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12Blocks- v1.2 launched!

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Comments

  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-07-08 05:49
    Spinner is coming along well- see the screenshot:
    spinner1.png
    This shows Spinner's main interface, consisting of:
    - a top row of main actions
    - a library of "blocks" on the left, organized into 10 categories
    - the "program" sheet where you snap together blocks to create your program
    - and the output pane where you can view the live spin code, your variable's live values, a graph of them, or the status of the io pins

    The programmer does not have to worry about cogs, objects, or the associated initialization/data/variables required for each object.
    You can change a program's parameters as it's running.
    Spinner manages the complexity of polling for events such as key/mouse clicks and starting up cogs.

    I'll announce more later- beta should start in about a week- participants must have ViewPort Ultimate- that's what it's built on. Spinner is ideal for anyone starting out with the Propeller- it makes it easy to take full advantage of all the Propeller's capabilities. Transitioning to programming in spin with the Propeller Tool is easy as Spinner continually shows you the generated code and it opens/saves regular spin files.

    A perfect hardware complement is the Propeller Demoboard to let you:
    - drive a robot with servos
    - draw graphics for vga/tv
    - react to keyboard/mouse
    - communicate with a terminal
    - output music tones, wav files, record and play back sounds, and synthesize speech
    - interface with sensors like the PING and a compass
    - perform input/output on the pins: measure frequency,pulse, count edges...
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-07-08 09:24
    That is incredibly cool Hanno! Great job [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    Missed it by ->" "<- that much!
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-07-08 10:47
    Can I have a beta testing? I just have the ViewPort trial if that matters.
    I would like to see if my little brother could do it. He's 11, so it would probly be easyer for him then a 5 year old. Of course, I would have to explain to him this is a testing, or I'll never talk him into it. smile.gif

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    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



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    ·

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  • kb2hapkb2hap Posts: 218
    edited 2009-07-08 11:04
    Spinner looks real neat. My kids would like to check it out ages 10,8.
    Also I's like to see a "Propeller Works" similar to Stamp Works I always thought that that was a great
    piece educational material

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    DTQ
  • SapiehaSapieha Posts: 2,964
    edited 2009-07-08 12:53
    Hi Hanno.

    I will test It.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Nothing is impossible, there are only different degrees of difficulty.
    For every stupid question there is at least one intelligent answer.
    Don't guess - ask instead.
    If you don't ask you won't know.
    If your gonna construct something, make it·as simple as·possible yet as versatile as posible.


    Sapieha
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-07-08 14:25
    Very very nice Hanno!
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-07-08 17:34
    That's Awesome Hanno!!!

    Yes, an excellent product! I'd love to try this out with my 9 year old daughter.

    OBC

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    New to the Propeller?

    Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-07-09 02:20
    Hanno,

    Excellent work!

    I have a Boe-Bot with a Propeller ProtoBoard on it.
    • I have a Ping, mounted with the Parallax mounting bracket, that includes a servo to pan the sensor.
    • A piezo speaker
    • and of course the wheels are powered by the regular Continuous Rotation Servos

    Perhaps I could have my kids try this software, and one or all of them can give a presentation at the Ohio Expo. If not a demo in front of the whole crowd, maybe just at the uController table throughout the day.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

    SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
  • Brian LloydBrian Lloyd Posts: 2
    edited 2009-07-09 04:21
    I am in the process of building a new 'bot design based on the Propeller to act as a follow-on to our program with the Scribbler. It looks like what you are doing is an excellent match to the curriculum I am developing. Would it be possible to try out your package to see how it works with my students? Thanks

    Brian Lloyd
    Granite Bay Montessori School
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-07-20 05:12
    Get ready for some real fun!

