Using Blender to control a robot arm

Coding Python Support
1

Hi guys,

I am planning to use blender to control a robot arm that i am building. Its easy to use graphical interface, and great IK algorithms make it seem perfect for this application. I just need a little guidance on which aspects of the Blender software i should really concentrate on learning.

I’m going to be scripting in python to interface with the robotic arm. The problem is… all the python code i see seems to be just adding functionality to the software (automating a repetitive task for example). What i ideally want to create is a script which runs in the background while i use my mouse alter the position of an armature. The script will need to be constantly monitoring the coordinates of the bones as i do this.

Is using the blender game engine a possibility? Or maybe even just moving the arm around in pose mode?

Any help is greatly appreciated

– Harry

2

Just off the top of my head I would say tying your script into the pyconstraint system should/could work.

You move the bone, blender calls the python script and the script tells the robot to move.

Don’t ask me how to do it though.

3

it’s possible I think with the game engine, the only thing is that, as far as I know, you can’t really use a complete matrix for armature rotation. it can work on two axis, but it’s a bit tricky you have to go through actions in property mode.
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=151649
you could also use non-armatured parented objects. this way is ok on xyz as GE matrixes are ok with standalone objects.

pose mode is perhaps more simple as you don’t have to code an IK thing, but just redraw a target location through the gui (I guess)