SketchKit is a physical accessory for Dash and Cue which allows the robot to draw with a marker. This example demonstrates the robot doing a reasonable job of physically drawing vector-based SVG image files.
- From the command-line you can run :
python misc/sketcher.py --file path/to/some/file.svg
For example
python misc/sketcher.py --file assets/svg_files/ww_w.svg - After connecting, the robot will begin blinking the top button.
- Place the robot in the center of your drawing area.
- Press the top button
- The robot will draw your drawing !
The robot will resize the drawing so that it fits snugly in a bounding-box which by default is 90cm wide by 60cm high.
The size of this box can be changed by including a --box width_cm height_cm option.
For example, to draw the octocat within a 30cm x 30cm region:
python misc/sketcher.py --file assets/svg_files/octocat.svg --box 30 30
.. This box is just the bounds of the drawing itself - be sure to leave some padding (about 8cm) for the robot's wheels !
By default the program will connect to the nearest robot it sees. But this might be someone else's robot, and it might even be a Dot !
Here are some useful connection options. These may all be combined as you like.
Connect ASAP, but at the cost of a less accurate estimate of what robot is closest.
Only look for Dash and Cue robots. Dots are ignored.
Only look for robots with this name/s.
Putting it all together, here's a reasonable command-line:
python misc/sketcher.py --connect-eager --connect-type dash cue --box 90 60 --file assets/svg_files/octocat.svg
The robot can only draw lines, not filled areas. However, very many SVG files use filled areas which are shaped like lines. Picture a swimming-pool in the shape of the letter T. From a distance it looks like two simple pen-strokes, but if the robot had to drive along the edge of the swimming pool it's actually eight separate edges ! Most of which are parellel to a nearby edge, so the result ends up looking messy.
| What The File Looks Like | What the Robot Draws | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficult |  |
 |
| Easier |  |
 |
*octocat image from here.
Please check the list of issues and todo's at the WonderPy repository on github.
Pull-Requests are welcome.
Feature requests for the API should also be sent as a new Issue in github.
If there's a specific bug or problem with the API, please check the outstanding issues in github and if it's not already covered, create a new one.
If you have a more general question such as "how would I approach doing .." or you have a tip you'd like to share, please visit stackoverflow and be sure to tag your post with wonderworkshop.
Got a great picture or video ?
If you're sharing your Dash, Dot or Cue work on Twitter or Instagram, remember to tag @WonderWorkshop !