18.7.15 (Quick update before I go on holiday for a week)

Thesis:

My thesis is coming along well (approx 15,000 words) I have all the data I require now so I will be examining each element individually and cross analysing each section to search for data trends.

Model:

I have created a singular mechanism for one eye lid and it works pretty well so when I get paid I will look at buying some more micro servos to finish this element. However while I wait for that to happen I have been busy putting together a neck mechanism that will eventually be support via bungee ropes.

Feelings

I am feeling happy with the current state of the project, working on my own has allowed me to pace the project at a comfortable speed so I am quite relaxed at the moment. 

Evaluation

It is important to test the eyelids individually so I can work out the range needed to co-ordinate a blink but this should be easy once the rest of my micro servos arrive from china. There may be issues with the neck mechanism at a later date as they are only 30 kg of torque each and I have not accounted for the weight of the batteries and the other mechanisms. This will need to be re assed later on in the project. I am still restrained by my budget, I am currently working on about 40 quid a month to spend on this project.. which may seem like a lot in terms of the equipment I am actually getting for it but I also have to factor in the shipping rate from over sees and the time it takes to 

Analysis

The current situation of the project makes sense, I am happy with both the progression of the model and the written documentation. I feel 15,000 words is a mile stone I have been trying to reach as it is the most I have ever written so its a nice feeling to get this far and still feel like I have been on target with my explanations and not going too far off topic as such. 

Conclusion

In conclusion this has been a very productive session and I hope this string of luck continues at this pace. It has been really nice getting back to grips with everything after a steady few weeks trawling through statistical data but things are really looking good at the moment.

Action Plan

Set up eye lid mechanisms when they arrive, test neck toque using dummy weight. I think they neck mechanism is going to have to take a lot more weight than I first planned but these servos can pull 35 kg each so I am hoping that will be enough. 

9.7.15

Thesis: I have been working on the IBDM stuff and its getting more interesting as through the 90's there appears to have been a resurgence in animatronics in film. I have also discovered a few titles of interest that I am going to look into as I have not seen them before. 

Model: I have just created a pair of eyelids using thermo plastic resin set with hardener. I need to add the joints to the ends of the eyelids and then drive them using micro servos rigged with push/pull rods tapered with ball and socket eyelets. I will expand on this process more in the next update. 

Feelings.

I am feeling pretty positive since the last session, I have moved into an era in the IBDM data base where there are plenty of animatronic features to examine between the 1980's and 1990's.

Evaluation

Which is a pretty big shock as I had always presumed that the 80's where sort of the height of animatronics not the 90's my research is starting to indicate that although aniamtronics where prevalent in 80's that the quality of film was actually quite low and the B-Movie style features seem to be implementing the medium more than the top sellers. Maybe this is just an over sight or a presumption that I have always had in my head as I know major VFX features started out in the 90's and I just presumed that they would have immediately taken centre stage. The model looks really cool with eye lids and I am getting pretty excited about seeing them in action. I have ordered some mirco servos to power them as I dont think there is any need to get standard size servos for this mechanism. Plus the mirco servos each have 1.8 kg of torque which is more than enough and probably around the same amount of power as the cheap servos I have been getting from chine in the past.

Analysis

The current situation of the project make sense to me, I am actually starting to enjoy doing the IBDM research now it is getting more interesting. I think the 60's-79 range was just a long slog and finding very few examples of animatronic work between them years. But now its getting a bit meater in terms of finding what I am looking for its not that bad. I also think the eye brows really give the character more expressional elements that I can see just be moving them by hand will give the character a lot more emotive expression.

Conclusion

In conclusion this has been more of an upbeat session, iv'e actually enjoyed doing the statistical research and iv'e enjoyed seeing how the character looks with eyelids.

Action Plan.

The action plan for the next session is to start putting the mechanisms in place for the eyes and testing them with the r.c remote

8.7.15

Thesis.

I am still in IBDM hell, there is sp much joy in discovering a film that has implemented animatronics that I have not seen that I pretty much go on to ebay straight away and try and source it second hand. However, there are so many films that look like they may have used animatronics but actually used other forms of practical effects like make up and costume so its a case of really going into detail with each title and researching the background of every title on the list.

Model.

I really like the cheeks on the robot, the miliput has finished the effect off really nicely. Its such a simple thing and it adds so much to the emotion of the character. The only issue is that the servos operate on a wider sweep than the mechanisms allow, so this will have to accounted for at a programmable level when writing the arudino script. 

Feelings

I am really enjoying working on the model at the moment its really fun and keep surprising me with how people react to it. The analysis of the IBDM data base is still giving me issues as far as keeping up the level of indeterminacy as I set out from the start.  

Evaluation

I have found this session to be one that has had its ups and downs, I had friends around who really loved the model and could not wait to have a go playing around with the r.c control. I think this is also part of the joy of making this stuff is just letting people loose on it and try to explore things for themselves. I know this isnt a normal part of the animatronic build process but for me it has been real fun and has given me motivation to crack on and get this finished on time. As stated above the analysis chapter is still giving me a headache, I'm about half way through the data base at the moment but if feel like im just at the start still. 

