This week, we tested the system from scanning, to if the stepper motor rotates, to saving the scans, to feeding it into the math in a python file to make the normal map. The system, after a bit of directory/save name tweaking, works, even properly starting and working fully from the Blender add-on. The only thing we didn’t test is the manipulator rotating the coin/object itself, Theo did it manually for the testing, because we were waiting on a 3D printed part to mount the suction part on the manipulator device. We were actually able to get a decently clear normal map of the coin, just a regular U.S. quarter. So personally, what I did was make adjustments in the software to be able to integrate in Yon’s math normal-map-making python file.
We’ve decided to put Mac-compatible software on hold, as there’s complications with Mac and the framework we were using to command the scanner. We’ll look into Mac-specific scanning libraries to use after getting the whole system including making the .obj working on Windows and Linux. Better to have at least one OS working completely than have it work only partially on all three.
Next step is expanding the Blender UI so the user can select a file path needed for the scanning process, the COM port for the microcontroller (though maybe we could do that automatically), and possibly the scanning DPI. Maybe somehow getting the command line messages we have with the scanning process progress getting displayed in Blender? Also we need to make sure the suction manipulation works in system run and integrate .obj 3D model creation. I’d say we’re on track and have a pretty good setup for the demos this upcoming week.