tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65763564681881042552024-03-05T07:38:54.246+01:00jenditjendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-22057321145506673182019-05-05T12:22:00.000+02:002019-05-05T12:22:27.798+02:00Assembling the Prusa MMU2S kitLast year in August, I was <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/08/assembling-3d-printer-original-prusa-i3.html">assembling my first 3D printer, the Prusa i3 MK3</a>. This time, it was the Multi Material Upgrade 2S (MMU2S), I was assembling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJyDlResQgTeLw2NFBAmOrnmu_qKr7dIRRpR2Y_EPHaPN0kWgXJ3qpHcLo6KlVeZ93Ofls6KbUMbnU3jlaazFKPHLBPply4xmic7nFTBGtt_7V5XSmekHTsdLnqSaeRuht4TsXjtMTzM/s1600/IMG_20190505_103743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJyDlResQgTeLw2NFBAmOrnmu_qKr7dIRRpR2Y_EPHaPN0kWgXJ3qpHcLo6KlVeZ93Ofls6KbUMbnU3jlaazFKPHLBPply4xmic7nFTBGtt_7V5XSmekHTsdLnqSaeRuht4TsXjtMTzM/s320/IMG_20190505_103743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>I was printing a lot since last summer and in January I ordered the MMU for my printer directly at Prusa. The order took some time, but finally, it arrived.<br />
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<h2>
What is the MMU 2S?</h2>
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The <a href="https://shop.prusa3d.com/de/drucker-upgrades/183-original-prusa-i3-mk25smk3s-multi-material-2s-upgrade-kit-mmu2s.html">MMU 2S is the Multi Material Upgrade 2S for the Prusa printers</a> (in my case the i3 MK3).</div>
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It allows to use up to five different filaments in one layer. Previously, I could do some multi-color prints by switching the filament at layer changes. This also meant that I had to be present to do the manual swap.</div>
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The MMU now allows not only to swap filament on its own but also to use different filaments (colors or even structural different filaments) within each layer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HPkSehGLpEEwX9KH6kPY-nYn9w6Jr6JW6iEvveIsWZYHQ_OiGMLeB2_FVlqC7rEKBbM1qJ1N8EM1F6FhvFSMveS1TyTiX8ymW09RWVm9iE8YqbyASXwoARc2Y-7yTSSrqkKJl_18s_k/s1600/IMG_20190505_102154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HPkSehGLpEEwX9KH6kPY-nYn9w6Jr6JW6iEvveIsWZYHQ_OiGMLeB2_FVlqC7rEKBbM1qJ1N8EM1F6FhvFSMveS1TyTiX8ymW09RWVm9iE8YqbyASXwoARc2Y-7yTSSrqkKJl_18s_k/s320/IMG_20190505_102154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of two different filaments used in the same layer</td></tr>
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<h2>
Assembling the kit</h2>
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The upgrade comes as a kit, so I had to assemble it my self. Prusa also included the upgrade to the i3 MK3<span style="color: red;">S</span> in the bundle, which changes the construction around the hotend and the hotend fan position.</div>
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Therefore, the assembly started with the disassembly of the extruder to upgrade it. All in all, it took several hours, just for the extruder before even getting to the MMU unit itself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPvK6OC_eJfw7_q9SklOrBJoUje45CrGfGABL_Qn0E1NHeSy4BAF6-b8cgQriJn3lmQSoGr5obGG49OjfkaAnCyWcBP9AvXuCJ7QLd_JuDT-r9iNawY7KgcrsoXD4MSjC0EYp1HuCF2o/s1600/IMG_20190504_152150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPvK6OC_eJfw7_q9SklOrBJoUje45CrGfGABL_Qn0E1NHeSy4BAF6-b8cgQriJn3lmQSoGr5obGG49OjfkaAnCyWcBP9AvXuCJ7QLd_JuDT-r9iNawY7KgcrsoXD4MSjC0EYp1HuCF2o/s320/IMG_20190504_152150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New assembled i3 MK3S extruder</td></tr>
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Together I would say it took me even longer than the initial assembly of the Prusa printer last year. This might also be because the extruder took the longest time there as well and here it had to be disassembled and rebuild completely.</div>
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After the extruder had been done, the MMU unit got assembled. Here I did a small mistake by cracking the selector part as I used a little bit to much force at the screws. For now, I glued it, but I will print a spare part later, just to be on the save side if it cracks again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHbr8goAXRIYugmlHdV-2n8JVHBYI9rf54RnTF5NL4O7MHK6STAjURBm-qgmXI-eiuOsSBALap2LvgN9sbXaXF28HcRWTeK5BOeIVfYt8qTasV21tOrCEODE8znVM93RzFLfp-zfkzw4/s1600/IMG_20190504_171304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHbr8goAXRIYugmlHdV-2n8JVHBYI9rf54RnTF5NL4O7MHK6STAjURBm-qgmXI-eiuOsSBALap2LvgN9sbXaXF28HcRWTeK5BOeIVfYt8qTasV21tOrCEODE8znVM93RzFLfp-zfkzw4/s320/IMG_20190504_171304.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembling the MMU unit</td></tr>
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The provided step by step guide was excellent, as usual. Just the German translation was not finished yet so I switched to the English one anyway.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXwsw2DliMVzkMvDFA-fIQUB9sZEnk7CtYEklyuga15b250F4w729RiAH2Sn8XlfI58HOu3ZwR1eSNojZpvQsmQYnoDDjFrlm05teYo7VwGF3TwXuRILJr-AnMVQ0NsL0MjyZ7KlaneI/s1600/IMG_20190504_192441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXwsw2DliMVzkMvDFA-fIQUB9sZEnk7CtYEklyuga15b250F4w729RiAH2Sn8XlfI58HOu3ZwR1eSNojZpvQsmQYnoDDjFrlm05teYo7VwGF3TwXuRILJr-AnMVQ0NsL0MjyZ7KlaneI/s320/IMG_20190504_192441.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final steps, following the excellent step by step guide</td></tr>
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Oh, and of course there was a package of Haribo Gummibären in the bundle as well. Even more, they got referenced in the manual quite often which always lets me smile.</div>
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<h2>
Some criticism</h2>
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Some of the steps were a bit confusing in the manual as it tries to handle all possible combinations like if you already have a Prusa i3 MK2.5 or a MK3 or a MK3S or ... </div>
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So sometimes it might happen to hit the wrong link for the next instructions or to miss a step for your own setup. Other than that, the guide was very detailed and accurate.</div>
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Another thing I don't like is the construction of the buffer at all. The buffer is the black box you can see behind my printer and it is used to store the filament that got retracted from the nozzle at a filament change. The idea behind it is good, just the execution is not. </div>
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It is extremely awkward to get the filament through it when you want to set up a new spool. Also, it requires a lot of space, which is very limited to my setup.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAkN4jhgQGHo8Cf4pXld8ctrvgkRvHnBPmLTXtXSoDfdC9_LHofCj3M_YF3Ho_bBPt4uFqpzwnqrsPgN3XAHLEjFWcRbPKzedhgAmFOPom2sgEQs69jPW8iujwHXPmXIFBKwCYoo7uJ0/s1600/IMG_20190505_100948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAkN4jhgQGHo8Cf4pXld8ctrvgkRvHnBPmLTXtXSoDfdC9_LHofCj3M_YF3Ho_bBPt4uFqpzwnqrsPgN3XAHLEjFWcRbPKzedhgAmFOPom2sgEQs69jPW8iujwHXPmXIFBKwCYoo7uJ0/s320/IMG_20190505_100948.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffer behind the printer</td></tr>
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Therefore, I am printing an alternative solution right now to try out. I found this <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3338467">autorewind spool holder</a> by <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/VincentGroenhuis/about">VincentGroenhius</a> and this <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3573804">wall mount</a> for it by <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/TheLightSpeed/about">TheLightSpeed</a>. Going to test this, if it works for me, I will mount five of this at the wall behind the printer.</div>
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Conclusion</h2>
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The filament switch seems to work great so far. Of course, I did not even finish a print with it yet, but what is printing right now looks promising.</div>
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All in all the MMU2S seems to be a very fun and proper working option for multi color or even multi material printing. I am going to experiment a lot with this, for sure, so expect some more updates on MM prints soon.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-65712782223436039542019-03-26T19:18:00.001+01:002019-04-18T13:15:03.136+02:00reactive desk light (to music or other sound)Another fun project, some (music) reactive desk lights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPIvDK3xJI-5aHeyVxxN4uBHkl6kJ9LGLwjfQwMVIItcKJLqEriEnpvbvQzZGC7bhD2RLkHqqAVbHE0Bi-xg4AIqF6mMMRa6BjOxHXnUTVGETUSRHVivXe_WFBcP9RDmkHaAG5xKXg9k/s1600/IMG_20190303_124648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPIvDK3xJI-5aHeyVxxN4uBHkl6kJ9LGLwjfQwMVIItcKJLqEriEnpvbvQzZGC7bhD2RLkHqqAVbHE0Bi-xg4AIqF6mMMRa6BjOxHXnUTVGETUSRHVivXe_WFBcP9RDmkHaAG5xKXg9k/s320/IMG_20190303_124648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>This project was inspired by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCggHsHce2n3vvbJf_8YKrMA">Nerdforge</a>, who did a <a href="https://youtu.be/5oRir4dck_w">YouTube video on that</a> a while back.<br />
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What I took from the video</h2>
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For this project, I got most parts like Nerdforge described in the video. An Arduino Nano (328 in my case), the same microphone as he used and some WS2812b LED strips. Also, a plastic pipe for the center to attach the LEDs on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV-w5McukQLvvU4K7ZOAgtYMLO_DKiAc05AI9_QM3dWAAPeOaq3hZUI7KgGa3v4OFd_9qsIDUu5TcHYE5TYyhfMJDrPeRdI97O3fWey8EyGJIl-4lNY_xzDOn_4bxRe3YDldG4yw10bw/s1600/IMG_20190303_090000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV-w5McukQLvvU4K7ZOAgtYMLO_DKiAc05AI9_QM3dWAAPeOaq3hZUI7KgGa3v4OFd_9qsIDUu5TcHYE5TYyhfMJDrPeRdI97O3fWey8EyGJIl-4lNY_xzDOn_4bxRe3YDldG4yw10bw/s320/IMG_20190303_090000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic components set up at a Breadboard</td></tr>
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The code I used is also from him with some small adjustments.</div>
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Where the differences start</h2>
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I used a different glass as I wanted it to be a bit milky all the way (including the bottom which will become the top of the light construction). I found some glasses fitting well at a local store, but it has been clear, not milky. This could be solved by some frost glass effect spray from Amazon.</div>
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Also very handy, the lid was a screw cover, which would make it very easy to open it up again to get access to all the electronics, but still be locked save enough to not get open by mistake.</div>
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So I had to create a different base for the project. This is where it became very interesting. I wanted to print a base so the pipe in the middle with the LEDs can be removed again. Also, the power socket should be locked in place securely with the power plug connected from the side to the whole construction. Also, the Arduino should be accessible as well as the mic needs to catch the surrounding sound.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEFUD2-mO7r7_It6IGrA2xt069fvbUxQuQVo1BUmnBIDyHiauVJpslbwJ0pMuleQRKgxkE_riGB5W_0wss99zUP1D9x_UdxYw6B93G1KfRaas59PZpUQZJC5oUrQq3iToiG2bFdvIou4/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-03-03+09-02-36-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEFUD2-mO7r7_It6IGrA2xt069fvbUxQuQVo1BUmnBIDyHiauVJpslbwJ0pMuleQRKgxkE_riGB5W_0wss99zUP1D9x_UdxYw6B93G1KfRaas59PZpUQZJC5oUrQq3iToiG2bFdvIou4/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-03-03+09-02-36-COLLAGE.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power socket and a 3D model of it</td></tr>
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To achieve this, I was designing a model of the power socket first. This would allow me later on, to do a boolean subtraction from the rest of the base. I was also saving it as a separate model to use it in other projects as well. You might have seen another use for this in my <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2019/03/diy-ambient-light-in-living-room.html">living room ambient light project</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq4nrYrWz1oan3cQQ8k_qwTJOruSnEp80D3hg2ChOsDwhaNYY8M9nEoN73N7srlqhfti5GlQPPShR2N_9fHbePdYJcjeY5airZbgVCicimnjbM84-wsxvDX1LjYS7kNfmxNQ4ZOJrGvA/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-03-03+09-00-45-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq4nrYrWz1oan3cQQ8k_qwTJOruSnEp80D3hg2ChOsDwhaNYY8M9nEoN73N7srlqhfti5GlQPPShR2N_9fHbePdYJcjeY5airZbgVCicimnjbM84-wsxvDX1LjYS7kNfmxNQ4ZOJrGvA/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-03-03+09-00-45-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D model of the base and the printed base(s)</td></tr>
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I designed the base and subtracted the power socked from it. The base itself consists of two components, the base body, and the feet. I did two separate pieces here to get them easier to print. After printing, they just got glued together. This way, no support or bridging was required which gave me very precise prints where all the components just snug fit into.</div>
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As you can see, I printed two of them as I wanted to build two of these party lights (for our next office party :) ).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OjZ5WWXqX1LKNdrVi3__bTjGFVQYfmYP2vw830ywYprMreroWeSFmBZazeGpFj5OfLas2iJlRI14i8uByqk2j8Tkwd46A0zvEANNAXProRHdyrDqSXd-WTldwaq7A5VtMBzWjWi7TI0/s1600/IMG_20190303_085859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OjZ5WWXqX1LKNdrVi3__bTjGFVQYfmYP2vw830ywYprMreroWeSFmBZazeGpFj5OfLas2iJlRI14i8uByqk2j8Tkwd46A0zvEANNAXProRHdyrDqSXd-WTldwaq7A5VtMBzWjWi7TI0/s320/IMG_20190303_085859.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base with feed and lid on top of it</td></tr>
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Next, the lid of the glass tubes needed to get a hole cut into them and glued/screwed on top of the base. Also, the electronic components needed to get soldered and put in place. I secured them with a bit of hot glue.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU_wk9VyfwdVFkjvMKuaP22aj8aUpooRUCA16P2HO2_kYVmb5RtXq7ybRvvhYI8EIEqlffeaUDGM6PiriBsZOwaCXK512OM1utf8H33YuugMerDL2WaLooUdfw4Nw6xwVwv0y472jKbg/s1600/IMG_20190303_104044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU_wk9VyfwdVFkjvMKuaP22aj8aUpooRUCA16P2HO2_kYVmb5RtXq7ybRvvhYI8EIEqlffeaUDGM6PiriBsZOwaCXK512OM1utf8H33YuugMerDL2WaLooUdfw4Nw6xwVwv0y472jKbg/s320/IMG_20190303_104044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldered in components and stuck in place tube in the background</td></tr>
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Now the only thing left to do was to glue the LEDs around the tube and connect them with the rest.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r3M_-sdfopuWbLXIVVuOiAEJLYqzRCgCn5E0p4XZedIBPWO876JapjhljQeBW5d-r-EHYkvg8MMkfoODFWTMji0bc1Vz0sJZw-u9OM_a-6-fj9LqoRhAFmhMLVX8z9wzunvtO8Zkm_E/s1600/IMG_20190303_110429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r3M_-sdfopuWbLXIVVuOiAEJLYqzRCgCn5E0p4XZedIBPWO876JapjhljQeBW5d-r-EHYkvg8MMkfoODFWTMji0bc1Vz0sJZw-u9OM_a-6-fj9LqoRhAFmhMLVX8z9wzunvtO8Zkm_E/s320/IMG_20190303_110429.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A first test run of the lights after installation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After putting everything together, the result was absolutely satisfying :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTLYPnlid3pHimlOKfRBu8ObirO8NOol4LFMzak-ykP8WUcACoR-GeyK2z7lhk21WGcGVb4TTLQhLjme4KnZDU3L61gft_B2DHttMFrDy4bWjqtonjDSQ9x87vWfxP2wQP4hjBdVuUog/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTLYPnlid3pHimlOKfRBu8ObirO8NOol4LFMzak-ykP8WUcACoR-GeyK2z7lhk21WGcGVb4TTLQhLjme4KnZDU3L61gft_B2DHttMFrDy4bWjqtonjDSQ9x87vWfxP2wQP4hjBdVuUog/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GIF of the light in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MVWTs2b2J1w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MVWTs2b2J1w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all this project was fun and the result is great. It impresses me over and over again what you can do with a bit of creativity, some electronics, and a 3D printer. It's really a great combination.</div>
<div>
This project did cost about 30 € for each lamp.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-53532493601809947392019-03-01T13:40:00.002+01:002019-03-01T13:43:50.548+01:00DIY ambient light in the living roomIt's been a while since our <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/09/diy-home-automation-corridor.html">corridor project</a> and we had plans for some changes to the living room since quite some time ... so it was time to make another one reality.<br />
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr21Bh9gwJu5crwasKr8YBCcbAz_q0IY5yYzLqa294f0FyhBEpUiasUwks4BU6cwGcxyTh89L6HW9GCXMvipsYPBWKiUdGLfa9qchRCeIkLBOT0COJcwEaeDlZ9PEJx47XjdmrD-hCIA/s1600/IMG_20190301_112947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr21Bh9gwJu5crwasKr8YBCcbAz_q0IY5yYzLqa294f0FyhBEpUiasUwks4BU6cwGcxyTh89L6HW9GCXMvipsYPBWKiUdGLfa9qchRCeIkLBOT0COJcwEaeDlZ9PEJx47XjdmrD-hCIA/s320/IMG_20190301_112947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
What is this project about?</h2>
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<div>
The main purpose of this project has been to get a bit more ambient light into our living room. As this room only has one window, which is often also darkened by a shutter as the sun in the evening hours tends to become dazzling in this room, so it's often a bit dark.</div>
<div>
The idea was to get a shelf behind the couch with an LED strip in the middle of it. Of course, we didn't want just the simple LED solution with remote control. The plan was to include some buttons to control the light inside the board directly. Later on, the LED should also not only light in a specific color at a time but display some animations and effects.</div>
<div>
Further on, a charging station for smartphones should be built in as well.</div>
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<h2>
The hardware</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We went for some WS2812b RGB strips, two pushbuttons with LED (white for power on/off and orange for changing the color/animation of the LED strip), pots (to control the brightness) and a three-port USB power connector. When thinking about how to control it, we decided for a Raspberry Py Zero W, as it's easier to connect with other DIY solutions we are about to build, because of the build in wifi and Bluetooth.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUocFQ_LUXimTyDb5cS643hpOuocMIYVO-WAgTBC9wn-yI4BZURpwkE3X21QMA8POYHz60dlbqg8Ci0p7MyUZ1pNcy8l_5Wtly7-iS7G2EEO79DeN-XHFwOG8EJ5pCQgdWakn2qiIxddk/s1600/JPEG_20190227_150736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUocFQ_LUXimTyDb5cS643hpOuocMIYVO-WAgTBC9wn-yI4BZURpwkE3X21QMA8POYHz60dlbqg8Ci0p7MyUZ1pNcy8l_5Wtly7-iS7G2EEO79DeN-XHFwOG8EJ5pCQgdWakn2qiIxddk/s320/JPEG_20190227_150736.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test setup at a breadboard</td></tr>
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<div>
The first step was to set up all the electronic components at a test environment and get the base programming done in Python (more on that later in this article).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the base construction, we got two boards of wood. One of them got cut in two smaller pieces to make room for the aluminum LED ledge. The two smaller pieces then got glued on top the carrier board and secured with a few screws.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT22mpRXo7_lli2S7zErF2axLx_9i57s5-tnkXhH_UszfRPpMfixNsSmVVQWnBkY03TEygQQDVgYj1IpCqlRDTmT9HNOFElXtS5IYIY8Ihz98eVh-hGiaaD7T16O91cHQDQk6dLGTkRQ/s1600/IMG_20190228_130622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT22mpRXo7_lli2S7zErF2axLx_9i57s5-tnkXhH_UszfRPpMfixNsSmVVQWnBkY03TEygQQDVgYj1IpCqlRDTmT9HNOFElXtS5IYIY8Ihz98eVh-hGiaaD7T16O91cHQDQk6dLGTkRQ/s320/IMG_20190228_130622.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base construction</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next, we had to provide the holes for the buttons, the pots and the USB power connector for smartphones. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLC6LH7pLMtEzq-f9GF1UV-PP_XNwJP5ph-_N-SrFJiIBUDbzFOA1Za9a15r7M97wcHKZEMMcJnjF9C3roANbBnkGm_91o1f7ejLVUAu1rhfLVsvzZkMiAw6qdiZAgEGkqIlq6YmNInU/s1600/IMG_20190228_142459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLC6LH7pLMtEzq-f9GF1UV-PP_XNwJP5ph-_N-SrFJiIBUDbzFOA1Za9a15r7M97wcHKZEMMcJnjF9C3roANbBnkGm_91o1f7ejLVUAu1rhfLVsvzZkMiAw6qdiZAgEGkqIlq6YmNInU/s320/IMG_20190228_142459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The holes for the accessories</td></tr>
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<div>
</div>
<div>
For the Raspberry Pi Zero W and the LED power connector, we 3D printed some cases. The one for the Pi we just downloaded at <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2823027">Thingiverse, created by endif</a>, the one for the power connector we designed our self.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbotXJnY8ycu1jcHdxHO99Y9qzg4NCA4GeMAcaPkK4V3IlN_0oZTHWr4-Al0wvN1bma3nqoBAQGVajScsbf7aWHdJkheOF0jlXGvNyd0piR69iwg8QRTGBxJp1t_FuQlf2pU-E8Auqg/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-02-28+20-25-29-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbotXJnY8ycu1jcHdxHO99Y9qzg4NCA4GeMAcaPkK4V3IlN_0oZTHWr4-Al0wvN1bma3nqoBAQGVajScsbf7aWHdJkheOF0jlXGvNyd0piR69iwg8QRTGBxJp1t_FuQlf2pU-E8Auqg/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-02-28+20-25-29-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D printed press-fitting case for the power plug</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After that, all the electronics had to be transferred from the breadboard to the shelf, which was quite some soldering and a bit tricky at some parts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt0AFO354lDbjEOF02_FxNoVffIppzRwh6QPcYNnahz-x-8zp4Bl91vAzQxYCMVp6MvBGNkdWY752L6XZCYYPi4wwL9UoHIJ88XV_nfRDESVwqFAdPJRSNbd3Kc3Sbaz9E_x-nT4yQNo/s1600/IMG_20190228_164622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt0AFO354lDbjEOF02_FxNoVffIppzRwh6QPcYNnahz-x-8zp4Bl91vAzQxYCMVp6MvBGNkdWY752L6XZCYYPi4wwL9UoHIJ88XV_nfRDESVwqFAdPJRSNbd3Kc3Sbaz9E_x-nT4yQNo/s320/IMG_20190228_164622.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Position layout before soldering</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Tq2lH1jGuyCgVIbERI_kwYBK_VO069K_Nhwa4NpukZLSiYU39SirL_D6qqBuzfwmPoUYef7szbd-5m6X8KR23A9zT1olEG2FWU6-P-81EmO9326zRTQmoyolDcatF2KmQXVjqk3mAM/s1600/IMG_20190228_201016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Tq2lH1jGuyCgVIbERI_kwYBK_VO069K_Nhwa4NpukZLSiYU39SirL_D6qqBuzfwmPoUYef7szbd-5m6X8KR23A9zT1olEG2FWU6-P-81EmO9326zRTQmoyolDcatF2KmQXVjqk3mAM/s320/IMG_20190228_201016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything soldered and put in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time to test if everything is still running :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_FT2H6A2xIAopsZfdtjGbRkoxvbZZIb60yC0zbgGyCt9dCXp1aDoFVlVgXTTYzVvWi4RbqW3LTWsNwZvFqB0QpG3NvEKTKx26Zud6aBU6XYcrk_Q2ZsJwN7EtcxLtjQwb84qnwGVxKo/s1600/IMG_20190228_194029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_FT2H6A2xIAopsZfdtjGbRkoxvbZZIb60yC0zbgGyCt9dCXp1aDoFVlVgXTTYzVvWi4RbqW3LTWsNwZvFqB0QpG3NvEKTKx26Zud6aBU6XYcrk_Q2ZsJwN7EtcxLtjQwb84qnwGVxKo/s320/IMG_20190228_194029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buttons lit up and were working, same for the LED strip</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time to get everything mounted at the wall with some angles, screws, and dowels. We positioned the shelf behind the couch, just at the height of the couch rest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaN606ht8QjM9iK3y75guTJGCa7FUdi8LoMVZ-NyYwxKE1GLgFdM12GyQApGNEmLHaLTmFWksGl4rvrOxNkJbowLfxkgXsHvXyCveIoGZzdGnfP_tkatbiSV0qIFum9wC9U58Izw9r_s/s1600/IMG_20190301_111607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaN606ht8QjM9iK3y75guTJGCa7FUdi8LoMVZ-NyYwxKE1GLgFdM12GyQApGNEmLHaLTmFWksGl4rvrOxNkJbowLfxkgXsHvXyCveIoGZzdGnfP_tkatbiSV0qIFum9wC9U58Izw9r_s/s320/IMG_20190301_111607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelf mounted to the wall</td></tr>
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<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76cWf3K_U0L7RYVdsa0lS8ZdFGQTe4H0GdMlUQpUxyto081jC2TPAXWvmBBWUJDgFsClgbabWXxx2wMakeAgegdutJKW46JmdFsgEVndRDKM9Mp24__QNjFT-vqI8k9CqR4ybKrzsfE8/s1600/IMG_20190301_112234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76cWf3K_U0L7RYVdsa0lS8ZdFGQTe4H0GdMlUQpUxyto081jC2TPAXWvmBBWUJDgFsClgbabWXxx2wMakeAgegdutJKW46JmdFsgEVndRDKM9Mp24__QNjFT-vqI8k9CqR4ybKrzsfE8/s320/IMG_20190301_112234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons and charger behind the couch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich2P_kWfn3pnF4yWXBHu0Ma0yXwM9N-mxA4UEeXo1eajRH8TbqRKBqkrzhsvotKaJcGe1Rb3N5nxDc-2fmUP2gtE1ZPDDegyQIpiqAdlHcFnC3G57AaaBGY5ZkYg8cE2sIywxPEC-hHQ/s1600/IMG_20190301_112947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich2P_kWfn3pnF4yWXBHu0Ma0yXwM9N-mxA4UEeXo1eajRH8TbqRKBqkrzhsvotKaJcGe1Rb3N5nxDc-2fmUP2gtE1ZPDDegyQIpiqAdlHcFnC3G57AaaBGY5ZkYg8cE2sIywxPEC-hHQ/s320/IMG_20190301_112947.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambient light behind the couch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For now, the brightness is set to a fixed (relatively low) value. Later on, the pots will allow to adjust the brightness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The software</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As mentioned above, the used board was a Raspberry Pi Zero W, therefore I could use Python for programming language :) . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I was recently setting up a different workstation for me at home, a PC with Ubuntu Linux and <a href="https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/">PyCharm</a> as IDE, I wanted to try a different approach this time.</div>
<div>
Usually, I directly connect to the Pi by ssh or vnc and develop directly on the device. Most of the time I by using VIM directly at a console for that. This time I wanted to try to remote connect to the Pi by PyCharm. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvZExxLNGF79r-PFmLCAUqOtlwd3wfDkfoJr6HYIyi5m1Aw8jbXIs4iS7Du84NBQIM142vLnKoEj26xbC2NCUvHp2RmcQd4oSni07r0iyQNo3VGBgqtcJNAwBuv-ANj8F9u4a4SZiCMA/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-03-01+12-40-37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1567" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvZExxLNGF79r-PFmLCAUqOtlwd3wfDkfoJr6HYIyi5m1Aw8jbXIs4iS7Du84NBQIM142vLnKoEj26xbC2NCUvHp2RmcQd4oSni07r0iyQNo3VGBgqtcJNAwBuv-ANj8F9u4a4SZiCMA/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-03-01+12-40-37.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PyCharm IDE with ssh connection and remote interpreter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At first I had some struggles to figure out how this setup would work and where I should manage the Git repository, but in the end, I got it to work.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This way I had a very strong IDE available with all its features, including debugging code remotely at the Pi itself, using a remote Python interpreter directly at the Pi. At first, a problem occurred here was that I had to run the code with sudo permissions but remotely I could only run it normally. I managed to solve this by a script created at the Pi that I called remotely to run this instead of the interpreter directly and set the interpreter call within the script with sudo rights.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That means I was able to run the code within PyCharm while accessing all the GPIO-pins of the Pi and use the IDEs debugging capabilities as well. Also, the management of the Git repository could be handled within PyCharm.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a really great experience and success to me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The project had some challenges to get over but the result is great. In the first version we deployed now, the aim was to get it up at a wall and running. Later improvements will be done to the code mainly as well as the inclusion of the pots, which is not connected at the moment (it will control the brightness of the LEDs once it has been set up).</div>
<div>
Also, different color animations will be implemented in the near future.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all the hardware for this project did sum up at about 80 €.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-40422325409604519582019-01-29T20:33:00.002+01:002019-01-29T20:33:38.695+01:00New roommate "Morte" - 3D printed skull with animated eyesGot a new roommate, Morte. He is more on the quiet site (for now) but very interested in his surroundings...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAoy8vK3uvG7Qo4Gh_omXDM5RVDgaXzw-MHWz7vpAFtzvVyeNvQtKzIdXPhFv6d94mSdF_uA4o9oaZAFeuwLAZMa1EQW2H_eNU3EsWsN_RU3ftt2BVDb4wATYaza1cBzliTnnfuT8VuY/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAoy8vK3uvG7Qo4Gh_omXDM5RVDgaXzw-MHWz7vpAFtzvVyeNvQtKzIdXPhFv6d94mSdF_uA4o9oaZAFeuwLAZMa1EQW2H_eNU3EsWsN_RU3ftt2BVDb4wATYaza1cBzliTnnfuT8VuY/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>As teased in my article about <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/11/3d-printing-used-existing-models.html">3D printing - used existing models</a>, I was printing a skull to combine with some displays to make him somewhat alive.<br />
