Hi,

Just posting a quick question. I want to remotely program my Arduino UNO. Can I simply connect a bluetooth module via the Arduino's tx and rx pins, pair to the module and use Snap4Andruino with the appropriate COM port? Do I need to modify the Firmata sketch to exclude pins 1&2 from the digital inputs? Sorry for the newbie question.

When I click export project. I am trying to use this in an offline educational environment so I don't have access to cloud sync.

From @bromagosa on October 28, 2014 9:51

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#38

They should work in the same way as the ones in S4A.

Here is the case: I hope to pass three parameters in double from s4a to a desktop robotic arm, but I am not sure if this.arduino.board.sp.write(new Buffer([0xF0, ..., ..., 0xF7])) function can do this or not. I think it's more likely to be used for passing byte type data, like pin number.

From @bromagosa on July 31, 2014 8:48

When (if) Firmata decides to go ahead with this proposal and firmatajs embraces it too, we should add support to the pulseIn/pulseOut functions.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#16

From @bromagosa on July 31, 2014 8:3

Just like in S4A.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#14

It seems firmata.js supports steppers, so let's take a look at this and implement blocks to use them:

https://github.com/jgautier/firmata/blob/master/lib/firmata.js#L1409

It seems we're going to need AdvancedFirmata for these, so this should probably be a somewhat hidden feature or a loadable library.

Error message when unplugging cable:

events.js:160
      throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
      ^
Error: Serialport not open.
    at SerialPort.write (/tmp/.io.nwjs.kwF3qG/node_modules/browser-serialport/index.js:234:15)
    at Board.reportVersion (/tmp/.io.nwjs.kwF3qG/node_modules/firmata/lib/firmata.js:712:18)
Error: Serialport not open.
    at SerialPort.close (/tmp/.io.nwjs.kwF3qG/node_modules/browser-serialport/index.js:262:15)

From @maprzybylla on October 28, 2014 12:53

With the beta release I'm no longer able to connect my Arduino Uno to Snap4Arduino. I tried it with different Unos, using both the OldStandardFirmata and the current one. I can communicate with the Board in alpha version 1.0.6. and in Windows and also tested with the firmata_test program provided by firmata.org

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#39

From @bromagosa on October 28, 2014 9:51

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#37

Hi there!

Could you add two new language files (Ukrainian and Russian) to repository?

Ukrainian - https://github.com/SyavsoN/Snap4Arduino/blob/master/snap/s4a/s4a-lang-uk.js

Russian - https://github.com/SyavsoN/Snap4Arduino/blob/master/snap/s4a/s4a-lang-ru.js

Bets regards,
Yaroslav

From @maprzybylla on January 21, 2016 10:1

When I try to sign up I get a message:
"No such file - SnapCloudLocalSignUp.
An e-mail with your password has been sent to the address provided."

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#74

From @fhunleth on January 5, 2015 23:3

The problem is that the installers and tar files either have the same or very similar names (Snap4Arduino.tar.gz or Snap4Arduino.zip) and people sometimes grab the wrong one and don't know it. I renamed the files manually when I copied them locally for our use, but would it be possible to add the platform and version number to the names on GitHub and the S4A site. E.g. Snap4Arduino-1.0-beta-win32.zip, Snap4Arduino-1.0-beta-osx.zip, Snap4Arduino-1.0-beta-linux-x64.tar.gz, etc.. It would also be nice to have more granularity in the version strings since it looks like 1.0-beta has been 1.0-beta through a few changes, but the different filenames per platform is the big thing that would help me.

I don't mind sending the pull request if you're ok with this, but let me know your preferences on naming.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#49

From @bromagosa on June 15, 2015 8:4

into their numeric counterparts:

clockwise: 1200

stopped: 1500

counter-clockwise: 1700

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#62

We could pick it from window.location.hostname

Project / setup background
I'm trying to create a circuit & S4A-script in which the Arduino Uno can make 1 of 8 attached servos do a small movement, with the press of 1 of 8 linked buttons on my keyboard. My current test setup only connects 4 servos/buttons, see attached screenshot and photo. A 5v adaptor powers a breadboard which powers the 4 servos. Ground is connected to ground of adaptor AND to Arduino ground. The servos are connected to channels 4, 7, 9 and 13. Photos of my physical and my S4A setup are attached, and the S4A script file.

