Creative Motion Control Week 2: Integrating Manual and Automated Machine Operation

Date: Thursday, April 7, 2026

Topics​

Core Theme: Automated Motion via Generators

• Project 1 Proposals
• Hands on Generator Activity

[3:00-3:05] | Check in / Updates​

• Website reorg
• Reflections check in
• AI debugging use- Arduino probably ok, Stepdance ???

[3:05 - 4:00 PM] | Project Proposal Review​

• Each team will have 7 minutes to present their proposal idea to the class. This will be followed by 5 minutes Q/A.
• We will be presenting off team webpages

[4:05 - 4:50] | Activity 1 -- Program Stepdance with a Generator​

Generators are the starting point in Stepdance to incorporate automated machine movement. We'll break out the plotters and program them to use a generator to vary machine motion as we control our step-a-sketch program manually Generator Guide.

Assignments​

• Complete week 2 reflection by Monday 4/13 Noon. Reflection Slide
• Download and install Inkscape and the [Axidraw extension] (https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Axidraw_Software_Installation) for use in Thursday's class.
• Optional: Building from the Intro to Generators Guide. Try to use the circle generator to make the Axidraw create circles.
• List items needed for project 1 in order spreadsheet link

Resources and References​

• Optional Reading:
  • Mechanical Interventions: Project Page
    • An investigation by LIA into blending human action with machine action for painting.
  • How to Paint a Star: YouTube - Hannah Twigg Smith

Next Class​

• Intro to complex pre-planned motion
• Hands on tutorial for hooking up physical interfaces
• Overview of lab resources / tools for project 1