So actually, this is one of my projects, where I combined 3D printing and electronics.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The electronics</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I used this <a href="https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-snake-eyes-bonnet-for-raspberry-pi/">Animated Snake Eyes Bonnet for Raspberry Pi</a>. Actually, I bought it a while back and was looking for a good model to place the eyes in since then.</div>
<div>
The linked page describes very detailedly how to build it and set it up so I am not going into details here. </div>
<div>
First I was testing it with a Raspberry Pi Zero W, but the animation was stuttering. Means, more processing power was required. So I went for the new <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-a-plus/">Raspberry Pi A 3+</a> as it has the same power as the 3 B+ but a smaller footprint, which comes in handy by trying to place it into an object.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tFP-oeWKxnMNiWfNzblAt-gInaWaNBvNcW1_H5N1UL7PWNCFp2dqV1wUU5kqyxdReIYyWMnpTpozx0oI6ZFhfB_zKSAZOb65mWKjPeUFC8Jd52AePrwHwyuNlsA8h0dBFNqAZMgF_bE/s1600/IMG_20181027_151905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tFP-oeWKxnMNiWfNzblAt-gInaWaNBvNcW1_H5N1UL7PWNCFp2dqV1wUU5kqyxdReIYyWMnpTpozx0oI6ZFhfB_zKSAZOb65mWKjPeUFC8Jd52AePrwHwyuNlsA8h0dBFNqAZMgF_bE/s320/IMG_20181027_151905.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first setup for the eyes, they are working.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The skull</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was looking for a good skull model for quite some time and did some test prints with models I found. Either they didn't turn out quite as well as I hoped or they did not offer enough space to place the eyes (and other electronics).</div>
<div>
Finally, I found the <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1086818">Oni Skull by adafruit</a>, which looked promising. In the makes to this thing on Thingiverse, I found another user who had basically build the same project into that skull object, <a class="" href="https://www.thingiverse.com/ElmoC/about">ElmoC</a>. I contacted him and he was kind enough to help me a bit with the model. I also wanted to do some more adjustments like removing some parts in the mouth area so I learned a bit more about MeshMixer :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BE_5rIR_r0VTccTqL2PRcXGZR4B3W3Aw52ymIGQm4Yflv3tp2bgK1MHCbVAUM4P2v2zdAUICiePdgmf84n9y9shYBuA3S3GpwU70LmoU9gqQBgQtu9OU1qqSTk_ia1CZDe6oThIc-dg/s1600/IMG_20181104_093510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BE_5rIR_r0VTccTqL2PRcXGZR4B3W3Aw52ymIGQm4Yflv3tp2bgK1MHCbVAUM4P2v2zdAUICiePdgmf84n9y9shYBuA3S3GpwU70LmoU9gqQBgQtu9OU1qqSTk_ia1CZDe6oThIc-dg/s320/IMG_20181104_093510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First skull with not quite fitting eyes ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
When I was happy, I printed the skull and tried to place the eyes into it. I soon realized that I had printed it a bit too small. The eyes only fit in in a way that they where facing in a wired angle. Means, I printed it again, a bit larger this time. The eyes now fit a lot better into it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1SESUKtpM-AdD-CowSlmInVKG4Yy5VRqby7oHFDeT10pRigcEM0tH9uxgI848_moGDiFF1qiCTNQM3Rt8gIAccX4I2q_yPuYDHPqj9EhngWfY1cB8Izhp9yUOdUVYkPF0_f0HhUivzU/s1600/IMG_20181128_171216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1SESUKtpM-AdD-CowSlmInVKG4Yy5VRqby7oHFDeT10pRigcEM0tH9uxgI848_moGDiFF1qiCTNQM3Rt8gIAccX4I2q_yPuYDHPqj9EhngWfY1cB8Izhp9yUOdUVYkPF0_f0HhUivzU/s320/IMG_20181128_171216.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first and second skull in size comparison.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And yes, I had to use quite some support ...<br />
<br />
The size was a lot better now. The eyes would fit into for sure. But now I had to create an adapter for the eyes so the display would fit in from the backside and the adapter itself would fit nicely into the skulls eye holes.<br />
<br />
To get that done, I designed an adapter for the displays first and adjusted it in a few iterations to fit into the skull as well. Further on, it should also hold a lens over the eye animation at the displays to give them a bit more of a round, three-dimensional look.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0XWwsQ1JM6la55QiLRoDpwUPUu3t6VDneiadDlMZgwdIa0e9Zt5tpRwzvOx5oW0ZunawHOWHCZtp0FWxaG-AeWhZ3hGxR7zJqDYlx3IF1ELNCCnrc042NUc0FnealgS49n9tKewS_2g/s1600/IMG_20181223_081228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0XWwsQ1JM6la55QiLRoDpwUPUu3t6VDneiadDlMZgwdIa0e9Zt5tpRwzvOx5oW0ZunawHOWHCZtp0FWxaG-AeWhZ3hGxR7zJqDYlx3IF1ELNCCnrc042NUc0FnealgS49n9tKewS_2g/s320/IMG_20181223_081228.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iteration of display adapters (first to last is right to left).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the picture above, you can see the iterations of the adapter from the first version (right) to the last one I am using now (left) as well as the displays and the lenses, I wanted to use. I was also creating them with an angle so they better match the skull. In the end, they snap fit into the skull model.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sc0NoPherzOEW6XSIK8QAIi0BixBL_PAC7g-LclVEaeVoA4868D5-DxEQR1ec-3ELEvlZWlgRrlxYXVV0ctdKOnk6q1Z_jxUgTbG99B-g5nffrffFIFlWd12Y4hOAbKcfbCqOxayuok/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-01-29+19-23-56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sc0NoPherzOEW6XSIK8QAIi0BixBL_PAC7g-LclVEaeVoA4868D5-DxEQR1ec-3ELEvlZWlgRrlxYXVV0ctdKOnk6q1Z_jxUgTbG99B-g5nffrffFIFlWd12Y4hOAbKcfbCqOxayuok/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-01-29+19-23-56.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The display adapter for the left eye (printed mirrored for the right eye).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><h2>
Assembly</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When it came to the assembly, I was placing the eyes in first, fixating them with a bit of hot glue. Next, I had to find a place for the Raspberry Pi, which required me to create another adapter as the Pi (in it's printed case) has a flat surface, while the skull inner side is rounded. I created a little piece to glue into the skull so I could place the Pi on top of it. I also designed it in a way where I had holes for cable ties included, so I did not need to glue the Pi in, just in case I want to easily remove it again.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU7dB-dQrzUCLwgU2TSRZR0NYmwKNrFYiJ0F3VCEk-88tj3kCM-EY9h_UUr5_D-eTTfC2MGzZG5HdFP7yyqwru4C9qc4eD6j5WKJRt7339c1xvGnbVYS7TQ5vSyzy4oFh7bnEM9OquJg/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-01-29+19-23-32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU7dB-dQrzUCLwgU2TSRZR0NYmwKNrFYiJ0F3VCEk-88tj3kCM-EY9h_UUr5_D-eTTfC2MGzZG5HdFP7yyqwru4C9qc4eD6j5WKJRt7339c1xvGnbVYS7TQ5vSyzy4oFh7bnEM9OquJg/s320/Screenshot+from+2019-01-29+19-23-32.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adapter for the Raspberry Pi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the Pi was set into place, I connected the Eyes to it. </div>
<div>
I also placed a small power bank into the skull so I could keep it going for about two hours without a power connection ... when walking around with a skull under my arm.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xSvzQU0tlnyvqB24nAj_SLbelILlwuBIAu1hsz1-SzkwbN-cBDE0Cj3H9UApFngb_nO5cxg0dpkftX_CKtQKnZuzsT9k8VFzi-xxmsDu_qkO5HAMijGRP6QVOAPD7Nz-zvormoIh0CU/s1600/IMG_20181225_141711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xSvzQU0tlnyvqB24nAj_SLbelILlwuBIAu1hsz1-SzkwbN-cBDE0Cj3H9UApFngb_nO5cxg0dpkftX_CKtQKnZuzsT9k8VFzi-xxmsDu_qkO5HAMijGRP6QVOAPD7Nz-zvormoIh0CU/s320/IMG_20181225_141711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner view with the power bank and Raspberry Pi.<br />The eyes (displays) are behind the power bank.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the end, I was creating a small hole at the back side of the skull with a screwdriver (heating it with a lighter, then just pressing gently through the PLA) to put a micro USB connector into it. This way, the skull can be charged while standing flat on a table.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQbHa_VEF06VhsxDCHgFgIYdtQKheHRaUp-wAYxDmM-FqQIjMJ7HX-D851gmo6XZGo83FOBedOx0b4ebfTOlbLO1vBwsHi2WRWdy4Ln8n5oRIgkC7jDfMKztMmHv7xTEdW8HY4hzX00E/s1600/IMG_20181223_173320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQbHa_VEF06VhsxDCHgFgIYdtQKheHRaUp-wAYxDmM-FqQIjMJ7HX-D851gmo6XZGo83FOBedOx0b4ebfTOlbLO1vBwsHi2WRWdy4Ln8n5oRIgkC7jDfMKztMmHv7xTEdW8HY4hzX00E/s320/IMG_20181223_173320.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finalized skull with eyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am very happy how that project turned out and it has been a lot of fun. It's even more fun now to show it around and see the surprised eyes of my colleagues and spectators.</div>
<div>
It's surely not the cheapest (with about 100 € in materials) but a very fun project and a great decoration object for Halloween.</div>
<div>
Have a look at the video below to see the skull with animated eyes in action.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/umlQ01a02PI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/umlQ01a02PI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the way, if you don't know yet, I named him after the flying skull from <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Planescape:_Torment">Planscape: Torment</a>, a game I enjoyed a lot, especially the cynical skull ...</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-15293198939566729712018-12-29T13:18:00.000+01:002018-12-29T13:18:13.572+01:00DIY electronics & 3D-printing - LithopanesLike I mentioned before, combining 3D-printing and electronics is an exciting area. It gets even more exciting by adding another of my former hobbies ... photography.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgk7u9QBW2Lss-pL-KFoQwCm4vr7hk6YDT0VJsJA3qt5AhVb524BXLFBglJWdlane9NL70tI3vglEI6B6cF5_ImeDrlh4kZIZf_qkdP9kVGsTFcL93YUsk7yPCHOw3WVk3GC31e877ZE/s1600/IMG_20180924_060804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgk7u9QBW2Lss-pL-KFoQwCm4vr7hk6YDT0VJsJA3qt5AhVb524BXLFBglJWdlane9NL70tI3vglEI6B6cF5_ImeDrlh4kZIZf_qkdP9kVGsTFcL93YUsk7yPCHOw3WVk3GC31e877ZE/s320/IMG_20180924_060804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>I found this by some YouTube videos about 3D printing. The possibility to make any image into a lithophane.<br />
<br />
<h2>
What are lithophanes?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lithophanes are images that are etched or molded into some kind of structure. This way a light source placed behind them (like a candle or window) will shine through at the thin parts more than at the thick parts. Because of the difference in material thickness and the structure of it, the images become a bit more of a 3D effect to them.<br />
This technique is not new by any means. Lithophanes are known in Europe since around 1820.<br />
<br />
In this picture, you see a lithophane without a light shining through so you can see the structures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtE9wsLEFlQYdQj13f9VlZArzMXuh73zmTOUqR8mczx1zithhSOSiQFXqbDw89wdpSkZ8mMSzS0hILeGmFiX7k1SYOVJOaffxwDXQT9YXAFDTOs8x4pGJj7_bUAUyktosvORM9DIhydE/s1600/IMG_20181221_210834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtE9wsLEFlQYdQj13f9VlZArzMXuh73zmTOUqR8mczx1zithhSOSiQFXqbDw89wdpSkZ8mMSzS0hILeGmFiX7k1SYOVJOaffxwDXQT9YXAFDTOs8x4pGJj7_bUAUyktosvORM9DIhydE/s320/IMG_20181221_210834.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Structures of a lithophane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next picture shows the effect of the same lithophane but with an enabled light source behind is so the light shines through.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhxId4qR6eJ1gxUGkmPSUi9CwIjmRU214pdaSWttVjLTQmSTXFyhJrBmTSqawoYHZdw5U97ki80rvLk1ufaWe-EDSMYhQ_ppldlUWqbPIbZnqAXIozRUQMe-ga6ZIcb9JRVQ2LR_K9OQ/s1600/IMG_20181221_210841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhxId4qR6eJ1gxUGkmPSUi9CwIjmRU214pdaSWttVjLTQmSTXFyhJrBmTSqawoYHZdw5U97ki80rvLk1ufaWe-EDSMYhQ_ppldlUWqbPIbZnqAXIozRUQMe-ga6ZIcb9JRVQ2LR_K9OQ/s320/IMG_20181221_210841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enlighted lithophane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
How to create one yourself?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, that's actually quite easy. There is software rendering a normal image into a lithophane. For example, <a href="http://3dp.rocks/lithophane/">http://3dp.rocks/lithophane/</a> is a free web service that you can upload an image to and download the lithophane created out of it. There are several settings and even form factors to choose from, so pick one fitting to your needs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBmtkiINC5LGh0IQYqpK6fmp7vsUECD5g177Niuikf-4bpPeOZ2lzlvKALk3mzL38e8Ijk8yqVxdsxeVyTMSVdTzbDx55O1Do_CTYF1gqgr5OwVLrCmH0HfDw1bjoVBuAjDh_lZ4-3aw/s1600/Screenshot+2018-12-29+at+12.26.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1189" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBmtkiINC5LGh0IQYqpK6fmp7vsUECD5g177Niuikf-4bpPeOZ2lzlvKALk3mzL38e8Ijk8yqVxdsxeVyTMSVdTzbDx55O1Do_CTYF1gqgr5OwVLrCmH0HfDw1bjoVBuAjDh_lZ4-3aw/s320/Screenshot+2018-12-29+at+12.26.22.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different options to create lithophanes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The file downloaded is an stl file, that can be sliced and send to your 3D printer. When slicing this images for the printer, you should set infill to 100 % in order to avoid infill structures shining through and dar areas not becoming really dark. Also as this images should be printed standing for the best resolutions, I would highly recommend to use a brim.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The complete package</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we wanted to give some as a gift to our family, there needed a way to not only hand an image they need to place at a window or put a candle behind it, I wanted something more finished.</div>
<div>
At Thingiverse, I found a very nice lithophane <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3109153">case that works with batteries</a> by <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/rovimartinez" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #248bfb; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">rovimartinez</a>.</div>
<div>
There were a few not optimal things that I had to work around like the battery cover mechanic was not fitting completely, but nothing a file could not solve.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The case was made for the Outer Curve lithophanes at an aspect ratio of 570 x 520. After the first test prints, I was adjusting the images created by that ratio a little bit by adding one millimeter to its width, then the image was fitting perfect into the frame without light bleeding at the sides.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the electronics, I was adding a flat LED, a switch and some metal plates and springs for the battery holder. The electronics have been ordered by Aliexpress, as usually :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0fXqy7EqkawnGIblqdezHOq0creRSKJ4QncovHODZgmQy3JvFaBVMv6plYOs4-VXj1-51czGYeugCtKJanC6pZ542rYtMA7oGMb11D1nCwPBqUjqawWgbmgQJA45t8-TgFeIBFdkLOw/s1600/IMG_20181203_164137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0fXqy7EqkawnGIblqdezHOq0creRSKJ4QncovHODZgmQy3JvFaBVMv6plYOs4-VXj1-51czGYeugCtKJanC6pZ542rYtMA7oGMb11D1nCwPBqUjqawWgbmgQJA45t8-TgFeIBFdkLOw/s320/IMG_20181203_164137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One single flat LED was enough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo78MrBTR4gDpqhKUMT-3oJSvAgudNo_2bMUsV1OTkZWG7bxlqKy9NetNh2DxY8SyHx9zZSNHYCycCyLVvCRPxRaWQU_pXtY6QE0KlcAiXYhZtX_cSOg2JV_gR_D1mAsqHzYJlBSdhyQ/s1600/IMG_20181203_164238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo78MrBTR4gDpqhKUMT-3oJSvAgudNo_2bMUsV1OTkZWG7bxlqKy9NetNh2DxY8SyHx9zZSNHYCycCyLVvCRPxRaWQU_pXtY6QE0KlcAiXYhZtX_cSOg2JV_gR_D1mAsqHzYJlBSdhyQ/s320/IMG_20181203_164238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two AA batteries have been enough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the LED, two AA batteries have been enough so I decided to place a dummy in the third battery spot and add the battery plates and feathers to only two spots.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The result</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The lithophane boxes are very nice and made great gifts for our family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9cIVir8_uEesW1LM45JlwM4syDjs_nasvKYFD7-5lqer6-0CmYQbsMY3ni02nFmcdoJSlcNFW8E9gd7Umer3nHt3f6D9RQOXeOeUBF7eVbtoPGWlaGWbhmMgNFKlssDwns2HM81DyJw/s1600/IMG_20181221_210812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9cIVir8_uEesW1LM45JlwM4syDjs_nasvKYFD7-5lqer6-0CmYQbsMY3ni02nFmcdoJSlcNFW8E9gd7Umer3nHt3f6D9RQOXeOeUBF7eVbtoPGWlaGWbhmMgNFKlssDwns2HM81DyJw/s320/IMG_20181221_210812.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A finished lithophane box switched off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLLqBJ4gzsF8ImTyHmDGRn2F3-tuykVDE6LFP0HQ0ys8TKMgLgFTnUFRHSSiDq-hazCTC_mpMuuJ0UmM0zUpgUbtdALhFemK3lECncc3931qYenxsRu6PaRuoH_qQiPRxgmN5Ba-7rLk/s1600/IMG_20181221_210819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLLqBJ4gzsF8ImTyHmDGRn2F3-tuykVDE6LFP0HQ0ys8TKMgLgFTnUFRHSSiDq-hazCTC_mpMuuJ0UmM0zUpgUbtdALhFemK3lECncc3931qYenxsRu6PaRuoH_qQiPRxgmN5Ba-7rLk/s320/IMG_20181221_210819.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A finished lithophane box switched on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the way, thanks again Olha, a colleague of mine, for taking this nice pictures of my wife and me. :)<br />
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The combination of electronics and 3D printing was great and enabled us to create some fun and surprising Christmas gifts that you would not be able to buy at all.</div>
<div>
Since I started 3D printing and electronics, I am creating more and more stuff my self ... more articles about that to come.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-14562806295641320262018-11-27T19:12:00.000+01:002018-11-27T19:12:10.282+01:003D printing - creating my own modelsPrinting existing models is fine and lots of fun already, but soon I reached the need to print some custom objects, way too specific for my needs that I could not find something fitting online.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYA5eeEzgOyNMU1futAkq_sTY-ObHPq4D-CEeIAgHOMlJcLZWpa28wa0Y_MO0S7vQ4lhHdgU4pB843BCA-qyyKMT65-LtZxCJXFAQtBAXDgU4hDUpiluMO37qer0IXegh54T2udUp8PU/s1600/IMG_20181004_074317-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYA5eeEzgOyNMU1futAkq_sTY-ObHPq4D-CEeIAgHOMlJcLZWpa28wa0Y_MO0S7vQ4lhHdgU4pB843BCA-qyyKMT65-LtZxCJXFAQtBAXDgU4hDUpiluMO37qer0IXegh54T2udUp8PU/s320/IMG_20181004_074317-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
Why creating my own designs?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Especially for my DIY electronic projects, but also for some specific needs around my new 3D printer and at my workspace, I found the opportunities to create my own models. This was mostly because I had way too specific requirements to find something fitting to my needs online created by someone else.<br />
I also saw a great chance of learning something new (or resurrect some old skills as I have been a technical illustrator in a previous life ...).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The CAD software I used</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are several options for CAD software to use. I decided to use Onshape as my main working device is a Chromebook and Onshape can be run in a Browser as a web service.<br />
That's a great option when working with the Chromebook in PC mode with a mouse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXN0JL-nXZr0U5-FT9tbT2sLLASGsKUpDTa_NzLkfHlJ5gpaMm_Sp9Fu7u6oEJzOawq5CG3lDKKE043WWyRpR7brS6UkTpAoNiHxTqplugWsLYPeEWjcQ7srzyRhFCy6Xojnd0SD7gYc/s1600/Screenshot+2018-11-26+at+17.33.31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXN0JL-nXZr0U5-FT9tbT2sLLASGsKUpDTa_NzLkfHlJ5gpaMm_Sp9Fu7u6oEJzOawq5CG3lDKKE043WWyRpR7brS6UkTpAoNiHxTqplugWsLYPeEWjcQ7srzyRhFCy6Xojnd0SD7gYc/s320/Screenshot+2018-11-26+at+17.33.31.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onshape in the browser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But when working mobile with the Chromebook, the Android app for Onshape comes in even more handy as it's optimized for touch screens. So I usually use it with the Chromebook flipped to tablet mode.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcmnhS6ctmQE47Y_LBziG-4W4wZlT9qKFMwQMC1hkKI8hppLcqSM4yWWL_sT21nInLYkh77Rs338z4FldnL-HJ-LNRAY8_TYSosolDRUBs9jzkA_vK261SnzOcJJ3IHI20NKIZbhRhCA/s1600/Screenshot+2018-11-26+at+17.34.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcmnhS6ctmQE47Y_LBziG-4W4wZlT9qKFMwQMC1hkKI8hppLcqSM4yWWL_sT21nInLYkh77Rs338z4FldnL-HJ-LNRAY8_TYSosolDRUBs9jzkA_vK261SnzOcJJ3IHI20NKIZbhRhCA/s320/Screenshot+2018-11-26+at+17.34.57.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onshape in the Android app</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All in all, a very good way to use a CAD tool at a Chromebook.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Example Objects I created so far</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One example of something I created around my printer is a very simple filament guide. Because I have a 2 kg spool of filament that can't sit on the printer filament holder, I am using a roller system behind the printer. But that means I need a guide to get the filament to the extruder. There are tons of solutions available online already, but I decided to create my own to meet the angle in which my printer and filament roller are set up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_uX5L3qCsSGTgYGGmo3Ls6J0OCumFggE7hFZuBSjq2w3YzgjVWIirHw8xPHJMXcfP-6r37tmdAvjWcpxgt6x4fOaEZ7_4r3pd0UXSd2GiRXb-wt3abcRzWRNZM1qW2JXbINg04VxdrU/s1600/Screenshot+2018-08-25+at+11.10.13+-+Display+2-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_uX5L3qCsSGTgYGGmo3Ls6J0OCumFggE7hFZuBSjq2w3YzgjVWIirHw8xPHJMXcfP-6r37tmdAvjWcpxgt6x4fOaEZ7_4r3pd0UXSd2GiRXb-wt3abcRzWRNZM1qW2JXbINg04VxdrU/s320/Screenshot+2018-08-25+at+11.10.13+-+Display+2-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filament guide to sit on the top of the printer frame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another early design was the case for a button. This was part of our DIY electronics projects. It was designed to fit below the cupboard in the kitchen to hold an LED button. I designed it with some screw holes for mounting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNfLEd3WFzthHUwCSFn3UwIWYYECl8TvJjrnXAqi92shnJKsi8xwzVGJdgiL5vIUIuQLPwV-yhyphenhypheniA2-vg1AMkEmX85FtMrEpILZtK-z-4CO3wswejH_9SSG_Gg26zvwndAwmBssFTDKA/s1600/20180812_222826-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNfLEd3WFzthHUwCSFn3UwIWYYECl8TvJjrnXAqi92shnJKsi8xwzVGJdgiL5vIUIuQLPwV-yhyphenhypheniA2-vg1AMkEmX85FtMrEpILZtK-z-4CO3wswejH_9SSG_Gg26zvwndAwmBssFTDKA/s320/20180812_222826-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button case below the cupboard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
There was another use case for the kitchen light setup. The LED strip is controlled by an Arduino, which did not look that nice with all the cables in plain sight. So I designed a cover for it, fitting exactly to the place it should go to even including a quarter round part for the end of the LED bar. To mount the cover to the cupboard I included some holes for magnets and put some magnets to the cupboard as well. This enables me to remove the cover very easy in case I want to access the Arduino behind it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBXshxXeRku6S_pN9xFQvp5uOaM_pXL7npVWqOAUdrrJyAacwkHTeYDd6YKCyvirZwT0qFJ3ntHZOmGSkBnjHvMUEl54HORo_SUvIBm865lbJmduR3l3w9LfuX26sy-ecylLjF7UN53w/s1600/Screenshot+2018-09-06+at+11.00.55+-+Display+2-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBXshxXeRku6S_pN9xFQvp5uOaM_pXL7npVWqOAUdrrJyAacwkHTeYDd6YKCyvirZwT0qFJ3ntHZOmGSkBnjHvMUEl54HORo_SUvIBm865lbJmduR3l3w9LfuX26sy-ecylLjF7UN53w/s320/Screenshot+2018-09-06+at+11.00.55+-+Display+2-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electronics cover for the cupboard in the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
A similar use case has been the case for the Raspberry Pi Zero W in the corridor, which controls our corridor light setup. You can see more about that in my article <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/09/diy-home-automation-corridor.html">DIY home automation-corridor</a>. It is made out of two parts, one that attaches to the wall and holds the Pi, the other to cover it and is removable to access the electronics.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rNsN1hmWz1XMGMI9r_7rTkpEkKZcbLyF0qPeuuVM9IElP4hHSSnMoD-PCDib3VuBsjSubBFRt6_qOvJ42hRElFcKC0A25UO-Jtl4YD0T99q6LC2xSRSnyj_sHcJDqTnZmHiOg5njV9U/s1600/20180827_090554-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rNsN1hmWz1XMGMI9r_7rTkpEkKZcbLyF0qPeuuVM9IElP4hHSSnMoD-PCDib3VuBsjSubBFRt6_qOvJ42hRElFcKC0A25UO-Jtl4YD0T99q6LC2xSRSnyj_sHcJDqTnZmHiOg5njV9U/s320/20180827_090554-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Pi case for the corridor electronics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the same project, I was creating a case for the IR movement sensor that is triggering the light in the corridor. This case was designed so all the controls still can be accessed, of course. Also, I was designing it with an angle of about 20 degrees towards the corridor to face it a bit away from the wall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMip4P3OdUtdjPFkTw96GOY0_TDFAseNhk-S70P3oTQUtWWwzt9AD0PqUcqFE5sLg9QejuAfFZ1W81s5wHvtdSYW_Gj9wtNqmLOfzfO8HXVl3r8LcWO_b88QN1cPVtIzd_yaohkzhMx8/s1600/20180827_090640-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMip4P3OdUtdjPFkTw96GOY0_TDFAseNhk-S70P3oTQUtWWwzt9AD0PqUcqFE5sLg9QejuAfFZ1W81s5wHvtdSYW_Gj9wtNqmLOfzfO8HXVl3r8LcWO_b88QN1cPVtIzd_yaohkzhMx8/s320/20180827_090640-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The case for the movement sensor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For my printing area, I wanted a small whiteboard in the style of an A5 notepad to list the printing tasks and time schedule. So I ordered one and was surprised when it arrived. Obviously, I did not read the article description right as all I received was a foil to attach at a fridge for example.<br />
My solution has been to design some kind of clipboard for the foil as well as a hook attachment that could also hold the pen, of course.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ4mC1MhrJwlYObUxyzwOg71WWf7ag4dty1xAFYceOwt81qayZ5Vd4-QkVGu1qv9FmgsJNr47a9psRQYUWUThNO0oH4Vk-sKBva8EqbIHlnlrNYOMYnps4F9t3ToZiRXzKfpF7PMNtu0/s1600/20180909_150911-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ4mC1MhrJwlYObUxyzwOg71WWf7ag4dty1xAFYceOwt81qayZ5Vd4-QkVGu1qv9FmgsJNr47a9psRQYUWUThNO0oH4Vk-sKBva8EqbIHlnlrNYOMYnps4F9t3ToZiRXzKfpF7PMNtu0/s320/20180909_150911-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiteboard and hook with pen clip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last but not least, one of the most requested items I have designed so far is a headphone hook. I made it fitting to our work tables and another version for the windowsills at our office. Lot's of my colleagues are requesting this already so I had to produce quite some. Also, they asked me for the STL file to produce them at the company 3D printer :)<br />
After the first generation, I even added a gap on the inside to insert a rubber layer for improved friction.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwRGX0q6FZDD5BVk38zexT_ajUsgcpCePCDG2qTC5TNv4W07Tr2s62a2rW8NpgcPQgfHMDPJivCBCLdD_tgrkh22qX3Cwhdd_57dTdZvnFJZmptstPc2-kP3TrUo6YdpTeaQ6_Mnsmj4/s1600/IMG_20181004_074317-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwRGX0q6FZDD5BVk38zexT_ajUsgcpCePCDG2qTC5TNv4W07Tr2s62a2rW8NpgcPQgfHMDPJivCBCLdD_tgrkh22qX3Cwhdd_57dTdZvnFJZmptstPc2-kP3TrUo6YdpTeaQ6_Mnsmj4/s320/IMG_20181004_074317-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headphone hook for the office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3D printing enabled me to create a lot of custom solutions exactly to my needs. The more I am creating my own models and find solutions to my specific situations, the more Ideas I generate for more solutions. I also recognize a change in my way of problem-solving, because more and more often I don't think about where to get something or how to find a solution, but more how or what I could create my self to solve the problems around me. By now I added even more things to my portfolio that I created to solve smaller or larger problems that crossed my path.</div>
<br />jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-19392269343765968702018-11-04T13:55:00.000+01:002018-11-04T13:55:06.035+01:003D printing - used existing modelsLately, I was telling about the <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/08/assembling-3d-printer-original-prusa-i3.html">assembly of my 3D Printer</a>. In this article, I want to show off some of the models I printed since then.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgQEsIeabKVeHPm9cFYZ87dPGDRgIB7-MqoDK0FDuR8qaYxprKzMDE3dC5rr7_ipmwCm-tzx01QzNt6deUFsd746SmFGxUbYd5Nji2XxuST8fmvE-10B0VRSAy7ctTQJXyHLA9qkfd8Y/s1600/IMG_20181030_170756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgQEsIeabKVeHPm9cFYZ87dPGDRgIB7-MqoDK0FDuR8qaYxprKzMDE3dC5rr7_ipmwCm-tzx01QzNt6deUFsd746SmFGxUbYd5Nji2XxuST8fmvE-10B0VRSAy7ctTQJXyHLA9qkfd8Y/s320/IMG_20181030_170756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<h2>
Where to find models to print?</h2>
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<br /></div>
First question, when you start with a 3D printer ... where to get the models from?<br />
There are countless sources but I will list the three that have been the most value for me so far:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/">Thingiverse</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.myminifactory.com/">MyMiniFactory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.yeggi.com/">Yeggi</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
The first two are portals where people can upload their models and share them. Most of the models are free (but you can tip the designer). There are also options to put up models for money and a lot more portals like that as well.<br />
