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Question Newbie my servo almost moved!

Discussion in 'SimTools DIY Version' started by James Deriter, Apr 27, 2023.

  1. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Hi everyone, I read and study as much as possible. I feel I am close to my first small goal. Simtool output testing Arduino and 2 servos. Ultimate goal is a small prototype of 6 dof using RC servos like many of you have built. and use that to learn motion settings before buying linear actuators AMC controller and building the real thing. So far I have installed and licensed Simtool 2.5. I read some thread and copied settings. When I go to Output testing and turn on the servo, it vibrates. But moving the slider does nothing. Arduino is Mega 2560. code is attached. Not sure what pin i need to attached the 2 servos. 0 and 1 ? See attached pictures for my Simtools settings. Thank you!

    Capture 2.PNG

    Attached Files:

  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Here is the wiring:
    [​IMG]
  3. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Thank you noorbeast for the diagram. I did correct my error and connect my servos on 4 and 5. On the Simtools game engine, Output Testing, when i click on Turn On the servos move a little and the game engine closes. Any suggestions? Thank you for your patience dealing with a newbie.
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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  5. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Yes sir. But i notice something. Inside the RC Model folder there is a test interface config file with baud rate, bit etc. The output type in that file says Decimal. My Simtools interface setup is set to binary. I am not in front of my simulator computer to test it but is it suppose to be decimal? Thank you!
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Please see @eaorobbie's instructions:

    Please install the RC Model Test_InterfaceConfig.cfg to Game Engine - Tools - Preset Validator. After that the preset can be selected in the Interface Preset box and you just need to specify the Comport Number of the Ard and then Test the Output will work correctly.
  7. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Thank you for your recommendations. I believe I am following the correct steps. I have attached a document showing all the steps when I drill down from your link. I hope I did not get off road and make a mistake. I am with Simtools 2.5 I don't see a Preset Validator option under tools (see attached pic). I also tried the RCdebugmode.uno but the Game engine crashes (see video). I'll go get some tylenol :grin and wait for your reply. Thank you for your help. I was unable to attached a .mp4 or .mov. Which format are we allow to upload a video? Also unable to upload a wordpad document (.rtf)

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  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Just as an aside, you should always use the latest version of SimTools which currently is 2.6: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/marketplace/motion-simulation-software-simtools.63/

    With respect to videos you can't upload directly but can insert a YouTube video, see the FAQs here: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/insert-a-video-into-a-post.257/

    For non supported attachments you can create a Zip file of them and then upload and attach to a post.

    Interface Settings should be Decimal, like this with whatever is the correct com port:

    [​IMG]

    For Axis Assignments below is incorrect, grab a copy of the SimTools manual and keep it handy for reference: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/rtfm-start-with-the-official-simtools-documentation.117/

    For a 2DOF,use DOF1 and DOF2 for each axis, and Axis1a and Axis2a for each direction of each axis.

    Try and keep the Axis Assignment % total to around 100% total, below totals 200% and does not yet include sway, surge and heave: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/axis-assignment-percentage-totals.120/

    Once you have the basics sorted ensure the correct directions for each axis, which are controlled by checking or unchecking the DIR boxes in Axis Assignments, this is what SimTools expects: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/which-way-to-set-simtool-axis-movements.230/

    Make sure you run LFS before patching it for motion: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...run-in-first-person-mode-before-patching.365/

    See the motion profile setting tips in the FAQs to refine your settings: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/tuning-centre-and-axis-settings.240/

    [​IMG]
    • Like Like x 1
  9. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    YES! YES! YES! 2 Major (well for me it's major) milestones. Many thanks to @noorbeast for all the help and guidance. First control 2 servos with Output Testing (see video) AND Live for Speed working with surge and sway. Except when I hit the wall during the race Simtools Game engine crashes not sure why. noorbeast check this out!


    I tried to repeat the same steps with MS2020. Patch the game, open the game, open the game manager, open game engine. I can see in Tuning Center that Simtools is receiving data when I pitch up/down and roll. But the servos are not moving. Suggestions? Should I start a new thread for MS2020 with Simtools and Arduino? This is exciting. I feel I should go buy the book Motion Platform for Dummies. LOL I'll study Simtools documentation as much as possible before posting. Thank you again. Greatly appreciated
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 30, 2023
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Very cute test video post it note :grin

    Do not start a new thread, keep all information in one place as it provides context for other members trying to help.

