Category Archives: Arduino with Python

In this lesson we show how to model a moving marble in vPython. We show how to create an animation where the marble bounces off the left and righty walls of our virtual room. For your convenience, we include the code below:

from vpython import *
roomX=12
roomY=10
roomZ=16
wallT=.5
wallColor=vector(1,1,1)
wallOpacity=.8
frontOpacity=.1
marbleR=.5
ballColor=vector(0,0,1)

myFloor=box(size=vector(roomX,wallT,roomZ),pos=vector(0,-roomY/2,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)
myCeiling=box(size=vector(roomX,wallT,roomZ),pos=vector(0,roomY/2,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)
leftWall=box(size=vector(wallT,roomY,roomZ),pos=vector(-roomX/2,0,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)
rightWall=box(size=vector(wallT,roomY,roomZ),pos=vector(roomX/2,0,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)
backWall=box(size=vector(roomX,roomY,wallT),pos=vector(0,0,-roomZ/2),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)
frontWall=box(size=vector(roomX,roomY,wallT),pos=vector(0,0,roomZ/2),color=wallColor,opacity=frontOpacity)
marble=sphere(color=ballColor,radius=marbleR)

marbleX=0
deltaX=.1

while True:
    rate(20)
    marbleX=marbleX+deltaX
    if marbleX+marbleR>(roomX/2-wallT/2) or marbleX-marbleR<(-roomX/2+wallT/2):
        deltaX=deltaX*(-1)
        marbleX=marbleX+deltaX
    marble.pos=vector(marbleX,0,0)

from vpython import *

roomX=12

roomY=10

roomZ=16

wallT=.5

wallColor=vector(1,1,1)

wallOpacity=.8

frontOpacity=.1

marbleR=.5

ballColor=vector(0,0,1)

myFloor=box(size=vector(roomX,wallT,roomZ),pos=vector(0,-roomY/2,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)

myCeiling=box(size=vector(roomX,wallT,roomZ),pos=vector(0,roomY/2,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)

leftWall=box(size=vector(wallT,roomY,roomZ),pos=vector(-roomX/2,0,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)

rightWall=box(size=vector(wallT,roomY,roomZ),pos=vector(roomX/2,0,0),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)

backWall=box(size=vector(roomX,roomY,wallT),pos=vector(0,0,-roomZ/2),color=wallColor,opacity=wallOpacity)

frontWall=box(size=vector(roomX,roomY,wallT),pos=vector(0,0,roomZ/2),color=wallColor,opacity=frontOpacity)

marble=sphere(color=ballColor,radius=marbleR)

marbleX=0

deltaX=.1

while True:

rate(20)

marbleX=marbleX+deltaX

if marbleX+marbleR>(roomX/2-wallT/2) or marbleX-marbleR<(-roomX/2+wallT/2):

deltaX=deltaX*(-1)

marbleX=marbleX+deltaX

marble.pos=vector(marbleX,0,0)

Arduino with Python, Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 11: Controlling an LED from Python

March 22, 2022 admin

In this video lesson, we show how to control an LED using python. Python sends commands to arduino, which then controls the LED. We also create a vPython visual, where the ‘Virtual’ LED mimics the behavior of the real LED. This a really cool demonstration and hope you enjoy it. I include below the code we develop in the video. On the arduino side we end up with the following:

int redPin=11;
int greenPin=10;
int bluePin=9;
int redVal=255;
int greenVal=255;
int blueVal=255;
String cmd;
void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
Serial.begin(115200);
pinMode(redPin,OUTPUT);
pinMode(greenPin,OUTPUT);
pinMode(bluePin,OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  while(Serial.available()==0){
  }
redVal=Serial.readStringUntil(':').toInt();
greenVal=Serial.readStringUntil(':').toInt();
blueVal=Serial.readStringUntil('\r').toInt();

analogWrite(redPin,redVal);
analogWrite(greenPin,greenVal);
analogWrite(bluePin,blueVal);

}

int redPin=11;

int greenPin=10;

int bluePin=9;

int redVal=255;

int greenVal=255;

int blueVal=255;

String cmd;

void setup() {

// put your setup code here, to run once:

Serial.begin(115200);

pinMode(redPin,OUTPUT);

pinMode(greenPin,OUTPUT);

pinMode(bluePin,OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {

// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

while(Serial.available()==0){

}

redVal=Serial.readStringUntil(':').toInt();

greenVal=Serial.readStringUntil(':').toInt();

blueVal=Serial.readStringUntil('\r').toInt();

analogWrite(redPin,redVal);

analogWrite(greenPin,greenVal);

analogWrite(bluePin,blueVal);

}

And on the python side we have:

import serial
from vpython import *

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)

myOrb=sphere(color=color.black,radius=1)

while True:
    myCmd=input('Please Input Your Color R:G:B 0-255 ')
    myCmd=myCmd+'\r'
    arduinoData.write(myCmd.encode())
    myColor=myCmd.split(':')
    red=int(myColor[0])
    green=int(myColor[1])
    blue=int(myColor[2])
    myOrb.color=vector(red/255,green/255,blue/255)

import serial

from vpython import *

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)

myOrb=sphere(color=color.black,radius=1)

while True:

myCmd=input('Please Input Your Color R:G:B 0-255 ')

myCmd=myCmd+'\r'

arduinoData.write(myCmd.encode())

myColor=myCmd.split(':')

red=int(myColor[0])

green=int(myColor[1])

blue=int(myColor[2])

myOrb.color=vector(red/255,green/255,blue/255)

3D Graphics with Visual Python, Arduino, Arduino with Python, Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 8: Live Thermometer 3D Visual Using DHT11

March 1, 2022 admin

In this video lesson we connect the Arduino to a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor. We show how to wire the device up, and then how to code the Arduino. The data is passed from the Arduino to python. We then create a live 3D thermometer model that updates as the temperature changes.