Yeggi is not a portal for models itself, it is a search engine especially for 3D models.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Models for decoration / fun</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Plenty of models are purely for decoration or fun, no question about that. So I printed some of this as well, of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I printed several little puzzles, some more simple, others a bit more complex constructions. Especially the Secret Butterfly Box is a fascinating device. A box with a hidden mechanism to unlock and open it. Be warned, the picture below shows parts of the secret so don't look to close if you don't want to get spoiled.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JZquMfYEW-HCHcoNsrIyrHPduycZp9MmtMDpSQP6wgzqgRSH5ZtRXI8lSEWbaoh5qWH1D84DsejdU5RDPhqIn4CVZ8Wjk_EG3L-cU_0AeUqi7tZ2cHPSmUYhELfEqO6gxNyitX3pdms/s1600/IMG_20180808_191115-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JZquMfYEW-HCHcoNsrIyrHPduycZp9MmtMDpSQP6wgzqgRSH5ZtRXI8lSEWbaoh5qWH1D84DsejdU5RDPhqIn4CVZ8Wjk_EG3L-cU_0AeUqi7tZ2cHPSmUYhELfEqO6gxNyitX3pdms/s320/IMG_20180808_191115-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puzzles and mechanical devices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
Some other models are pure decoration because they look good or bring back memories from childhood. Often models of objects that are very rare to get from merchandise or are extremely expensive.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibklWlLBSkiEDVL2IdHCNP0YZNVOMeR-In5Vq0t4CP2w4g9pVbBoY7ps2dCRpmAfPZwa2hcWDukCuj7sSEHcQSz6hOMIwxT014bLJJYedvMHYP42p86NV5SZPLpAeyye_cWYUsrW6QVL0/s1600/IMG_20180825_134323-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibklWlLBSkiEDVL2IdHCNP0YZNVOMeR-In5Vq0t4CP2w4g9pVbBoY7ps2dCRpmAfPZwa2hcWDukCuj7sSEHcQSz6hOMIwxT014bLJJYedvMHYP42p86NV5SZPLpAeyye_cWYUsrW6QVL0/s320/IMG_20180825_134323-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative models</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
My wife also did a magnificent job in painting some of this models.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwn0S8eVdJMRrQkmECo2d1CXaFWtb0_2ttAInopliL009p_SLTUe8WM9y3mDd7Ln-WTL0n3QACrmwrl79lXowUwebtkGiOB_bbBQp8STH3tVCelUqsmMcLENZIXTAGmzkhNfusyC7B-g/s1600/IMG_20180916_120208-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwn0S8eVdJMRrQkmECo2d1CXaFWtb0_2ttAInopliL009p_SLTUe8WM9y3mDd7Ln-WTL0n3QACrmwrl79lXowUwebtkGiOB_bbBQp8STH3tVCelUqsmMcLENZIXTAGmzkhNfusyC7B-g/s320/IMG_20180916_120208-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Future - Comet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Some models are even made for special material or get a special touch by it. For example, some small decorations that glow green in the dark ... which kid is not excited about stuff like that?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykx20HFasLqCjXiZOL_jXhiw7TYeDfRcOWBf3lS-hdvlKxYSe3qtEzi9IiLOILdHgJxdL1w0eJyS3QqZjIrGV38F2JqHaToBudbbtai9G_gHToDa_DEKv9M4kOuW1iukxY-_-3E3AeYw/s1600/IMG_20180814_195048-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykx20HFasLqCjXiZOL_jXhiw7TYeDfRcOWBf3lS-hdvlKxYSe3qtEzi9IiLOILdHgJxdL1w0eJyS3QqZjIrGV38F2JqHaToBudbbtai9G_gHToDa_DEKv9M4kOuW1iukxY-_-3E3AeYw/s320/IMG_20180814_195048-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow in the dark decoration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Models with a benefit</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
Off course, there are also models with some use to them.<br />
<br />
There are several enhancements I did to my printing area. For example by the Master Spool that is used for the refill filament options at some vendors like <a href="https://www.dasfilament.de/">Das Filament</a>. Other enhancements are the drawers, that I made for below my printer table. The left one is used as a little trash container for filament snippets, the right one is used to store parts of larger prints until they are complete. Another little upgrade was an SD card holder for the printer SD cards. Not to forget the spool rolling system for the big 2kg filament spool ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSd1WEbGxFYWJtaqru1MluFDihPYmILcQWBOVcAwlDixOSWnIC3EfWr9-V8T_EQ3NKsVrSn6QOkUa8GHXqMK_WZqctbXSavroFhngQSeEUpZ8IGiBqtb0sYLZmhltlGB8xkOxQ-3pQ8E/s1600/IMG_20180820_183814-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSd1WEbGxFYWJtaqru1MluFDihPYmILcQWBOVcAwlDixOSWnIC3EfWr9-V8T_EQ3NKsVrSn6QOkUa8GHXqMK_WZqctbXSavroFhngQSeEUpZ8IGiBqtb0sYLZmhltlGB8xkOxQ-3pQ8E/s320/IMG_20180820_183814-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Printer extensions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Cases for Raspberry Pi and Arduino are available as well of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBmo_vl7YGBGwoIbTGFA3TKXhdp40asBF_wkjDir3b2j3x6X-s9M33B4BDuvV4xhpSkWJ3RIkp_ku_7KPQmBdwOmkKWh-DXt4CxHFnVjXZSFJiku6m7qlOTLeufLyXHKnFJcfkwPuw58/s1600/IMG_20180810_203439-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBmo_vl7YGBGwoIbTGFA3TKXhdp40asBF_wkjDir3b2j3x6X-s9M33B4BDuvV4xhpSkWJ3RIkp_ku_7KPQmBdwOmkKWh-DXt4CxHFnVjXZSFJiku6m7qlOTLeufLyXHKnFJcfkwPuw58/s320/IMG_20180810_203439-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arduino case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Not to forget one of the most requested Items at work ... an SD card holder. Yes, it first sounds a bit odd, but in fact, we really need a lot of SD cards for the job we do but there are not really any good SD card holders to buy.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86jVqPPSjjdJLyXtt-yG1nWjAwY7nBzDXl6IrnV4eiQxPtp8RR8FRFY0v9Ouzh3iBQ0D2W3vB9Hvei4CcHM5DlBbqTr-v1wieHkMM7_tp5aK4zovFnLwdcJaKmCg375MElFbKnZsODiY/s1600/IMG_20180828_164157-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86jVqPPSjjdJLyXtt-yG1nWjAwY7nBzDXl6IrnV4eiQxPtp8RR8FRFY0v9Ouzh3iBQ0D2W3vB9Hvei4CcHM5DlBbqTr-v1wieHkMM7_tp5aK4zovFnLwdcJaKmCg375MElFbKnZsODiY/s320/IMG_20180828_164157-COLLAGE.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SD card holder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3D printing is fun and there is tons of stuff available to work with. Since I got the printer, it is running nearly 24/7 and there are so much more things I want to print ...</div>
<div>
In a further article, I will tell you about the models I created my self and about the fascinating aspect of combining 3D printing with DIY electronics for both, decorative and useful applications. Also, the first picture of this post is some kind of teaser to that as well :).</div>
<div>
<br /><br /></div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-62271202807863411072018-09-25T20:32:00.001+02:002018-09-25T20:32:32.623+02:00DIY home automation - the corridorWe have been renovating our corridor lately, but also made it into a DIY electronics project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3saRRb5WWDb4Dt2AePFXTQIyJlUw-QygmFa7bh5B8Ag5sbCLGPx8XvOThksd4BMTFkuJHioTyjBRtQdMiP-jZKRoR04M8HM3wNHLCpq7SkTLnR60vrrRKJppg-Qft4raGKLgeThKYw74/s1600/GOPR0699_1535792986751_high.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3saRRb5WWDb4Dt2AePFXTQIyJlUw-QygmFa7bh5B8Ag5sbCLGPx8XvOThksd4BMTFkuJHioTyjBRtQdMiP-jZKRoR04M8HM3wNHLCpq7SkTLnR60vrrRKJppg-Qft4raGKLgeThKYw74/s320/GOPR0699_1535792986751_high.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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It's been time to renovate our corridor since a long time, but when my wife suggested also to pimp it up to make it a DIY electronics project, I finally agreed.<br />
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<h2>
The plan</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we decided to renovate the corridor, we also wanted to make it a bit more enhanced, fitting to our <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/03/mirror-mirror-on-wall-implementing.html">speaking smart mirror</a>. </div>
<div>
On the floor, we wanted some wooden laminate but we also wanted some kind of night light that also works as an eye catcher at daytime.</div>
<div>
After looking around a bit, we found some aluminum profiles with acrylic glass over a gap fitting for some LEDs. So we wanted to get them around the corridor at every bit of wall, only sparing out the doors. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Parts list</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We needed to cover about 7 m² of ground with laminate and about 7.3 m walls with aluminum profiles and LEDs. The laminate we got at a local store, the aluminum profiles and LEDs we ordered online. The aluminum profiles came in 2 m pieces so we ordered four of them and two spools of 5 m LEDs (ws2812b) from Aliexpress.</div>
<div>
Furthermore, a Raspberry Pi Zero, an SD card and some wires were needed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all the additional cost for the electronics on top of the base floor stuff been around 60 €.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Installing all the parts</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we installed the laminate, we also had to plan ahead towards the LED circuit as the wall pieces needed to be connected. To achieve this, we were cutting some slots in the impact sound insulation below the laminate to place the cables within this and below the laminate, out of sight.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyHGt-f3FjDwQp1_vsNJSIk3FvIgNkuGveBIP9CHCp12cVHI0Sh1R_z_y14X_MSvDyB37HFrCXR-7MhRCZ0wHfIOmIwQyW0dfLqboFa_z9dkvThikXFzensMmX4AfpAn6HkphyphenhypheneF5FMc/s1600/IMG_20180818_160005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyHGt-f3FjDwQp1_vsNJSIk3FvIgNkuGveBIP9CHCp12cVHI0Sh1R_z_y14X_MSvDyB37HFrCXR-7MhRCZ0wHfIOmIwQyW0dfLqboFa_z9dkvThikXFzensMmX4AfpAn6HkphyphenhypheneF5FMc/s320/IMG_20180818_160005.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">installing laminate and cables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiElnRRiOII5vafeTRZRZAlbrktvo2kRVACQAhFK10sbAJDlKYPgytXburYsuCCODqFCW68A3JtO8CmmMooUVfddKUjewM6GwnOdIoATV_JKtlbyIA_GXntSkh9HKGF4ufWAD91WrUmnA/s1600/IMG_20180818_160013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiElnRRiOII5vafeTRZRZAlbrktvo2kRVACQAhFK10sbAJDlKYPgytXburYsuCCODqFCW68A3JtO8CmmMooUVfddKUjewM6GwnOdIoATV_JKtlbyIA_GXntSkh9HKGF4ufWAD91WrUmnA/s320/IMG_20180818_160013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cables detailed view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the laminate was done (it was really no fun to cut out all the doorframes with a jigsaw), we had to cut the aluminum profiles for each piece of wall and glue them into place.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5948A5MURnqr2HEXUZRnhYnXgN1t4lxRQZb8lkOJffWjPYx8dvRkTmLzy0c3tkfbqY521K_rq2-RXXytdzcLW4mLHj0v2hflfKUPVOxGlHcMcfiWLWuwKg6NiZHmB-Vl06KsIg0pS5U/s1600/IMG_20180819_123851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5948A5MURnqr2HEXUZRnhYnXgN1t4lxRQZb8lkOJffWjPYx8dvRkTmLzy0c3tkfbqY521K_rq2-RXXytdzcLW4mLHj0v2hflfKUPVOxGlHcMcfiWLWuwKg6NiZHmB-Vl06KsIg0pS5U/s320/IMG_20180819_123851.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cat checks the quality of our work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The LEDs have been cut as well and placed within the profiles. Then the cables had to be soldered to the LED stripes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Setting up the electronics</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All the LEDs are powered by a single Raspberry Pi Zero. You can see some flickering at the end when the brightness is turned to full 255, but actually, we are running it at 20 only and that's still a bit too bright in the night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the casing, I designed a case in Onshape in two pieces, one that is placed on the wall and holds the electronics, the other part can be slid off to access everything.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7J_R7tTRn_2CTs_QW6_khKnJHSP8tX_UVGwfnLe6PxzTGJu0lCwUOAT6xgpdt4CMd7shtCswQIx2_KJPHigWFhzrJzkzvOITCDNSfrxvw9pFhDFscfFu8XX88rkX6p7b9TDxyimalrY/s1600/20180827_090554-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7J_R7tTRn_2CTs_QW6_khKnJHSP8tX_UVGwfnLe6PxzTGJu0lCwUOAT6xgpdt4CMd7shtCswQIx2_KJPHigWFhzrJzkzvOITCDNSfrxvw9pFhDFscfFu8XX88rkX6p7b9TDxyimalrY/s320/20180827_090554-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the case for the Raspberry Pi</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was also installing an IR movement sensor to switch on the LEDs when someone enters the corridor. They will be switched off again when no movement was detected for 90 sec.</div>
<div>
For this sensor, I was designing and printing a case as well. This way it was easy to place it close to a wall, but keep it facing a bit more towards the floor and the doors close to the sensor location by adding a 20-degree angle. The adjustment screws are still accessible as well.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZiz9t5mTVbBVBr6TGwrvRrJd_PSeaNJy4lAklqpTPat5Pu0cbEenF_tQEXdRVomtGKZ9rl9Wtze4VJ-Rol49poj17wV_r2C77hmXPAxRQWeRJQyVba0MhLfgKkrbZmUgB7KNgGIninM/s1600/20180827_090640-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZiz9t5mTVbBVBr6TGwrvRrJd_PSeaNJy4lAklqpTPat5Pu0cbEenF_tQEXdRVomtGKZ9rl9Wtze4VJ-Rol49poj17wV_r2C77hmXPAxRQWeRJQyVba0MhLfgKkrbZmUgB7KNgGIninM/s320/20180827_090640-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IR sensor and case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
All in all, the installation looks quite nice now.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTlJeYFECN3Z0LjF5VDApmFkZ1x5u7sNeRq9VLxNhpoAfm76wp0exW8zXkTOvRt65Ixk2DVGlhUSlRvGPgdz6gTQv26H1PYXB3g2dyvFicp5LPFPOaSRQz3wAy4ORFPKprrEacp6vhI8/s1600/IMG_20180902_220645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTlJeYFECN3Z0LjF5VDApmFkZ1x5u7sNeRq9VLxNhpoAfm76wp0exW8zXkTOvRt65Ixk2DVGlhUSlRvGPgdz6gTQv26H1PYXB3g2dyvFicp5LPFPOaSRQz3wAy4ORFPKprrEacp6vhI8/s320/IMG_20180902_220645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished setup with all cables cleaned up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
The end result</h2>
<div>
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<div>
After all the work, the result is quite impressive. I will show a video here but believe me when I tell you, it looks a lot more amazing in real life (it's hard to capture light as the main motive at a video).</div>
<div>
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<div>
Also, I added an animation when the LEDs are switched on and off. For the on animation, I slowly raise the brightness till the set default value (20), then extend it a bit and let it fall down to the default again. For the off animation, I simply lower the brightness step by step until it's off.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Regarding color, we decided on a turquoise, as it fits really well to the grey laminate and is a color we actually like.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oqcg195zaLQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oqcg195zaLQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
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<div>
It's been a fun project and the result looks amazing. I might also change the code a bit to show a different color at night, more towards red or orange. This way it might be a bit easier on the eyes in dark environments. I am even thinking about installing a little light sensor as well to control the color not only by time but by actual light conditions.</div>
<div>
The 3D printer has been a great addition to small projects like this as it opens worlds of new opportunities to get the right parts just for your specific needs. I also did some other home projects with electronics and the printer already and more will follow, for sure.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-41413430864608000602018-08-28T17:06:00.001+02:002018-09-04T15:32:57.733+02:00Assembling a 3D Printer - The Original Prusa i3 MK3For a while, I was thinking about getting a 3D Printer. Not only because of the usability in regards to my other electronics and home automation projects, but also because of the fascination with this kind of technology to build something yourself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D5xFiMbIrdMUYG7T1fV4YakDOUvpmoD2KUzkhPdL3KZDLaLk7i_LeOQIDs1XnN8lUhcHKQR7T7cQCe6nshAy-OktYi2tPScvzmWHiBiH8O9blwMrBWUD0qSUEwnZtwFE24B1ak1FB6s/s1600/IMG_20180804_222610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D5xFiMbIrdMUYG7T1fV4YakDOUvpmoD2KUzkhPdL3KZDLaLk7i_LeOQIDs1XnN8lUhcHKQR7T7cQCe6nshAy-OktYi2tPScvzmWHiBiH8O9blwMrBWUD0qSUEwnZtwFE24B1ak1FB6s/s320/IMG_20180804_222610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
The Original Prusa i3 MK3</h2>
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After lots of reading and gathering information from YouTube and other sources, a decision has been made towards an <a href="https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-i3-mk3/">Original Prusa i3 MK3</a>. Surely, it is not the cheapest printer around, but one with a great reputation and a company with lots of experience in this regards.</div>
<div>
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<div>
As I wanted to get the structured print surface, I had to wait a bit for the printer but that's fine. Also, I decided towards the kit instead of the fully assembled one as it's cheaper on the one side and I am also interested in assembling it my self to get to know the components and parts better.</div>
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<div>
All in all, the printer did cost about 750 € but a bit more in total as I had to add some filament to the order, of course.</div>
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<div>
A few weeks later, a package arrived ...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAVJAGspfDh-dE3ZiMsvbLZKbVgWESccgO5fRAmJm8JtzhtvIxp5PkQqRM-5d4WU5aYXHvYfhk4q5U5IzjZOcs-JJXlVw_X_uLPq6E6Nng9mbsldTxxZsiqMVYgroKCholvgR2gChK24/s1600/IMG_20180731_163412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAVJAGspfDh-dE3ZiMsvbLZKbVgWESccgO5fRAmJm8JtzhtvIxp5PkQqRM-5d4WU5aYXHvYfhk4q5U5IzjZOcs-JJXlVw_X_uLPq6E6Nng9mbsldTxxZsiqMVYgroKCholvgR2gChK24/s320/IMG_20180731_163412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Package from Prusa at our new printer table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
As to see in this picture, we also build a small table for the printer to be placed on.</div>
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<h2>
Assembling the printer</h2>
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First off, the package contained lots of small packages.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT48truG1KUNUi8yrW2cEOTCYmbU-bXX7ThuO1ff1GQ_79CyLkM_yfQNrEBxX1X2musEYVlurn8kjMqgsNA37jFpcVT7LWYbf0zspZlNoHJ1qdTmmeqmNzL6P8JPniqEBlriAlWJTWAlU/s1600/IMG_20180804_075111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT48truG1KUNUi8yrW2cEOTCYmbU-bXX7ThuO1ff1GQ_79CyLkM_yfQNrEBxX1X2musEYVlurn8kjMqgsNA37jFpcVT7LWYbf0zspZlNoHJ1qdTmmeqmNzL6P8JPniqEBlriAlWJTWAlU/s320/IMG_20180804_075111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A package within a package within a package ...</td></tr>
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<div>
And yes, that Haribo Gummibärchen package was included as well. In fact, there is a dedicated step in the assembly guide that tells you to treat yourself with some Gummibärchen. ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Also, it's been lots of packages and the printer had to be assembled screw by screw from bottom to top, it's not been that hard. The manual is extremely detailed and gives great step by step instructions. It is also available in multiple languages (online) and the pictures are a great help.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9sEM8kqTUv7i7wfNK02jZlHOHIwMbzprr0pTrA_YTeuIMp9fRkafwnMG92bavf3JywyKdDSRNPACaWOVG5jJjmVznW7gcCSNu9poM1r9f5Khv9G1AFyxh8YbheP0g0FW1BW-LUCngv8/s1600/IMG_20180804_080650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9sEM8kqTUv7i7wfNK02jZlHOHIwMbzprr0pTrA_YTeuIMp9fRkafwnMG92bavf3JywyKdDSRNPACaWOVG5jJjmVznW7gcCSNu9poM1r9f5Khv9G1AFyxh8YbheP0g0FW1BW-LUCngv8/s320/IMG_20180804_080650.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of the detailed assembly instructions</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
Furthermore, the assembly is split into several steps and the part for each step are packed individually and labeled.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pNPGkULZ1PW3RZB6Sz9aIs6_IT4BjpXxvZ5RKmmhQ7HhyphenhyphenIc0JQ8p9-wL8ufKGj7iHyIMvA1FK2LHUGrmSdwhCOLFicgB-C-vs4nIHBnKB0yKrCKmKycYWd1MLLJYO6cnyOPhcZjNlvA/s1600/IMG_20180804_080714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pNPGkULZ1PW3RZB6Sz9aIs6_IT4BjpXxvZ5RKmmhQ7HhyphenhyphenIc0JQ8p9-wL8ufKGj7iHyIMvA1FK2LHUGrmSdwhCOLFicgB-C-vs4nIHBnKB0yKrCKmKycYWd1MLLJYO6cnyOPhcZjNlvA/s320/IMG_20180804_080714.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packages for the individual steps</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
So we (my wife, Melanie, and me) started to build up the printer.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmZE918Ro-ox7SUDqZnw2ED4jMiWaeQauloWOE0CsXjsWcHqO9EIxmMbCOdyTTKV8ZEaw4vLbkyGVjODjlyzjKtbdxid9yTUAArF-OQ5W69NVVPd9zoVRxhW17Tz0ahV7AaEbNfx0_uQ/s1600/IMG_20180804_085941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmZE918Ro-ox7SUDqZnw2ED4jMiWaeQauloWOE0CsXjsWcHqO9EIxmMbCOdyTTKV8ZEaw4vLbkyGVjODjlyzjKtbdxid9yTUAArF-OQ5W69NVVPd9zoVRxhW17Tz0ahV7AaEbNfx0_uQ/s320/IMG_20180804_085941.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first step was to set up the frame construction</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
Slowly but steady we build up the printer.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcTiBKx_0wkTVidA9e-0gq2EzDYl0xPeeY3_AIAkmL6bpTCkvOn1HKONsa3HGijv2JdKKAX7Or2uhaTcJOOWhTi-SBGaecIgX2n6Hs5sJTKSWg_ApTW7Nf2-y17kLnhWGbFX25GCovGA/s1600/IMG_20180804_180303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcTiBKx_0wkTVidA9e-0gq2EzDYl0xPeeY3_AIAkmL6bpTCkvOn1HKONsa3HGijv2JdKKAX7Or2uhaTcJOOWhTi-SBGaecIgX2n6Hs5sJTKSWg_ApTW7Nf2-y17kLnhWGbFX25GCovGA/s320/IMG_20180804_180303.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dealing with the wires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
And step by step it became more and more a printer ...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aIyyyaMYqLJGlH1QHl3V3LY7ssMjQ6ismjhhKhZpH0M8JOKFHMzZf9Wy1QImFCjGVtr-7JKNnhdnxVE8fhg6i6kKif-yAPPuDXdxY48Tq7Cxh5Z8ipF3azBamXJMpmrUE9T0B11uDPc/s1600/IMG_20180804_191011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aIyyyaMYqLJGlH1QHl3V3LY7ssMjQ6ismjhhKhZpH0M8JOKFHMzZf9Wy1QImFCjGVtr-7JKNnhdnxVE8fhg6i6kKif-yAPPuDXdxY48Tq7Cxh5Z8ipF3azBamXJMpmrUE9T0B11uDPc/s320/IMG_20180804_191011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully assembled printer</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
The whole assembly took us about 8 to 9 hours. We took our time and read the guide very carefully as this has been the first printer we build up.</div>
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<h2>
First prints</h2>
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<div>
Of course, as soon as you get a 3D Printer, you want to print some funny stuff. The first print was the Benchy, that was on the included SD-Card.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjHUFiH0HEwoQf3qbO8ps9WqYtDn_gtDrMmVbB2xp-_JrpiLESra5mDZixb9-bErHLZ2Gs4mPz6b0eXnjzGguDAtSDfW8JPMX35foq2rJ6SXMJeq8R8uE2uu4oRzmo9QkRNTnVLVYxMY/s1600/IMG_20180804_223039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjHUFiH0HEwoQf3qbO8ps9WqYtDn_gtDrMmVbB2xp-_JrpiLESra5mDZixb9-bErHLZ2Gs4mPz6b0eXnjzGguDAtSDfW8JPMX35foq2rJ6SXMJeq8R8uE2uu4oRzmo9QkRNTnVLVYxMY/s320/IMG_20180804_223039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benchy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
And of course, the ball-bearing, which is printed in one piece but still moves ...</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG4db0LczMvl51vnE5MHYnGVV1f__6EF-2Xz0JV9Mqgqab-GMHk-Ec_hHUv3ldxaQrfrfsmLya8K7uB5HNwMuYnLMJ7WtdQXYOTWXF-rPiG42OCMqbsXZGIGlYSjg8sr2IImnrjWsONg/s1600/IMG_20180805_082321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG4db0LczMvl51vnE5MHYnGVV1f__6EF-2Xz0JV9Mqgqab-GMHk-Ec_hHUv3ldxaQrfrfsmLya8K7uB5HNwMuYnLMJ7WtdQXYOTWXF-rPiG42OCMqbsXZGIGlYSjg8sr2IImnrjWsONg/s320/IMG_20180805_082321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball-bearing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The quality we got right away did astonish me. Honestly, I did not expect that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
More prints</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next step was to get some funny models of <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/">thingiverse.com</a> and <a href="http://myminifactory.com/">myminifactory.com</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosMT3yExNa9-l_pxPh7u9L17dSWqK_pOq_YXG22tvAlsw_BV2RVXNp7enE48xM6bI5_XPMMfOsJcC57aeQGkcP6aPhGOxT-Xb-9I38hnPI3vstVr1sFKIWKMODl-9Ht9qpINKdNnyVi8/s1600/IMG_20180808_191115-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosMT3yExNa9-l_pxPh7u9L17dSWqK_pOq_YXG22tvAlsw_BV2RVXNp7enE48xM6bI5_XPMMfOsJcC57aeQGkcP6aPhGOxT-Xb-9I38hnPI3vstVr1sFKIWKMODl-9Ht9qpINKdNnyVi8/s320/IMG_20180808_191115-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some more examples of fun stuff we printed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh and some SD-Card holders of course. Those are especially popular in our office as we have to deal with quite some SD-Cards for our daily business.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Useful prints</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first question we usually get when someone gets to know that we own a 3D Printer now: </div>
<div>
<i>"What is it used for?"</i></div>
<div>
So apart from the fun stuff, like little toys or even the headphone stand and SD-Card holder, we use the printer for our electronic projects and home automation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I started to design my own objects in a 3D cad program to match our needs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let me show you one example, more might follow in other articles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In our kitchen, we wanted to place some light below the hanging cabinet go provide some light with a neat animation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The case for the Arduino nano I found online and just printed it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW66dT-kgJKd0zPBMeV4jIHk__RTNP8WH0kkmRWsKIZufD4VjIwo9Oo5p4Yp4Cqp5gTG_5_05IJZB9ufytIGeiitlXlaFn7eh8Mymjibdvs5xChiSKRYt-_CHPU-pm9EihBZcCF6XiNBY/s1600/IMG_20180810_203458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW66dT-kgJKd0zPBMeV4jIHk__RTNP8WH0kkmRWsKIZufD4VjIwo9Oo5p4Yp4Cqp5gTG_5_05IJZB9ufytIGeiitlXlaFn7eh8Mymjibdvs5xChiSKRYt-_CHPU-pm9EihBZcCF6XiNBY/s320/IMG_20180810_203458.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arduino nano case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But for the button, we needed a more customized solution. So I designed a model in Onshape for the first time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9miZPNMS9ZMiKkj_UU8xgxIWe4PZ6-Q6eN3Xx5GKH0ryaIyjnQHKo6DnshmwCGFVpmDyM3Mufs_qAlXnlZTVQM6yfM2LyhhiJ4YgFUk1KX0qGdWa7tYV0bGSqjy5YjKb_lu7sQkXHKQ/s1600/Screenshot+2018-08-12+at+18.09.53+-+Display+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9miZPNMS9ZMiKkj_UU8xgxIWe4PZ6-Q6eN3Xx5GKH0ryaIyjnQHKo6DnshmwCGFVpmDyM3Mufs_qAlXnlZTVQM6yfM2LyhhiJ4YgFUk1KX0qGdWa7tYV0bGSqjy5YjKb_lu7sQkXHKQ/s320/Screenshot+2018-08-12+at+18.09.53+-+Display+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button case for our kitchen project in Onshape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I exported the file, sliced it and printed it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4Gi3JaxP7YuX96yk5_MsqTLQAXadTqgCyK0wvwV00vE5vkaq3F8vC8UbfFyvOjtq9ZMNVOm0hkSzbayoA5vAWmHyZh6NUytfAQyxE9uTnoMkvNZMk5L6H_HQDWQh1BgYRM338iYVOAA/s1600/IMG_20180812_212639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4Gi3JaxP7YuX96yk5_MsqTLQAXadTqgCyK0wvwV00vE5vkaq3F8vC8UbfFyvOjtq9ZMNVOm0hkSzbayoA5vAWmHyZh6NUytfAQyxE9uTnoMkvNZMk5L6H_HQDWQh1BgYRM338iYVOAA/s320/IMG_20180812_212639.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The printed model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
I was surprised how well it turned out and it fits our needs perfectly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBruPE-mjeZlk_ULXxu0bgGMoV8ez6ANCNcdQN5R9crWdq5TfpZMV63LhGZp73tduHYCwR_26kjAcrmu0RRRd-zh5H4c5Wl3jizbvaj_C6nFxQhkF140Rc_QMTKjeshmDWqxRh__3tE8M/s1600/IMG_20180812_213807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBruPE-mjeZlk_ULXxu0bgGMoV8ez6ANCNcdQN5R9crWdq5TfpZMV63LhGZp73tduHYCwR_26kjAcrmu0RRRd-zh5H4c5Wl3jizbvaj_C6nFxQhkF140Rc_QMTKjeshmDWqxRh__3tE8M/s320/IMG_20180812_213807.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first prototype, that wasn't a full closed box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Enhancing the print environment</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, with a new toy, new challenges appear. For example, I had to store some SD-Cards now that I could work with. Also, I had to store the filament spools now, build a roll construction for one spool that was a lot larger and heavier than the others and create a custom filament guide system for it as well ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs06o14RNlflwB0HOfCIiHFDEGyYqTxi8rmoREQfVsLULkTtNJjfyLESEqoQ_-LfhIaUW1kkAkczuPVS7n4WbYVMUknDLQr7rR170Yie2bINDG0lnQXRC990LA0GHir1D_43124vQ6b4/s1600/IMG_20180820_225202-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs06o14RNlflwB0HOfCIiHFDEGyYqTxi8rmoREQfVsLULkTtNJjfyLESEqoQ_-LfhIaUW1kkAkczuPVS7n4WbYVMUknDLQr7rR170Yie2bINDG0lnQXRC990LA0GHir1D_43124vQ6b4/s320/IMG_20180820_225202-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small enhancement of the printing environment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To store the spools of filament I was using the shelf bracket model by <a href="https://youtu.be/u19MeZWK1mw">3DPN that I had seen on his YouTube channel</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7BoCqGMWHIX2wEohBClMRMHuKlAH_E2-e0PsNpg8QEIERvgvG92l2quhzhOvzY1PTSPT6T8nVMf_zUiQgFbd_whYHP6Ow6jXe52a6J2kUQ2cZ2G1gP5WJNDYwTsi_iWlCfbyVVdL6S0/s1600/IMG_20180827_104609-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7BoCqGMWHIX2wEohBClMRMHuKlAH_E2-e0PsNpg8QEIERvgvG92l2quhzhOvzY1PTSPT6T8nVMf_zUiQgFbd_whYHP6Ow6jXe52a6J2kUQ2cZ2G1gP5WJNDYwTsi_iWlCfbyVVdL6S0/s320/IMG_20180827_104609-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filament shelf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The printer was not cheap by no means. But it is fun and lots of new things to learn. The technology itself is very interesting and I see a big impact in the future when printers or replicators become a normal part of everyone's life.</div>
