Groundbreakers

Got my groundbreaker painted. Not sure I like it yet.   The odd thing is it looks good in person more so with the picture.  That's weird.

Blooger wasn't allowing me to comment

Its weird that I had not noticed that I couldn't comment on my blogger.  I was able to fix it by going to settings and then setting the comments to pop up.  I guess they want to make sure that you are you, I suppose

Halloween prop server success

Just a quick note from yesterday's projects.    As I mentioned before, I am working on a prop server that will control all my props.  One of the props, which has dual functions has to have a different client software to work with the server.  I am using threading so that it displays a lighting display, but also listens to the server at the same time for any interrupts. So, if the server has not requested for the neopixel to write out a message, it would just do some random display thing.  I thought it would understand some of the basic python programming but I soon learned that micropython is a bit different.  So I had to change a few things in order to get it to work.  I am happy to say that last night was the first successful trial of it working.  I tested the server with 3 fake clients and the esp32 neopixel client while connected to the neopixels.  After all clients connected to the server, the neopixel client started up with doing my running programming. Which is just the leds ramping up etc.  Nothing exciting.  When the server told the neopixel client to stop and write out text to its neopixels, it did exactly that.  Afterwards, it returned to running the running programming as before.  There are actually 4 or 5 startup programs that the esp32 will pick from.  I only have one running now.  So that will be my next thing I need to do is have the esp32 randomize which startup program it will play, and if the server request for it to write, then it will stop and write out "Happy Halloween" etc.   When finished will continue with the startup programs until the server request for it to display the message again.

Video kinda of gives you an idea of what the running program does.

Working on Neopixel extras

In my last week video I showed where I have it so the neopixel sign will read out what I have stored on the esp32.   Of course the goal being that the server will send that data to the esp32 to print out.  What I did this week was start working on showing things on the neopixel array when the server doesn't ask it to print out a message.  I guess you could call them splash screen or idle screen.  The goal here would be to have the nexpixel display something on the screen for the user to watch etc before they actually get a message.  I have the video here and I have of course cut it down.  Some of the images I admit need to be worked on.  The image of the spider, bat, pumpkin face, etc need to be worked on.  Its all a work in progress I suppose.  I can work on that later.  Next, I need to get it working with the server.

Neopixel Halloween sign cont

I got the neopixels set on the board now. At least now you can see what it is saying.

Midwest Haunters Convention

Finally Midwest Haunters Convention is coming to ILL.  I decided to go.   I have been to Transworld many times when it started in Chicago. Even went to Vegas and St. Louis.   I have even been to Ironstock in Kentucky.  This is going to be the first time for Midwest Haunters.  I can't wait.  I will post pics.

Neopixel board

I was sick this weekend but I did get a few things done.  I got a 2x2 piece of plywood and placed my neopixels on it.  I guess my plan is to make this like a tomb or crypt and have it sit out front while it is scrolling what I need it to say.  I am not 100% sure how this is going to go but I think this should be a good start.

Neopixel sign coming along.

I finally go my Halloween sign working on my esp32.  Its hard to tell by this video because the pixels are spread out too far but it says Halloween.   This esp32 will be a client to my Halloween server.  So it will make all these pretty images etc and then when the server tells it, it will print out Happy Halloween or show how many days until Halloween.  I am glad it is finally working.