On the arduino side, this is the code which we use:

#include "DHT.h"
#define DHTPIN 2
#define DHTTYPE DHT11

float tempF;
float tempC;
float humidity;

int setTime=500;
int dt=1000;

DHT TH(DHTPIN,DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
Serial.begin(115200);
TH.begin();
delay(setTime);
}
void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
tempC=TH.readTemperature();
tempF=TH.readTemperature(true);
humidity=TH.readHumidity();


Serial.print(tempF);
Serial.print(",");
Serial.println(humidity);

delay(dt);
}

#include "DHT.h"

#define DHTPIN 2

#define DHTTYPE DHT11

float tempF;

float tempC;

float humidity;

int setTime=500;

int dt=1000;

DHT TH(DHTPIN,DHTTYPE);

void setup() {

// put your setup code here, to run once:

Serial.begin(115200);

TH.begin();

delay(setTime);

}

void loop() {

// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

tempC=TH.readTemperature();

tempF=TH.readTemperature(true);

humidity=TH.readHumidity();

Serial.print(tempF);

Serial.print(",");

Serial.println(humidity);

delay(dt);

}

Then on the python side, we use the following code:

import time
import serial
from vpython import *

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)
time.sleep(.5)
digValue=label(text='50',height=20,box=False,pos=vector(0,-2.5,2))
bulb=sphere(radius=1,color=color.red,pos=vector(0,-3,0))
cyl=cylinder(radius=.6,color=color.red,axis=vector(0,1,0),length=6,pos=vector(0,-3,0))
bulbGlass=sphere(radius=1.2,color=color.white,opacity=.25,pos=vector(0,-3,0))
cylGlass=cylinder(radius=.8,color=color.white,axis=vector(0,1,0),opacity=.25,length=6,pos=vector(0,-3,0))
for temp in range(0,115,10):
    tickPos=4.5/115*temp+1.5
    tick=cylinder(radius=.7,color=color.black,length=.1,axis=vector(0,1,0),pos=vector(0,tickPos-3,0))
    label=text(text=str(temp),color=color.white,pos=vector(-2,tickPos-3,0),height=.3)
while True:
    while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:
        pass
    dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()
    dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')
    dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')
    dataPacket=dataPacket.split(',')
    temp=float(dataPacket[0])
    hum=float(dataPacket[1])
    len=(4.5/115)*temp+1.5
    cyl.length=len
    digValue.text=str(temp)

import time

import serial

from vpython import *

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)

time.sleep(.5)

digValue=label(text='50',height=20,box=False,pos=vector(0,-2.5,2))

bulb=sphere(radius=1,color=color.red,pos=vector(0,-3,0))

cyl=cylinder(radius=.6,color=color.red,axis=vector(0,1,0),length=6,pos=vector(0,-3,0))

bulbGlass=sphere(radius=1.2,color=color.white,opacity=.25,pos=vector(0,-3,0))

cylGlass=cylinder(radius=.8,color=color.white,axis=vector(0,1,0),opacity=.25,length=6,pos=vector(0,-3,0))

for temp in range(0,115,10):

tickPos=4.5/115*temp+1.5

tick=cylinder(radius=.7,color=color.black,length=.1,axis=vector(0,1,0),pos=vector(0,tickPos-3,0))

label=text(text=str(temp),color=color.white,pos=vector(-2,tickPos-3,0),height=.3)

while True:

while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:

pass

dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()

dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')

dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')

dataPacket=dataPacket.split(',')

temp=float(dataPacket[0])

hum=float(dataPacket[1])

len=(4.5/115)*temp+1.5

cyl.length=len

digValue.text=str(temp)

3D Graphics with Visual Python, Arduino, Arduino with Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 5: Analog Voltage Meter in vPython

February 8, 2022 admin

In this lesson we begin coding a 3D analog voltmeter model in vPython. We begin by connecting a potentiometer to an arduino to create a voltage divider. The voltage is read from the center tap of the potentiometer by the arduino, and then the arduino passes the data to python. Then, we animate the analog voltmeter based on the readings passed from the Arduino. Enjoy!

int potPin=A0;
int DL=100;
int potVal;
void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
pinMode(potPin,INPUT);
Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
potVal=analogRead(potPin);
Serial.println(potVal);
delay(DL);
}

int potPin=A0;

int DL=100;

int potVal;

void setup() {

// put your setup code here, to run once:

pinMode(potPin,INPUT);

