How-tos

Project Planning

You want to create a project, but don't quite know where to begin.

Add a JTAG Connector for In-Circuit Debugging

In order to do in-circuit debugging on the Make Controller, you'll need to solder an additional component to your board.

Add Rubber Feet

Small rubber pads on the bottom of the Application Board make it much nicer to work with!

Build Firmware on Windows

Set up to create your own programs for the Make Controller.

Build Firmware With Eclipse

Use Eclipse (a free development environment) to create programs for the Make Controller Kit.

Build Firmware With XCode

Use Apple's XCode IDE to compile firmware for the Make Controller.

Change Network Settings

How to change the IP address, and other network settings on the Make Controller Kit via OSC.

Communicate via XML with mchelper

mchelper can make a socket connection to a script/application to communicate with any Make Controllers connected to it.

Configure the Make Controller to Automatically Send Input Values

How to configure and use the autosend feature in the Heavy firmware.

Connect a DC Motor

How to connect and use a DC motor with the Make Controller Kit.

Connect a power supply to the green slip-on connectors

How to adapt any old power supply into one that you can use with the Make Controller.

Connect a Relay to a Digital Output

Explains how to use Relays with the MC.

Connect a Servo Motor

Connect and use a servo motor with the Make Controller Kit.

Connect a Switch

How to connect a switch, or pushbutton, to the Make Controller.

Connect an LED to a Digital Output

Connect and use an LED with the Make Controller.

Connect Two Make Controllers Wirelessly

Use the XBee modules to communicate between 2 Make Controllers wirelessly.

Create Your Own OSC subsystem

Create a custom OSC interface to your own Make Controller program.

Distance Measuring Sensor

How to use a distance measuring sensor with the Make Controller Kit.

Easily update and set XBee module settings with X-CTU

Use Digi's X-CTU application to read and write the settings of your XBee module.

Generate up to date firmware documentation

Sometimes, if you're working from the source code in SVN, the online documentation can be out of date - generate your own if you want.

Get Help

How to get help with the Make Controller.

Get Started with Python

A quick overview on using the Make Controller with Python over Ethernet via OSC.

How to connect and use an ultrasonic rangefinder

How to connect and talk to an ultrasonic rangefinder (aka sonar) over the Make Controller’s GPIO connections.

Make a Proper Screw Connection

How to make a proper connection to a screw terminal of the Make Controller Kit.

Make a Wireless Motion Detector

Create a remote motion detector with the Make Controller and a pair of XBee modules.

Manufacture a Make Controller Kit

How to make one yourself (sort of).

Pass data to/from MS Excel with Make Controller C#

This how to explains how to communicate with Excel and the MC using Visual C# Express Edition. A free IDE available from Microsoft.

Photocell

How to connect and use a photocell (light sensor) with the Make Controller.

Piezo Sensor

How to connect and use a piezo sensor with the Make Controller Kit.

PIR Sensor

How to use a PIR sensor with the Make Controller Kit.

Potentiometer

How to connect a potentiometer to the Make Controller Kit.

Power Via an AC Adapter

Provide power to your Make Controller and any I/O devices via an AC adapter.

Power via USB

Power your Make Controller via a USB connection.

Read info from an RSS feed

How to get your Make Controller to check for updates from an RSS feed.

Replace Output Driver Chips on the Application Board

Replace the output drivers on the Application Board if you've burned them out.

Scale a 5V Signal to 3.3V

Convert a 5V signal (common with many sensors) to 3.3V (required by the Make Controller).

Selecting Wire

How to select the right wire to use with your project.

Serial RS232 Connection How-to

A step by step process of setting up a serial interface to your make controller

Split a power connection between several devices

Use a single power or ground terminal to connect to several devices.

Stepper Motor

Connect and use a stepper motor with the Make Controller Kit.

SVN for firmware projects

Learn how to always get the latest MakingThings code while managing your firmware projects in your own Subversion repository.

Talk to the Make Controller with Ruby

Use the rosc (Ruby-OSC) library to communicate with the Make Controller via Ethernet.

Temperature Sensor

How to use a temperature sensor with the Make Controller Kit.

Upload Content to Your User Space

Share your MakingThings-related content with the world.

Use the Make Controller with Exemplar

Exemplar is a graphical environment that allows you to program by demonstration.