by Rico Kanthatham, Skylabworkshop, 2023

Serial / Libraries

Overview

Processing can communicate with a Microcontroller (like an Arduino) over a serial connection.

When connected…Processing can SEND control signals to the Microcontroller (ex: a graphical ON button on a Processing canvas can activate an LED connected to the Microcontroller)…behaving as a Control Interface

…or Processing can RECEIVE data from a Microcontroller (ex: receive temperature sensor data from a sensor connected to a Microcontroller and display it as a RED line that grows taller as the temperature increases) behaving as a Data Visualizing Display

• Processing program (on a PC) is connected to a Microcontroller (MCU)...via Serial Communication
• The connection allows 2-way communication
  • Processing sends control signals MCU >> Processing as Input interface (switch, button, etc)
  • MCU sends data to Processing for visualization >> Processing as visualization Output (sensor data visualization, etc.)

Making Drawings with Processing

• ‘Processing’ is Java programming for artists (...think of it as parametric Inkscape!)

Learn Processing - Ep 01 - Hello Rectangle!

• Processing Reference page…where a list of ALL the commands for the language can be found

Reference

Step 0: Getting Started with Processing

Step 1: Make a Colorful Canvas

Step 2: Draw Shapes & Text!

Step 3: Using Mouse Location & Events

Connecting Processing >> Arduino