Serial.begin(115200);

}

void loop() {

// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

potVal=analogRead(potPin);

Serial.println(potVal);

delay(DL);

}

Then this is the code we developed for the Python side.

import time
import serial
from vpython import *
import numpy as np

arrowLength=1
arrowWidth=.02
myArrow=arrow(length=arrowLength,shaftwidth=arrowWidth,color=color.red,axis=vector(1,1,0))

tickL=.1
tickW=.02
tickH=.02

for theta in np.linspace(5*np.pi/6,np.pi/6,6):
    tickMajor=box(color=color.black,pos=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0),size=vector(tickL,tickW,tickH),axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0))


boxX=2.5
boxY=1.5
boxZ=.1
myCase=box(color=color.white,size=vector(boxX,boxY,boxZ),pos=vector(0,.9*boxY/2,-boxZ))

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)
time.sleep(1)
while True:
    while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:
        pass
    dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()
    dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')
    dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')
    dataPacket=int(dataPacket)
    potVal=dataPacket
    theta=-2*np.pi/3069*potVal+5*np.pi/6
    myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)

    # for theta in np.linspace(5*np.pi/6,np.pi/6,150):
    #     rate(25)
    #     myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)
    
    # for theta in np.linspace(np.pi/6,5*np.pi/6,150):
    #     rate(25)
    #     myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)

import time

import serial

from vpython import *

import numpy as np

arrowLength=1

arrowWidth=.02

myArrow=arrow(length=arrowLength,shaftwidth=arrowWidth,color=color.red,axis=vector(1,1,0))

tickL=.1

tickW=.02

tickH=.02

for theta in np.linspace(5*np.pi/6,np.pi/6,6):

tickMajor=box(color=color.black,pos=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0),size=vector(tickL,tickW,tickH),axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0))

boxX=2.5

boxY=1.5

boxZ=.1

myCase=box(color=color.white,size=vector(boxX,boxY,boxZ),pos=vector(0,.9*boxY/2,-boxZ))

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)

time.sleep(1)

while True:

while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:

pass

dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()

dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')

dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')

dataPacket=int(dataPacket)

potVal=dataPacket

theta=-2*np.pi/3069*potVal+5*np.pi/6

myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)

# for theta in np.linspace(5*np.pi/6,np.pi/6,150):

# rate(25)

# myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)

# for theta in np.linspace(np.pi/6,5*np.pi/6,150):

# rate(25)

# myArrow.axis=vector(arrowLength*np.cos(theta),arrowLength*np.sin(theta),0)

3D Graphics with Visual Python, Arduino with Python, Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 4: Visual Display of Measured Voltage in Visual Python

February 1, 2022 admin

In this lesson we show how you can measure a voltage from a potentiometer using Arduino, and then pass that data to Visual Python over the serial port. Then we use visual python to create a 3D model that is animated by the live data.

On the Arduino side we use the following code to measure the voltage from the potentiometer:

int potPin=A0;
int DL=100;
int potVal;
void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
pinMode(potPin,INPUT);
Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
potVal=analogRead(potPin);
Serial.println(potVal);
delay(DL);
}

int potPin=A0;

int DL=100;

int potVal;

void setup() {

// put your setup code here, to run once:

pinMode(potPin,INPUT);

Serial.begin(115200);

}

void loop() {

// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

potVal=analogRead(potPin);

Serial.println(potVal);

delay(DL);

}

Then on the python side we read and display the data with the following code:

import time
import serial
from vpython import *
tube=cylinder(color=color.blue, radius=1, length=5, axis=vector(0,1,0))
lab=label(text='0 Volts',box=False)
arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)
time.sleep(1)
while True:
    while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:
        pass
    dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()
    dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')
    dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')
    dataPacket=int(dataPacket)
    potVal=dataPacket
    vol=(5./1023.)*potVal
    if vol==0:
        vol=.0001
    tube.length=vol
    vol=round(vol,1)
    lab.text=str(vol)+' Volts'

import time

import serial

from vpython import *

tube=cylinder(color=color.blue, radius=1, length=5, axis=vector(0,1,0))

lab=label(text='0 Volts',box=False)

arduinoData=serial.Serial('com3',115200)

time.sleep(1)

while True:

while arduinoData.in_waiting==0:

pass

dataPacket=arduinoData.readline()

dataPacket=str(dataPacket,'utf-8')

dataPacket=dataPacket.strip('\r\n')

dataPacket=int(dataPacket)

potVal=dataPacket

vol=(5./1023.)*potVal

if vol==0:

vol=.0001

tube.length=vol

vol=round(vol,1)

lab.text=str(vol)+' Volts'

Watch the video for a complete explanation of the code.

Technology Tutorials

Category Archives: Arduino with Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 14: Model a Moving Marble in a Room Using Parameters

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 11: Controlling an LED from Python

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 8: Live Thermometer 3D Visual Using DHT11

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 5: Analog Voltage Meter in vPython

Using an Arduino with Python LESSON 4: Visual Display of Measured Voltage in Visual Python

Making The World a Better Place One High Tech Project at a Time. Enjoy!