    6 Minute Video is here: mydancebot.com/spinner/spinner.wmv

    Here some features:
    - graphical interface that let's you easily do anything with the Propeller
    - drag and drop blocks to create your program
    - each block does one thing and isn't dependent on anything else
    - change parameters while your program is running!
    - the "output" pane makes it easy to understand what your program is doing- you watch your variables, graph them, see and graph the IO states
    - programs are saved as normal spin code, so you can run and edit them in other tools. You can even make minor changes and continue with Spinner
    - writing multi-core programs becomes trivial, the video shows me "spinning" a program that toggles led's, drives a servo, does speech synthesis, plays a wav file, and plays tones- all in a couple minutes
    - I initially wrote this to teach robotics/electronics/physics to my kids, but I think it's the future for the Propeller- it's so much easier to use than Basic/Spin.
    - the library is composed of blocks that use the wonderful objects people have published on the obex- thanks for your contribution! So far it contains blocks to do graphics, terminal IO (with the built-in terminal), record/playback sound, play wav files, do speech, play sine wave tones, drive servos, use keyboard/mouse and sensors like the compass/PING, use variables/arrays, and do basic pin IO like: count edges, frequency, RC discharge, serial IO, shift IO, output pulse/pwm/frequency...
    - unlimited graphical undo/redo
    - "share" button makes it easy to publish your program to the web-based spinner database
    - no need for an operating system, all the complexity of cogs, initialization, objects, data passing, configuration is done for you
    - event based programming and message passing to simplify multi-core programming
    - ideal for the classroom to teach robotics/physics/microcontrollers/game development
    - ideal for quick hacks to take advantage of the Propeller
    - ideal for current basic stamp, mindstorm, scribbler users

    Would love to get your feedback!

    If you've already volunteered to help with the beta look in your mailbox in the next 24hours for a link to the installer. I'll need more beta testing help later, so send me a pm with your email address if you're interested in helping.

    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • BaggersBaggers Posts: 3,019
    edited 2009-07-20 08:30
    Hanno, looks great [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Now if that doesn't bring more users to the Prop, I don't know what will!

    Well done, great app.

    Baggers.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite

    ·
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-07-20 09:07
    WOW Hanno, this is simply BRILLIANT yeah.gif

    There is no doubt an immediate market exists for this. The only obstacle I see is cost for the younger hobbyists.

    I will buy one for my nephews because it is so easy and I would love them to get interested in computers and programming tongue.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-07-20 09:15
    Hanno, may I suggest a better thread subject - I missed it first time

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-07-20 10:28
    This looks like a great concept!

    But did you know that "Spinner" in German means "screwball" or "crackpot"? smile.gif

    Nick

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

    The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
    YADRO
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-07-20 12:58
    WOW! CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY COPY!!!

    Of course, I'll only have it for a while, but I will get maximum use out of it while I do have it!!!

    Question: Will it run ONLY on ultimate? or is it·going to be a·paid add on to·LITE like OpenCV, Spin Debugger, etc.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··



    Post Edited (microcontrolled) : 7/20/2009 1:07:03 PM GMT
  • AJMAJM Posts: 171
    edited 2009-07-20 13:37
    This is amazing Hanno!

    Looks like I will have to purchase viewport sooner then I had thought. Any estimated time frame when you hope to have this available?
  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2009-07-20 16:04
    Very cool! Just a quick question though, What happens when a program contains more than 7 start/event program stacks? Can spinner combine multiple program stacks to run on one cog at the same time? Or simply, what happens when a Spinner program runs out of cogs?

    Lawson

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Lunch cures all problems! have you had lunch?
  • BaggersBaggers Posts: 3,019
    edited 2009-07-20 18:10
    Hanno, will the packages be modifyable?
    ie could we add other functions to it?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite

    ·
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2009-07-20 18:23
    Very cool!
    Hanno said...
    Get ready for some real fun!