Analysis

The current situation of the project makes sense and I know that once I have accomplished the more difficult elements of the project they will add further grounding and substance to the outcomes. 

Conclusion

In conclusion I would really like to get through the statistical side of the project as soon as possible, I know this can not be rushed as even missing one film that has used animatronics will give me totally wrong outcomes and its not worth that at all. In fact I cant really bare the thought of missing one out as the study and the artistry is that important to me. 

Action Plan

Finish the IBDM data base and move on with the other elements of the project. I think it will be a really positive move for me to spend a few days getting through this and just taking it step by step. 

7.7.15

Thesis: Still working on analysing data from questionnaire and IBDM database (completion due in 3 weeks). 

Model: I have installed the brackets for the cheek system today, as the character is going to have baggy skin and I wanted to be able to manipulate the silicone layer as much as possible between the upper lips and the lover eyelids. The cheek brackets are drilled to hold a resin cast of the cheek muscles that should eventually line up with the lip muscles (resin members that will be attached to the black heat shrink on the lips).

I have also purchased the new model spektrum ds6 transmitter second hand off ebay. I am going to be working on using the mode switches to control different facial functions and set expression during operation and further integrate these functions into the hybrid (arduino) system. I still be using the old transmitter for the mouth up/down left/right operations as I wanted this whole system to run on an independent unit for demonstration purposes. 

Feelings

I feel very much back on track with the project after a few days taking it easy, I did not managed to fully disconnect myself from the project as im not wired like that.

Evaluation

I really like how the cheeks move, the simplicity of them adds to how they appear when in operation. I think once I finish them off with miliput they will become an important element of the project as they really move like cheek muscles under r.c control. The new R.C controller is very complicated its basically got an in-built computer into the interface. It can be configures to operated 6 motors and also switch to different operations using the switches on top of the controller. I think the best way to get to grips with this remote is to use it with a bunch of servos wired into the receiver. On the plus side it really is a nice looking remote... as far as remotes go and I am really impressed with how dynamic the levers are and how configurable all the switches and lever are. I thing this will prove very useful when it comes to controlling the parts of the character than are going to be operated via manned control.

Analysis

The current situation of the project is sort of making sense, I feel fired up and ready to get on with things but keeping to together enough to go through the IDBM data base with the meticulous approach that I have set out from the start is really tough to keep up. I am trying to do a year every night but at the moment its more like 50 film titles a night as it really is that difficult to examine each film in detail and look at who was involved in each film, what special effects where used and how. I am also keeping track of these details via tally charts in my diary. This process is helping as spending hours on end looking at the computer really gives me a headache so glancing away for a few minutes at a time and actually writing the information by handing into a table gives me a brake from this.

Conclusion

In conclusion the past few days have been both kinda frustrating and re-freshening at the same time. If I am being honest I woke up on Friday morning ready to go again and although I had promised everyone that I would take time off from the project I was very much still working on things in my head and jotting bits down on paper when I could.

Action Plan

Look at making some eyelids, research on what the best way to display the data from the ibdm data base is for my thesis. I have got a book from the library on statistical data analysis so I will look at implementing some of approaches from that into my work. 

4.7.15

Thesis: I spent yesterday going through the IBDM data base and managed to analyse data up till the year 1984. I am really enjoying sifting through and looking at some of these older films in detail as I have found some real gems to watch (Laserblast 1973, Ssssss 1972, Phase IV 1974)

Model: I have spent some time today positioning the servos that will control the characters cheek movements. I will eventually attach extended servo horns to these which will have the eproxy resin cheeks attached to them. The idea is that these two servos are conjoined with the left and right lip servos using a splitter cable. This will hopefully allow more defined control of the facial expression for the character in the later stages of this project. 1.1

I have also purchased a pair of jumbo spektrum servos (30kg) 'thanks ebay' that will control the characters head movement up/down left/right I will use suspension and ball bearing techniques to elevate the strain on these motors (similar to the mechanisms used in the jaw and the neck socket of my last project) http://www.actualityandartificiality.co.uk/   1.2

1.1

1.2

Feelings.

I feel very happy with the progress made over the past few days, I am starting to get a real feeling for the project as a whole which to me is a good indication of how the direction the project will eventually head.

Evaluation.

Adding the cheeks onto the robot has not only filled in a big gap int he robot but I think when they are completed will really had some extra emotional expression to the character. I plan on making this mechanism using just brackets and miliput, as I do not want to over complicate such a simple movement as cheek muscles. I hope by making this element that it will bring the character to life more, I also intend to trigger this system at the same time as the mouth and lips so when the audio trigger is in operation it really hits you all at once rather than a gradual progression. The IBDM data base is a really long and laborious task to trawl through as each year contains a hundred film titles than need to be examined in depth. This is really taking its toll on my as its not something I particularly enjoy doing but I think it is also very necessary for the projects development. 

