Every year I pick a new topic and try to learn it. Sort of like a new years resolution.
2013 I decided I wanted to learn Japanese. After about 2 months of it I realized that was way too ambitious and I changed it to another language, Python. I taught myself Python and started writing my own game in python. By the end of the year my game had over 5000 lines of code and was a total fucking mess, but 2 levels played great.
In 2014 I decided to learn Unity a 3d game engine. I had to learn Javascript and some C# to really do it well. I started off by remaking parts of my python game, and then went on to make 3 or 4 prototype projects that never went anywhere. I discovered real quick that I needed art assets and I'm a horrible artist. So I decided to learn a 3D modeler program to help with assets. I picked up Blender and got pretty decent at it, at least in making assets.
In 2015 I jumped projects and got a Raspberry Pi. Then I got some small electronic bits and pieces and taught myself basic electronics. The plan was to make a Lego robot with my daughter this year. That project has lost steam as I'm still short about $150 worth of parts and have absolutely no free money. We still play with LEDs a lot however. I hope to pick the robot idea back up by the end of the year, if not next year.
That's an awesome thing to do! I love learning new things but never have any order or plan to things! I may have to try this!! I was given a Raspberry Pi last Christmas because I talked peoples ear off about them, but I haven't had the funds to even set it up let alone think of a project to do with it!!
Step 1) Learn Python. Python is very easy to learn and its pretty damn versatile (Reddit was written in Python) as a programming language. Learning Python will give you access to write your own code to control the GPIO pins on the RPi.
Step 2) Visit your local electronic parts store and stock up on basic parts. Get LEDs of all sorts, get resistors of all sizes (I got a bag of 300 of various types for about $8), get capacitors of all sizes, get at least 2 (4 is fun) of Shift Registers, get a few 555 timer chips, be sure to get a nice bread board or two, or get a kit like this one (but that is for the A model RPi and its documentation is total shit, still has a lot of good parts, I got it).
Step 3) setup your Pi to properly allow you to access the GPIO in Python (going to need to update some stuff) there are plenty of tutorials online for that.
Step 4) pick a tutorial and run with it.
Some of the stuff my daughter and I did:
We made a helicopter (on a tether) that you could push a button turn on or off. (worked too well then the motor burned out, I forgot to put a diode to prevent back current from the motor, lesson learned, was a cheapo $0.50 hobby motor)
We made a lego traffic light that you could control through Python. We set it up to auto cycle, then at a button push change to pressure sensitive (simple switch the car would bump) to activate the cycle (so if a car was present it would start the light cycle, then wait when over until switch was activated)
We made a scrolling LCD that displayed anything you wanted. I had thoughts of loading in the Voat API and having it read off SCP/CCP totals, but never got around to it.
All kinds of cool stuff. But damn do I want to make a lego robot.
[+]Danbear0 points0 points0 points
ago
(edited ago)
[–]Danbear0 points
0 points
0 points
(+0|-0)
ago
(edited ago)
I was looking at Adafruit's Servo Pi hat. Then I was wanting to get about 4 of their Servos with the built in potentiometer.
I was also weighing my options and trying to decide on going with the Adafruit Stepper Motor hat or to just wire my own cheap hobby motors. I'd like to have the Steppers for future projects. (Eventually want to try and make a digitally controlled router table, or small CNC mill, but that is way way way down the line.)
The two Pi Hats and parts were around $50. Then another $50 - $100 in servos and motors, depending on how the project planned out.
[–] Danbear 0 points 7 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago
Every year I pick a new topic and try to learn it. Sort of like a new years resolution.
2013 I decided I wanted to learn Japanese. After about 2 months of it I realized that was way too ambitious and I changed it to another language, Python. I taught myself Python and started writing my own game in python. By the end of the year my game had over 5000 lines of code and was a total fucking mess, but 2 levels played great.
In 2014 I decided to learn Unity a 3d game engine. I had to learn Javascript and some C# to really do it well. I started off by remaking parts of my python game, and then went on to make 3 or 4 prototype projects that never went anywhere. I discovered real quick that I needed art assets and I'm a horrible artist. So I decided to learn a 3D modeler program to help with assets. I picked up Blender and got pretty decent at it, at least in making assets.
In 2015 I jumped projects and got a Raspberry Pi. Then I got some small electronic bits and pieces and taught myself basic electronics. The plan was to make a Lego robot with my daughter this year. That project has lost steam as I'm still short about $150 worth of parts and have absolutely no free money. We still play with LEDs a lot however. I hope to pick the robot idea back up by the end of the year, if not next year.
[–] the-tinkerer ago
That's an awesome thing to do! I love learning new things but never have any order or plan to things! I may have to try this!! I was given a Raspberry Pi last Christmas because I talked peoples ear off about them, but I haven't had the funds to even set it up let alone think of a project to do with it!!
[–] Danbear 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
There is a ton of cool things you can do.
Step 1) Learn Python. Python is very easy to learn and its pretty damn versatile (Reddit was written in Python) as a programming language. Learning Python will give you access to write your own code to control the GPIO pins on the RPi.
Step 2) Visit your local electronic parts store and stock up on basic parts. Get LEDs of all sorts, get resistors of all sizes (I got a bag of 300 of various types for about $8), get capacitors of all sizes, get at least 2 (4 is fun) of Shift Registers, get a few 555 timer chips, be sure to get a nice bread board or two, or get a kit like this one (but that is for the A model RPi and its documentation is total shit, still has a lot of good parts, I got it).
Step 3) setup your Pi to properly allow you to access the GPIO in Python (going to need to update some stuff) there are plenty of tutorials online for that.
Step 4) pick a tutorial and run with it.
Some of the stuff my daughter and I did:
We made a helicopter (on a tether) that you could push a button turn on or off. (worked too well then the motor burned out, I forgot to put a diode to prevent back current from the motor, lesson learned, was a cheapo $0.50 hobby motor)
We made a lego traffic light that you could control through Python. We set it up to auto cycle, then at a button push change to pressure sensitive (simple switch the car would bump) to activate the cycle (so if a car was present it would start the light cycle, then wait when over until switch was activated)
We made a scrolling LCD that displayed anything you wanted. I had thoughts of loading in the Voat API and having it read off SCP/CCP totals, but never got around to it.
All kinds of cool stuff. But damn do I want to make a lego robot.
[–] mrskeletaldootdoot 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Hey I might be able to help you out (or point you to some resources) What do you need?
[–] Danbear ago (edited ago)
I was looking at Adafruit's Servo Pi hat. Then I was wanting to get about 4 of their Servos with the built in potentiometer.
I was also weighing my options and trying to decide on going with the Adafruit Stepper Motor hat or to just wire my own cheap hobby motors. I'd like to have the Steppers for future projects. (Eventually want to try and make a digitally controlled router table, or small CNC mill, but that is way way way down the line.)
The two Pi Hats and parts were around $50. Then another $50 - $100 in servos and motors, depending on how the project planned out.
Ada's Servos
Ada's Servo Pi Hat
Ada's Stepper Hat
That website is addictive.