    6 Minute Video is here: mydancebot.com/spinner/spinner.wmv

    Here some features:
    - graphical interface that let's you easily do anything with the Propeller
    - drag and drop blocks to create your program
    - each block does one thing and isn't dependent on anything else
    - change parameters while your program is running!
    - the "output" pane makes it easy to understand what your program is doing- you watch your variables, graph them, see and graph the IO states
    - programs are saved as normal spin code, so you can run and edit them in other tools. You can even make minor changes and continue with Spinner
    - writing multi-core programs becomes trivial, the video shows me "spinning" a program that toggles led's, drives a servo, does speech synthesis, plays a wav file, and plays tones- all in a couple minutes
    - I initially wrote this to teach robotics/electronics/physics to my kids, but I think it's the future for the Propeller- it's so much easier to use than Basic/Spin.
    - the library is composed of blocks that use the wonderful objects people have published on the obex- thanks for your contribution! So far it contains blocks to do graphics, terminal IO (with the built-in terminal), record/playback sound, play wav files, do speech, play sine wave tones, drive servos, use keyboard/mouse and sensors like the compass/PING, use variables/arrays, and do basic pin IO like: count edges, frequency, RC discharge, serial IO, shift IO, output pulse/pwm/frequency...
    - unlimited graphical undo/redo
    - "share" button makes it easy to publish your program to the web-based spinner database
    - no need for an operating system, all the complexity of cogs, initialization, objects, data passing, configuration is done for you
    - event based programming and message passing to simplify multi-core programming
    - ideal for the classroom to teach robotics/physics/microcontrollers/game development
    - ideal for quick hacks to take advantage of the Propeller
    - ideal for current basic stamp, mindstorm, scribbler users

    Would love to get your feedback!

    If you've already volunteered to help with the beta look in your mailbox in the next 24hours for a link to the installer. I'll need more beta testing help later, so send me a pm with your email address if you're interested in helping.

    Hanno
    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    www.mikronauts.com - my site 6.250MHz custom Crystals for running Propellers at 100MHz
    Las - Large model assembler for the Propeller Largos - a feature full nano operating system for the Propeller
    Morpheus & Mem+ Advanced dual Propeller SBC with XMM and 256 Color VGA
    Please use mikronauts _at_ gmail _dot_ com to contact me off-forum, my PM is almost totally full
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-07-20 22:49
    Hanno<

    What are your plans for keeping the OBEX and your Spinner code in sync?
    Or, is the OBEX already decoupled from Spinner and go their merry way?

    Regardless, remarkable achievement!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    JMH
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-07-21 07:29
    Hi!
    Wow, thanks for the wonderful response- and thanks to my beta testers for all the feedback so far! Here my responses:
    - There will be an easy way for users to add spin code/objects into the Spinner library.
    - I speak german, but it didn't click that "Spinner" actually meant something. I liked it's association with "Propeller" and the "Spin" language. However, if you're really unhappy about the name, I can change it. Any suggestions?
    - I'm not finished yet so I don't know pricing or when it'll be done. But I think it makes sense to decouple it from ViewPort. Spinner is for beginner/intermediate. ViewPort is for intermediate to expert/professional. I plan on releasing a very professional, polished product that's ready for immediate use in schools/by beginners- that takes time.
    - I'm trying to keep Spinner easy and uncluttered. Spinner assumes certain pins are used for certain devices: audio/mic/servos/usb. These will be well documented. For those "blocks" you don't have to type the pin number- ie sounds/motion
    - I'll make it possible to run Spinner at other than 80mhz. Probably some config file that power users can edit and roll out to all their installations.
    - While Spinner does generate Spin code, I see most users spending most of their time within Spinner, unaware of the spin language. Very few will graduate to editing in the Spin language. They'll be able to reuse their existing Spinner programs. However, I won't spend lots of time on turning Spinner into a program that teaches "spin".
    - The obex contains lots of wonderful object. I've cherry-picked what I thought would be most useful to a beginner. Am I missing some? Eeprom? LCD? ADC?
    - When you drag a block, all blocks attached BELOW that block will be dragged with it. So, to remove one block, you'll need to drag that one away, and then drag the others back. Just like a stack of paper. You can insert a set of blocks anywhere.
    - A "start" block will start it's blocks in a new cog once a cog becomes available. The even driven "start" blocks run in the user interface cog- so they don't consume a cog. However, some blocks will use additional cogs- for example, generating video. I'm doing my best to reduce cog consumption and hope to make things fail gracefully when memory/cog limitations are exceeded. However, keep in mind that Spinner is aimed at beginners, not experts. So, they'll be able to write pretty complex programs that do lots of things with many cogs. An expert spin/pasm may be able to do more with the Propeller- but they're not beginners.
    Thanks for the feedback so far, you guys are great!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-07-21 07:32
    Forgot one reply:
    - I'll maintain the library that ships with Spinner- so I'll periodically upgrade the objects from the obex. As I said above, there'll be some way for users to add their own functions to Spinner- probably a file they leave in the spinner directory. When a new Spinner is installed, you're custom functions will be picked up.
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-07-21 07:58
    > I speak german, but it didn't click that "Spinner" actually meant something.