<div>
Also, the printer enables us already to find different solutions for our DIY projects and enables us to think different, more creative.</div>
<div>
Not only a gadget, but a great educational tool as well to embrace new technology.</div>
<div>
More projects around or including the printer coming soon, for sure.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-79547451180606855412018-07-16T22:50:00.000+02:002018-07-16T22:55:47.143+02:00Ambientlight for my gaming PC<a href="https://jendit.blogspot.com/2018/05/playing-with-light.html">Playing with light</a> was cool already, but there are tons of other cool opportunities ... like an active ambient light at a PC or TV.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmZzH0UfpxRNvKG1jmFmjJiku1-bP2xa7Yys04zcS1ZYj8ZkvpdAe2O2FLi2n9aTiefbmI4jQQxmOk-bAZKqXf-cwuaP7yuo1Hwb-znxzhsP4K1PQgVs796jRwpJ597ndrsSmK6NwIBU/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmZzH0UfpxRNvKG1jmFmjJiku1-bP2xa7Yys04zcS1ZYj8ZkvpdAe2O2FLi2n9aTiefbmI4jQQxmOk-bAZKqXf-cwuaP7yuo1Hwb-znxzhsP4K1PQgVs796jRwpJ597ndrsSmK6NwIBU/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>The idea behind this is to extend the colors of the border area of the screen even further at the wall behind it. This way an illusion of an even larger screen is created. Sure, this area will not show detailed pixels but it's not needed anyway as the human eye only can see sharp in the center and reacts more to movement or color in the border areas.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Components</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For this project, I was using:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>some <a href="https://de.aliexpress.com/item/DC5V-1m-3m-4m-5m-WS2812Bled-pixel-strip-30-60-144-leds-m-WS2812-IC-Black/32649441294.html">WS2812 RGB LED strips</a></li>
<li>an <a class="" href="https://de.aliexpress.com/item/Nano-V3-ATmega168-CH340-mini-USB-Compatible-for-Arduino-Nano-V3-0/32828448246.html">Ard</a><a href="https://de.aliexpress.com/item/Nano-V3-ATmega168-CH340-mini-USB-Compatible-for-Arduino-Nano-V3-0/32828448246.html">uino Nano compatible board</a></li>
<li>a few cables and a mini USB cable</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbknducD_t5qSxOs5jz_DFW4TGgCTpiiQmt68KjuPdsk_fs-biDNCKHbB7krFUNbAVMzbsVzRuqUB8udbXPeTe6I-7E0IsKKr_Gioy_2sczn8CVy-dYMrr2i_0nVRCYKcSb4nQBZZ-Zu8/s1600/IMG_20180415_100650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbknducD_t5qSxOs5jz_DFW4TGgCTpiiQmt68KjuPdsk_fs-biDNCKHbB7krFUNbAVMzbsVzRuqUB8udbXPeTe6I-7E0IsKKr_Gioy_2sczn8CVy-dYMrr2i_0nVRCYKcSb4nQBZZ-Zu8/s320/IMG_20180415_100650.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The components for my ambient light project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
All in all the material cost for this project was less than 15 € considering that a monitor was already available as well as the tools like a soldering iron.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Building the hardware</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first step was to get the LED strips to the back of the screen. Usually, they come with tape on the back side already, so no problem at all. Just measuring the right length and cutting at the lines. When sticking them to the back of the screen, keep an eye on the little arrows (they need to go all around in one direction) that indicate the direction of the programmable LEDs so the separated pieces will work together again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FAWdvozvpA-GI0tRmWPDyonxAVX8rX7FtpJF_KmZ4Ubhx09BXOa6Trc0S-3zmgy4k9unFgUdK9aGoSaHd6-744guvpbC584rhxwkqGlysaE10oT0Y9X1FXuPC8t-Yr3hRZdNjbOJL6A/s1600/IMG_20180415_104444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FAWdvozvpA-GI0tRmWPDyonxAVX8rX7FtpJF_KmZ4Ubhx09BXOa6Trc0S-3zmgy4k9unFgUdK9aGoSaHd6-744guvpbC584rhxwkqGlysaE10oT0Y9X1FXuPC8t-Yr3hRZdNjbOJL6A/s320/IMG_20180415_104444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LED straps all around the screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next step was to connect the LED straps again with some short cables and some soldering so that a full circle of "one" strap gets together again. There are three connections to be made at each cut point: Power, Ground, and Data.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71KodjQX2UOalaWvFqCFG_Ys6tn_eflApftL5BCs4LEpTNYKAvNnwWQNZu5ZZjCGfCeVkO3MGACYAlrRLAijzA3g7eGMPEe8b2_37qiFrF3wNuJqiIZ_vO5iDS2Imfp8gtVXwnj-Q9fY/s1600/IMG_20180415_131239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71KodjQX2UOalaWvFqCFG_Ys6tn_eflApftL5BCs4LEpTNYKAvNnwWQNZu5ZZjCGfCeVkO3MGACYAlrRLAijzA3g7eGMPEe8b2_37qiFrF3wNuJqiIZ_vO5iDS2Imfp8gtVXwnj-Q9fY/s320/IMG_20180415_131239.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connecting the LED straps with some cable and a bit of soldering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Connecting the Arduino board was the last step. I was soldering the connection cables directly on it and covering it in a shrink tube afterward.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj9qeZ_Py69Tn_P7pT3ohiMBDza-vB7MoIHA8N18IqonHnZrzWvFZU3wnym9JFp3hCkNADJ2z-sHNZJ0u-A0YE4zfXFTo6P1Mpbq0WoS7lP9C3wkAAmNjeKolzFQ1uGTYw8Iy8HylbGs/s1600/IMG_20180415_110609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj9qeZ_Py69Tn_P7pT3ohiMBDza-vB7MoIHA8N18IqonHnZrzWvFZU3wnym9JFp3hCkNADJ2z-sHNZJ0u-A0YE4zfXFTo6P1Mpbq0WoS7lP9C3wkAAmNjeKolzFQ1uGTYw8Iy8HylbGs/s320/IMG_20180415_110609.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connecting the cables to the Arduino board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-D1v6i9gwTGqpix9hT3_tQQpvyuOndgPnPp5V5IADT92w4gNx8Ky9j5PhO6v5Pdsexe6okK9vDzwDw1D3q0geA1yxekcoVKM6gco7RhPXRXBF0-lTK4C4dfBScf-9VbH5a1r2pyQTA0/s1600/IMG_20180415_132057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-D1v6i9gwTGqpix9hT3_tQQpvyuOndgPnPp5V5IADT92w4gNx8Ky9j5PhO6v5Pdsexe6okK9vDzwDw1D3q0geA1yxekcoVKM6gco7RhPXRXBF0-lTK4C4dfBScf-9VbH5a1r2pyQTA0/s320/IMG_20180415_132057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixating the Arduino to the back of the screen with some tape</td></tr>
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<h2>
Setting up the software</h2>
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On the software side, there needs to be software set up and pushed to the Arduino board and there needs to be software running at the PC to catch the colors at the border area and send them to the Arduino in order to light up the right LEDs in the right color.</div>
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For the software at the Arduino, I was using Adalight which uses the FastLED library. Only a few settings had to be made here like the number of LEDs and the COM-Port the Arduino is connected to the PC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlOZveXO6IoF4IaOvHbnX9-zmOAlhSwsfBcQXVcaC2T8XOB46RnKNqI1GNyv7pwjeq1uyj3BzVvXSU7G61aLqipqDXMVBYOs_ufwQwsuYHjOwjI4dgXCawoug_Jf3j4qWbzXJ6eRCGE8/s1600/Adalight.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="803" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlOZveXO6IoF4IaOvHbnX9-zmOAlhSwsfBcQXVcaC2T8XOB46RnKNqI1GNyv7pwjeq1uyj3BzVvXSU7G61aLqipqDXMVBYOs_ufwQwsuYHjOwjI4dgXCawoug_Jf3j4qWbzXJ6eRCGE8/s320/Adalight.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adalight settings</td></tr>
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Just a hint: Do not choose the wrong chip settings for the Arduino board as I was doing at my first attempt ... which lead to overheating and destroying the board.</div>
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On my PC I use AmbiBox. This software has to be configured in order to address the right LED corresponding to the position of the colors at the monitor. In my case that means, the LEDs starting at the bottom left of my monitor, running clockwise around it without any gap at the bottom for a stand or something like this. These settings will differ depending on the monitor used for the project and the orientation of the LEDs at which they were mounted to the monitor.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEL_4Xbv-LaO0uJhBBvORENDlwtnP_m9RxHvjyhse_f7uwI9B3WYKYPENe29UfQ_buGVp2r4vZti7gbcZDDKVYIXFs-SwUrW14eCv4t0Akv3RNzfym7_bZ-hdcOafiLJv19XJzPOfzUY/s1600/captureAreas.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEL_4Xbv-LaO0uJhBBvORENDlwtnP_m9RxHvjyhse_f7uwI9B3WYKYPENe29UfQ_buGVp2r4vZti7gbcZDDKVYIXFs-SwUrW14eCv4t0Akv3RNzfym7_bZ-hdcOafiLJv19XJzPOfzUY/s320/captureAreas.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The configuration of the capturing software</td></tr>
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I will not go too much into details regarding the software as there are tons of tutorials out there.</div>
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This software needs to always run in the background in order to capture the colors at the border area of the screen and send them to the Arduino to display the corresponding colors at the LED strap.<br />
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
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The effect of the ambient light on my PC is astonishing. Regardless if watching YouTube videos or playing computer games, it is a great extension and for very little money. Also, it has been a very interesting DIY project and actually the first one for me to get in contact with Arduino, which I am sure, many more Arduino related projects will follow.<br />
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jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-25669245638336877952018-06-24T16:36:00.001+02:002018-06-24T16:41:39.484+02:00BinaryCrapClock by David WattsI have assembled quite some of this soldering kits from China now. I also had a binary clock at my desk for several years ... but now, I got a self-assembled/-soldered binary clock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlC0xUGJj8qwuUxFemf-tFNN3H2uSqlxWp7kMI2Zu-yQYtGBXvoVlwnCa9wILcYJn4ddh5_jufFWTD0oug2eJvSDFdFtmCp5IYMWgNfgbxDMQJaQuvZ1ll4ZeQAvvZVrueJJg2E9YiLY/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlC0xUGJj8qwuUxFemf-tFNN3H2uSqlxWp7kMI2Zu-yQYtGBXvoVlwnCa9wILcYJn4ddh5_jufFWTD0oug2eJvSDFdFtmCp5IYMWgNfgbxDMQJaQuvZ1ll4ZeQAvvZVrueJJg2E9YiLY/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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How did I get to this?</h2>
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When I started to look around for information about soldering, I found some interesting YouTube channels. One of them is by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MrDavidJWatts">David Watts</a>, a very nice guy who had a video series which title, "Lazy Sunday", which inspired me to set a blocker in my calendar called "DIY Projects" every Sunday. Often, David is assembling one of this China kits or tinkering with some ideas or even creating his own electronic boards. Lately, he finally released a binary clock kit created by himself, which was very interesting to follow along with him creating it.</div>
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He set up some at <a href="https://www.tindie.com/">tindie.com</a> for sale so I grabbed one quickly. Unfortunately, the package never arrived at my place ... most likely because of a mistake by me because I did not double check the address transmitted by PayPal to Tindie. As it turned out, the house number was missing. I reached out to David and he was very kindly sending me another kit.</div>
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What did I get?</h2>
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The second package arrived. Inside I found the board itself with all the parts and a schematic for the clock (with some instructions in Chinese) as well as some stickers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h5QiQzVWkHvyIiMR6RAtm4XmI1O39vuXbFJnl5zkDHLbnwmY9SUk6bAEO2Lbn0zysZ9QFGAVrzAjUeaJBNdfE5TZynqM_CWpuze2zzgTDx_vr-vP3-gjhVZltdmvI1ANvm7wPPfX0qY/s1600/IMG_20180624_084219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h5QiQzVWkHvyIiMR6RAtm4XmI1O39vuXbFJnl5zkDHLbnwmY9SUk6bAEO2Lbn0zysZ9QFGAVrzAjUeaJBNdfE5TZynqM_CWpuze2zzgTDx_vr-vP3-gjhVZltdmvI1ANvm7wPPfX0qY/s320/IMG_20180624_084219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The schematic and the parts</td></tr>
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The board itself and all the small components where inside a plastic bag.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwTJvqaNr-YgPcPFDBycvgBh6YykhamP1YVpMJIA1jSttZpi9MCYfGwQzfadhwrdsBb00O075PWE65k7_4HU8EqDMpUtNIDRYVBMIDU8heqbUOcaa8gNZIB0q1VHVh8iGFACDXl-Feog/s1600/IMG_20180624_085226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwTJvqaNr-YgPcPFDBycvgBh6YykhamP1YVpMJIA1jSttZpi9MCYfGwQzfadhwrdsBb00O075PWE65k7_4HU8EqDMpUtNIDRYVBMIDU8heqbUOcaa8gNZIB0q1VHVh8iGFACDXl-Feog/s320/IMG_20180624_085226.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The board, components, and stickers</td></tr>
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<h2>
Assembling the clock</h2>
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Finding the right spots for all the components isn't that hard as everything is labeled on the board itself and the schematic. In doubt, there is also <a href="https://youtu.be/5j2Psmb9NmE">David's video</a> about the assembly to figure out what has to go where.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Oj5Ur3SaEYIHNxqldb_50JbrkFO1SUlxb-bABWacrkZ2EJr-WpE9iBPOtfEfKIs_gzhsHWmiACYYFwqVxR8YzItK9pZt5CFaz8Ffrqz6xBfpim3JsWRaOnGxPgkIWH3Jl3_6V_OtLRE/s1600/IMG_20180624_111844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Oj5Ur3SaEYIHNxqldb_50JbrkFO1SUlxb-bABWacrkZ2EJr-WpE9iBPOtfEfKIs_gzhsHWmiACYYFwqVxR8YzItK9pZt5CFaz8Ffrqz6xBfpim3JsWRaOnGxPgkIWH3Jl3_6V_OtLRE/s320/IMG_20180624_111844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldering the components mostly with a magnifying glass</td></tr>
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Step by step I added component after component and soldered them in place... Some of the components are really small like the resistors, so I had to use tweezers and the magnifying glass.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaXwEL43Lyqq5QRUygTKV7m2mdfXfgzZh1s926qg-h53j1wFY2g0_BBXDvOc8Xf3uRIcWLp4FSKUQnkyIn7Cqoc-EGbqy7mMdr85SKcsE8rykvfVKUPU9GMM0DmuPZrG9AU7WGOip1xs/s1600/IMG_20180624_111758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaXwEL43Lyqq5QRUygTKV7m2mdfXfgzZh1s926qg-h53j1wFY2g0_BBXDvOc8Xf3uRIcWLp4FSKUQnkyIn7Cqoc-EGbqy7mMdr85SKcsE8rykvfVKUPU9GMM0DmuPZrG9AU7WGOip1xs/s320/IMG_20180624_111758.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resistors in front of my tweezers</td></tr>
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But even more than the small resistors, the 4510 chips been a bit of a pain to solder in.</div>
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The last components to solder on the board been the LEDs for the clock numbers itself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gJJZDomNT8KUy5_LbFs-WEsDN0rQUwqn6NHy490l0kgZoidntF41dgFjkeMiS7Yrh3anYptZyeH8J1G2axtetWOqertCGB5W6pPsfmvAd9hiNwi3fWvhSP7rH14-GPyYoCumQ7EkAsU/s1600/IMG_20180624_130842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gJJZDomNT8KUy5_LbFs-WEsDN0rQUwqn6NHy490l0kgZoidntF41dgFjkeMiS7Yrh3anYptZyeH8J1G2axtetWOqertCGB5W6pPsfmvAd9hiNwi3fWvhSP7rH14-GPyYoCumQ7EkAsU/s320/IMG_20180624_130842.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the LEDs last</td></tr>
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Done ... well</h2>
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When I was done, I connected the clock to power and tested it out. It looked great ... until the minutes should reach 40 ... but the LED indicating the 4 in the 10-hour section did not lit up.</div>
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Everything else seemed to be fine so I checked if the LED was working first, which it was. Then I was inspecting all the other components again that are related to this specific row and found a solder connection at one of the legs of the 4510 chip that did not look like it was really connected.</div>
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After fixing this issue, all the LEDs worked perfectly.<br />
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
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A great kit with lots of "meditation" time by assembling it. The clock looks great in my opinion and I am having plans for it in a future project, but more on that at another time.</div>
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Also, David's videos been very inspiring to me and I started to do a lot more of this tinkering projects or even just learning how to solder this year was a great experience, which will help me in my upcoming projects.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-32089809456010946472018-05-21T15:03:00.000+02:002018-05-21T15:03:10.368+02:00Playing with lightAs mentioned in my article about <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/04/soldering-my-first-steps.html">my first steps into soldering</a>, I started some real projects as well. Today I would like to tell you about one of them, lightening the shelves at my office space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCRrq5ofaX3DKLVDyJCx-peuLRN-a5-9VKXi-yZvLrbfQsmMvkkrXZww8TD58sZjzhaZVxsEwXy4BhpAVjWjPMG9YWZCaJXgQM4acW6Ha3l9iFSIwJJhceqpK9Fh5IdMNNEoUQwuyXU/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCRrq5ofaX3DKLVDyJCx-peuLRN-a5-9VKXi-yZvLrbfQsmMvkkrXZww8TD58sZjzhaZVxsEwXy4BhpAVjWjPMG9YWZCaJXgQM4acW6Ha3l9iFSIwJJhceqpK9Fh5IdMNNEoUQwuyXU/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we redid our office room, we already bought this shelves to be illuminated with some LED straps. After some research on the web, I was confident, the programmable LED straps called WS2812B would fit my needs.</div>
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So I got to AliExpress and ordered some of them alongside with some other electronic accessories for my DIY projects. I chose the version with 60 LEDs per meter IP30 as this project does not the water protection of the IP67.</div>
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The hardware part</h2>
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Sometime later, the LEDs finally arrived. I had also ordered a Raspberry Pi Zero W (not at Ali as this are too expensive there) which I wanted to use in that project, a 16 GB micro SD card and a level converter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9objrPANyBR4JBjxiBQx4-GzF7ofe_DiF6egW5QWgpkdhtyAygKIeosU0M0uh1UwFCeb-ocWY8EKsd2k64xx6cutMXWd4u0SX5Y3mruuAeVg_94YAFAh_MuYBisWGBHaMXQtBhnKGFa4/s1600/IMG_20180325_104013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9objrPANyBR4JBjxiBQx4-GzF7ofe_DiF6egW5QWgpkdhtyAygKIeosU0M0uh1UwFCeb-ocWY8EKsd2k64xx6cutMXWd4u0SX5Y3mruuAeVg_94YAFAh_MuYBisWGBHaMXQtBhnKGFa4/s320/IMG_20180325_104013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing the LEDs first</td></tr>
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The first step was to set everything up to see if it's basically working. In my first setup, I was using an external power supply for the LED strip. But I switched over to power them by the 5 V output of the GPIO-Pins at the Raspberry Pi. It worked quite fine, just had to make sure to use a strong enough power supply for the Raspberry.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First setup with an external power source</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqHUPwyiYZslUtvqhGdOphClhExeDjI5z3a5NkD3Ui6ZjBAJ8NRsSIGVAzLf_5ZJHkwMLw-9_yT-ffQ8qtDYfvMGK5qb02C2RmnP1nYRR690H5nqgva0mBcF-GtAucLnCDNmF2GBTgqM/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqHUPwyiYZslUtvqhGdOphClhExeDjI5z3a5NkD3Ui6ZjBAJ8NRsSIGVAzLf_5ZJHkwMLw-9_yT-ffQ8qtDYfvMGK5qb02C2RmnP1nYRR690H5nqgva0mBcF-GtAucLnCDNmF2GBTgqM/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testprogramm, all 5 meter of the LEDs did lit up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next step was to cut the LED strip in parts fitting for the shelves and create some connection between them again. In order to be able to remove the three shelves individually again, I decided not to solder the connection cables directly to the LED parts, rather than create some kind of plug system for them. I was using some pin bus strips to create male and female parts and soldered them to the cables and LED strips. To get a better grip and protect the soldered points, I also covered them with shrink tubes.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ1uHD93YGrp0dL__jyTGEoOi0y5NO17Yfurcj_civQ8rWTI4w82Pv14-Vo4KCmC4C1PJYAKcO74E26Z1mkwSDYGyOp5dBCePIXH6VLu0NlPlCUA29hUZr36I2aDcjPhQvjtceKY2TFY/s1600/IMG_20180325_111936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ1uHD93YGrp0dL__jyTGEoOi0y5NO17Yfurcj_civQ8rWTI4w82Pv14-Vo4KCmC4C1PJYAKcO74E26Z1mkwSDYGyOp5dBCePIXH6VLu0NlPlCUA29hUZr36I2aDcjPhQvjtceKY2TFY/s320/IMG_20180325_111936.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating the connection plugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After everything was set up so far, I performed another test to see if my solder - plug - cable system would work, before putting them up on the shelves.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsb4DbkZov2k5JfQMEi2_cc9CX772KsoGDtVj4YxvEIQhsaREfKMNlQR_J1HjEGb_51xvbXR4SivNP2gUpSsOz3HfJh6Qa26ud16Zu9RmPksYnG2B1fZrkjp6OOiN1me-A_eUQuMuF6c/s1600/export.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsb4DbkZov2k5JfQMEi2_cc9CX772KsoGDtVj4YxvEIQhsaREfKMNlQR_J1HjEGb_51xvbXR4SivNP2gUpSsOz3HfJh6Qa26ud16Zu9RmPksYnG2B1fZrkjp6OOiN1me-A_eUQuMuF6c/s320/export.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the three segments for the three shelves</td></tr>
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<div>
I was also soldering in the level shifter, adding another self-made plug for the connection to the Raspberry Pi and covering all with a shrink tube. A switch to power on and off the setup was added as well.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwepqwa7Cx25wT4905YTD-Jbud5NQJ-O8ZMq0Y9v9y7vNXlXBEDTrUwgaiqEoUwievlkr-45P_e7FFi6DDaSEDICQqLPRMnhtUSeQjlISYWx5v6rEM8TpB5ZofjZiL9_cXEAFfxPW8Pvc/s1600/IMG_20180325_152105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwepqwa7Cx25wT4905YTD-Jbud5NQJ-O8ZMq0Y9v9y7vNXlXBEDTrUwgaiqEoUwievlkr-45P_e7FFi6DDaSEDICQqLPRMnhtUSeQjlISYWx5v6rEM8TpB5ZofjZiL9_cXEAFfxPW8Pvc/s320/IMG_20180325_152105.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldered in the level shifter and Raspberry connection plug</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1fmDTSEDSv3k3zL05W8F8aRVk4D-CYJIj1aOYn5O4wrRSd8hQAzVKgFXi2rG8jq8o8WdC4JkhJczRxmUJSuJJ3KnxEXs3GqVmxgn6F-Fmcubo4Xx7W666hGDUHWf9z234Omk9d8EQiA/s1600/IMG_20180325_154935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1fmDTSEDSv3k3zL05W8F8aRVk4D-CYJIj1aOYn5O4wrRSd8hQAzVKgFXi2rG8jq8o8WdC4JkhJczRxmUJSuJJ3KnxEXs3GqVmxgn6F-Fmcubo4Xx7W666hGDUHWf9z234Omk9d8EQiA/s320/IMG_20180325_154935.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covered all the soldering points with a shrink tube</td></tr>
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<br />
As everything was working, it's been time to put the LEDs on the shelves. I also hid the connection cables with some cable ducts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUNCQkiTn0EgMbFBnbb4BtnC6SHwRFT5YSiAK3F7bmcpN5FYunxNFBKw83pnkTDBjZxSCI8cJijGMRSyfPIrCQOXjH5gNGf4KBxbti_4P-62W3msXKv6shGWu8ScPBUszXMcwTviszXs/s1600/IMG_20180329_091555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUNCQkiTn0EgMbFBnbb4BtnC6SHwRFT5YSiAK3F7bmcpN5FYunxNFBKw83pnkTDBjZxSCI8cJijGMRSyfPIrCQOXjH5gNGf4KBxbti_4P-62W3msXKv6shGWu8ScPBUszXMcwTviszXs/s320/IMG_20180329_091555.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set up on the shelves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
The software part</h2>
<div>
At the side of the software, it's not been much work. Just setting up a Raspberry Pi with the noobs image and installing Raspbien.</div>
<div>
I also set up ssh and VNC to access the Raspberry Pi remotely as I plan to add more functionality later like to react to a movement sensor or voice commands. </div>
<div>
The WS281X library had to be installed as well of course as some other packages.</div>
<div>
After everything was set, I created a script to play the rainbow animation for now. More to follow later. This script I also added to the startup, so the light animation starts automatically when the Raspberry Pi starts up.</div>
<div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been a really fun project and it's a huge improvement to the look of our home office. As my wife saw it, she wanted to get one at her desk as well so we set up another by now.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ6YK4W0dobAfeBqqwmnBQa98WP4p7nD_CgY9YXy8Z5YYOf0vQ47OhyphenhyphenKbTMwGFXSZCaEWTFU5cuySp49g0Uw7RCW5E-GRoCZ7rXk6REOQM9V2o6fjs0M24luvklCxJXW1sapD7O-ZFGc/s1600/IMG_20180406_164453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ6YK4W0dobAfeBqqwmnBQa98WP4p7nD_CgY9YXy8Z5YYOf0vQ47OhyphenhyphenKbTMwGFXSZCaEWTFU5cuySp49g0Uw7RCW5E-GRoCZ7rXk6REOQM9V2o6fjs0M24luvklCxJXW1sapD7O-ZFGc/s320/IMG_20180406_164453.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light shelves at my wife's desk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We plan to pimp up our flat with more elements like this. Stay tuned for updates on future projects. :)</div>
</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-44226426720717805282018-04-08T15:41:00.000+02:002018-04-08T15:41:10.516+02:00Soldering - my first stepsLast winter holiday I got a soldering station. Time to play a bit with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC21TagpKlCzmXSntdqXb2YXL2_ZNH7vEj4cWtfPb8AGa1uFF_3O8YGD_eb6DnZri5_vDR5xxlqn-CC9LZhY9bQXYuaNxqf1H6IXEFMGvghKsyk8I5WO-DCCL7zrDqkQY7o3lpoGmknj0/s1600/IMG_20171228_151839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC21TagpKlCzmXSntdqXb2YXL2_ZNH7vEj4cWtfPb8AGa1uFF_3O8YGD_eb6DnZri5_vDR5xxlqn-CC9LZhY9bQXYuaNxqf1H6IXEFMGvghKsyk8I5WO-DCCL7zrDqkQY7o3lpoGmknj0/s320/IMG_20171228_151839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Why I started with soldering?</h2>
<div>
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<div>
I was starting to explore the world of programming for physical devices when I started <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/02/mirror-mirror-on-wall-implementing.html">building my Smart Mirror with a Raspberry Pi</a>. When I <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/03/mirror-mirror-on-wall-implementing.html">build in the Voice Assistant</a> in the next step, I got confronted with hardware again.</div>
<div>
Also, I realized the huge potential of tinkering and the fun in it when I could build stuff for my vision of a smart home my self.</div>
<div>
But there are limits on how far it is possible to go without more knowledge about electronics and the right tools as well.</div>
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<h2>
What was the next step?</h2>
<div>
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<div>
First, I got a bit of basic equipment to start with.</div>
<div>
I got a HAKKO FX-888D soldering station, recommended to me by a colleague of mine, Jörn Bögeholz (you can find his blog <a href="https://creatronix.de/">here</a>).</div>
<div>
This soldering station might not be the cheapest, but for what you get it's absolute worth. The option to regulate the temperature actually is something I already use depending on the objects I am working on.</div>
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<div>
Further on, I got some accessories like a heat resistant pad, some tin, a third hand, and other stuff.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX8KisS-y7i3-8hOyyOeUuMJ_i4kdf_sFcrFJ4IURwe2U0KDZdNyG8KPf34FUzveYkD1b1WlFzyUUt0_CkrJjoWD5ILgrch0Amql8btfcc-slvsTwm2dZD7dg7i-mYQQCzlPO655FFd0/s1600/IMG_20180102_152147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX8KisS-y7i3-8hOyyOeUuMJ_i4kdf_sFcrFJ4IURwe2U0KDZdNyG8KPf34FUzveYkD1b1WlFzyUUt0_CkrJjoWD5ILgrch0Amql8btfcc-slvsTwm2dZD7dg7i-mYQQCzlPO655FFd0/s320/IMG_20180102_152147.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third hand and other tools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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A bit later on I also got a multimeter, recommended by Jörn as well. This enables to even deeper understand the electronic basics.</div>
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<div>
Also, we were building a little working space in order to have some room to work at and to clean up when I am done so our cat doesn't get the tin or anything else that doesn't belong to her.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5pIFqTObi6NuH9iqH4r_fKnFGCYsI7xX4dGWheMR3hy7PjLZhgvbXgjHs4TLeTYfsFaKBuwVLp6MOYfTVdyNAOQuBUQZ8H1v25xpkCj590Q8cCdZfVirzA9Dt4vSHdBGW26qQ-7s-fQ/s1600/IMG_20171229_203132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5pIFqTObi6NuH9iqH4r_fKnFGCYsI7xX4dGWheMR3hy7PjLZhgvbXgjHs4TLeTYfsFaKBuwVLp6MOYfTVdyNAOQuBUQZ8H1v25xpkCj590Q8cCdZfVirzA9Dt4vSHdBGW26qQ-7s-fQ/s320/IMG_20171229_203132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tinkering station</td></tr>
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<div>
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<h2>