    Before getting too far in to other games lets try and sort out SimTools crashing. While there are other possibilities the most common causes are way too aggressive Axis Allocation and settings, and/or USB disconnects: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/usb-disconnects-and-port-mapping.396/

    So please post pictures of all of your current settings, including the Tuning Center while the LFS is running.

    With MSFS2020 if data is present it is likely a setting issues with respect to Axis Allocation, which can be larger for flight sims, and capturing then refining Tuning Center values. Again please post pictures of all settings.
    Last edited: May 1, 2023
  11. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Hello everyone, LFS problem solved. I did have an a good USB cable plugged in the 2.0 not 3.0 USB port as suggested in the link that @noorbeast gave me, but still sometime crashed. I had a feeling watching the mini servos when I hit the wall that it was too much. So. I created a profile on Game Manager and reduced the intensity to 50 or even 70 percent. I can now hit the wall all day long :). So I think now I'll move on to MS2020 and soon post details with all my settings. Thank you.
  12. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Ok Here are my settings for MS2020. Sorry I don't understand why to me everything look good but no servo movement. Thank you.
    Capture.PNG Capture2.PNG error.PNG Game engine.PNG Game manager.PNG simconnect.PNG Capture.PNG Capture2.PNG error.PNG Game engine.PNG Game manager.PNG simconnect.PNG Capture2.PNG error.PNG Game engine.PNG Game manager.PNG simconnect.PNG
  13. yobuddy

    yobuddy Well-Known Member Staff Member Moderator SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

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    Looks like you need to Capture Max/Min values is all.
    Click "Capture Max Min" and fly around a bit, you will see number getting captured, then click Save New Settings. That should get you going buddy.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    OMG! Thank you yobuddy!!!! check this out. not pretty but that is what I call PROGRESS! I still have a lot to learn but knowing that XSimulator.net got my back then I fell confident enough to buy serious hardware and build a nice platform, right here in my garage! Thank you very much! I hope I inserted the video properly.
    hummmmmmm. I tried to embed the video from youtube but I get this error. What am I doing wrong?


    no media.PNG

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  15. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You can't use a 'short' YouTube url, you need to insert a main page YouTube url.
  16. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    I prefer youtube but any video less than a minute wil be a short video. The internet says there is way around that. So I created a vimeo account. I hope this works

    • Like Like x 1
  17. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Hello guys, I appreciate all the help in getting my 2 DOF off the ground. My next step as you can guess is increase it to 6 DOF miniature platform. What would the Simtools output look like and I couldn t find in the forum arduino code to drive 6 mini servos with simtools. The rest I think i can manage. Thank you.
  18. yobuddy

    yobuddy Well-Known Member Staff Member Moderator SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

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  19. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Just as an aside you can 3D print a frame for an RC 6DOF, see here: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...ype-with-arduino-and-servos.9504/#post-121437

    The basic instructions for expanding @eaorobbie's code are here: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/my-project-guide-me.5682/#post-59262

    So your modified 6DOF is going to be like this: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...rc-simulator-test-not-working-properly.16556/

    See here for a detailed discussion re a RC 6DOF: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/3dof-concept-model-using-raspberrypi.10570/#post-136827
  20. James Deriter

    James Deriter Learning slowly but committed! Gold Contributor

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    Hi guys, ok. I am expanding! lol. Thank you for the great links. using the guidance provided I am trying to get th 6 servos wotking. First working with Output testing before attemting the game.
    All servos connected 4 to 9. I use the code MM_stewart_test4.zip that seems to be ready for 6 servos.
    The full output sequence is:
    A<Axis1a>~B<Axis2a>~C<Axis3a>~D<Axis4a>~E<Axis5a>~F<Axis6a>~

    Sorry for the wire mess. I usually build very clean but this is just a quick proof of concept. Attached are pictures of my settings. Can you see what I am missing? Why under output testing nothing move?
    Thank you. Greatly appreciate all the help. Screenshot 2023-05-02 114457.jpg
    Screenshot 2023-05-02 114547.jpg

    Attached Files: