Arduino animatronics- make your awesome costumes more awesome!

Step 3 Getting started

To upload code to your Arduino servo board you need a USB to serial adapter. I use the Sparkfun FTDI Basic 3.3V breakout. You can also use the Adafruit FTDI friend (make sure to set it to 3.3V.) Either adapter will work great (you do have to solder a connector to the bottom of the Sparkfun adapter- you can use either straight or 90 degree pins.)

I really like these boards because you can see the LEDs light up when they are transmitting. You also need to make sure you have the latest FTDI drivers on your computer (you can get the most current drivers on the product web pages.)

Sparkfun FTDI Basic 3.3V breakout
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10009

Adafruit FTDI friend
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=284

You simply plug the FTDI Basic breakout into the programming socket on the controller board and connect it to a computer using a USB mini-B cable. Make sure to line up the GRN and BLK indicators.

If you're using an Arduino with built in USB then you don't need a USB to serial adapter- it's built into the Arduino board. Just connect it to a computer using a USB cable and you're good to go.

Programming environment

Now you need to download the Arduino software which is located here:http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

At the time of this writing I am using Arduino 0018. If you want to use the newer Arduino Uno or Mega2560 then you should use the latest release (0021 at this time) as the Uno and Mega2560 use a different type of USB to serial connection that is not supported by previous versions.

I also highly recommend reading the Arduino environment guide here:http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/Environment

The code you will use has several parts:

1. Program description/comments-
This is where you say what the program does

2. Variable declaration section-
This is where you assign input/output pins, etc.

3. Setup section-
This is where you set pins as inputs or outputs, etc.

4. Loop section-
This is the program that will run based on the conditions of your variables and setup sections.

When your program runs it will first define your variables, then execute the setup section once and will then execute the loop section over and over.

So what you do is open the Arduino software, add (or write) your code (called a sketch), verify (compile) your code, connect your Arduino to your computer, select the USB/serial connection, select the type of Arduino you're using then upload your code to the Arduino.

Here's the process-

1. Open Arduino window and add/write code-
Just open the Arduino program and paste the code example you want to use into the window (or write your own code.)

2. Verify-
Hit the verify button to compile your code. It will inform you if there are any errors with your code.

3. Connect board-
Connect the servo board to your computer using the USB to serial adapter- if you are using an Arduino with built in USB then just plug the Arduino directly into your computer.

4. Select connection-
This tells the USB to serial adapter which serial port you are going to use. The one to select is labeled beginning /dev/tty.usbserial so from the top menu go to Tools>Serial Port>/dev/tty.usbserial-(insert port name here)

5. Select board-
This tells the Arduino program which version board you are using. From the top menu go to Tools>Board>Arduino Pro or Pro Mini (3.3V, 8Mhz) w/ ATmega328 if you are using the Pro Mini servo board or choose the correct model Arduino.

6. Upload code-
Hit the upload button to send the code to your Arduino.

That's it!