Bug
When I only use 3 (random) blocks of my Snap4A script, connected to 3 servos and keys, it works fine and almost never crashes. It doesn't matter to which pins and keyboard keys I assign the 3 servos. However, adding the 4th block causes the whole thing to crash often. Basically if I execute each of the 4 blocks one time in a row, then within the next 5 buttons I press, it will crash. Again this behavior does not occur when I only execute 3 out of my 4 blocks - I can happily spam any 3 out of 4 as long as I don't activate a 4th block.

I've experimented with assigning different buttons of my keyboard, as well as with different pin setups - no consistent pattern between keys/pins and the crashes. I don't think that I'm causing overlapping servo signals because (1) I press the buttons slowly and (2) there is a small safety mechanism with a timer to force some time (.2 sec) between the commands.

However I've noticed that, when I start to use any 4th block, it usually crashes with activating the 1st block (leftmost) a couple of times in a row - less so with the other ones. This makes me suspect some software error or bug...

Hi,

Package.json defines "icon": "s4a.ico" but node supports only png/jpg formats.

We can use the existing s4a_logo_sm.png file. Then, editing package.json with "icon": "s4a_logo_sm.png" it will show our icon.

Thanks

@maprzybylla wrote:

if I try to connect to the BT-device attached to Arduino Uno (which as a user I'd assume is possible given the drop-dwon menu) I get this message:
Could not talk to Arduino in port /dev/cu.HC-06-DevB
Check if firmata is loaded.

And one more thing: if I then click ok and try to connect again, nothing happens :(

From @bromagosa on December 22, 2014 9:4

Check out https://github.com/jgautier/firmata/blob/master/readme.md#i2c

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#45

From @bromagosa on October 15, 2014 9:50

showMessage doesn't belong here, this should be a GUI function.

Maybe we should also rename it into showModalMessage, and prevent any other action to happen while the box is up.

This would also prevent behaviour like clicking on connect and then on disconnect while the connection dialog is still open, thus helping on #32.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#34

From @maprzybylla on January 21, 2016 9:48

It's very hard to see where the project was exported to, as the pop up window is only displayed for a second or so. Also, I'd like to choose the path myself :)

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#73

From @bromagosa on July 31, 2014 8:2

Just like in http://s4a.cat/#android under HTTP, it'd be swell to have an HTTP protocol for remote control.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#13

Reported by Marcello Fini.

4 comments/suggestions about Servos

1. I suggest to change angle mapping

• Default mapping is 0-180 degrees to 544-2400 microseconds
• Then 90º are 1472µs. Best value is 1500µs.
• Proposed change:
  • /snap/s4a/threads.js, after line 69
  • Add board.servoConfig(pin,600,2400);
• Then 90º will be 1500 µs

2. Fix same speed for clockwise and counter-clockwise operation

• Regardless the mapping change proposed for angles operation, 1500 is the right value for stopped state.
• Then, clockwise and counter-clockwise must have the same increment (the same speed).
• Proposed change:
  • /snap/s4a/threads.js, line 77
  • We can change 1700 to 1800 value

3. Add block info to change servo speed

• We can add more options to block (fast, slow...)

• But maybe it's easier add info like angle option: 'angle (0-180)' : 90,

• Proposed change:

  • /snap/s4a/blocks.js, lines 12-16

  'angle (0-180)' : 90,
  'stopped' : ['stopped'], 
  'clockwise (1500-1000)' : ['clockwise'],
  'counter-clockwise (1500-2000)' : ['counter-clockwise'],
  'disconnected' : ['disconnected']
  

• Note: I've tested that values greater than 2000 and smaller than 1000 don't increase speed (almost in some servos)

4. Disconnecting servos does not enable pwm in 9 and 10 pins.

• Disconnect must detach servo.
• Proposed change:
  • /snap/s4a/threads.js
  • Change
    this.digitalWrite(pin, false);
  • to
    board.pinMode(pin, board.MODES.OUTPUT);
• Unfortunately, this change does'nt fix de problem, because there is a bug in Servos library. We can see the missing code. We must wait. We can implement a Firmata hack to enable timer ending (see Arduino issue) but that does not run in every board (manage only one 16 bit timer).

Thanks!!

