Download
setupbot.zip
sourcebot.zip
Home
Menu and Interface Functions
Tutorial, Basic XYTable, Architecture.
Overview of DesignBots.exe and the 3dBots ActiveX Control
DesignBots is a design environment for
robotics. It will function as a 3d game development environment as well. Or you
can just use it for basic 3d CAD. Here are some screenshots of
DesignBots.
This XYTable design is provided with DesignBots as an
example.
Linear and rotational motors are supported. You can use as many
unmotorized parts as are required in your design as well. You can create
reusable parts composed of subparts which are parts composed of subparts to any
complexity. While constructing your robot you indicate which parts are motorized
and simulate motor motion to ensure your design is functioning properly. When
you are done, bot will search through your design to gather information on all
the motors you've installed and presents you with a 'Control Motors' interface
that allows you to manipulate any motor position and see the graphical result.
Two copies of a minimalist six axis arm design are presented in the following
screen shot. The design is provided with the download as an example.
Manipulating the values in the 'Control Motors' form allows you to graphically
simulate motor motion and test your design. The 'Spin Value' form increments
values to so you can animate your design with the mouse.
The DesignBots.exe
program uses an ActiveX control that encapsulates the kinematics engine, parts
database functions, and 3d OpenGL support. You can download Visual Basic source
code that demonstrates how to write custom programs using the ActiveX control.
Here's a screen shot of the example app provided.
The example application contains an Open
command for opening the robots you have designed with DesignBots. It is
recommended that you use the DesignBots.exe interface provided to design your
robots, then customize this example app to provide an interface for the users of
your robots. A simple camera manipulator, and a manual motors control are
provided. You will no doubt bypass the manual motors control so you can drive
the motors in a coordinated fashion from code. I've left instructions in the
'Manual Motor Control' form source code showing how to send your motor control
commands directly to the screen. You should write your motor control code in an
independant fashion so that you can effectively send data to either the 3DBots
control to preview the animation on the screen, or your actual motors when you
are ready to do so. You could also use the example app as the starting point to
a game . You would design a bunch of 3d robot characters with the DesignBots.exe
design environment, then send 'motor control' data to them from your custom code to animate the characters. I've left the clsShapes class which renders the
shapes outside of the ActiveX control and the source code is provided, so you
can add custom shapes, textures, etc. I've provided support and instructions to
assist with collision detection as well.
Home