What next?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since then, I was reading and watching videos a lot on the web about electronics and the proper use of a soldering iron. To get some exercise, I also ordered a few of this little exercise boards to get used to soldering of different elements.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For example, this little digital dice project to get started with.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIJhPhrNHo2PpIRIzJexj7Gl8x3OfVebpcgOYB7BMixk2rlk2oUrvej3H9R0RhuTTbygwEs7JktUqrRiznZaJgptZVzZLEh_-2Entq7SLVdmcIqLymHNc5dT9As2AmFtNH_36WOL-3I8/s1600/IMG_20180102_152128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIJhPhrNHo2PpIRIzJexj7Gl8x3OfVebpcgOYB7BMixk2rlk2oUrvej3H9R0RhuTTbygwEs7JktUqrRiznZaJgptZVzZLEh_-2Entq7SLVdmcIqLymHNc5dT9As2AmFtNH_36WOL-3I8/s320/IMG_20180102_152128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the dice</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaI77oQnVQNx_x36mVcKOMuwnE3a30jvDSEFBkHsJwDepSzAGZGrSkmW99ghN1Y9aKWJ7xybUWGRErLJzFPBPyepCvNEA_2hECrUi64LAyhni7eZ7vH1daGN23E-zjReBBaf4GDXeALU/s1600/IMG_20180102_155819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaI77oQnVQNx_x36mVcKOMuwnE3a30jvDSEFBkHsJwDepSzAGZGrSkmW99ghN1Y9aKWJ7xybUWGRErLJzFPBPyepCvNEA_2hECrUi64LAyhni7eZ7vH1daGN23E-zjReBBaf4GDXeALU/s320/IMG_20180102_155819.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parts of the dice after putting all the components in</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rGYhUByonQL1sCYC8dSmwhbehFIN9DKTaX65gZVgXycila8_kIqeD34uN3KAcko5w2koiyRi2M0mSg_Ptmxopi1Ob74yiu76MYpcdJfF4WhAMZvLMb74QuiS4b4Df4QRG_dgfwzVln0/s1600/IMG_20180102_160905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rGYhUByonQL1sCYC8dSmwhbehFIN9DKTaX65gZVgXycila8_kIqeD34uN3KAcko5w2koiyRi2M0mSg_Ptmxopi1Ob74yiu76MYpcdJfF4WhAMZvLMb74QuiS4b4Df4QRG_dgfwzVln0/s320/IMG_20180102_160905.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final dice</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or a set of stereo speakers, which was a present of my wife for me to start with my soldering.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiDqN06tMIGT0NkYTqZWZGHdeokN-y67hHc5vx4Omf0mEfyRg67UsYc81avhh26JFQ9mMU3MoCyOPe-sBW16m8-hbcHd-3K5UqpbcBguNFF7OJ1a8AzfBPJ2Ghkfax7PJsWq-Qszv72k/s1600/IMG_20180120_175218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiDqN06tMIGT0NkYTqZWZGHdeokN-y67hHc5vx4Omf0mEfyRg67UsYc81avhh26JFQ9mMU3MoCyOPe-sBW16m8-hbcHd-3K5UqpbcBguNFF7OJ1a8AzfBPJ2Ghkfax7PJsWq-Qszv72k/s320/IMG_20180120_175218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How the speakers started out</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeODJy4dCrOm7xqKrq3u0PkPFpXFhghk4N_I1Wwvo9ytrGAZZ3ugXvV1vzmzGqJ2lOJGlzUpgcWknjL31LaRxXk_yz5FYVHKok5R4ee2SJp1ajeUmyTUrAVnkA6Jte8qS3V4wxjqmiQ8/s1600/IMG_20180120_194856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeODJy4dCrOm7xqKrq3u0PkPFpXFhghk4N_I1Wwvo9ytrGAZZ3ugXvV1vzmzGqJ2lOJGlzUpgcWknjL31LaRxXk_yz5FYVHKok5R4ee2SJp1ajeUmyTUrAVnkA6Jte8qS3V4wxjqmiQ8/s320/IMG_20180120_194856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final test at the speakers before putting the case together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPieqq2R3RunKw2Wguf5eq8Ycj6jhFlSV4xXZpp3lvt11jrVqnvOT5REZf_fNOJcGVGu8lfXoGho222bGbRcOqdz6l0scGkmCEo9IKpiSt7F1MF6ZjT4wQnt09s8ptFmbLooJ87L3d4Y/s1600/IMG_20180120_210043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPieqq2R3RunKw2Wguf5eq8Ycj6jhFlSV4xXZpp3lvt11jrVqnvOT5REZf_fNOJcGVGu8lfXoGho222bGbRcOqdz6l0scGkmCEo9IKpiSt7F1MF6ZjT4wQnt09s8ptFmbLooJ87L3d4Y/s320/IMG_20180120_210043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished speakers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soldering is a lot of fun itself but it also enables so much more possibilities in the field of electronics and tinkering your own smart home. Do It Yourself (DIY) is the huge slogan which I was recognizing on the web more and more as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, when we renovated our office, we extended the tinkering area quite a bit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBsbKtiR4RIYbea1M5bhecLwcb-WldjH3RgelgQt1pZjGzKslB_UbrasDrJVqKg50vLh4Pp88Sl3u6gDC_8J66HmJTiGmOrqvJCZdHOSnkmPzQb1fu7rMNYS4zcPlDDH2mW3ltpK51qQ/s1600/IMG_20180218_135720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBsbKtiR4RIYbea1M5bhecLwcb-WldjH3RgelgQt1pZjGzKslB_UbrasDrJVqKg50vLh4Pp88Sl3u6gDC_8J66HmJTiGmOrqvJCZdHOSnkmPzQb1fu7rMNYS4zcPlDDH2mW3ltpK51qQ/s320/IMG_20180218_135720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The extended tinkering area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
For now, I got some first practice with soldering and electronics. I also started to build a few first smart home projects, mostly containing some programmable RGB LED straps, but more on this in a different article :)</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-83036774606105644862018-03-20T20:23:00.001+01:002018-03-20T20:23:51.857+01:00Mirror mirror on the wall ... Implementing a voice assistant into a smart mirror #2Getting the mirror to speak, finally.<br />
In my <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/02/mirror-mirror-on-wall-implementing.html">previous article</a>, I was telling about the different voice assistants and how we choose one for the implementation into the smart mirror.<br />
Now it's time to work on the actual implementation ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AmhC4rcobeKCMysvIpXl5Wk-kdcfWNadXpNn4WNmUwj9y5Md51x2LeENqNgLSnIvGkAEw-03WL9E19FiVmIJ121e47K5a7mxL3E2dMxYXtChyphenhyphenjMWqZ_Jy8dTle5c-4adoWTaRp9xdK0/s1600/IMG_20180103_144224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AmhC4rcobeKCMysvIpXl5Wk-kdcfWNadXpNn4WNmUwj9y5Md51x2LeENqNgLSnIvGkAEw-03WL9E19FiVmIJ121e47K5a7mxL3E2dMxYXtChyphenhyphenjMWqZ_Jy8dTle5c-4adoWTaRp9xdK0/s320/IMG_20180103_144224.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
Prototype</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the decision has been made to use the Google voice assistant for our project, we went to build a prototype of it at a Raspberry Pi.</div>
<div>
Google and the MagPi had teamed up and released a DIY kit for the Google voice assistant, of which I posted already in my article <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/02/google-aiy-voice-kit.html">Google AIY Voice Kit</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fgpwaqjiS0Hwis3JCjzpZSH9PRwJW5PcyIys5RdoZg9DAgAcUGuaq2sREJ1_H7N8I7fNGrRV7kF0A5BxiiI97xYqRb5O7HXejcsQM363dfYAOkm2DZtNh9PEANXoTE6_AhXCtwwfBnc/s1600/Google-VoiceSim-Packaging-white-EDIT_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fgpwaqjiS0Hwis3JCjzpZSH9PRwJW5PcyIys5RdoZg9DAgAcUGuaq2sREJ1_H7N8I7fNGrRV7kF0A5BxiiI97xYqRb5O7HXejcsQM363dfYAOkm2DZtNh9PEANXoTE6_AhXCtwwfBnc/s320/Google-VoiceSim-Packaging-white-EDIT_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google AIY Voice Kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Into the smart mirror</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
After we assembled the kit and had a working prototype of one part of what we wanted to build, we had to move it into the smart mirror and integrate it into the existing system as well as implement a visual feedback for the communication with the assistant.<br />
<br />
One issue we came across right away was that the smart mirror was written in Python 2 while the SKD of the Google voice assistant in Python 3. The easiest solution was to raise the smart mirror code from Python 2 to 3. In fact, not much needed to be changed.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Visual feedback</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
At this point, we had a smart mirror with a working voice assistant, but no visual feedback yet. Our plan was, to show some visual feedback in the middle of the mirror surface, but only while a conversation takes place.<br />
<br />
The original frame layout of the smart mirror had no space for the voice assistant. There has been a frame for the news at the bottom, and a frame for the other information at the top, divided into a left (weather) and a right frame (time/date). Again, please excuse the German labels in the drawings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNu74XdpQslxgDAwaJiAQRdaUdZwTZ9ThRow3EviuTnNNNNa1BaJJ6TW8nmu76bBujcKcCdhnQEJKIy9cyZBIsgyYAfqutKlNSC_4VaJI9J_xE1FFpgvfi0dJ_zyCMbtnfA5jeN8xHOg/s1600/Folie1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNu74XdpQslxgDAwaJiAQRdaUdZwTZ9ThRow3EviuTnNNNNa1BaJJ6TW8nmu76bBujcKcCdhnQEJKIy9cyZBIsgyYAfqutKlNSC_4VaJI9J_xE1FFpgvfi0dJ_zyCMbtnfA5jeN8xHOg/s320/Folie1.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frames before the integration of the voice assistant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The frames had to be rearranged a bit to make some space for the visual feedback of the voice assistant without the other elements being moved or influenced when the conversation is triggered or over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8kokTAukP_E5qmPz6be8PQNvXerTSG-lLhOiwiBh7it5_1Yy6wpfQJaf-SmisW_LKkFWS3E_ZMI1zuZ4-AmNjOux1RrY3zQD-M7X10QsO4erfcxeWn-d1SoUKAZ0_hDD1cplKaupmPU/s1600/Folie2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8kokTAukP_E5qmPz6be8PQNvXerTSG-lLhOiwiBh7it5_1Yy6wpfQJaf-SmisW_LKkFWS3E_ZMI1zuZ4-AmNjOux1RrY3zQD-M7X10QsO4erfcxeWn-d1SoUKAZ0_hDD1cplKaupmPU/s320/Folie2.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frames with the area for the voice assistant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our solution was, to split the upper frame into two frames again, an inner upper and an inner lower frame. The inner upper frame could hold the weather and time information like before and the lower inner frame the voice assistant feedback.<br />
<br />
Now we got the space to show the visual feedback, but we ran into another issue, that we had not encountered before ... threads. The Google voice assistant runs in a separate thread as it would otherwise block all other tasks because of the constant listening to the keyword <i>"OK Google"</i>. So far not an issue, but we wanted to show the status information including the recognized question at the mirror surface. That means we had to transport this information from one thread to another. We managed to do that by a class variable and a new function, that periodically checks for new status entries to react by showing the visual feedback.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw2LPQfFwZN7ZvMFrhyWj-UjrPaDtZf0DolBynlnFeB0lWNwdxtNIoa-uH5aFHLKWJYTs41x8eauGu6uQUdpnmCSNJmw9LHSgHqDv3VTDtaqhGzIjxboZw7bQJvcsOOX2qZbtGg5WnGQ/s1600/Screenshot+2018-02-24+at+14.54.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="980" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw2LPQfFwZN7ZvMFrhyWj-UjrPaDtZf0DolBynlnFeB0lWNwdxtNIoa-uH5aFHLKWJYTs41x8eauGu6uQUdpnmCSNJmw9LHSgHqDv3VTDtaqhGzIjxboZw7bQJvcsOOX2qZbtGg5WnGQ/s320/Screenshot+2018-02-24+at+14.54.08.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Function to check status changes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the end, the mirror shows a face and the status text while a conversation takes place. Five seconds after the conversation is finished, the face and status text will disappear so the middle part of the smart mirror stays clear to show the mirror image of whoever is standing in front of it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwaJIWDMoTX5tPIUVQgwHwdf3Hf0W0OBXCaFgm3JLwGbou2FqQQIbhyphenhyphenMl3rQayvni59K7wZvXQiM612yhmXwMxcEDx8E-nN3bDkjuMemZQIXhUilWyOe20Xl5InGUGPEPVWwkTuf1VEY/s1600/smartmirror_aiy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwaJIWDMoTX5tPIUVQgwHwdf3Hf0W0OBXCaFgm3JLwGbou2FqQQIbhyphenhyphenMl3rQayvni59K7wZvXQiM612yhmXwMxcEDx8E-nN3bDkjuMemZQIXhUilWyOe20Xl5InGUGPEPVWwkTuf1VEY/s320/smartmirror_aiy.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot of the smart mirror while a conversation takes place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Getting all together</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After all these steps had been done, the new hardware was placed in the mirror frame along with the existing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkXsIiTF03L8ZeLxQg2Yz31eRIGJvslgwVCkHVqY1RcYlhfyYUHa44S7F5Y67Jpeefxzq9o9vqMo8giwCUxO7p6clLVGBnrWc1dD9lrCn8O4AFhYvWo4iAsitw1PzxQ5pvEOzpcf7jEI/s1600/IMG_20171104_105641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkXsIiTF03L8ZeLxQg2Yz31eRIGJvslgwVCkHVqY1RcYlhfyYUHa44S7F5Y67Jpeefxzq9o9vqMo8giwCUxO7p6clLVGBnrWc1dD9lrCn8O4AFhYvWo4iAsitw1PzxQ5pvEOzpcf7jEI/s320/IMG_20171104_105641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardware for the voice assistant added to the mirror</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The speaker was placed with some double sided tape directly at the back of the display, the audio HAT on top of the Raspberry Pi and the microphone at the bottom of the mirror at the outside. The microphone was moved to the inside later and even placed against the wood of the frame as it was so sensitive, it could hear commands from next room with closed doors.<br />
<br />
Finally, the smart mirror is back in place with the voice assistant implemented.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhswls6Jl7lSAjsVXEr54oS3wOotdigtS9RUnX4tZKVToOKJpsoVpsD7WXyaSglz3onJ85sbnNHMbPS-NNewAlqeAoCidyTeGB1d4rZhdw4MsnVYOUMNCnFkbZ6aFC_4dOS79amn1dNE/s1600/IMG_20180103_144221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhswls6Jl7lSAjsVXEr54oS3wOotdigtS9RUnX4tZKVToOKJpsoVpsD7WXyaSglz3onJ85sbnNHMbPS-NNewAlqeAoCidyTeGB1d4rZhdw4MsnVYOUMNCnFkbZ6aFC_4dOS79amn1dNE/s320/IMG_20180103_144221.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smart mirror with active conversation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Checking the result</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After everything was assembled and working, we wanted to check how well we have done. This for, we repeated the questions that we used to select a voice assistant first place and compared the results against the previous results of the Google voice assistant as that's the most adequate reference for our implementation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were expecting the same results as before but got surprised by some deviations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdIw4MaV_A7t7MnPs2bL1GZtILZpZSstB-woVmyC_UhdCJBiNR5p_MHZdNP2E8SG529Z-TUNcAFWS1AgGX4srkgv7fqK1_yI4fZ24xhBVvsXa7rgjDn9BvZUR5_i_exQOCQyQG2X36Yo/s1600/SmartphoneVsSmartMirror.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="901" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdIw4MaV_A7t7MnPs2bL1GZtILZpZSstB-woVmyC_UhdCJBiNR5p_MHZdNP2E8SG529Z-TUNcAFWS1AgGX4srkgv7fqK1_yI4fZ24xhBVvsXa7rgjDn9BvZUR5_i_exQOCQyQG2X36Yo/s320/SmartphoneVsSmartMirror.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google voice assistant at smartphone vs smart mirror</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As you can see, the questions recognized category was identical. But at the categories for the question answered and answer helpful there have been differences.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After analyzing the questions that made the difference, we came to the conclusion that it has been because the assistant in the smartphone "knows" it had a display, while the assistant in the smart mirror is more comparable to a Google home, without a display. That means, some questions got a visual answer at the smartphone, but the same questions got answered verbally at the smart mirror.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the answers helpful category, there have been some questions the smart mirror assistant simply can't help with at the moment as the features are not supported yet by the SDK provided by Google. This is, for example, the Google Play Music integration, which simply is not available to the SDK at this point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion and outlook</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all the project was a full success and a lot of fun. The smart mirror now has the ability to answer questions and shows a visual feedback. Even though, the feedback is not completely done yet as the animation of the gif is not working as I want it to be. Also sometimes, there is a little glitch that requires restarting the Google assistant.</div>
<div>
But that just means, a bit more to do with this funny project :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The smart mirror has been a very nice project so far and is a very good base to continue with more DIY projects, which will follow for sure.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Google just released another of this kits, this time it's a vision kit. I already got some ideas of what to build with it but that's clearly for another article at some point.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-14116667693164685912018-02-26T17:54:00.000+01:002018-03-20T20:24:37.200+01:00Mirror mirror on the wall ... Implementing a voice assistant into a smart mirror #1Last summer, I was <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/09/building-smart-mirror.html">building a smart mirror</a> with a Raspberry Pi, an old monitor and some spyglass.<br />
Now, the smart mirror got extended by a voice assistant to become a speaking mirror.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiNIGzm_JN9sILBay8NTlDqfuc7lTRB1r0tFFRq3adNZYXBWxj3Lg95eDrELZCIp4rtbINcNaf3faH6fx9dYxHYgQXxm31Mw2StAoqbUAbviyyesav5iZAMH6oMnj8vYez_jiptZO3DI/s1600/ezgif.com-optimize_288Frames.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiNIGzm_JN9sILBay8NTlDqfuc7lTRB1r0tFFRq3adNZYXBWxj3Lg95eDrELZCIp4rtbINcNaf3faH6fx9dYxHYgQXxm31Mw2StAoqbUAbviyyesav5iZAMH6oMnj8vYez_jiptZO3DI/s320/ezgif.com-optimize_288Frames.gif" width="312" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
The case study</h2>
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<br /></div>
As some of you know, I am doing an extra-occupational study for about a year now. In this case, it was possible to combine the useful with the pleasant as I had to do a case study for my school and I wanted to extend my smart mirror project.<br />
The case study was set to be a teamwork of two or three students so I grouped up with a fellow student (Benjamin) to work on this project.<br />
<br />
So the base question was:<br />
<i>How to implement a voice assistant into a smart mirror?</i><br />
<i><br /></i> This also leads to some follow up questions:<br />
<i>What voice assistants are available?</i><br />
<i>How to choose one of them?</i><br />
<i>How to actually implement it?</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Initial situation</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, we had a working smart mirror which showed weather information, time and date as well as the latest news headlines.</div>
<div>
It consisted of an old monitor, a wooden frame, a spyglass and a Raspberry Pi. To learn more about that part, check my original post about <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/09/building-smart-mirror.html">building a smart mirror</a>.</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOtSmqST92XWIYY6BQNSCgDeaKsYO9a3zheJGDRPYxr9xidP_J3akC-cyK9uFGkJYyQ3Rs5hQUIawqBAKnDrRCgoPAdgLUlT6LUEPxh7DgsbK-gzP1RwqbmdxFzD4AlXOsJtfnWN2sRI/s1600/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOtSmqST92XWIYY6BQNSCgDeaKsYO9a3zheJGDRPYxr9xidP_J3akC-cyK9uFGkJYyQ3Rs5hQUIawqBAKnDrRCgoPAdgLUlT6LUEPxh7DgsbK-gzP1RwqbmdxFzD4AlXOsJtfnWN2sRI/s320/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For our case study, we were describing this parts and some other basics like the internet of things and so on of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Different voice assistants</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next big question was, which voice assistants are available and which one to choose for the project.</div>
<div>
Voice assistants are one of the main topics in tech at the moment. Even Google showed up at the CES in Las Vegas this year to present different consumer products that include voice assistants. And even before that, at the Google I/O 2016, Sundararajan Pichai, the CEO of Google, was talking about the importance of voice search and assistants for the future of technology in his keynote: "In the US, on our mobile app in Android, one in five queries — 20% of our queries — are voice queries and that share is growing."</div>
<br />
<h3>
Which voice assistants did we look at?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For our case study, we took a look at the tree voice assistants that were the most popular and obvious to us:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Google Voice Assistant</li>
<li>Amazon Alexa</li>
<li>Apple Siri</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<h3>
How to compare the voice assistants?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To compare these assistants we build a list of 46 questions of different kinds which we asked each assistant. The questions where consisting different areas. Following you will find examples of the different categories.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Questions about calculations:</div>
<div>
<i>"What is the 3rd root of 625?"</i></div>
<div>
<i>"What is 5 US-Dollar in Euro?"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Questions about common knowledge:</div>
<div>
<i>"What is the difference between bit and byte?"</i></div>
<div>
<i>"What is the Brownian motion?"</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Follow up questions where the subject of the first question had to be considered for the second question:</div>
<div>
<i>"Who is Benedict Cumberbatch?"</i></div>
<div>
<i>"In which movies did he play?"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Questions about the sport and other local events:</div>
<div>
<i>"How did Bayern play?"</i></div>
<div>
<i>"What's going on in the cinema today?"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Location-based questions:</div>
<div>
<i>"Where is the next cinema?"</i></div>
<div>
<i>"What's the time in Bali?"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Personal questions:<br />
<i>"Are there any events on my calendar?"</i><br />
<i>"How long is my commute?"</i><br />
<br />
Fun questions:<br />
<i>"Who is Cortana?"</i><br />
<i>"Sing Happy Birthday!"</i><br />
<i>"Tell me a joke!"</i><br />
<br />
Each question was asked to each of the assistants up to three times to make sure no other noises, like a car driving by, would have a bad influence on the result. If the question was recognized correctly, no further tries where applied.<br />
The questions were also asked by the same person to all assistants to have comparable conditions for each of them.<br />
<br />
The devices we used to compare the voice assistants:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Google voice assistant<br />at an Android smartphone (OnePlus 3T with Android 7.1.1)</li>
<li>Amazon Alexa<br />Amazon Echo Dot</li>
<li>Apple Siri<br />iPad with iOS 9.3.5</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Comparing the results</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After all the questions have been asked and the results were gathered, we created some graphs to show them in comparison in three different categories.<br />
I hope you don't bother with me because the graphs are labeled in German as our case study was written in German. :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Question recognized</b></div>
<div>
<br />
The first category was, how well the spoken question was recognized by the voice assistants. This could be determined by checking the voice log where the text was shown, that the voice assistant recognized.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS3drEIT9HYv0t_0638hJkBT12ktTiXI933KohKyNXptIOzjpEYd2mB2DE8ul4Pno-Oe64Rwe7oT7MiLlQxcrDjrFNQ1M4e1ZOZv23eMxNRcNkH0nggqH0VXpdlEcrmhjLeHrOaaMx3I/s1600/FrageErkannt.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="691" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS3drEIT9HYv0t_0638hJkBT12ktTiXI933KohKyNXptIOzjpEYd2mB2DE8ul4Pno-Oe64Rwe7oT7MiLlQxcrDjrFNQ1M4e1ZOZv23eMxNRcNkH0nggqH0VXpdlEcrmhjLeHrOaaMx3I/s320/FrageErkannt.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Question recognized</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As to see by the graph about the question recognized, Google did recognize the questions always, while Siri and Alexa did a similar, still good job.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Question answered</b></div>
<div>
<br />
The second category was whether the question was answered. This had to be split up not only into yes and no but also into a third area "partwise". This was introduced as we recognized how some of the questions were answered but not by voice feedback, rather by showing the result at the display.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wxmjvcnSeHV3VTkaUnG7M6AWKTABwxDBCuBhzsw0MdWuR9MFJPHkaAQmbHy5E_cbiZtK2Xfncfn5JM6jRD5lcWAzsZEwAwc7oPDPwvAJTOy4mJO0LScQLI3b-jXPphSou3yYzIT6gNU/s1600/FrageBeantwortet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="857" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wxmjvcnSeHV3VTkaUnG7M6AWKTABwxDBCuBhzsw0MdWuR9MFJPHkaAQmbHy5E_cbiZtK2Xfncfn5JM6jRD5lcWAzsZEwAwc7oPDPwvAJTOy4mJO0LScQLI3b-jXPphSou3yYzIT6gNU/s320/FrageBeantwortet.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Question answered</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This graph shows, how well the questions were answered. Again, Google did a very good job in this regard. Alexa did not show any results visually, because of the nature of the device as it had no display. Siri and Google on the other side where tested on devices with a display. The number of answers given by Siri by displaying the information rather than giving voice feedback was surprisingly high.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Answer helpful</b></div>
<div>
<br />
The last category was whether the answer given to the question was fitting and helpful. This was a bit subjective, but we had no disagreement on the judgment here at all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJmFAYqWomeHCFGK2rX0DuCd0aQyV7JviGLWCE32FZJI9h__8IJhNlCDVQM9i-ufWDfaVFks4IsJmoJVRqfcIFkgTSss1jv1S3omc1ltnvBLiTbkNQ6g18gaa1OFsa0G7aLLpP1XnwSg/s1600/AntwortHilfreich.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="689" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJmFAYqWomeHCFGK2rX0DuCd0aQyV7JviGLWCE32FZJI9h__8IJhNlCDVQM9i-ufWDfaVFks4IsJmoJVRqfcIFkgTSss1jv1S3omc1ltnvBLiTbkNQ6g18gaa1OFsa0G7aLLpP1XnwSg/s320/AntwortHilfreich.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Answer helpful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The quality of the answers given was best by Google, followed by Siri. The last useful answers were given by Alexa.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion</b><br />
<b><br /></b> All in all, we summed up the positive answers of all categories to get a summary of the graphs in one place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ9ofOiyGI6MLKQ8BL6j5cBCfz-Krs_sk-PJoZTtGmPmnmQadoNLOhERht0MvnpUbofbHzvAvgO5N5pzxOoXZ5o1jLdc1e3pYDOdiYaa8srT3Vt6kp_IoA07eHdDOtNHfdPFSZBHPq78/s1600/PositiveErgebnisse.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="902" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ9ofOiyGI6MLKQ8BL6j5cBCfz-Krs_sk-PJoZTtGmPmnmQadoNLOhERht0MvnpUbofbHzvAvgO5N5pzxOoXZ5o1jLdc1e3pYDOdiYaa8srT3Vt6kp_IoA07eHdDOtNHfdPFSZBHPq78/s320/PositiveErgebnisse.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sum of all positive results</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As it's clear to see, Google did best in all categories.<br />
<br />
A bit more to consider was that Apple had restricted the use of their assistant to use in their devices only which made it impossible to use it for our project.<br />
Also a positive aspect we recognized in addition to our questions was, that Google did tell the source of information before answering the questions. This also allows judging if the given answer is trustworthy or not. The Google assistant was the only one to do this.<br />
<br />
Considering all of this, we decided to use the Google assistant to implement in the smart mirror.<br />
<br />
<h2>
To be continued...</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
So far so good. The implementation and what we have done after selecting an assistant for the project will be part of <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2018/03/mirror-mirror-on-wall-implementing.html">another article</a>.</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-37313450927666766622018-02-03T12:17:00.000+01:002018-02-03T12:17:12.162+01:00Google AIY Voice KitA while back, Google and the MagPi did a collaboration which resulted in the first AIY Project, the AIY Voice Kit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeL_NBu9Nz40sSMkBxppaqqyswg-Z5dUUc8RQDi_nXk_o7SHv9xTxetd-aqCzgSv_rAAtSSRk9KZeiA_b5oSuUqC2PxNq7RG5sBKs5mOdZw2nvrXEM5WknJE8JifZr2C-pnmQSKb6Q9Y/s1600/Google-VoiceSim-Packaging-white-EDIT_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeL_NBu9Nz40sSMkBxppaqqyswg-Z5dUUc8RQDi_nXk_o7SHv9xTxetd-aqCzgSv_rAAtSSRk9KZeiA_b5oSuUqC2PxNq7RG5sBKs5mOdZw2nvrXEM5WknJE8JifZr2C-pnmQSKb6Q9Y/s320/Google-VoiceSim-Packaging-white-EDIT_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google AIY Voice Kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
What is that?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/voice/">The Google AIY Voice Kit</a> is a bundle of some hardware components along with an SDK to build your own voice assistant, similar to a Google Home.</div>
<div>
First, it was released as a special version of the <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/">MagPi</a> magazine <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi-issues/MagPi57.pdf">issue #57</a>. Later, because of the high demand, it got released as a stand-alone product.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
What is included?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Apart from the Raspberry Pi, everything needed to build a voice assistant is included. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSPm2MVuapQDXmsjXdbj20k7xqUgN5VVwVDUVP-F-3peDnpA1Byv9hQErZzurBJErcgb3o9TKN701TXMfgrVFfATS55TV60FCoeX6hAXgNVx7aute0m8cyWsPIF6Vn526rIbEYSVrJy8/s1600/materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSPm2MVuapQDXmsjXdbj20k7xqUgN5VVwVDUVP-F-3peDnpA1Byv9hQErZzurBJErcgb3o9TKN701TXMfgrVFfATS55TV60FCoeX6hAXgNVx7aute0m8cyWsPIF6Vn526rIbEYSVrJy8/s320/materials.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Components of the Google AIY Voice Kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So the package includes:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The voice HAT (a board to attach at the top of the Raspberry which acts as control unit and soundcard)</li>
<li>A stereo microphone</li>
<li>A speaker</li>
<li>A LED button</li>
<li>The cables to connect all of this</li>
<li>A cardboard box as housing for all of this</li>
<li>A manual</li>
</ul>
<div>
What else will be needed:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>A Raspberry Pi 3 (some other models are supported as well)</li>
<li>A micro SD card</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<h2>