Analysis

I feel that the project is going ok at the moment, it is very tiring trying to fit things in at the moment and I cant remember the last time I took a brake from everything so I may schedule in some down time for a few days and then start a fresh. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, this session has been both very good and very trying. I think some time off will really help me focus when I come back to it. My eyes are currently going square from staring at the pc screen for hours on end so ...ive made this entry quick.

Action Plan

The action plan is basically to refresh myself and pick it up from where I left off in a few days time. I think its more a personal thing as I have the tendency to become totally encapsulated by this project and sometimes its all I think about. 

2.7.15

Thesis. I am currently looking at the connections between the animation industry and the animatronics industry using Maureen Furniss's book, art in motion to explore and particularly relations and contrasts between the two industries. I am hoping this will prove very useful and act a bridge in many way between how the hand drawn animation and animatronic fields of animation function. I will also be looking over the interview results from the questionnaire and highlighting areas that correspond and contest using different coloured highlighters in word. 

Model

I have fitted the model with spektrum servos to control the eye functions. I used the same process for this mechanism as I did in my last project as it seemed to work pretty well. The servos themselves are very responsive with high torque ratios and speed. I would like to use these some more in the project as they feel totally different to the cheap futbata copies I had shipped over from china, 

Feelings.

I feel that this session has been very interesting and has produced some decent results as far as the eye mechanism in concerned. I am very happy with the model at this stage of the project.

Evaluation.

I guess a key thing that needs to be acknowledged at this point is the unconventional eye mechanism as it does tend to produce some variation in control. I think the main cause of this is because I have used springs to aid in the motion of the mechanism. So as the servos pushes the spring in to say make the eyes go down as soon as the servo decelerates and eventually ceases function the springs naturally return the mechanism to its original position. I am not sure if this is the best way of implementing such mechanism but once again it has brought my costing down by quite a considerable amount which is very much a factor in the project. I think I can make slight alterations to this elements as time goes on and eventually get it to run smoothly. I am also looking at some of my interview responses as many individuals worked at Jim Henosons UK factory back in the 90's-2000's when it was at the height of its operation. I think these accounts will link in well with the work I have been doing on Maureen Furniss's perspective on the animation industry.

Analysis

The current state of the project makes sense as far as sticking to schedules and reaching targets. However, I still believe that eventually cost restraints will start to play a role in this project. I am working part time to fund this project and its becoming increasingly obvious that I need to live and support my family before I can just go ahead and spend lots of money on fancy servos and parts that would considerably make this project more stable.

Conclusion

In conclusion.. both project seems to be heading in the right direction, I feel I have no need to panic at this current time. However I am also aware of the constraints of this project and how these factors may effect the outcome of both the model and the theoretical work.

Action Plan

I will be looking at making some eye lids for the character during the next few days. I have bought a video from the stan winston school of character arts that explores how to make a set of 3D printed eyes for use in animatronic models... of course I am not using any 3D print technology in this model but it will be interesting to see how the professional construct such systems.

1.7.16

Thesis: I am still working through the ibdm database and collating data for my statistical analysis.

Model: Today I have been working on two separate elements of the model. The first element concerned rigging up a potentiometer to the pivot of the jaw mechanism. This will allow me to recored the position of the jaw using ardunio, this information is vital for the seamless alternation between my different modes. (1. Full Automation 2. Operational 3. Bridge) these three different functions allow the model to interact with it's environment in different ways and will also give the performance a variable range meaning no single performance will be identical but will be operational within a defined set of parameters that are interchangeable and expandable. 1.1

The next stage was getting the rigging together for the eyelid mechanism the system is a simple construction consisting of two brass rods that are positioned within the central orientation of the eyes. Attached to the end of the rods are brass connectors taken from an electrical block. The eyelids will be formed from milliput. I made a cast of the characters eyes last week using themoplast and milliput. I will use the positive from the cast to build up the eyelids from. When finished they will be driven independently using microservos. This will allow the character to wink and make variable functions on each servos, which will hopefully make it appear less mechanical and more organic when moving. 2.2

2.2

1.1

Feelings: I currently feel 'ok' about the project, I would like to finish the internal mechanics of the animatronic via the end of this month so I can start putting my efforts into programming and aesthetics. 

Evaluation: I am happy with the progress that has been made today, I will be working on getting the eyelids made out of e-poxy resin either tomorrow or Friday as I am working all weekend. 

Analysis: The current situation of the project makes sense and progression is moving at an adequate rate.

Conclusion: In conclusion I am pleased with how much progress has been made over this past week or so. But I want to start finalising the internal mechanics of the model now and move on to finishing the results chapter of my thesis. 

Action Plan: Finish Eye-lid mechanism, eye brow mechanisms and cheek mechanisms via the end of the month so I can start working on the external structure of the model. I also want to finishing analysing the results from my questionnaire and ibdm data base ready for submission in graphical format.