check out: Introduction to the Proboard & Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card connected? - PropDOS
  • drazmodrazmo Posts: 21
    edited 2008-11-01 03:07
    Hope I am not too late....
    Here is my halloween project. I took a leather box from Michaels and made it talk! It has one servo that lifts the lid up and down. Another servo, moves the eyes left and right. Both eyes light up using LED's. The eyes were built using wire and 2 tops of roll-on deodorant from the dollar store. The audio comes from an SD card and is output through a stereo the unit sits on top off. We set it in a window and let it run all night. It plays music for a few seconds and then activates the speech routine..."Welcome to Hell" and then goes back to its idle state. I also made it so it can be triggered via IR. You can find the video at www.audiotrip.net/talkingbox.html
    640 x 427 - 50K
    640 x 427 - 49K
Sign In or Register to comment.