Setting it up</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a very detailed manual included in the box with step by step instructions on setting up the hardware, the software and the account needed for the AI backend at Google.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCclNQqkZHkgIDgnlnyK9au8CAp7dmcv0UVfYm534NW2KXp8fxjjaFGo1ATf7-V5pUvS4O0WgCo5rhe0AIiaqCHmNYFYICzseRIKBp18vxQ1oJlplK8AVyTOqE1c2lWpmJ9mXARqmtVI/s1600/IMG_20171014_193541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCclNQqkZHkgIDgnlnyK9au8CAp7dmcv0UVfYm534NW2KXp8fxjjaFGo1ATf7-V5pUvS4O0WgCo5rhe0AIiaqCHmNYFYICzseRIKBp18vxQ1oJlplK8AVyTOqE1c2lWpmJ9mXARqmtVI/s320/IMG_20171014_193541.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic components assembled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only issue I had was that the button included in the package was a different one compared to the one shown in the manual. So I had to play around with it a bit and check for some references online. Oh, before I forget, there is no soldering needed at all. Everything is set up with just plug connections.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpJ8hIlsBgmQGp7u3kFBalX4SnbpXD0DOXVcnAkiy83A980y6z_eaSXgYnB1j4yKxWMv00He0RVSdGsI-uI2t13fpiYSu9oYL1m4KSOHWoLNDCL3ivy2XXNurzUgjmjmPGcNAdD7xM5U/s1600/IMG_20171014_200514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpJ8hIlsBgmQGp7u3kFBalX4SnbpXD0DOXVcnAkiy83A980y6z_eaSXgYnB1j4yKxWMv00He0RVSdGsI-uI2t13fpiYSu9oYL1m4KSOHWoLNDCL3ivy2XXNurzUgjmjmPGcNAdD7xM5U/s320/IMG_20171014_200514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put in place within the cardboard box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After everything was set up, the voice assistant simply was working...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
What does it do?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After everything is set up, the included demos can be executed. There are different versions, with button support and voice activation or just with the button activation.</div>
<div>
Means, the assistant can be triggered by pressing the button or the "OK Google" voice command. After that simply ask something or give a command and the assistant will react to it. All in all, it works quite good and very similar to a real Google Home.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsQ2-2IvuYEInktasbjH56lmlE2AC5QoNRz6tyJeG2Q-zqkf367TBgGM1FDiRh1-Ow4B37QMfLKfAWD3dDi_R9yGHc5zaxJ_KmGuBnM7q9tIS8g5OcFMTctTBxcQlBOkVXg5WnCOhCEk/s1600/IMG_20171014_201106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsQ2-2IvuYEInktasbjH56lmlE2AC5QoNRz6tyJeG2Q-zqkf367TBgGM1FDiRh1-Ow4B37QMfLKfAWD3dDi_R9yGHc5zaxJ_KmGuBnM7q9tIS8g5OcFMTctTBxcQlBOkVXg5WnCOhCEk/s320/IMG_20171014_201106.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully assembled Google AIY Voice Kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The microphone is extremely good and will understand spoken commands or the keyword even at a very large distance.</div>
<div>
Just something to note here, it is NOT a Google Home. It's just the voice assist part of that. So it will not integrate into the Google Home network like other devices and can't cast media to a Chromecast connected with that network. On the other side, Google is constantly updating the SDK and adding features ... One of the latest updates also brought support for more languages than just English. Other features might follow.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Google AIY Voice Kit is a great starter to get into the development of speech recognition applications. It is meant to be a starting point and Google forces the "Makers" to go further and develop their own tools and applications with it. That's also what they try to show with their slogan "Made by you with Google" and that is exactly what I have done already ...</div>
<div>
But more on that in future article ;)</div>
<div>
Google also released another Kit by now, the Google AIY Vision Kit which steps into the direction of image recognition. Looking forward to playing around with that as well at some point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To me, the project is a great addition to everyone who wants to play around with some development skills. It's a great experience to bring some software development into the real world with some physical components, which makes playing around with all around the Raspberry Pi so exciting to me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-15846590632145208662017-12-31T16:34:00.000+01:002017-12-31T16:34:43.611+01:00The House of Da Vinci at a ChromebookLately, I was playing a bit of<i> <a href="http://www.thehouseofdavinci.com/">The House of Da Vinci</a></i> at my Chromebook. Yes, playing at a Chromebook is something real now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5r9GqwfTdAwpg8Hblhe_Afrk3ZRt1agSFejOZ9nSH56OlAdewm3t1XbwB2bba1XDMVw8k8AMStHDuRniNbm2zU3qYdyRTJN1c4a-sHDs7PnepBIbbSBiNYU5ozRhkhpuiCZCDR9Ko-Q/s1600/Wallpaper_01_1280x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5r9GqwfTdAwpg8Hblhe_Afrk3ZRt1agSFejOZ9nSH56OlAdewm3t1XbwB2bba1XDMVw8k8AMStHDuRniNbm2zU3qYdyRTJN1c4a-sHDs7PnepBIbbSBiNYU5ozRhkhpuiCZCDR9Ko-Q/s320/Wallpaper_01_1280x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What is it?</h2>
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Well, it is a puzzle game similar to the series of <i>The Room games</i>. It is available on all the major platforms like Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.<br />
The player is exploring a beautiful made place in 3D and needs to solve different puzzles to unlock further progress. In case of <i>The House of Da Vinci</i>, the story is placed in the house of the master of machines itself, Leonardo Da Vinci.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fJRQQFTAL6hkXtsr1Xpm_aUwHUqKbioRbgpULbvWXRV3InMcTtfZRdIMM-usq6EQSQV7Qqspm3NyyvyPWMEx61uP6ndRnmNU_PHT9ElCVe-lSUJB5fQhzzp6B7mEbk7IZE8P7nJYYME/s1600/Wallpaper_04_640_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fJRQQFTAL6hkXtsr1Xpm_aUwHUqKbioRbgpULbvWXRV3InMcTtfZRdIMM-usq6EQSQV7Qqspm3NyyvyPWMEx61uP6ndRnmNU_PHT9ElCVe-lSUJB5fQhzzp6B7mEbk7IZE8P7nJYYME/s320/Wallpaper_04_640_1136.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The Story starts, by a letter from the Leonardi Da Vinci and it the players turn, who is an old friend of the master, to find him and the reasons behind his disappearance.</div>
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<h2>
Founded on Kickstarter</h2>
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<div>
The game has been founded at Kickstarter, where I was supporting it as well. Despite the release of the game early summer, I just found the time to look a bit into it. So far I really like it, just as I also did with the games of <i>The Room</i> series. The puzzles are done very nice and the environment and soundtrack are of high quality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoOzem_Typ4nbgrYze4Xlse8OCQBU-JAQ0t0EU0TmmKUGGPSEIX0UwDqXk8g_Y5YFh_SvU3iCu8VacyDX-ED1ADVNg9BfjoilmdPegRbKFgAnEWzQ56I6y1dbU0hIK24ZptLFkV7oDCM/s1600/Wallpaper_02_1280x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoOzem_Typ4nbgrYze4Xlse8OCQBU-JAQ0t0EU0TmmKUGGPSEIX0UwDqXk8g_Y5YFh_SvU3iCu8VacyDX-ED1ADVNg9BfjoilmdPegRbKFgAnEWzQ56I6y1dbU0hIK24ZptLFkV7oDCM/s320/Wallpaper_02_1280x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Soundtrack and some high-resolution wallpapers have been made available to supporters as well, which I really appreciate.</div>
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<h2>
Playing at a Chromebook</h2>
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<div>
Something special for me, I am playing the game at a Chromebook. Originally I was pledging for the Android version of the game. I could have played it on my smartphone like I did with many games before.</div>
<div>
But as most Android apps are now supported at my Chromebook (<a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/07/samsung-chromebook-pro.html">Samsung Chromebook Pro</a>), I wanted to give it a shot at that platform.</div>
<div>
It is a huge difference to play such a detailed puzzle game on an a11-inch screen instead of a 6-inch one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiyGE9Pip9E3bpyou7kY1oUskETJN-VfFkiRu8HJxRQoBIWh7iyGVIH9Aymy50i8bvkp0Ez3JYJgXH5ltoFs32EJda4lYNaLtt8b-fXOp-bNO0fR3Do56SYQsVMe6DgLhhBEVj5GMhYA/s1600/Wallpaper_04_1280x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiyGE9Pip9E3bpyou7kY1oUskETJN-VfFkiRu8HJxRQoBIWh7iyGVIH9Aymy50i8bvkp0Ez3JYJgXH5ltoFs32EJda4lYNaLtt8b-fXOp-bNO0fR3Do56SYQsVMe6DgLhhBEVj5GMhYA/s320/Wallpaper_04_1280x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
The game itself runs very smooth at my Chromebook and I didn't find any issues with this way of playing yet. The only thing is, after ending the game, there always shows up a message about the app stopped to work. But as this only happens when I ended the game already, it does not bother me.</div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br />
I really like the game even if I didn't play it much yet. Playing Android Games at a Chromebook is something else I really enjoy as it provides a lot more options for future gaming along with the use of touch, keyboard, sensors, controllers, pen and much more.<br />
I also like to support games on Kickstarter and other similar platforms to support independent game development. Even more, I like to see them succeed and getting attention.<br />
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jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-58336598766352869112017-11-27T18:13:00.001+01:002017-11-27T18:13:16.080+01:00Google Home MiniRecently, I was getting a new toy at home that I wanted to get for a long time: A Google Home (Mini)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd4neo5Do3TrrmQE-eq115Aj9HZFgYVTPgzYM5Egcpk_QLoOA-Di9NchYd-GdaAbMayTuvv6LNWAcQ9QtQVckxS25OjOE_ziBsdURfjCiOQ3z2R3Tx7ApQuLQ5L5vMEM0Bigf79UIIA0/s1600/IMG_20171118_101044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd4neo5Do3TrrmQE-eq115Aj9HZFgYVTPgzYM5Egcpk_QLoOA-Di9NchYd-GdaAbMayTuvv6LNWAcQ9QtQVckxS25OjOE_ziBsdURfjCiOQ3z2R3Tx7ApQuLQ5L5vMEM0Bigf79UIIA0/s320/IMG_20171118_101044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Google Home Mini package.</td></tr>
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<h2>
What is Google Home and what does it do?</h2>
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Well, it is the Google Assistant that you might know from your Smartphone, just as a stand-alone home device. </div>
It enables you to speak to the assistant like the crew of Star Trek The Next Generation does when they say "Computer, play music" or anything like that. Just that the keyword is "OK Google" instead of "Computer".<br />
<div>
Google Home also enables you to control other smart home devices like switching on or off the lights by simple words. It also answers questions like "Will it rain today?" or "What is 350 $ in €?" or calculations like "What is the third square of 375?". Also, questions about things of common interest like "Who is Benedict Cumberbatch?" it will try to answer by presenting results from web searches.</div>
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<h2>
Why did it take so long to get one for me?</h2>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Well, Google Home has been released about a year back in November 2016 ... but it first got released in Germany by August 2017. When the Google Home Mini got released at a much lower price (about 59,- €), I needed to get one, finally.</div>
<div>
Of course, I could have gotten an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot before but I really wanted the Google device as it works together with my Chromecasts and Smartphone so well.</div>
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<h2>
What is included?</h2>
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<br /></div>
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Not all that much, but enough.</div>
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The Google Home Mini itself, a USB cable (micro USB) and some documentation.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha3qs2YJjm8oy_Yz_wskvx9J9x6WiNg4dYOVXfOz1UaCutilJXX3tg8XOqfy8nwR-THuUL_pti2JmS9B8LkfT31QUcQbD7fRKrC3JK1PFJp7r_CYMmcMo3UrzWCMK7oLECAyG2DSBGfk/s1600/IMG_20171118_101209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha3qs2YJjm8oy_Yz_wskvx9J9x6WiNg4dYOVXfOz1UaCutilJXX3tg8XOqfy8nwR-THuUL_pti2JmS9B8LkfT31QUcQbD7fRKrC3JK1PFJp7r_CYMmcMo3UrzWCMK7oLECAyG2DSBGfk/s320/IMG_20171118_101209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Home Mini + Micro USB cable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
The setup is quite easy. Just plug it in and open the Google Home app on your Smartphone. The rest is just following the instructions there.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OyuFKKC_3sIwzKFRM-26_9GOt-jbGdoB69WVqdSkJxCVJI6poLNE3D7XLmmIIms_ESz7c4NSUZOB5EsW8sQMoShMqTb7A7Kqy0wohS1yoKOxkq1MNkOwPFifvhRKYI4kCz0L1K4WWoU/s1600/IMG_20171125_104154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OyuFKKC_3sIwzKFRM-26_9GOt-jbGdoB69WVqdSkJxCVJI6poLNE3D7XLmmIIms_ESz7c4NSUZOB5EsW8sQMoShMqTb7A7Kqy0wohS1yoKOxkq1MNkOwPFifvhRKYI4kCz0L1K4WWoU/s320/IMG_20171125_104154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White LEDs to show status and volume.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
The device itself has some LEDs at the top to indicate it's status or the volume and a microphone mute button at the backside. When the microphone is muted, the status LEDs will permanently be red.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3XOpS6bxnlP9xs6u0uPPjwJjc9wqG8KzDzSWm07MluucnligeF4UCw2Iuj7AkdzQ5cVS4ukK2WeQAMCOK1hzkdgE_chtniTle3zfE35kswOZQLwnEPgG7gCCS9viU2L07ihl-DVn0xM/s1600/IMG_20171125_104208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3XOpS6bxnlP9xs6u0uPPjwJjc9wqG8KzDzSWm07MluucnligeF4UCw2Iuj7AkdzQ5cVS4ukK2WeQAMCOK1hzkdgE_chtniTle3zfE35kswOZQLwnEPgG7gCCS9viU2L07ihl-DVn0xM/s320/IMG_20171125_104208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red LEDs to show that the microphone is muted.</td></tr>
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<div>
The audio quality is also quite good for such a small speaker. Of course, it is not comparable to a huge stereo system, but it's still quite good.</div>
<div>
Another thing that surprised me was how well it detects the keyword even while there is music or videos playing and without shouting at all. </div>
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<h2>
How does it influence my daily life?</h2>
<div>
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<div>
For most people, it might feel strange at first to talk to a machine. As I am using voice commands on my Smartphone with the Google Assistant for quite a long time now already, it was not that much of a difference, more of a convenience.</div>
<div>
At the moment the Google Home Mini sits on my desk at my office at home. Asking questions like for the weather, some currency rate conversions when I am shopping online, when I am interested in some facts, want to hear the latest news or simply just want to listen to some music.</div>
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For example, I tell: "OK Google, play a Lindsey Stirling radio mix."</div>
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And that's exactly what I get, it plays a Lindsey Stirling radio mix.</div>
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Or I ask other things like my next appointment, my commute time to work, to set a reminder and so on.</div>
<div>
I also have a few Chromecasts at home, which also enables me to just tell Google Home to play a TV Show from Netflix on my TV or some YouTube videos, show some of my photos as a slideshow and so on ...</div>
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<h2>
Are there any downsides?</h2>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, where there is light, there is also shadow.</div>
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I have set up my system to English US as some features tend to be available there first and I also like the sound of the AI voice better there. In fact, all my systems are set to EN-US, always.</div>
<div>
But as I am not a native speaker, sometimes it's a bit harder for me to pronounce the terms right. Or when I ask for specific German names or locations at a system expecting English, it's still hard sometimes to get these things right.</div>
<div>
Another problem is when you want to set it up in an environment where you're not alone. Other people could get disturbed by it a bit or the Assistant can get a bit confused with other people telling orders as well. This is also an issue when your watching YouTube videos and they simply say the "OK Google" keyword ... I would wish Google would allow setting your own keyword.</div>
<div>
Some people are worried about a device that is always listening to the keyword, just most of them do not even notice, that they are carrying such a device in their pocket, all the time ...</div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
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<br /></div>
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Do I like it? YES!</div>
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Would I buy it again? Of Course!</div>
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I really enjoy this little step towards a future most of us where dreaming of when we watched sci-fi shows in our childhood. Somewhat it feels, we are approaching these fictions now.</div>
<div>
Also, I am very curious to see what's coming next and where it will lead us to.</div>
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jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-2675245408789101402017-10-29T19:00:00.001+01:002017-10-29T19:00:08.474+01:00XODO PDF Reader & Annotator<div>
Reading and writing PDF documents at a Chromebook ... no longer a challenge with XODO, more of a joy :-) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj079gziAlGAnDV0q02oORyY0AgnfuRUPfmunV-d_NWocojfioI1bjlvbRUdj2YuPh8aj_blgJYKWas7YQhbCD68899AorLAyeU2h-Na2GgnMT7tTa1_SNPDK_DLYfzyTWowlBUvMCEU1U/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.42.15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj079gziAlGAnDV0q02oORyY0AgnfuRUPfmunV-d_NWocojfioI1bjlvbRUdj2YuPh8aj_blgJYKWas7YQhbCD68899AorLAyeU2h-Na2GgnMT7tTa1_SNPDK_DLYfzyTWowlBUvMCEU1U/s320/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.42.15.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Whats the issue?</h2>
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Reading and taking notes at my lecture notes is an essential task for me while I study. Of course, one option would be to print all the lecture notes and make notes on the regular paper. But that doesn't satisfy me as a tech geek. Especially carrying around this thickly printed scripts ... nope, not for me!</div>
<div>
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<h2>
Possible Solutions?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
There are a few great PDF reading and editing web apps like <a href="https://www.kamihq.com/">Kami</a> or <a href="https://www.xodo.com/">XODO</a>, just to name two. Actually, I used both of them and enjoyed both. But XODO got the upper hand to me because of a few nice features.<br />
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<h2>
What is special?</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, XODO offers a web app PDF reader/editor that allows to load and save directly to Google Drive (where I usually put my documents to). But for me, the big advantage of <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader">XODO over others is that they got an Android app</a>.</div>
<div>
Right, an Android app ... how does a smartphone app benefit my work for study?</div>
<div>
It is the combination of the Android app with my <a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/chromebooks/12-14/samsung-chromebook-pro-xe510c24-k01us/">Chromebook</a>, where I can run Android apps. And even further, with the pen, I can use at the Chromebook.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLph4QbEz3y-vQnkKPvJ2GP5THip0Sa-_P-Ndp79nFP74ok1wpHbZ1WcUe3o2-Qwj_uIuuDuDmOauBa2DNmaw3kPGAScf9c2MlchpZgL50az_NV3kNXIX9EDD2n3TUjGzbMCFF6NdESw/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.35.00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLph4QbEz3y-vQnkKPvJ2GP5THip0Sa-_P-Ndp79nFP74ok1wpHbZ1WcUe3o2-Qwj_uIuuDuDmOauBa2DNmaw3kPGAScf9c2MlchpZgL50az_NV3kNXIX9EDD2n3TUjGzbMCFF6NdESw/s320/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.35.00.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest MagPi at the XODO Android app with some notes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Android app allows to read and edit documents as well and set the pen for primary input. This way I am able to use the finger to flip pages and the pen to make notes. The documents can be loaded and saved directly to Google Drive as well and when I want to continue working with my documents at another PC or my home setup with a bigger screen, I can just open them in the web app and continue where I left off. Seeing all the notes, drawings or marks I have made within the app as well as edit them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMPsG-Lk-bTpIEKqs-dzNAsAoVwSszVDGHDeR7zcUrQOEY7STvVSqXcD-yJhM37K4Ue-y5_D-yqVfgcYCRl-H1jKgs8wHSKTlGQwoFm2EeXITpGRoN3utjj6ebSIkp_WKJ3A14gClWQw/s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.38.56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMPsG-Lk-bTpIEKqs-dzNAsAoVwSszVDGHDeR7zcUrQOEY7STvVSqXcD-yJhM37K4Ue-y5_D-yqVfgcYCRl-H1jKgs8wHSKTlGQwoFm2EeXITpGRoN3utjj6ebSIkp_WKJ3A14gClWQw/s320/Screenshot+2017-10-29+at+18.38.56.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest MagPi at the XODO web app with the same notes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
In portrait mode, it's even fun to read a magazine like <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/">MagPi</a> as it is about in original size, but still be able to make notes, mark text and so on.</div>
<div>
Oh, and there is something more ... <a href="http://feedback.xodo.com/knowledgebase/articles/911262-how-does-xodo-make-money">Xodo is free</a>!<br />
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
Working with PDF documents made easy, that's XODO to me. Especially as it is free for private use, I can't recommend it enough. To be honest, I even prefer it over the official Adobe Acrobat Reader app. There are also tons of features I did not try yet so lots of stuff to explore left over for me.</div>
</div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-79819467061771693592017-09-03T14:15:00.000+02:002017-09-03T14:15:06.841+02:00Building a smart mirrorIn this article, I will tell you about my summer project 2017: Building a smart mirror.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg1dnPFTDLLpXiKQedgc9QbkREQ8zG4fEGh2qqouQBviaf4acZtDzTDfJzGH4C1D4FoHM0KP6FxW4GxHA232QeFVk2jUtvybd7KtDBPP-1ZQUwrlOmz8npjST5ll7TfeYONVsSVccW-E/s1600/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg1dnPFTDLLpXiKQedgc9QbkREQ8zG4fEGh2qqouQBviaf4acZtDzTDfJzGH4C1D4FoHM0KP6FxW4GxHA232QeFVk2jUtvybd7KtDBPP-1ZQUwrlOmz8npjST5ll7TfeYONVsSVccW-E/s320/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
What is a smart mirror?</h2>
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A mirror shows just a reflection of what ever is in front of it, while a monitor on the other side can show information, regardless of what kind they are. A smart mirror finally tries to combine both of them, showing the reflection of objects or persons in front of them and information at the same time.</div>
<div>
The idea of a smart mirror is nothing new. It is shown in some science fiction movies and shows. Also since a few years, more and more projects, startups and companies showing up offering different kinds of smart mirrors or offering building kits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDpaPBmK37Q5dcbSoaOorOTvPws1T3DTytdMXT9WuezNDFpSmxfemO9envnLS7fXFBVqxGR3rY-wo2txhTArq9NMiw8x_ogxBx5OvyQ2IvyDF7_i4HvP3SKR4QwWmkAN5FAKu6jzBN5M/s1600/IMG_20170824_174536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDpaPBmK37Q5dcbSoaOorOTvPws1T3DTytdMXT9WuezNDFpSmxfemO9envnLS7fXFBVqxGR3rY-wo2txhTArq9NMiw8x_ogxBx5OvyQ2IvyDF7_i4HvP3SKR4QwWmkAN5FAKu6jzBN5M/s320/IMG_20170824_174536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
What was my intention?</h2>
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<div>
I was looking for a project to do something with a <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/">Raspberry Pi</a> for a while as I wanted to get to know this neat little computer. At some point, I just discovered a project report of <a href="https://youtu.be/fkVBAcvbrjU">Hacker House at YouTube</a> where they build up their own smart mirror with a Raspberry Pi. They were also building the frame them self so it seemed perfect to fit for what I was looking for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvy8kF3r8eUf-iVQkDoGFLzP_v24xytMklI3oo2LTbMPxxshj-v5Ub_iUOWmEn7v-7sFQ4pvxD13IunCXwVSu45ZskAxR7adLV2MvUJbLbcYAdY5rG7dzYiYmjm5RHG7FzoHfVowa5Uw/s1600/wire_1502255554754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvy8kF3r8eUf-iVQkDoGFLzP_v24xytMklI3oo2LTbMPxxshj-v5Ub_iUOWmEn7v-7sFQ4pvxD13IunCXwVSu45ZskAxR7adLV2MvUJbLbcYAdY5rG7dzYiYmjm5RHG7FzoHfVowa5Uw/s320/wire_1502255554754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
Also, another reason to go for this project was, that my wife was asking for a mirror in our hall for a few years now, we just never found something we were satisfied with.</div>
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<h2>
The hardware</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, I had to gather all the components required:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Raspberry Pi</li>
<li>A monitor</li>
<li>The frame</li>
<li>The mirror glass</li>
<li>Some cables</li>
</ul>
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</div>
<h3>
Raspberry Pi</h3>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Well, I needed one of this little computers from the UK, that are in everyone's mound since a few years. I ordered one from Amazon and started to watch and read some tutorials about it. </div>
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I went for the latest version, the Raspberry Pi 3 B, which costs about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-1-2GHz-64-bit-quad-core/dp/B01CD5VC92/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1503930721&sr=1-3&keywords=raspberry+pi+3">35 € at Amazon</a>.</div>
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<div>
I also ordered a case and a micro SD-Card which is needed as well, for about 15 € in total. Further on, a USB keyboard and mouse are needed as well.</div>
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<div>
When it arrived, I started playing around with it. Also, I noticed, that the monitor should have an HDMI port to make things easier.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LwxCggFo9ENUsfauws_s1ZRzrFytVmWggkmb9N3td2hg4IM4YL_ddIHILMqrfdvtA4tLRM3wKNcOHBnpBgDNeUrGb6lnAiXtXurWGJ3uwRZS17myUNqLqnYMGWq9n_YzjWLVbmaRIfE/s1600/IMG_20170820_091552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LwxCggFo9ENUsfauws_s1ZRzrFytVmWggkmb9N3td2hg4IM4YL_ddIHILMqrfdvtA4tLRM3wKNcOHBnpBgDNeUrGb6lnAiXtXurWGJ3uwRZS17myUNqLqnYMGWq9n_YzjWLVbmaRIfE/s320/IMG_20170820_091552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
Basically, a Raspberry Pi is a very compact little computer with all necessary modules and connection ports attached to it. There are also pins to further extend its functionality which I will utilize in an already planned further step of my project.</div>
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<h3>
The monitor</h3>
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<div>
First, I was looking for a cheap monitor to build the project. This step was essential as the size of frame and mirror glass are dependent on the monitor size.</div>
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After looking a while, I reconsidered by taking one of my old PC monitors with an HDMI port and replacing my working monitor by a better (larger and sharper) one.</div>
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Regardless, as the monitor does not need to be new or high quality, any used one will do. The costs might be around 30 € to 50 €, depending on the size wanted.</div>
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<div>
I also decided to use only the internals of the monitor, the display itself and the controller board.</div>
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<div>
Later on, I covered the front of the display with black electric tape to protect the glass of the mirror where it would get pressed against and to avoid reflections of the metal frame behind the mirror glass. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTqh68M82I8eewoBqMc3rPdND9rTOu2e00-Syxx35erhd9Tz2t-wmKOsWGXzs-trGigqVMLd_jn9VFIQb4CM6TktaNsk_SPbS35MbB0UjnK3UC-Z1-9RAnaJDhDskOO6WwYvntYXDGjI/s1600/IMG_20170820_085637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTqh68M82I8eewoBqMc3rPdND9rTOu2e00-Syxx35erhd9Tz2t-wmKOsWGXzs-trGigqVMLd_jn9VFIQb4CM6TktaNsk_SPbS35MbB0UjnK3UC-Z1-9RAnaJDhDskOO6WwYvntYXDGjI/s320/IMG_20170820_085637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was breaking out the controller element for the screen off the front frame as well, relocating it to the back side of the display. This way I am still able to access the monitor onscreen settings to change input channel, brightness and so on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmYCUxDolhaPxGmXJD09UssMFXhsL6m12b8z8r2bEpYI5leeHE1KHLWzCHeOA8XI_lcNSuwmjBxLb_zCK-dNcaE5s8ocev0WjmSU340Bxju-SyJl3fYAbuPtIJ1lpgUkXqdSt219BsCU/s1600/IMG_20170820_085827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmYCUxDolhaPxGmXJD09UssMFXhsL6m12b8z8r2bEpYI5leeHE1KHLWzCHeOA8XI_lcNSuwmjBxLb_zCK-dNcaE5s8ocev0WjmSU340Bxju-SyJl3fYAbuPtIJ1lpgUkXqdSt219BsCU/s320/IMG_20170820_085827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3>
The mirror glass</h3>
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<br /></div>
<div>
But why can a screen behind a mirror be seen at all?</div>
<div>
Well, the special trick at a device like this is the kind of mirror glass to be used. Normal mirrors are silver plated at the back, reflecting all (or huge chunks of) the light that falls on it from the front back. A screen behind this kind of mirror could not be seen at all.</div>