Joan

From @Davis4Create on December 18, 2015 7:30

I would like to modify the s4a to make it support the functions of software serial, so that more serial ports could be used when Arduino UNO being connected. Can anyone gives me some instructions to achieve this?
Here is a tutorial about expansion, but I don't really think this is enough, the work might be more complex.
http://blog.s4a.cat/2015/03/13/Extending-Firmata-for-Snap4Arduino.html

Give my high appreciation to someone who may help!

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#70

I've tried the latest release in Arch Linux 64bits and Windows XP. Both cannot play mp3 sound.

It would just put the pin to false.

This way, even if the motor is not properly calibrated, we can make it stop with just one command.

From @bromagosa on October 28, 2014 9:51

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#36

Hey all!

I've been working on a little robot with x2 DC motors connected via bluetooth. I've can have it working just fine as a remote controlled car but as soon as I pop a few IR sensors and try to get it following lines the bluetooth signal is really unstable.

Has anyone else had unstable connections with Bluetooth... I'm pulling my hair out as I'm feeling I've tried every hardware issue so wonder if it's related to Snap4arduino..?

Help please :/

It's not there! It should be!

From @bromagosa on June 14, 2015 10:57

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#59

From @bromagosa on May 14, 2015 10:40

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#58

Chrome App (experimental) download link in http://s4a.cat/snap/ is wrong.
Currently available at: http://scaenaweb.citilab.eu/snap4arduino/

From @maprzybylla on January 21, 2016 9:45

In MacOS I have to add it manually, haven't tried on other OS

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#72

error.toString() shows up as [Object object] sometimes, which is not useful at all.

If you unplug the board during a connection attempt, the whole connection menu goes away.

Hi!

My apologies in advance if this is not the right place for this request -I'm a newb here.

I'm working in educational tech projects for kids. We use Makeblock for primary students and bare Arduino for secondary. The thing is that we are looking for a graphic programming environment that suits both, but none seems to fit: too limited, too dull for kids, incomplete sets of blocks,...

I wold love to make my own blocks for programming Makeblock, but not just build them in the Snap! BYOB fashion. I want to make it your way, a sort of "Snap4Makeblock".

My problems is that after looking at your repo here and trying to figure out how your blocks are programmed, I just don't know where to start. The time I can dedicate to this project is limited and I would really appreciate some hints on how to start with this. Then maybe I could write a sort of starter's guide for messing around with Snap/S4A and add it to your repo, that would be cool.

Thanks in advance and I hope we talk again soon,

Héctor

PS: you can write back in spanish, and if you prefer you can email me at [email protected].

Hi,
I know you're working in a network connection to the board.

Beyond the development of this functionality, I wondered about the appropriateness that always appear in the connection dialog.
Many people (and especially newcomers) work with a single board and may not have a great knowledge about computer ports. Then, direct connection (without asking a port) is a good implementation.

My suggestion: Add a menu item (a checkbox) to enable this 'network connection' function. Then, it will only appears in the connection dialog if it's enabled.

Thanks,

Joan

From @bromagosa on July 31, 2014 7:50

This is tricky. Each OS would need its own different avrdude version and a different upload script.

Also, #8 is a prerequisite for this one.

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#9

• Snap4Arduino doesn't load libraries and tools.
• Snap! offline has tools and libraries (xml files) downloaded on the local machine. This is an option. We can discuss here what is the best solution.
  -Meanwhile I try to point this two problems... and I'll make a PR to fix actual mode operation: opening tools and libraries from snap.berkeley.edu

Libraries

• Libraries name ( picked from http://snap.berkeley.edu/snapsource/libraries/LIBRARIES) has already .xml extension.
• Then the call in /snap/s4a/gui.js is wrong.

Tools

• Code try to load a local file. This call is wrong (it's not running) by we'll try to load berkeley file

From @bromagosa on July 31, 2014 9:4

At s4aBlocks.js, change this function:

function(){ serialport.list(function (err, ports) { if(ports){ ports.forEach(function(each) { portList[each.comName] = each.comName })}})}

So that it filters out only the ports with an Arduino plugged in. It is pretty trivial to do, each serialport object has an attribute that can help with that (can't remember which one but it's easy to find out again).

Copied from original issue: edutec/Snap4Arduino-old-huge#17