Ok guys, after a lot of work with others, etc. Version 0.82 of the engine is ready to go.
You can download everything here: Loading...
It may not be obvious from the surface, but the project has really taken off. If you pick up this month's copy of Wired, the fetish photo was shot using the OpenMoco system, I have worked directly with that photographer to help him build a system based around OpenMoco to solve many of his studio needs. Jay Burlage (of HDR and 'milapse' notoriety) joined me in the project a few months back, and has really helped increase the traction of the project with both pro and amateur shooters.
We're currently in talks with several hardware vendors, designers, etc. to start producing "kit components" that take the hardest work out of producing a high-end moco system (for timelapse, gigapano, studio shooting, etc.) and work for the lowest price. There have been a bunch of projects based around the system from DIY guys so far. Here are some examples:
Timelapse equipment:
http://openmoco.org/node/128
http://openmoco.org/node/132#comment-271
http://openmoco.org/node/149
http://openmoco.org/node/126
Gigapano equipment running OpenMoco:
http://timescapes.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=13120#p13120
It seems like every day I learn about someone new working with it.
This latest version greatly expands the scripting capabilities for the engine, providing easy support for not only regular timelapse motion control and shooting, but interlacing videos at different motion speeds, or event different positions - you can shoot multiple videos in one pass with different view targets. Also extended support so that HDR timelapse, gigapixel panoramas, and even HDR gigapixel panoramas can be shot easily! (A 10x10 GP script example is included with 'Slim' that shows how to do the whole shot in only 14 commands.)
Speaking of gigapixel panoramas, the Papywizard guys are working to add support for the OpenMoco engine.
Of course, I've also added support for the 4th motor axis in this version, and the full serial protocol is now documented - making it easier to write new UI's or integrate it with other systems.
Along with the sketch for the arduino, I've also provided a perl API library, making it easier to interface with perl applications, and the "Slim" scripting engine, which allows one to use human-readable commands to script and repeat actions, or control the engine in real time from any machine that can run perl (windows, mac, linux, etc.).
We will be providing a native arduino library for serial communication soon so that it can be easily integrated as a network component in an existing arduino project.
Work on a processing-based GUI has begun, but a contributor has also created a Windows-based GUI, like I mentioned we're working with Papywizard to support it there, and some of the contributors are currently working on a native GUI for the touchshield slide.
The next release will add support for a simple native-ui running from the engine (lcd+5 buttons), the ability to mix DC motors in with the steppers, and asynchronous stepper control for using stepper-based continuous motion and real-time motor interaction with the steppers -- amongst many other things =)
Feel free to drop by and check it out, at http://www.openmoco.org
I see some people have been working on intervalometers, motion control, etc. I encourage you guys to join us and extend or create your projects at a little more rapid pace =)
!c