    You can handle that as you want. It was just meant as a hint. I don't know how big your German-speaking audience is or might be.
    On one side, if pronounced propperly, it is what it is. A spinner (and that's known to quite a few, there's no German word for that thing). On the other side, maybe your main audience are teens and they might be hurt more by being called a "Spinner" (in German).

    And then, it's not as bad as other misshaps!
    An example: In German "Bad" is bathroom (pronounced different of course). There's a shop calling himself "Bad Design". Nothing funny for Germans, but if an English tongue is reading that ... smile.gifsmile.gif


    Nick

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

    The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
    YADRO
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-07-21 12:03
    I have tryed Spinner and one error I have found is when toggleing a pin high and low NOT using the toggle command locks up the propeller and the pin does not toggle.
    Will the set objects work with the Demo Board connections? I think that this is a great program for beginners but it DOES need to be unrelied on ViewPort and be a stand alone program to be truely useful.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··


  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2009-07-21 16:20
    it's cool program, should be used in high-schools etc.

    In my dirty mind when I hear 'Spinner'.....

    Post Edited (tonyp12) : 7/21/2009 5:15:27 PM GMT
  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-07-22 02:35
    Thanks for the feedback on the "high/low" toggle, I'll fix it. I'll also add ability to add comments. And yes, Spinner will be "stand-alone". Although, the programs it produces will be compatible with ViewPort, so people can create a program in Spinner, and then debug with all the additional gadgets in ViewPort. Will have to think if I can adapt the "Spin Debugger" available in ViewPort to the blocks used in Spinner. I'm psyched that at least one person is already applying Spinner to a real world application- hoot, hoot!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-07-22 05:14
    And that on person is?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    JMH
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-07-22 11:35
    Him.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··


  • HannoHanno Posts: 1,130
    edited 2009-08-06 08:23
    Howdy!
    Spinner is now "12Blocks". Slogan is: "What can you make with 12 Blocks?"
    I've made lots of progress, and a new installer is waiting for willing beta testers- email or pm me if interested.
    Lots of graphics and info at:
    12blocks.com

    Here a list of features/fixes added since last time in response to beta feedback:
    +sprite and vector editors
    +by default, io port is sampled with a variable, use a block to turn on quicksample- will use 1 cog and some more memory but allow higher sample rates
    +if you change the spin file with the Propeller Tool while it's open, 12Blocks will ask you if you want to reload
    +you can set pins, crystal, motor type, tv type in the "lib/template.spin" file
    +you can create new blocks by editing the custom.xml file
    +dde server/client! There's an excel sample included- get to it by opening the "graphics" tutorial
    +comment block with url
    +graphics for a vga works
    +can speak mom
    +pick sound, speech
    +cursor reflects what can be done
    +cleaner ui
    +hover help for library items
    +blocks not connected to "start" blocks are commented out and don't include data or objects
    +more samples
    +servo32v6
    +time bombed for mid September
    +non-working items are prefaced with "-" in library

    Enjoy!
    Hanno

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Download a free trial of ViewPort- the premier visual debugger for the Propeller
    Includes full debugger, simulated instruments, fuzzy logic, and OpenCV for computer vision. Now a Parallax Product!
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-06 19:58
    I tryed it out and it works great! You have edited almost all the problems out of the program! Good job!

    P.S. When you say "time-bombed" do you mean our copy of the software will stop working then or you will come out with the final copy then?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.



    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·
    I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use genaric avatars.

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··




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