***Disclaimer***This instructable is documentation for a work in progress. Although the project is not yet complete, it has reached a place where I believe it can begin to be beneficial to other makers.
The concept for this project was spawned when a friend suggested I be Slenderman for Halloween. When I first looked at pictures, I wasn't terribly excited because I am a prop builder more than a costumer, and Slenderman didn't have any props. However, I then discovered that in some depictions he has tentacle-like appendages emerging from his back. I started scouring the internet, seeing if anyone could give me any advice on how to bring this part of the costume to life. To my dismay, the best I could find was suggestions using armature wire to support the tentacles, but they wouldn't move so I set out to design my own.
The Overall Plan:
-Include 4 or 6 Tentacles
-Be mounted on the back
-Be controlled with 1 or 2 Arduino's using 2 Wii Nunchucks
-Move automatically when not being actively puppeteered
-Have an option to fold tight for moving around tight spaces
The concept for this project was spawned when a friend suggested I be Slenderman for Halloween. When I first looked at pictures, I wasn't terribly excited because I am a prop builder more than a costumer, and Slenderman didn't have any props. However, I then discovered that in some depictions he has tentacle-like appendages emerging from his back. I started scouring the internet, seeing if anyone could give me any advice on how to bring this part of the costume to life. To my dismay, the best I could find was suggestions using armature wire to support the tentacles, but they wouldn't move so I set out to design my own.
The Overall Plan:
-Include 4 or 6 Tentacles
-Be mounted on the back
-Be controlled with 1 or 2 Arduino's using 2 Wii Nunchucks
-Move automatically when not being actively puppeteered
-Have an option to fold tight for moving around tight spaces
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Signing UpStep 1: First Draft: Tail - Part 1
In most cases, small scale is usually the way to start a project. For this, however, it was too hard to visualize how everything would work, so I started work on a single, large scale model. Since there would only be one of these, I decided to try to build a tail that had the same functionality that the future tentacles would have. The idea was to use PVC pipe as the "spine" of the tail, and have laser cut 1/8" MDF disc's as the standoff's to make up the vertebrae.
First, I designed the standoff's in Corel Draw. The large hole in the middle was for the PVC and the smaller four holes for the control cables. I then printed these pieces on an Epilog Legend Series laser cutter. It took some experimenting to get the sizing right, and in the process I created an unbelievable number of these discs.
First, I designed the standoff's in Corel Draw. The large hole in the middle was for the PVC and the smaller four holes for the control cables. I then printed these pieces on an Epilog Legend Series laser cutter. It took some experimenting to get the sizing right, and in the process I created an unbelievable number of these discs.
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1. Instead of two Arduinos, consider using just the ATmega chips, as they are far less expensive, and use the same command set (you can buy them with the Arduino boot loader already on them). I use an Arduino to program the ATmega and ATtiny chips, which greatly reduces the cost of projects.
2. I would try to add more random looking ambient movement to the tentacles. Use a defined range, and slowly transition between two random points within that range for each servo on a tentacle. For fun, randomly choose a delay time, as well, so that some tendons stay in their positions for longer than others. Make sure that this is also constrained to a reasonable range.
I love the work you've done, and the ideas you've come up with!
Think of fabrics for the skin. There are many options that are rubbery in appearance, and they'll cost less than silicone. They may weigh less, too.
1. I have looked at this, and for the final version I think I might. I am also working on an Arduino Segway at the moment (Instructable to follow), which might be able to use the same idea. I have seen tutorials on how to program the ATtiny with an Arduino, but not an ATmega. If you have any resources on doing that I would love them, thanks :D
2. OOOooo. That's cool! I like that better than just sweeping between the extremes! Thanks for the Idea!
As for the fabric, I've looked at it but my sewing ability is near 0. Though swimsuit type material is starting to sound better after the fiasco of making the test skin. (My dad wasn't too happy with the mess I made in the garage)
Thanks Again!
2. Yeah, I've had some luck with that technique in some projects. It keeps things reasonable while appearing random. I usually pick a base, then add a random number to it (which has been mapped to my "reasonable" range). I suppose you could just map the number directly to the range without the addition.
3. Sewing shouldn't be that difficult. It'll mostly be a straight line up until the end of the tentacle. Just sew it inside-out, and then invert it and slide it on the tentacle. Get a friend to help if you have a sewing whiz around. I'm lazy, of course, so I use a laser to cut fabric.
For the skin, you might consider buying latex sheeting. It can a bit pricey, 15~30 a yard, but it has quite a bit of stretch to it, and construction would just be to use rubber cement to bond the pieces together.
May I suggest you place a tube of soft foam between the vertebrae to control twisting, help the tentacle return to its start position and even out bending over the span. You could add diagonal controls for twisting when wanted. Finally append one to another to give different bending zones - something like arm then wrist/hand.
Once again - remarkable and delightful work. Thank you so much, sharing is good for the soul.