Less menacing asteroid

If we wanted something a little more bright:

Scene one early test

This was an earlier scene test video that I don't think got posted, so here it is:

I like version 3 is better, but this is one of the early tests we did. This one is also about 1/3 the length I think it should be.

Chroma keying tools

I have been working with Blender's chroma key tools, and just discovered the color spill tool. It's really great! Green bounce is always a problem when working with a greenscreen, and this tool fixes it really well. Here are two comparison images:

This is the straight keyed image.

This one has the color spill fix node.

Big difference! The main thing I love about it is that it can fix the spill without affecting the color balance.

This key obviously has some other issues, but I'm working on those too.The color spill node is a lifesaver though, and you should try it out first chance you get! Here's a screenshot of the node chain I made so you can duplicate it exactly. Nothing too complicated, just a test render.

By the way, in case you were wondering, I didn't have any greenscreen footage handy, so I downloaded the clip I'm working with from http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/greenscreenplates.html

It's the matchmove test close, I picked that one because it had lots of obvious green bounce.

stepper motor position control

The stepper motor now has a position control! It wasn't easy either, and it has a ways to go yet, but here's an update:

As you can see, it needs some more work yet, but it is really coming together nicely now. A few of the problems that I will try to fix are:

Jitter. It's not too bad anymore, but it's too much. I may have to use a digital potentiometer.

• Current draw. The motor is rated for 6 Amps @ 3 volts. I'm not sure that rating is right, but that was what it was specified as. The problem with that is that the transistors can't handle more than about an amp, so they are getting really hot. The other problem with the current draw is that the whole thing is running off of USB, so while this is great for testing, because it's current limited, to get the full torque out of this motor I'll need a good 3V supply and some higher current transistors. (I'm also not sure if the transistors are saturating all the way, so it might be that I just need lower voltage transistors)

• What to use for a proper enclosure.

• How to mount it to the rail system ( this is the easy one!)

Anyway, that's where I am currently. Here's the code I'm using:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/*
 * MotorKnob
 *
 * A stepper motor follows the turns of a potentiometer
 * (or other sensor) on analog input 0.
 *
 * http://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/Stepper
 * This example code is in the public domain.
 */

#include

// change this to the number of steps on your motor
#define STEPS 200

// create an instance of the stepper class, specifying
// the number of steps of the motor and the pins it's
// attached to
Stepper stepper(STEPS, 8, 9, 10, 11);

// the previous reading from the analog input
int previous = 0;

void setup()
{
  // set the speed of the motor to 15 RPMs
  stepper.setSpeed(15);
}

void loop()
{
  delay(100);
  // get the sensor value
  int val = analogRead(0);

  // move a number of steps equal to the change in the
  // sensor reading
  stepper.step(val - previous);

  // remember the previous value of the sensor
  previous = val;
}

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(I know that's probably not relevant to anyone else here, but I want a backup of the code online, and this is a good place to put it)

Stepper motor success at long last!

Finally!
 I now have my Arduino driving the stepper motor!
This is the motor:

Here is the driver circuit:

And here's the whole test setup:

(As you may know, I'm not especially known for neatness, as long as it works I'm happy!)

Here's the oscilloscope I'm using:

And finally, proof that it really does work:

(apologies for the poor quality)

That's it! I'll keep working on it, and hopefully add a position control soon!

DSLR Viewfinder

Have you ever tried to use a DLSR's LCD in bright sunlight?  It's a nightmare!  And since a good part of project 2.6 will be shot outdoors, I decided to buy a LCD viewfinder.  Now on B&H, viewfinders run anywhere from $60 to $500!  Viewfinders are very helpful, but are they $500 helpful?  So I then looked on Amazon, and found one made by EZ Foto for $22.  I ordered with some doubt of the quality, but was pleasantly surprised to find it rugged and sturdy.  It is attached magnetically to the LCD frame.  Here's what it looks like:

It's a dream come true in terms of precise focusing and getting white balance just right.  And it looks like you're looking at a 42 inch screen instead of the 3.5 I'm used to squinting at.  

Cheap, efficient gear like this will help project 2.6 get great shots on a low budget.