The Strike Won`t Stop Us!

This week was strike week! Therefore, it was no longer business as usual with our classes. Thankfully, none of our Digital Media courses were cancelled. This Wednesday's class, Netra brought the molecular model design of what our structure would look like physically. He used Joel's molecular to achieve this. However, what Joel and Michael told us after looking at the model was the fact that participants would not see the shape of the lignin structure from ground view. Which is a pretty good point because it did not occur to us at the time we were designing it. So the Professors suggested to Netra to use the molecular kit and try out different designs. By next week, we should have three different designs prepared to show them. From the designs that was created, we will all make a mutual decision as to which is the best structured design both aesthetically and technically. Some of our group members continued on the molecules, Virginia continued with her Virtual World. We also received our NeoPixels and Fade Candies. The next step is to figure out how we connect the Fade Candy with the NeoPixels. Kimberly found an example Processing patch online. We were able to successfully get the Fade Candy to work with NeoPixels using that Processing patch. However, we noticed that only 64 lights were only working, not the whole thing. Apparently, each pin on the Fade Candy can only light 64 lights at a time. Therefore, the difficulty would be finding a way to "unlock" the rest of the pins on the Candy. For the technical portion, the Professors gave us some advice on the type of sensors we could possibly use instead of force sensors. Some ideas that arose included the proximity sensor(person detection in the room). Kimberly and I were thinking about using the photoresistor for two modes(cutting and fire mode). We are still thinking about the logic of how they will all work. The plan is to have the Neopixels to be divided in segments. In other words, each photoresistor would be responsible for a segment of molecules in the installation. On Friday, Netra and Michael both went to Home Depot to buy the pipes, joints and other accessories for our installation. Next week's class, the plan to cut the pipes and start drilling the holes for the wires and for the lights to shine through.