How to build a Tagtool Mini

What is a Tagtool?

The Tagtool is a live performance instrument for drawing and animation. It's similar to a music instrument, only it plugs into a projector instead of the sound system. It is operated collaboratively by an artist drawing the pictures and an animator adding movement to the artwork with a gamepad.

What is a Tagtool Mini?

The Mini is a separate device with the Tagtool controls that is used together with a computer and a graphics tablet. With this setup, you don't have a compact instrument, but it is nonetheless fully functional. This is recommended for people that don't need a dedicated Tagtool but want to use it with their computer and graphics tablet.

What else do I need to run a Tagtool Mini?

To play with a Tagtool Mini you also need a graphics tablet, a gamepad and a Windows PC with the open source software Nodekit which can be downloaded here.

The Tagtool is typically used with a projector, although any monitor will suffice for playing around with it.

How to use the Tagtool

Usually it is controlled by two people - an illustrator (who draws and uses the Tagtool controls) and an animator (using the gamepad to move the drawings around).

The Tagtool controls consist of 6 faders and a pushbutton. The pushbutton releases a drawing so the animator can move them with the gamepad. There are detailed instructions on how to use the controls here..

To find out more about the Tagtool project, visit Tagtool.org.

Step 1 Materials

1 x Arduino Diecimila

Sources are listed on Arduino.cc
Cost: about 25 Euros

Plywood board

The measurements we used:
2 pieces - 26 x 20 x 0.5 cm
2 pieces - 26 x 4 x 0.5 cm
2 pieces - 19 x 4 x 0.5 cm

+ 1 piece for mounting the Arduino
(sized to fit the Arduino)

Any hardware store
Cost: ca. 4 Euros

1x1cm Slats

4 x 16.7 cm
3 x 24.6 cm
1 x 16.4 cm
1 x 2.5 cm

Any hardware store
Cost: ca. 2 Euros

6 Slide Potentiometers

Sliders 10K, 100mm linear mono (or stereo)
Electronics store, eg. Conrad
Cost: about 7 Euros per slider
High quality faders recommended.

6 Slider Knobs

Electronics store
Cost: 1-2 Euros per button

Some screws

3x10mm for the sliders
3x20mm for the wood
Any hardware store
Cost: a few Euros

2 Spacers for the Arduino board

3mm + fitting screws
Any hardware or computer store.
Cost: a few Euros

1 Resistor (for the pushbutton)

10k Ohm
eg. Conrad
Cost: about 2 Euros for 100 pieces

1 Pushbutton

eg. Allen Bradley 800FM-MM44 + 2 Part Contact Block 800F-PX10
RS Components
Cost: 5,40 Euros
A fairly big button. It is used quite heavily so make sure it has a nice feel.

Some stranded wire

eg. Conrad
Cost: 3 Euros

Ribbon cable

min. 6 wires
Any computer store
Cost: 2 Euros

Some acrylic paint
To make it pretty

Tools and materials

Soldering gun, drill, shrink tubes, plyers, stapler...

Comments

[pergamo]

I know the last comment was in 2009, but hopefuly someone responds me. I would like to know if I can make it with an Arduino-mini board, and if I can, I would like to know if there is any differences. Thanks.

[dasgnu]

I think the Arduino Mini has all the same analog/digital inputs and uses the same chip - i think it should work fine.

Send us some details about your arduino - maybe join our social platforms, to keep us up to date.

cheers,
mat

[da_noise]

Sorry it's me again.. I found a program called Gephex, that supports apple computers.. do u think that this will do?

[dasgnu]

We are using BootCamp on Macs to run the Nodekit Software. Works itpretty well.

[da_noise]

Hi, I´m new to this field, but I wanna try and build one for myself.. I am a video editor, and I work on a mac computer, do u know if there is any way of getting a program similar to nodekit but for mac? thanks, keep on doing the great work u re doing!

[remork]

Hey dasgnu I'm going to build a minitagtool in Brussels - this month, for youngsters (and www.jes.be -> translated: youth and city) - very excited to do that :-) I am blocking somewhat on the conrad and rs components catalogues -> it's a really dense forest in which you get lost very easily. And I'm getting lost on the spacer issue! They are very small on the picture and RS components have 128 + 42 types of spacers (>_<) ouch I'm looking at rs because they deliver easily in Belgium... could you shed a light on what kind of spacer? Thanks for your help greetz wendy (+ my condolences for your team)

[dasgnu]

Wendy,

I guess you are talking about the arduino spacers.

We got inspired by the way how motherboards are mounted in a desktop computer. You can buy them in any "well equipped" computer store - just ask for "motherboard spacers & skrews".

OR you can invent your own way to fix the arduino on the right position. Look at this picture i posted: They didn´t use any spacer, but glued the arduino into the box.

at conrad we ordered these ones: http://shop.conrad.at/ce/ProductDetail.html?productcode=978703

Send us pictures, when you are finished!

greetz,
iink

[arturitoproject]

hello, we want to do this project. but do not have the original Arduino, only we can get the Seeeduino. wanted to know if I buy as well. is the same?
this is the linck:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/seeeduino-v11-fully-assembled-arduino-compatible-p-114.html?zenid=20c2580a93334ef7945de9349e8de789

thank you very much

[dasgnu]

"Seeeduino is Arduino compatible board. Its design is based on Diecimila scheme, 100% compatible to its existing program, shield and IDEs. On the hardware part, remarkable changes are taken to improve the flexibility and user experience. " As this is true, it should work out fine. Give us feedback on Tagtool.org!

[GorillazMiko]

Nicely done pictures.

Looking at the comments below, COOL!

Those videos are awesome.

But adding them to this Instructable would be cool.
Nice job!

[dasgnu]

I added a video.... also check the tagtool group on dailymotion:

Also there's a photo group on Flickr.

[LinuxH4x0r]

cool! Any pics of it in use?

[midiwall]

He mentions a couple of links in the text.. This one's got videos on the front page:

http://www.tagtool.org/

[LinuxH4x0r]

COOL!