Vixen Driver for the Prop-1

[JonnyMac]

Okay, this is pretty cool -- well, we think it is, anyway.  After getting to know and working with KC Oaks, the developer of Vixen, we (KC and I) have come up with a Vixen driver (KC) and the Prop-1 interface code (me) to allow you to control a Prop-1 through the Vixen software.  So, those of you who are looking to do a talking skull on the cheap, here you go.  Vixen is free, and the Prop-1 darned near is.

You will of course have to download Vixen (www.vixenlights.com) and copy the plug-in (prop-1_3s4d.dll) to the Vixen Plugins folder.  You should also make a copy of the starter sequence (Prop-1 Demo.vix -- drop into the Vixen Sequences folder) to see how the channels are organized:

1: (P0) Servo 1
2: (P1) Servo 2
3: (P2) Servo 3
4: (P3) Digital 1
5: (P4) Digital 2
6: (P5) Digital 3
7: (P6) Digital 4

P7 is used fro serial input from Vixen (see below).

And for those wondering if you can have four servos the answer is not with the Prop-1.  There's just not enough bandwidth to refresh the servos reliably due to the message length and baud rate.  Yes, the Prop-2 and Prop-SX can handle [many] more servos -- drivers for those controllers are coming.

You'll need to build a cable to go between your PC serial port and the Prop-1.  The schematic below is the what we suggest as it is compatible with the Prop-1 as in this application and with other EFX-TEK devices that can controlled by Vixen (like the DC-16, FC-4, etc -- yes, drivers are coming for those as well).



All of the parts are available at RadioShack except the servo cable which you can get from us (cut it in half to make two adapters if you like).  With careful soldering you can fit everything into a nice DB-9 shell , RS 276-1513 (you'll need to insulate as the shells are coated with a conductive paint).

Have fun!  We're having a great time with Vixen and enjoy working with KC, so you can expect lots of neat things developed between our two companies.

[JonnyMac]

Getting Started with Vixen and the Prop-1

1. Download and install Vixen

2. Download the ZIP file from the post above
    -- put "prop-1_3s4d.dll" into the Vixen Plugins folder
    -- put "Prop-1 Demo.vix" into the Vixen Sequences folder
    -- put "Vixen.BS1" into your Prop-1 code folder

3. Download Vixen.BS1 to the Prop-1

4. Build the Vixen interface cable per the schematic above; connect to P7
    -- make sure the P7 SETUP jumper is moved to UP and the P6 SETUP jumper is removed

5. Replace the Prop-1's ULN2803 with a ULN2003 or clip pin 1 of the ULN2803

6. Start Vixen

7. From the Sequence menu select "Open an event sequence"
    -- from the Open dialog select "Prop-1 Demo.vix"
    -- click "Open"



8. From the Vixen Sequence menu select "Settings"
    -- change the sequence name to that of your choice (e.g., Talking Skull)
        * this will save the sequence to the new name, the old will not be modified (identical to "Save As...")
    -- change the event period length to 40 ms (do NOT use a value less than 40 with the Prop-1)
    -- click OK

9. From the event window select Attached Plugins



    -- Click on "EFX-TEK Prop-1 3+4" in the drivers list (left side)
    -- Click the Use button
    -- Click on the driver in the selected drivers list (right side)
    -- Click on Setup



10. Adjust the driver settings:
    -- Select the COM port (1 - 4) that will drive the Prop-1 (Vixen version 2.0 will allow more COM ports)
    -- Set the threshold for digital channels; levels at or above this threshold will be turned on; levels below will be turned off
    -- Set the analog (servo) adjustment values for 0% and 100%.  The standard values of 100 and 200 give a servo pulse range of 1 ms at 0% and 2 ms at 100%
       -- settings are in 10 uS units
    -- Click OK to close the driver Setup dialog



11. Click Done to close the Driver Selection dialog

12. Create your sequence and go!