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<div>
But there are other kinds of mirrors. Just think of the mirrors in crime movies and TV shows. They are kinda transparent from one side and reflective on the other side. This mirror glass is also called spy glass.</div>
<div>
This kind of mirror works with a layer in between two glass plates. The mirror then works the way, that watching from the side with more light the reflection is seen while looking from the darker side the mirror is kinda transparent.</div>
<div>
That's the way how the mirror shows the white (light) parts of the screen while at the more dark areas only the mirror image is to see. So that means, the monitor behind the glass needs to be as dark as possible in large areas and only show information in white where it should shine through.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We tested out a version of foil at an acrylic glass plate first but didn't like the result. So for our final version, we ordered one by <a href="https://www.myspiegel.de/spionspiegel-pg-2102.html">myspiegel.de</a>, fitting to the size of the display to be used in this project. Of course, this version was a bit more expensive, but we got a high-quality spy glass mirror plate which can be cleaned without worrying about the foil or acrylic at all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
The wooden frame</h3>
<div>
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<div>
Like mentioned before, the frame size is dependent on the size of the screen and glass plate. So as this was set, we started to plan the frame.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My father was kindly taking over the wood works as he got some tools and space for it which I am missing. I made a plan of what I wanted to get. Basically a frame box for the whole screen and the glass plate as well as the Raspberry and all the cables. On the front another cover frame which the glass plate should be laying against.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKAMYMyTAzsnv7PDlXv_i7GiaPdnDgBcWG9xF6WHmgGWrqB0E_ThKNV1OsgcIJEbjD6BLGaKEaK_KMnyaSJWJj2l0sUFAbnB6APyc8GLKfiYzH4KdeE566-vyMGkni0yYRd-gRZTUmkc/s1600/Mirror_plan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKAMYMyTAzsnv7PDlXv_i7GiaPdnDgBcWG9xF6WHmgGWrqB0E_ThKNV1OsgcIJEbjD6BLGaKEaK_KMnyaSJWJj2l0sUFAbnB6APyc8GLKfiYzH4KdeE566-vyMGkni0yYRd-gRZTUmkc/s320/Mirror_plan.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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<div>
After a few more telephone calls and some tries, my father made a fantastic frame for us and sent us a few pictures.</div>
<div>
Huge thanks at this point, Rainer. ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6D3CLmu1UOP2prqF_T_3guHn42YqvUmsIN4V1_kk3Sp0fmed8GooF5wJrIu8vq0sNHWdblY_Rxv1G7rxqT5805K2Visr3I8WUVVOoiycqZQXMHDq88mgrH0BroG3pXl8lFFgnU1nEyY/s1600/SANY0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6D3CLmu1UOP2prqF_T_3guHn42YqvUmsIN4V1_kk3Sp0fmed8GooF5wJrIu8vq0sNHWdblY_Rxv1G7rxqT5805K2Visr3I8WUVVOoiycqZQXMHDq88mgrH0BroG3pXl8lFFgnU1nEyY/s320/SANY0005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h2>
The software</h2>
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<div>
While my father was working at the frame, I was focusing to get the software side done. After setting up the Raspberry Pi, installing the operating system Raspbian, a Linux version for the Raspberry and some basic settings like WiFi I was turning towards the actual software to show some information in the mirror.<br />
There are plenty of tutorials available on the web in written or video form about how to set up and configure a Raspberry Pi so I will not go into detail here.</div>
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<div>
For that step, I was cloning the <a href="https://github.com/HackerHouseYT/Smart-Mirror">GitHub project by Hacker House</a> which was written in Python and started working from that.</div>
<div>
There have been a few basic settings to be made like what time format I wanted, the country where I wanted to see the news from as well as some settings for the weather information. For the weather, I was creating a key at <a href="https://darksky.net/dev">DarkSky.net</a> to get the weather information I needed. The basic weather feature in the Python script by Hacker House was taking the IP to decide which weather information to show. This was not working for me as it only takes the public IP in consideration which was shown by my provider so I was searching the script for an alternative which I found in providing the Geo coordinates directly instead of an IP. So looking up the Geo coordinates of Nürnberg and providing them in the script and there we go, we got weather information.</div>
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<div>
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<div>
Later on, I was also switching the news lines at the bottom of the screen a bit as in the original script, the presentation was a bit screwed up when the headlines were too long.<br />
<br />
At the Raspberry Pi itself, a few settings had to be made as well, like getting the display in portrait mode. This was done very easily by adding a line to the <i>config.txt</i> file in the <i>boot</i> folder.</div>
<div>
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<h2>
Merging all together</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally, as all the parts were done, we could merge them all together. Our biggest concern was if the glass and screen would fit into the frame, but everything fit perfectly.<br />
<br />
First, we placed the frame face down on a flat surface, inserted the mirror glass in it, then the display on top of that. As everything was in place, we secured the pieces by some wooden ledges at the inside of the frame, using some screws at the two long sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7eJrmkUCG-t0Zqu_gafi-WE4__Vuw-h9KgH3722M2rJ6KSpotXZRikFmC2D-7NNNT7p73XZID-OfbRogIiGjnTW4zCDOK9xcPa4r8R03WiOG2O0wv2OZgsHslQSOQ0Zgtg12XqMDXLs/s1600/IMG_20170824_133739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7eJrmkUCG-t0Zqu_gafi-WE4__Vuw-h9KgH3722M2rJ6KSpotXZRikFmC2D-7NNNT7p73XZID-OfbRogIiGjnTW4zCDOK9xcPa4r8R03WiOG2O0wv2OZgsHslQSOQ0Zgtg12XqMDXLs/s320/IMG_20170824_133739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the "big" parts, the brain had to be installed as well of course.<br />
Just using some double sided tape to lock the Raspberry Pi in place on the back of the display. Connecting it with a short HDMI cable to the display controller and with a USB cable to power.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikgC84TgfQtbkjN6D0OEYGqf5Y3vv8g101dYSVKSy2j7LbYRUGHN4-bxVcwQ7Iy8DZIOji5tpCenZTvs4w3cEdteJnTKldHyUr22NfrLPVU_LYYjQt9gc2AF-lz0_z9YsvV4xgXFRoYA/s1600/IMG_20170826_150637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikgC84TgfQtbkjN6D0OEYGqf5Y3vv8g101dYSVKSy2j7LbYRUGHN4-bxVcwQ7Iy8DZIOji5tpCenZTvs4w3cEdteJnTKldHyUr22NfrLPVU_LYYjQt9gc2AF-lz0_z9YsvV4xgXFRoYA/s320/IMG_20170826_150637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Further on, a USB hub was connected and placed outside of the frame so a keyboard and mouse can be connected easily.<br />
The USB hub had to be taken apart and rearranged a bit as well as it was too large to fit behind the cover. Using double sided tape again to fixate it at the bottom of the mirror behind the cover.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0NWK-BjhpBvFVa7BMlPA7a5ucIiLQ9wYIzdzLSK1fCD3pgHGkiZw73Fh8u3A1gnULmmZnulerE8zkHAEGWEqjQ32nxbhayQWw2Kx1Gi7v75I1G8c1S1snLp5xP2TnOtt1ImFay8kK6s/s1600/IMG_20170826_145233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0NWK-BjhpBvFVa7BMlPA7a5ucIiLQ9wYIzdzLSK1fCD3pgHGkiZw73Fh8u3A1gnULmmZnulerE8zkHAEGWEqjQ32nxbhayQWw2Kx1Gi7v75I1G8c1S1snLp5xP2TnOtt1ImFay8kK6s/s320/IMG_20170826_145233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0TxA3rmAcyBnkeeUjEiMtRE3zupKg3j8jiAca7Mm1ChtTAT8UWW0Y7H_EG_QcswarmfCeUSRx_gH2F62dNG5JfX3L-zVAwskGVn1GFCEyqJxvctUArPpXXErNB-h6mPQKfD_Iyy2sa0/s1600/IMG_20170826_150719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0TxA3rmAcyBnkeeUjEiMtRE3zupKg3j8jiAca7Mm1ChtTAT8UWW0Y7H_EG_QcswarmfCeUSRx_gH2F62dNG5JfX3L-zVAwskGVn1GFCEyqJxvctUArPpXXErNB-h6mPQKfD_Iyy2sa0/s320/IMG_20170826_150719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, for the first time, the smart mirror was assembled all together.<br />
<br />
Next, we had to install the wall mount. As the mirror glass and the screen add some weight to the wooden frame, it had to be a stable construction. As you can see in the following picture, we were using a wedge mount to hold that weight securely on the wall. Also, this construction enables us to remove it very easily if we need to access the back side for further expansions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FMw0U2PCn-ZVd-JxVkvn9MBHgjYLXcRs-YzjIoFZSdz3_Lr_bixmKlm068PHQrnSWBbO01kacd4yM7fRB0HmoQKvr9v33RfAnIO7a3_viQc2sNzguL-r9gsmKuMoFpKWDIoRrw62OTs/s1600/IMG_20170824_165052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FMw0U2PCn-ZVd-JxVkvn9MBHgjYLXcRs-YzjIoFZSdz3_Lr_bixmKlm068PHQrnSWBbO01kacd4yM7fRB0HmoQKvr9v33RfAnIO7a3_viQc2sNzguL-r9gsmKuMoFpKWDIoRrw62OTs/s320/IMG_20170824_165052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
To make the imagination of a simple mirror perfect, we decided to drill a hole into the wall and get power from the room behind. This way there is no wire to see leading to the mirror when mounted on the wall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XUlvfhRAF_z5R_td0Jk-i_4oQ3ydwbdQI156cqTvB9YtYjmEu4SL1AUdEPChyxBApmBH1jTVtVi2IATiDR5TxlTFn_Cvuw_ZLqo0JDtrtzXNgaLWvprkOvtWME230zNxc0XBY7MhRjQ/s1600/IMG_20170824_170606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XUlvfhRAF_z5R_td0Jk-i_4oQ3ydwbdQI156cqTvB9YtYjmEu4SL1AUdEPChyxBApmBH1jTVtVi2IATiDR5TxlTFn_Cvuw_ZLqo0JDtrtzXNgaLWvprkOvtWME230zNxc0XBY7MhRjQ/s320/IMG_20170824_170606.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Finally, connecting the power and setting it up on the wall, it looked quite good in my opinion. ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AoS7TN9LWpqQwXHMSh2-PHnrWcFJaR36TJTeOogGiEWv8pub6otnNgh8K9JiA69uU1qrEnvGQk1ayRWuXN2v8qK7CwEgBOuP5ANYMICT79_Y5I7_nbNFn_2yLCoIqnA6VjSravQk5zo/s1600/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AoS7TN9LWpqQwXHMSh2-PHnrWcFJaR36TJTeOogGiEWv8pub6otnNgh8K9JiA69uU1qrEnvGQk1ayRWuXN2v8qK7CwEgBOuP5ANYMICT79_Y5I7_nbNFn_2yLCoIqnA6VjSravQk5zo/s320/IMG_20170824_174259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
The costs</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, a project like this does have some costs. How much highly depends on what is already available or has to be bought. See the list below for a bit of a direction of what all the components cost:</div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Raspberry Pi: 35 €</li>
<li>Case for the Raspberry Pi and micro SD-Card: 15 €</li>
<li>A monitor: ~ 30-50 €</li>
<li>Cables (HDMI, corner plug, power supply): around 25 €</li>
<li>USB hub: 5 €</li>
<li>Keyboard + Mouse: 15 €</li>
<li>Wood for the frame: 25 €</li>
<li>The mirror glass: 75 €</li>
</ul>
<div>
Total: Around 200 € to 245 €</div>
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This has been a very exciting project to me. Sure, it was not cheap but I have learned a lot about Raspberry Pi, Python, the link between hardware and software and much more.</div>
<div>
The project was a lot of fun and it is extremely satisfying to see it finally on the wall, working as intended. Further on, the project is not finished here by far. Actually, I will continue to work at it, extending it by new functions, new hardware, and more software so it will become a real smart home project. Work at some expansions to the original smart mirror project has begun already ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU2PlMmCWg-TmcUzjXwOwWxgn668LKSH4Y4_qt5xagyNzgsdco_1qGeR9lQc2Z2TrnH8tI5MVbwhSUaNSttPrM15MsajFmcwSrx0fzC_gcKJJCFn_D_2tTCNlMu49GxEo3WTW8NjzCBc/s1600/IMG_20170820_110925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU2PlMmCWg-TmcUzjXwOwWxgn668LKSH4Y4_qt5xagyNzgsdco_1qGeR9lQc2Z2TrnH8tI5MVbwhSUaNSttPrM15MsajFmcwSrx0fzC_gcKJJCFn_D_2tTCNlMu49GxEo3WTW8NjzCBc/s320/IMG_20170820_110925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Again, great thanks to all who contributed to this project, my wife, and my father directly, but also all who were providing information on the web about the things I used in that project. Maybe this article will help others to achieve something similar as well.</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8zZj4tlgLfw9-8XlQfK3wR8xoYxdeMwANnwtYRRf_R5JnU242-GPnqjwuWD4Z_0Mw-BrYlmQ4325AQbbGlYKqntliJ3BPp3YqDcFgJ56kD1z06WIIYVUD-rBitQFzTRwm-dSp5fcyT4/s1600/IMG_20170824_174353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8zZj4tlgLfw9-8XlQfK3wR8xoYxdeMwANnwtYRRf_R5JnU242-GPnqjwuWD4Z_0Mw-BrYlmQ4325AQbbGlYKqntliJ3BPp3YqDcFgJ56kD1z06WIIYVUD-rBitQFzTRwm-dSp5fcyT4/s320/IMG_20170824_174353.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-71672307450635659732017-08-19T15:25:00.002+02:002017-08-19T15:25:47.052+02:00STAEDTLER Noris DigitalA Chromebook with pen support is great. Having the pen sitting within the body of the Samsung Chromebook Pro is even better as it's always there when you need it.<br />
But sometimes, especially when working a lot with the pen, the build in pen is a bit too small.<br />
This is where the STAEDTLER Noris Digital comes into play.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtpLMiDX8_OCLTzsgwxuSazMCb9jahEd5_5Ac_SjZ-OIvJGXHQnJUevdQ-MSvQl5pRxklpF20IBZkcLl9aFAUVnkS4DoT4fFuJI1JurU_2fruQlj5f01jCV2WtvrUQjZtcd8MJZzgchM/s1600/IMG_20170819_122102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtpLMiDX8_OCLTzsgwxuSazMCb9jahEd5_5Ac_SjZ-OIvJGXHQnJUevdQ-MSvQl5pRxklpF20IBZkcLl9aFAUVnkS4DoT4fFuJI1JurU_2fruQlj5f01jCV2WtvrUQjZtcd8MJZzgchM/s320/IMG_20170819_122102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STAEDTLER Noris Digital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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The STAEDTLER Noris Digital looks just like a normal pencil like I know them from my childhood and the first attempts of learning how to write.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4eziMhgSULt2LCeM9RytLFdPBcCK-Yaw7QHrC3u5JoHq_nwRwiqgxr3Fch92qOH6YAhcGkvZ9aQ7Jqdji3YnmiyZKuseh9RVva_kd6eNH_xp1_s5tYMhoOGG5V3WhzM8_SXXTmuzzVw/s1600/IMG_20170819_121839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4eziMhgSULt2LCeM9RytLFdPBcCK-Yaw7QHrC3u5JoHq_nwRwiqgxr3Fch92qOH6YAhcGkvZ9aQ7Jqdji3YnmiyZKuseh9RVva_kd6eNH_xp1_s5tYMhoOGG5V3WhzM8_SXXTmuzzVw/s320/IMG_20170819_121839.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The STAEDTLER Noris digital next to the regular STAEDTLER Noris pencil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As you see, the pencil(s) are very similar to each other, just like the pencils I know so well.<br />
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By the way, STAEDTLER is a German company located here in Nürnberg, my hometown. :-)<br />
<br />
<h2>
The technology and development</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pen has been developed by a corporation of STAEDTLER, Samsung and WACOM. It works with most s-pen compatible devices by Samsung (and maybe some others as well).</div>
<div>
As the pen works passively, it has no battery and does not need to be charged and can't also run out of juice just when you need it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Check out this article of STAEDTLER for more information: <a href="https://www.staedtler.com/en/newsroom/press-room/press-releases/detail/news/the-staedtler-noris-digital-for-samsung-pencil-on-the-outside-digital-on-the-inside/">The STAEDTLER Noris digital: Pencil on the outside - Digital on the inside</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Details</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like shown above, the STAEDTLER Noris Digital is about identical to the pencil version. The magic happens in the tip. The display will recognize the location of it by a magnetic field. This allows the pen to be passive as well as recognizing it and following this, to ignore other screen interactions like resting the palm on it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pencil itself is made out of <a href="https://www.staedtler.com/en/company/tradition-and-innovation/wopex-material/">WOPEX</a>, a material used by STAEDTLER for some of their products. The pen feels nice in hand, with a larger profile than the build in pen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As shown above, the pen is the same size as the pencil and a good junk larger than the in the Chromebook build in pen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkd86JXvP58qZlu0JKfg-BCgRfaRr5HWuHvuUCri6p1JocCOh1_jL2Tvjw049tPRS2fXqDYZX86fHx92q7PflUgMBcNP20ua29CcX5UDsa6cQRHlQA9e7d9g4nQanj8RN9gNg7HT4DM4/s1600/IMG_20170819_121755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkd86JXvP58qZlu0JKfg-BCgRfaRr5HWuHvuUCri6p1JocCOh1_jL2Tvjw049tPRS2fXqDYZX86fHx92q7PflUgMBcNP20ua29CcX5UDsa6cQRHlQA9e7d9g4nQanj8RN9gNg7HT4DM4/s320/IMG_20170819_121755.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">Samsung Chromebook Pro build in pen next to the STAEDTLER Noris Digital.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Usage</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The STAEDTLER Noris Digital usage is exactly the same as the build in pen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnF0TQNOcVKGNetZtjiO7cmw4BOiL6sT7Yg0XpqoRbr-Yf7MFpJim6EsM0mFO-SAUuD0wcT3xBjmRLizPsZ9ARDDBX6EJR5q2fwf-8nhBxLVhbBjIKEh40UuS9WFlDKlTzu4tb3cyRBI/s1600/IMG_20170819_121931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnF0TQNOcVKGNetZtjiO7cmw4BOiL6sT7Yg0XpqoRbr-Yf7MFpJim6EsM0mFO-SAUuD0wcT3xBjmRLizPsZ9ARDDBX6EJR5q2fwf-8nhBxLVhbBjIKEh40UuS9WFlDKlTzu4tb3cyRBI/s320/IMG_20170819_121931.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tips of both digital pens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just because of its larger shape, it fits better into the hand for writing or drawing. Of course, the STAEDTLER Noris Digital can't be stored in the body of the Samsung Chromebook Pro. Means, it has to be carried separately but even when left behind, the build in pen is still available for a quick note.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfcxqZH1fZqRUsRQk0u03kXWIfAotsaOpTygTOFJvm5Nkds1wifnLVjKNePTAkahSSdCZCrLGMoU5rqv8b_ZoJIxnD7FAmVOFzwk7-bVNEwKxwdnH1tPyKarpjlMLy7YdSDSxuvHQPCU/s1600/IMG_20170819_121550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfcxqZH1fZqRUsRQk0u03kXWIfAotsaOpTygTOFJvm5Nkds1wifnLVjKNePTAkahSSdCZCrLGMoU5rqv8b_ZoJIxnD7FAmVOFzwk7-bVNEwKxwdnH1tPyKarpjlMLy7YdSDSxuvHQPCU/s320/IMG_20170819_121550.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Editing PDF documents with the pen is a great experience.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the other side, for longer usage, it's much more comfortable to use a larger pen that fits better in the hand. Regardless if your writing, drawing, taking notes, editing PDF documents (for education for example) or whatever.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WaW-a5HgysZTXodde6Mt-DYQ7OjHexQJ_FebyBmNe_NvgAjNpBdlaAJpUcKC2Ce3bOHwCT4Cfsx_W44xR7THzYXujDSSGHuIIQQS95LAK148om_uGAl_IpSIbuOrpKyE90UY0PODxRU/s1600/IMG_20170819_121139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WaW-a5HgysZTXodde6Mt-DYQ7OjHexQJ_FebyBmNe_NvgAjNpBdlaAJpUcKC2Ce3bOHwCT4Cfsx_W44xR7THzYXujDSSGHuIIQQS95LAK148om_uGAl_IpSIbuOrpKyE90UY0PODxRU/s320/IMG_20170819_121139.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking notes, just like on paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
It's simple fun to edit documents, create notes or draw graphs and mind maps with a good pen at a device like the Samsung Chromebook Pro.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j2akdkyCHbaRfXxnNK8s-KGlbRUIRL5btStYKrURIvJN7O7-bDjoNeNSBcEEumi2JiSmCXUPwoSemqs__6rLJnenoN1d0aiahCr-_gpBDfvnF4MqQR5_QthhYj9yFO1VP2nlPEbhwFA/s1600/IMG_20170819_120518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j2akdkyCHbaRfXxnNK8s-KGlbRUIRL5btStYKrURIvJN7O7-bDjoNeNSBcEEumi2JiSmCXUPwoSemqs__6rLJnenoN1d0aiahCr-_gpBDfvnF4MqQR5_QthhYj9yFO1VP2nlPEbhwFA/s320/IMG_20170819_120518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing diagrams with shape recognition at this app is a blast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When ever I am using a pen at the Chromebook for a longer input, I grab the STAEDTLER Noris Digital over the build in pen. On the other side, I like a lot the option to have a build in pen as a fallback strategy when I forgot the other one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, the STAEDTLER Noris Digital is not the cheapest (about 35 € at the moment at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Digital-Samsung-Technology-GP-U999ERIPAAB/dp/B072N31S7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503145356&sr=8-1&keywords=staedtler+noris+digital">Amazon</a>). So it might only be relevant for thous who use the pen a lot. I am using it quite often and as the pen is made by a local company of mine, I had to get it anyway. :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Especially for drawing diagrams, taking notes and editing PDF documents I really enjoy the options with today's technology.</div>
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jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-18941783832214118352017-07-17T15:05:00.001+02:002017-07-17T15:05:38.915+02:00Samsung Chromebook ProAt CES in January 2017, some interesting Chromebooks were presented. Especially the models by ASUS (the ASUS Chromebook Flip 2) and Samsung (the Samsung Chromebook Plus and it's big brother the Pro) been of interest to me.<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>Just a few weeks later, the ASUS Chromebook Flip 2 and Samsung Chromebook Plus became available. The Samsung Chromebook Pro on the other side was announced for later in spring ... but also got delayed a bit more.<br />
But nevertheless, it finally got released. :-)<br />
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<h2>
Yes, it arrived!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizwl58n98kLuJQi9ynxDti5cSCdam5FkLWqHdq2nYi1Zx-lr-h-V399beVjOMJZJSFEKZktgMXwZnY8CAvsEEmHZJpi3Ut1WZ1d0lUHgMmd-vqb4FzcWBwD7AS4aEhBW3259h_QIYYU0/s1600/IMG_20170614_153622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizwl58n98kLuJQi9ynxDti5cSCdam5FkLWqHdq2nYi1Zx-lr-h-V399beVjOMJZJSFEKZktgMXwZnY8CAvsEEmHZJpi3Ut1WZ1d0lUHgMmd-vqb4FzcWBwD7AS4aEhBW3259h_QIYYU0/s320/IMG_20170614_153622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
After the initial delay at it's release, it also wasn't clear if I would be able to get one that easy. Mainly because the current high end Chromebooks are not getting released in Germany, so I had to import it and hope for the best as the listing at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE510C24-K01US-Chromebook-Pro/dp/B071LB1GG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500277730&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+chromebook+pro">Amazon.com</a> did show "this item does not ship to Germany" for quite some time.</div>
<div>
So after some waiting, Amazon was delivering the Chromebook to me. Also a huge plus to Amazon as they managed all the tax and custom office belongings. In addition, the delivery also has been faster than announced by about one week.</div>
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<div>
Finally, I got my hands on a <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/computing/chromebooks/12-14/samsung-chromebook-pro-xe510c24-k01us/">Samsung Chromebook Pro</a>.</div>
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<h2>
Specs and ports</h2>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I will not list all the specs here, if your interested in this details, please check out the official page about the <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/computing/chromebooks/12-14/samsung-chromebook-pro-xe510c24-k01us/">Samsung Chromebook Pro</a>.</div>
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<div>
Just a short word about what distinguishes the Pro and the Plus apart from their color.</div>
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The Plus is powered by an ARM processor while the Pro got an Intel Core m3. That's it basically.</div>
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At both sides, there are some connection ports.</div>
<div>
A USB-C port at both sides that can be used to connect a monitor / projector, to charge the device (both USB-C ports work for that), to connect to an Ethernet cable or to older USB devices (with an adapter).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWUORhRRCzWYbKB9P9QHyiOpc-lyktlvMc-S9UIONqboWD9qv5I4xWzMcBeH2g2fereEQZjQdgSGSR0nL7DqAYA-0R1H4T0-Re4GRfMMumtV8xqGui9pwl0rrtzZAcpF3Wr18GkYVTvg/s1600/IMG_20170705_173637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWUORhRRCzWYbKB9P9QHyiOpc-lyktlvMc-S9UIONqboWD9qv5I4xWzMcBeH2g2fereEQZjQdgSGSR0nL7DqAYA-0R1H4T0-Re4GRfMMumtV8xqGui9pwl0rrtzZAcpF3Wr18GkYVTvg/s320/IMG_20170705_173637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
On the left side there is also a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a micro SD card slot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8ssqxjCN-PG1RWdJVnNDgQi_tkf_2pgYTcLNb7dfU1lkSLJZMrjXJ49bVDUuMw2vC2Usrtx8_madeubihzQkBkrSR4Dcpu4VTJE04FSoVxdS0tIWJ7F3uFKj0-pA4HFCki85q60g_tA/s1600/IMG_20170705_173628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8ssqxjCN-PG1RWdJVnNDgQi_tkf_2pgYTcLNb7dfU1lkSLJZMrjXJ49bVDUuMw2vC2Usrtx8_madeubihzQkBkrSR4Dcpu4VTJE04FSoVxdS0tIWJ7F3uFKj0-pA4HFCki85q60g_tA/s320/IMG_20170705_173628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The right side also holds the pen (more on that later), the power button and a volume rocker as well as a status LED.</div>
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<div>
Actually I am using a USB-C hub at home as I run the Chromebook as my main driver for my education or private projects (basically everything but gaming). The hub enables to connect USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and power supply. This way I only have to connect one plug to get them all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL6L4zsxJaFfobqjLksqLKG8rTNhH3S50Cqg2aICZOzAgpngA6PS5iwNmcL0VQ_uwb-N4BQJWocdbXt5Yt4bcjfzEbXS9iy3uw4SK1oxxOqwcXl-FixiODz2BsOErG_bHHEFAjbAsRug/s1600/IMG_20170710_052908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL6L4zsxJaFfobqjLksqLKG8rTNhH3S50Cqg2aICZOzAgpngA6PS5iwNmcL0VQ_uwb-N4BQJWocdbXt5Yt4bcjfzEbXS9iy3uw4SK1oxxOqwcXl-FixiODz2BsOErG_bHHEFAjbAsRug/s320/IMG_20170710_052908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
The picture above shows my setup at home with the Chromebook, connected to Ethernet, a large screen by HDMI, a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard and power supply.</div>
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<h2>
The build quality</h2>
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<div>
The build quality is very nice. It is made of aluminium which makes it feel kinda premium. No question, a device build out of a solid block of aluminium instead of separate pieces screwed together might feel even more premium, but to me it's really fine, especially compared to the plastic one I had before.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1O_v8kkAK48T8a8seSVvohCUJHDlcISM4x_QzIS279SKvRADdjVzdLDEbiTEY7lb9V7TrpVB6CXlbmSjL1NPN9K_vUCO3qd9OKj-bkWArzn8maMmLRVjYPw8PvpULDFTz1JCheupOZM/s1600/IMG_20170614_154301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1O_v8kkAK48T8a8seSVvohCUJHDlcISM4x_QzIS279SKvRADdjVzdLDEbiTEY7lb9V7TrpVB6CXlbmSjL1NPN9K_vUCO3qd9OKj-bkWArzn8maMmLRVjYPw8PvpULDFTz1JCheupOZM/s320/IMG_20170614_154301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
Also I did not recognize any inappropriate flex or loosening of screws after a few weeks of usage (like an other review mentioned).</div>
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The pro line comes with a mate black finish instead of the mat silver of the plus. I personally prefer the black look by far but they look both quite nice. :-)</div>
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All in all, a great feeling and looking device.</div>
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<h2>
A grandiose screen</h2>
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The screen has a crazy high resolution of 2400 x 1600 at a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is very uncommon nowadays (even as it's closer to the 4:3 ratio that has been more common ... a long time ago).</div>
<div>
The effective resolution usable is more like 1200 x 800 or in my case 1350 x 900, depending on personal preferences. But what ever you pick there, the sharpness of that display is grandiose.</div>
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<div>
In my opinion, the 3:2 aspect ratio is a lot better for working than the common wide screens, who are optimized for watching movies or playing games. A bit more space in vertical direction really helps with productive work.</div>
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<div>
At my old chromebook I was used to a mate display which was ... lets say you could see something at it but it has been no pleasure. At the Samsung Chromebook Pro the screen is shiny instead of mate, which I was worried about at first as shiny screens tend to reflect a lot more. And of course, it is more reflective than a mate one. But it turned out not to be an issue at usual use cases as it is a extreme bright display as well which lets "outshine" most reflections.</div>
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<div>
The display really is the top star of that chromebook, for sure, very bright and extremely sharp. It is a pleasure to work at this display and often when I see it next to my big screen at home ... I wish the big one would be as sharp as well.</div>
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<h2>
Further more, a touch screen!</h2>
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<div>
With modern chromebooks, the screen normally not only works as output but also as an input device. Screens of this high end chromebooks are touch screens today. The input by that works very well and I find myself more and more often touching other screens like my PC monitor at home when I want to close a window, press a button, scroll a page or whatever.</div>
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But not enough there, the screen also can rotate by 360 degree, basically converting the chromebook to a tablet. This mode is especially useful when working with the pen, which is included in this product as well.</div>
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<h2>
The pen</h2>
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<div>
The pen is another unique selling point of this chromebook (and it's little brother the Plus). It is stored in the body of the chromebook similar to Samsung's Note line of smartphones.</div>
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When pulled out a menu opens to take screenshots (full screen or area) as well as taking notes (free hand), use the pen as a laser pointer or as a magnifying glass.</div>
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The pen itself is passive, means it has no battery build in.</div>
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<div>
Using it for input is great, especially as you can use it in most apps like a regular pen while resting your hand at the screen. That is very important for comfortable pen input as holding your hand in the air all the time let it get tired fast. Also while resting, you can draw and write even better, very similar to writing at a sheet of paper with a regular pen.</div>
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This is also where the screen rotation comes in very handy when the device is used in tablet mode.</div>
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Expect more about the pen input in another article later on.</div>
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<h2>
How is typing?</h2>
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<div>
The keyboard got a few negative comments in some reviews which I can't agree with at all. It feels great, the key travel and the haptic feedback is more than fine. Of course, I don't have other chromebooks to compare it with expect my three years old plastic chromebook with a much worse keyboard ...</div>
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So I am not going to say there are no better keyboards and probably the ASUS Chromebook Flip 2 (whose keyboard gets blessed everywhere) might be a bit ahead, but to me the typing experience at the Samsung Chromebook Pro is great and absolute enjoyable.</div>
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On the downside for some, the keyboard has no back light. As this might be a bummer for some as the ASUS has back light to offer, but I don't care as I am not watching the keyboard while typing anyway. I am used to write with ten fingers without watching ... check out my article about the <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/04/switching-from-de-to-en-keyboard-layout.html">switch from DE to EN keyboard</a> in preparation for my new chromebook.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Another point of criticism in some reviews was that the keyboard had to be cut a bit short compared to a normal layout because of the less wide screen size. Bug the only the outer keys at both sides got cut off a bit means the backspace, enter or tab key for example are a bit smaller than usually. Not really a big issue in my opinion.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvW-eWIEkEDPFH1-njIaxI10rdV6n0c9kZ4GanDBgBJ5BAy4kgRhmXsAFseDTB41gFVHLPVq3u5bjFiW0g1fNXgqc_9W5UwUro14tc2E4nRPPRbhbxHZaz6yh7oTfh03-Ozx8oi3j5uU/s1600/IMG_20170717_103811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvW-eWIEkEDPFH1-njIaxI10rdV6n0c9kZ4GanDBgBJ5BAy4kgRhmXsAFseDTB41gFVHLPVq3u5bjFiW0g1fNXgqc_9W5UwUro14tc2E4nRPPRbhbxHZaz6yh7oTfh03-Ozx8oi3j5uU/s320/IMG_20170717_103811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Android apps</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The big feature of course, advertised by Google about a year ago, is the opportunity to run Android apps at this Chromebook.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBwXNFDUfn0JuWEXS4Har74BvsWVVii5L0koKu69uJeoMoJh4A1OqqJlcpgzEqeibXosVAZA2Jev-Gxtm1P_IDzJcHu02lGUtev0Ynklfc0WKE-LnEp8p-nai-U9_zlbx6pChin2WVG4/s1600/Screenshot+2017-07-06+at+18.08.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBwXNFDUfn0JuWEXS4Har74BvsWVVii5L0koKu69uJeoMoJh4A1OqqJlcpgzEqeibXosVAZA2Jev-Gxtm1P_IDzJcHu02lGUtev0Ynklfc0WKE-LnEp8p-nai-U9_zlbx6pChin2WVG4/s320/Screenshot+2017-07-06+at+18.08.37.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And indeed, Android apps can be installed and run at this device in stable channel (ChromeOS runs different channels, stable, beta and developer). Actually, I was surprised how well most of them work. Of course, not all apps run fine at the chromebook yet. And there is no real resizing of the apps as well. They run in original phone mode or full screen mode. Resizing might come with the support of Android 8, at the moment the chromebook runs with Android 7.1.1.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But what made me wonder was that the apps installed are the phone apps, not the tablet apps. For example, if a developer provides a phone version of his app and a tablet version to complement the larger screen mostly used in landscape instead of portrait mode, I would have expected the tablet version to be installed at the chromebook instead of their phone counterparts. Not really a big deal but made me wondering a bit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhN1FfFKIJau9tBBQuP8ROs1FOr01QpM2J_cCTupzkZAJBKnhBfGYZUIZQbFYZIGGRzqj3U-CTlW1F43em3HIGkRc6nZ_CePfeTwvvvfr1cfvK7sZNr_y6b4c95_kcd3ejQ-q-2GjHW4/s1600/Screenshot+2017-07-06+at+17.13.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhN1FfFKIJau9tBBQuP8ROs1FOr01QpM2J_cCTupzkZAJBKnhBfGYZUIZQbFYZIGGRzqj3U-CTlW1F43em3HIGkRc6nZ_CePfeTwvvvfr1cfvK7sZNr_y6b4c95_kcd3ejQ-q-2GjHW4/s320/Screenshot+2017-07-06+at+17.13.30.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most apps I tried work just fine in full screen mode, some I prefer in a smaller window like my favorite messaging app <a href="https://wire.com/en/">Wire</a> for example.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some apps work especially well in combination with the pen and the touch screen but more on that in another article.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
The Samsung Chromebook Pro is a kinda expensive device especially for a chromebook (a bit over 600 € to me including import and tax) but it's a very solid device that is a pleasure to work with.</div>
<div>
I enjoy it a lot and don't want to miss it. The keyboard for such a slim device is absolutely great and works perfectly for me.</div>
<div>
The display is the real star of this device that makes reading, coding, writing or just surfing the web a pleasure. Especially with the 360 degree tablet mode and combined with the pen it's really easy to work with PDF documents as well, make notations or drawings or just to highlight some text. A really great feature for a student to work with in the lectures without carrying around tons of paper scripts.</div>
<div>
For me, a great device that I would buy again, no question.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-31647532474705433642017-06-05T13:59:00.000+02:002017-06-05T13:59:13.026+02:00Switching from DE to EN keyboard layout - Part 2Recently I was telling you about my <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/04/switching-from-de-to-en-keyboard-layout.html">experiment to switch from a DE keyboard layout to an EN</a> one. Not that much time has passed since then but I got some interesting experiences I wanted to share with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36tmRYBHD42wkrufI9jSqb_pEKzXVLou7s4780xLiprtjBUm_d1fTigSOjOpLReTFYTQ71emnaeiQYbyB0yQJql427CUz3YofCIEhZqx-V30bOZ3XyHE6_mhm9UrepeOaLuucp-X2d2Q/s1600/IMG_20170323_123853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36tmRYBHD42wkrufI9jSqb_pEKzXVLou7s4780xLiprtjBUm_d1fTigSOjOpLReTFYTQ71emnaeiQYbyB0yQJql427CUz3YofCIEhZqx-V30bOZ3XyHE6_mhm9UrepeOaLuucp-X2d2Q/s320/IMG_20170323_123853.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
When I wrote about this experiment I was also mentioning the Samsung Chromebook Pro as major reason for this. As it plays out the release of the chromebook got delayed but regardless, I switched the keyboard layout I am using many times to experiment and get used to.<br />
<br />
<h2>
DE + EN US vs EN INT</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
DE + EN US</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First I was using EN US for writing English texts like this blog articles or to do my programming and switching back to DE if I had to write German texts because of our special letters.</div>
<div>
This has been done all by still having a physical German keyboard in front of me so I could not see the actual layout with special characters, brackets and so on ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This method works quite fine and I was very happy with the EN US keyboard layout especially for programming. The brackets are a LOT easier to access while writing code compared to the German keyboard layout.</div>
<div>
<br />
The downside of switching between the two keyboard layouts is that you will miss certain keys more often as some are just at different positions like <i>Y</i> and <i>Z </i>or at a slightly shifted position like the curved brackets at 8 & 9 at the DE layout vs 9 and 0 at the EN layout.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
EN INT</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I tried to use more the EN INT version.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The way to type our German special characters (Umlaute like <i>ä, ö, ü </i>and<i> ß</i>) at the EN Int keyboard by using the <b>ALT Gr</b> + <b> Q </b>or <b>Y </b>or <b>P</b> key did not work out for me. Mostly because you have to press the <b>ALT Gr</b> key + a letter for two of this with the right hand. The cross usage, with <b>ALT Gr</b> with the right hand and <b>Q</b> with the left hand, works a lot better (to get an <i>ä</i> for example).<br />
<br />
But I figured out another way to produce the German letters that I was not aware of before, the <b>"</b> key. At the EN Int keyboard the <b>" </b>and<b> '</b> are not typed directly (like I mentioned in my previous article about the keyboard switch), rather are they on hold until you press another key. Pressing space after them will just produce the symbol, pressing <b>' </b>followed by <b>e</b> will produce <i>é</i> for example.<br />
What was not obvious to me at first is, it works the same way for the German letters:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b> [o] </b>= <i>ö</i></li>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b> [a] </b>= <i>ä</i></li>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b> [u] </b>= <i>ü</i></li>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b> [shift] + [o] </b>= <i>Ö</i></li>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b style="font-weight: bold;"> [shift] <complete id="goog_456943470">+ </complete></b><b>[a] </b>= <i>Ä</i></li>
<li><b>["] </b>followed by<b style="font-weight: bold;"> [shift] <complete id="goog_456943470">+ </complete></b><b>[u] </b>= <i>Ü</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
It might seem a bit complicated at first, but it does not disturb the writing flow like the method with the <b>ALT Gr</b>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Physical EN layout keyboard</h2>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29IMxqdUBFVUGF04-lvKG5Afeqcamq_FbaWQbaDTblLRZLDsbuNkmI6B4zlcQD-xEGxpIF2x0JuXWzom7nnFZswBQIMKeunnB6JetDXnMu93XgqobhpRo4NdMkhe_ono9bGR98j4a9E/s1600/IMG_20170605_135150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29IMxqdUBFVUGF04-lvKG5Afeqcamq_FbaWQbaDTblLRZLDsbuNkmI6B4zlcQD-xEGxpIF2x0JuXWzom7nnFZswBQIMKeunnB6JetDXnMu93XgqobhpRo4NdMkhe_ono9bGR98j4a9E/s320/IMG_20170605_135150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logitech K380 Bluetooth keyboard. Yes, I wanted one without numpad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Further on I also ordered an EN layout keyboard to visualize the change better but I am used to most of the special characters already as I used the EN layout a lot lately.</div>
<br />
The US physical layout was a bit unused at first, especially the other shaped and positioned Enter key. After using it for a few days I found it more comfortable than the German version to be honest and I already miss it when I type at a German layout keyboard.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I got used to the EN keyboard layout a lot faster than I thought. The EN INT keyboard layout is my layout of choice nowadays, regardless if I type German, English or do programming and also regardless of the physical keyboard I am using.<br />
Of course, sometimes I still struggle and I might not type as fast at the EN layout yet but that will come by time. Especially typing German texts takes a bit longer with our special characters but it is fine for me and it will become faster by time.</div>
<div>
I even got used enough to the EN keyboard layout that I use it for password inputs as well.</div>
<div>
Also I really like the different shape of the Enter key layout at an EN physical keyboard a lot and I am looking forward to get a chromebook with EN keyboard layout as well.</div>
<br />
<br />jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-65498720958667084902017-05-13T14:48:00.000+02:002017-05-13T14:48:06.945+02:00Programming at a ChromebookA few months ago I started an evening education to become Bachelor of Science at Business informatics. Along with that I wanted to challenge myself with some additional tasks. One of them is to use a Chromebook for the education as my main device. This means to write texts, read and edit PDF documents, make presentations and alongside many other tasks, do some programming of course.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ9eVowYrXzD2KtDh7Dk8g56YRAQbjQrbW2PsU2cRYzeDg7ptTX81O036UB-bo-BW4QQEw7AI2YrOOYp2D0TAbdaqWEB1PokohPQsCZdbgIUFb9DPKRp1zPnn9fmQTUMfov7t86LDH4g/s1600/IMG_20170509_172145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ9eVowYrXzD2KtDh7Dk8g56YRAQbjQrbW2PsU2cRYzeDg7ptTX81O036UB-bo-BW4QQEw7AI2YrOOYp2D0TAbdaqWEB1PokohPQsCZdbgIUFb9DPKRp1zPnn9fmQTUMfov7t86LDH4g/s320/IMG_20170509_172145.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Programming in the cloud at a chromebook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
First off, what is a Chromebook?</h2>
<div>
A Chromebook is a laptop, that runs Googles operation system Chrome OS (see also my <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2014/08/review-chromebook-acer-c720.html">review about my Acer C720</a>). Typically this devices are not the most powerful and run mostly web based applications. Don't get me wrong, you can basically do everything at a Chromebook a normal user would do at any other computer as well apart from playing games or heavy video or photo editing (lower end editing can be done easy as well). I am using mine since a while and enjoyed it always as it boots up fast, I mean really fast, and performs all tasks I threw at it outstanding. It also updates itself automatically constantly without worrying about when the update will happen and probably would disturb what ever I wanted to do.</div>
<div>
With Google Chrome, Inbox, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides I am well equipped for most daily tasks without any obstacle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The challenge, programming</h2>
<div>
With programming it's a different story. Usually IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) and compilers take a lot of resources to work properly and need to be installed locally which is not really possible at a Chromebook, at least they are not meant for that.</div>
<div>
Although you can install Linux at a Chromebook as well (even parallel to Chrome OS) and then install all you need locally, the issue with the not so strong equipped laptop sticks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The solution: Cloud IDEs</h2>
<div>
There are some really strong cloud based IDEs nowadays that enable you to get your programming done basically everywhere you got internet access. </div>
<div>
Following I want to introduce to you three of this cloud IDEs that I have been testing and using over the last few months which allowed me to program at my <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2014/08/review-chromebook-acer-c720.html">Chromebook</a> (that is about 3 years old and did cost around 135 € back then, by the way). This is possible because all the required processing power or storage for programming is set at the server side. At the client side, the available hardware doesn't matter.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All of this IDE cloud solutions that I have tested, offer different pricing plans, but all of them offer a free version as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Cloud9</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBHXahfrIwMqX-Uv01LH4MYpnIN-q85wp3dUz2LWct-VB813hRfxZkNS76TzJ3jf3Pb56Z26HBUotezaUv6iccC4586ctoZ6s6CHQKb0PuiHLiIluq5zfLaFWg-jGWTVZ6EGk4rjH2o/s1600/CloudIDE_C9_Example.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBHXahfrIwMqX-Uv01LH4MYpnIN-q85wp3dUz2LWct-VB813hRfxZkNS76TzJ3jf3Pb56Z26HBUotezaUv6iccC4586ctoZ6s6CHQKb0PuiHLiIluq5zfLaFWg-jGWTVZ6EGk4rjH2o/s320/CloudIDE_C9_Example.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud9 IDE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://c9.io/">Cloud9</a> is one of the more beautiful IDEs which got plenty of features you would expect of a desktop IDE as well. For example it has an editor with syntax highlighting, a console, a compiler and support for several programming languages, predefined run commands and even a debugger.</div>
<div>
Without any question, it's one of the most comfortable IDEs but also at the more expensive side once you want to leave the free status to unlock some additional resources.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Codeanywhere</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8m4KKyn8raV-TCHSFQaz3bixqKJ5TUEB-tVZxJ8f31OSfBNEhwVMMfxikSjVQRU_fQ5ZXH3H8rk9iVW4Y0l6U9Hqaxc3jJOnqZ1YFkw0lYo0nAF7Vqq_szwZJNJWKpB1yG1tRj6-8z8/s1600/CloudIDE_codeanywhere_Example.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8m4KKyn8raV-TCHSFQaz3bixqKJ5TUEB-tVZxJ8f31OSfBNEhwVMMfxikSjVQRU_fQ5ZXH3H8rk9iVW4Y0l6U9Hqaxc3jJOnqZ1YFkw0lYo0nAF7Vqq_szwZJNJWKpB1yG1tRj6-8z8/s320/CloudIDE_codeanywhere_Example.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Codeanywhere IDE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://codeanywhere.com/">Codeanywhere</a> is a bit more at the simple side belonging to it's appearance but it has some advantages as well. As the name already spoils, it is available nearly everywhere, even as an app at mobile devices running Android for example. But further more, Codeanywhere also supports up to 75 programming languages, offers a nice editor with code highlighting and completion, as well as a console, of course. On the downside, there is no dedicated debugger.</div>
<br />
<h3>
Codenvy</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuZhuLHH2n5WIw8csb-B3J7GK9HLbCcwjIxT-l5X4eWx0Xhuq4WNlArWscNBIvD7z3sUbiwAPVl9zaZiHAalXGk2POGni8xnnXUXeG-1j79sHnk5m8611d6PP_Q7bTKXcmppzVzY-Ot8/s1600/CloudIDE_Codenvy_Example.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuZhuLHH2n5WIw8csb-B3J7GK9HLbCcwjIxT-l5X4eWx0Xhuq4WNlArWscNBIvD7z3sUbiwAPVl9zaZiHAalXGk2POGni8xnnXUXeG-1j79sHnk5m8611d6PP_Q7bTKXcmppzVzY-Ot8/s320/CloudIDE_Codenvy_Example.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Codenvy IDE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://codenvy.io/">Codenvy</a> is another very strong and complex cloud IDE. It offers an IDE with some code completion as well as a debugger for some languages and the option to adjust lots of settings. The run button can execute different run commands that are fully customizable. Codenvy is based at Eclipse Che. On the downside, if you only got the free version, the inactivity shut down timer is set to only 10 minutes.</div>
<br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
<div>
All in all cloud IDEs offer very strong development environments with nearly no requirements regarding to the clients used. The free plans offer enough to get started and a first impression of what the cloud IDEs can provide. They will be enough for most educational purposes as well. Further on if your going switch to a paid plan you can also collaborate with others at the projects as well as creating private projects, get more resources and even unlimited up time for your project. </div>
<div>
For me, the cloud IDEs offer the perfect way to get my coding exercises done and even push my own projects.</div>
<div>
I can also synchronize my projects by <a href="https://github.com/">GitHub</a>, which is supported by all of them. That way I can use which ever platform I want to at any time.</div>
<br />
<br />jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576356468188104255.post-78983689005585838462017-04-08T10:13:00.001+02:002017-06-05T14:01:51.959+02:00Switching from DE to EN keyboard layoutThis will be the start of my personal journey to switch from a German keyboard layout towards an English version. Let's call it an experiment ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPByBbCOp50hd7ApHS_TAAFLO765fNfibsWt7imAsNtvJaEKmD0jDE7VI6wklg5NH7E8xLDGWYuzUQa_gyXVLEQD_H2L9m-nC3RnXQomP9tBCR5KFqUA_N2Kg9sqlc_1BLoI2p41JcsWE/s1600/IMG_20170323_123853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPByBbCOp50hd7ApHS_TAAFLO765fNfibsWt7imAsNtvJaEKmD0jDE7VI6wklg5NH7E8xLDGWYuzUQa_gyXVLEQD_H2L9m-nC3RnXQomP9tBCR5KFqUA_N2Kg9sqlc_1BLoI2p41JcsWE/s200/IMG_20170323_123853.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<h2>
First of all: Why do I want to do this?</h2>
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Well, I want to buy a Samsung Chromebook Pro soon (when it will be released) but Chromebooks are not that commonly available in Germany anymore and especially this one won't be. That means I will have to import one from the US with an US (EN) keyboard of course.<br />
Sure I can change the keyboard setting to DE but I also wanted to take this opportunity as the EN keyboard layout got some benefits especially for programming as the brackets like <i>{}</i> and <i>[]</i> are easier accessible. I also want to see the special characters printed on the keyboard the way I can access and type them, especially for password inputs and so on.<br />
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<h2>
Where did I start?</h2>
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I learned typing at a regular German keyboard (with 10 fingers, means I can type without looking at the keyboard) about 25 years ago (yes, I am old ;-) ). Actually I started to learn typing at a mechanical typewriter (<strike>old</strike> … ancient I mean).<br />
It’s been a long time I used this layout to type and I got used to it a lot.<br />
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On the other side I used an US keyboard layout for some time already when I was playing my first MMORPG (EverQuest) as the game did not support other keyboard layouts than US back then but I did not go much further into using it other than the switch of <i>y</i> and <i>z</i>.<br />
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<h2>
Comparing DE and US / EN keyboard layout</h2>
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Let’s take a look at the two keyboard layouts in detail.<br />
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First let's take a look at the German layout that I am used to.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/KB_Germany.svg/800px-KB_Germany.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/KB_Germany.svg/800px-KB_Germany.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German keyboard layout, picture by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KB_Germany.svg">Wikipedia</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The main characteristic is the <b>QWERTZ </b>layout, that differs from the US/EN <b>QWERTY</b>. This is also the main difference everyone thinks of first.<br />
But more than that, we use some special characters like <i>ä, ü, ö</i> and <i>ß</i> … and we use this a lot.<br />
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Check out the US keyboard layout in comparison.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/KB_United_States-NoAltGr.svg/800px-KB_United_States-NoAltGr.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/KB_United_States-NoAltGr.svg/800px-KB_United_States-NoAltGr.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US keyboard layout, picture by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KB_United_States-NoAltGr.svg">Wikipedia</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another main difference between the two layouts is that at the German (and international) keyboards the right <b>Alt </b>key is called <b>Alt Gr</b> and actually has a different function. It allows to access additional symbols and characters, which some of (the once at the German layout) are shown at the first picture in blue. It’s easy to see that especially the different brackets <i>[] {}</i> are a bit complicated to reach from a 10 finger writing position.<br />
On the other side, the special characters we use a lot (called "Umlaute" in German like <i>ä, ü</i> and <i>ö </i>as well as the special s <i>ß</i>) are missing completely at the US keyboard.<br />
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After taking a closer look I found another difference that made me wonder.<br />
The US keyboard has one key at a different position and a different shaped <b>ENTER</b> key. The <b>ENTER </b>key itself is at a more horizontal shape for the US layout while it is more at a portrait style for the German keyboard. Also the physical button next to the bottom left of <b>ENTER</b> at the German keyboard switched position towards the top of the <b>ENTER </b>key at the US layout.<br />
But even further, one key is missing completely, the one next to the <b>left Shift</b> key at the German keyboard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s functions are there (at different locations of course), just there is physically one key less at the US keyboard.<br />
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Other than that, a lot of the usual symbols and signs are located at different positions. The round brackets <i>()</i> for example are shifted one key towards the right coming from a German layout. Also other symbols like <i>", ?, -, _, +, =</i> and many others are at very different locations.<br />
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<h2>
Solution</h2>
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So after all this differences, what’s the solution for me?<br />
Well, I will try to get used to the <b>EN </b>keyboard layout, soon using a chromebook with an US keyboard.<br />
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There are two options for me to go with, maybe even a mixture of both.<br />
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First option; I can switch the keyboard layout from <b>US </b>to <b>EN Int </b>as this allows me to access all the special characters I need.<br />
The <b>EN Int</b> layout looks basically the same as the <b>US </b>one, just the right <b>Alt</b> key is an <b>Alt Gr</b> key like at the German keyboard to allow accessing some international used special characters.<br />
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For example I can reach some of the special characters I need with the following combinations:<br />
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<li><b>[Alt Gr]</b> +<b> [q]</b> = <i>ä</i> (adding in a <b>[Shift]</b> leads to the upper case version <i>Ä</i>)</li>
<li><b>[Alt Gr]</b> +<b> [y]</b> = <i>ü</i> (adding in a <b>[Shift]</b> leads to the upper case version <i>Ü</i>)</li>
<li><b>[Alt Gr]</b> + <b>[p]</b> = <i>ö</i> (adding in a <b>[Shift]</b> leads to the upper case version <i>Ö</i>)</li>
<li><b>[Alt Gr]</b> + <b>[s]</b> = <i>ß</i></li>
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There is one downside of the EN Int keyboard compared to the US version. Some letters like >> <b>'</b> << are typed instantly at the <b>US</b> layout (and the German layout by the way), but at the <b>EN Int</b> another button needs to be pressed before they appear like a space for example. It is because some special letters like >> <b>é</b> << can be produced this way by hitting the apostrophe and the letter afterwards.<br />
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Second option; I can just switch more often between different setups which I most likely will do, especially for writing longer texts in German. Switching between the two (or more) languages is done with one short key combination:<br />
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<li><b>[Ctrl]</b> + <b>[Shift]</b> + <b>[Space]</b> at a Chromebook</li>
<li><b>[Alt]</b> + <b>[Shift]</b> at a Windows PC</li>
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In order to do so the languages (keyboard layouts) to be switched between needs to be set up in the preferences before, then the key combination will toggle between them. An indicator in the status bar will show the currently selected language.</div>
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<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
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It will be an interesting experiment and I am wondering how it feels at programming. I also switched the layout at my old Chromebook and my Windows PC to test and practice already with the option to switch back fast for writing at a used setup.</div>
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I have written this article with the EN Int layout, with all it's symbols and special characters. I think it will become even better once I see the real keyboard in front of me because of the different locations of special characters.<br />
But so far, it worked fine for me. ;-)<br />
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<h2>
Edit:</h2>
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See part 2 to this article here: <a href="https://jendit.blogspot.de/2017/06/switching-from-de-to-en-keyboard-layout.html">Switching from de to en keyboard layout - Part 2</a></div>
jendithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09121018812059405973noreply@blogger.com